Chapter 17 Before Tia died, life had been centered around my work. No restrictions on my hours, spending more weekends glued to my computer than not. It was all I'd known, and though my world remained small, I'd never thought to change it. Losing her had forced me to rearrange everything. That process had been excruciating in almost every way, but now, two years into this new life, things ran as smoothly as possible. Attending the charity luncheon had been a rare break in my routine, so when I stepped into the foyer of our new house, I was immediately bombarded with questions. "What did you eat?" "Did you see anyone famous?" "Did you bring anything home for me?" "Were there any good-looking women interested in an eligible silver fox?" The last from my father, the self-proclaimed ladies' man. His ego knew no bounds, but he was rarely without female companionship when he wanted it, so it was rightfully earned. I laughed, the overlapping voices and little hands tugging somewhat overwhelming. They were usually good about giving me a few minutes to decompress. Today wasn't usual, so all bets were off. "Uncle Sally!" Lacey slammed herself into my legs. "I missed you today. Let's not do this again, okay?" Crouching down, I smoothed my niece's hair off her face. Normally, Scarlet did her hair since my father and I were pretty incompetent in that department, but she'd been busy with her new job this morning. "I agree. I had absolutely no fun. Though"-I dug into my jacket pocket and brought out the little packet I'd tucked there-"I did bring you something." My nephew, Talon, crowded my other side. "Did you bring me something too?" "Do you think I'd forget about you?" He gave me a serious look. "You wouldn't. I'm just making sure. Just in case." I opened the carefully folded napkin, revealing the four macarons I'd swiped from the dessert table. "These are called macarons. I tried one for the first time today, and you know what I thought?" Both kids shook their heads, eyes locked on my palm. "I thought, 'Tally and Lace would love these too,' and smuggled two out for each of you." "What does smuggled mean?" Lacey asked. I turned to Talon. "Do you know, Tally?" He puffed his chest. "It means Uncle Sally snuck them out." Lacey gasped. "Oh my goodness. Did anyone see?" I nodded, turning solemn. "Sam caught me. I had to offer to wash his socks for three weeks to keep him quiet." She recoiled. "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness-that's so gross!" Talon crossed his arms. "These better be worth it. Three weeks is a lot of socks." "Try them and tell me." They each plucked a strawberry macaron from my hand, nibbling carefully, then shoved them in their mouths like wild animals. I'd known Lacey would like them-she loved pretty much everything in the entire world, but if it was pink? She became euphoric. Talon was more like me. He liked what he liked and didn't often venture out to try new things. It made me incredibly happy to see him enjoying the macaron the way I had. Two years ago, Talon hadn't enjoyed anything. We'd done a lot of work since then. When Tia first died, it had seemed impossible, but the five of us were a solid family unit now. My father snagged Lacey's hand, giving it a gentle tug. "Do you think we could let your uncle have some breathing room?" She beamed up at him. "Sure we can. I just missed him." Straightening, I patted her cheek. "I missed you too, Lace. I'm yours the rest of the day." I'd been disappointed Bea had rejected my offer for dinner or a drive, but it was hard to hang onto that feeling when these kids were so happy to have me home. Eventually, they gave me a minute so I could change out of my suit and into sweats and a T-shirt-my weekend uniform if I could help it. Once dressed, I trailed down the hall, pausing at Scarlet's open door. I peered in, finding her at her desk, iPad propped in front of her, stylus in hand. "What are you working on?" She spun her chair around to face me. "Gina asked me to draw a portrait of her with her favorite character from this manga she likes. It's kind of weird, but it's for her birthday, so I couldn't say no." I took a step into her room, then hesitated. Since I'd never been a teenage girl, I wasn't well versed in the protocol, but with Scarlet, I always leaned on the side of caution. It was important she always felt like her space was her own. She sighed. "You don't have to be invited in, you know. You're not a vampire." "Thank you. I don't want to assume." I crossed her plush carpet, perching beside her on the end of her bed. She handed me the tablet, showing me what she was working on. "Wow. The details are outstanding." I wasn't familiar with the character, but I recognized Gina, her friend from school. "How long have you been working on this?" "Um...a while." She took the tablet from me, poking at the screen several times. "Looks like-just about seven hours." I jerked my head back. "Seven hours? That's quite a birthday gift." She shrugged. "Gina's turning sixteen. It's a pretty big deal." "Is it?" Again, she sighed. "Yeah, it is. I know you were in college when you were sixteen, but for normal people, it's a milestone. Gina's getting a car for her birthday. She'll be able to drive me places, so Grandpa-" "Drive you places?" I grimaced. "Gina is a child. How can that be legal?" Scarlet put her iPad down and spoke to me like I was a child. "Here's the thing, Uncle Sally, most people get their license when they're sixteen. And most people can't wait to be independent and drive themselves around." "I have my license." "But you hate driving." That was true. I always had. I preferred being driven most places so I could optimize my time by doing work during my commutes. But even when I was younger, I'd had no desire to control a moving vehicle. "I also hate the idea of you being driven by a child," I repeated. "Your