Page 45 of Ruin Me Sweetly

Luke opened the door, whispering something to Amber before he left to give us some privacy.

Yes, I loved that man. It had taken me a while to trust in my feelings, but it was all there.

My baby looked hesitant, standing in the doorway. I patted the mattress, inviting her to come and sit with me. She closed the door and crossed the room until she reached me.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Mum,” she said, sighing as she sat down beside me. “I wanted to, but I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about… my choice.”

I appreciated the tears and the shower, because I felt equipped to handle everything now. Luke’s perspective had been the key.

“It was a shock,” I said, patting her hand, my thumb tracing small, soothing circles over her knuckles.

Her tiny hand used to need me for support while we walked, or for comfort. But this was an adult-sized hand now.

“But Luke put it into perspective, and that helped,” I continued, leaning into her. “So, Zach, huh?”

She gently squeezed my fingers, but it was her bright smile, and the way her eyes lit up before she spoke, that gave her feelings away. For a moment, it took me back to the way she used to look at him, that final year before Clive and Zach left.

“It all just sort of snowballed.”

“Hm. That I can understand.” I reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Are you using protection? Those condoms—”

She flung her head up and stared at the ceiling—a tad dramatic, to be honest.

“Please, Mother. Enough with the condoms,” she groaned.

I guess I’d worn her down on the protection talks.

“True. You came despite a condom,” I mused.

“What?” she gasped, her head snapping back so fast it looked painful. “You never told me that.”

“I didn’t want to put you off using contraception. Probably best you use them all,” I said, smiling at the memory of all the painful talks we’d had. She was too easy to tease on certain topics.

“You still managed to sneak into my egg.”

“That’s gross, Mum,” she said, giggling despite herself.

“For you it is,” I acknowledged.

We were both quiet for a moment, lost in our own thoughts.

“He isn’t my real brother,” she whispered.

“I know, sweetie,” I whispered back. “But I need a minute to process.”

I thought of the last five years without Clive or Zach.

“Hopefully Zach will always be part of our family. This house is in your name, and Zach’s. It