grandpa or Igor can take you wherever you need to go." "Right, but I'd be with Grandpa or your driver. Igor's nice and all, but if I had a choice, that would be a big fat no." I held up one hand. "Let's table this for now." Until I come up with a long list of all the reasons riding in a car with Gina is a terrible idea. "How was your first day at work?" She brightened. "It was literally perfect. Bea's the coolest boss. She didn't even get annoyed when I asked a million questions, plus she said I'm a really fast learner. I think she's going to keep me." When Scarlet told me she'd gotten a job working for Bea, I'd thought I was hallucinating. How could that have happened under my nose? It hadn't been part of the plan in any way. Then Lacey and Talon mentioned they'd fallen in love with her dog, and my father thought she looked like an old-time movie star, and I'd realized I had lost control over this piece of the puzzle. So I'd let it go. It was happening whether I approved or not-and maybe that was for the best.If I inserted myself, I might tilt the precarious balance before it even existed. It made more sense to let their relationships unfold naturally, without any interference from me.They weren't biased. They had no trouble being honest with me. They'd come to their own conclusions. So I stayed back and let them move forward. I couldn't move them like chess pieces. Only time would tell how it would all play out. "She'll keep you. Just remember, if it becomes too much, you don't have to work." "How could I forget? You and Grandpa remind me all the time." She propped her chin on her fist, her eyes sliding toward her window. "Did you know the guy who lives right next door to Bea is a professional rugby player? His name is Ben Wells. I looked him up. He's kind of famous. I mean, in the rugby world. None of my friends follow rugby, but I sent them his picture, and now they're all fans." I was well aware of who all our neighbors were. I wouldn't have moved my family into a house without researching everyone in the immediate vicinity. That was common sense. "Did you meet him?" She nodded with enthusiasm. "He has a key to Bea's place and lets himself in. She pretended to be annoyed, but I don't think it really bothered her. They're really good friends. He took Benjamin for a walk then helped us carry all the catering supplies to her SUV. I ship them." "Ship them?" "Yeah." She put her index fingers together. "Like, they should be in a relationship. It would be so cute. Neighbors and friends to lovers! And Ben and Bea sound so adorable together, don't they?" I stared, completely thrown. "Not that adorable," I muttered. She laughed. "You wouldn't get it. You're not a romantic like me, Uncle Sally. When you meet them, you'll see. It's kind of perfect." I disagreed. Vehemently. Nothing about Bea being with some airheaded rugby player was perfect. He might've been muscular and conventionally attractive, but she needed someone who challenged her mind. Surely, this man held no appeal for her. If she were dating him, she would have mentioned him to me, to Anthony. "Uncle Sally?" Scarlet called, jerking me out of my head. "You're staring into space." I forced a smile, scrubbing my hands down my face. "Sorry. Too many changes at once. My mind is struggling to keep up." She nodded. "I get it. Tally and Lace were having a dance party with Grandpa this afternoon. At first, it was fun, then all the noise and scream-singing became too much. That's why I came to my room to work on my picture. Sometimes I need quiet to recenter myself." That was her mother speaking. Tia had been the most empathetic person I had ever known. She could put herself in anyone's shoes and make them feel comfortable being themselves. My sister would be proud of who her daughter was becoming. "Sometimes I need that too," I agreed. "Especially after a Tally and Lace scream-sing session." "Right?" She giggled. "They don't sing well, but they sure are loud." "Neither has any shortage of confidence." Her laughter was a balm. Hearing it flow freely after too many days filled with tears and despair made everything worth it. Not that I would tell her that. It would make her self-conscious, and I wanted her to continue to shine. "Do you like this house, Scar?" Her laugh subsided, turning into a sincere smile. "I really do. I like that we got to customize it for us. The old house was nice, but this feels like it's really ours. I think Grandpa's going to be really happy having his own private apartment too. He needs that, don't you think?" I returned her smile, even as a swell of sadness rose on my chest. My sister would have loved to be the one having this conversation with her, but she would never have the chance. It wasn't fair, not for any of us. But I always remembered how lucky I was to be the one here with these children. "Yes. I think so." "But I'm glad he's still close," she added. "He wouldn't have it any other way." I exhaled through the tightness in my chest. "Neither of us wants to be anywhere but here with you guys." Scarlet nodded, then turned her attention back to her tablet, and I took that as my cue to leave. I stood, giving her shoulder a quick pat. "Don't spend too much time on that. You'll strain your eyes." "I won't," she promised. "Just a few more finishing touches." I walked back down the hallway, Lacey's chatter and Talon's enthusiastic narration of everything he did floating from the living room along with the faint hum of Frank Sinatra-my father's contribution to the day's soundtrack. This house was full of life, sounds, chaos. As I rejoined the rest of my family in the living room, I realized I hadn't felt alone in a long time. What used to be my default was now so rare, I couldn't remember the last time it had happened. And I didn't miss it. Not ever. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!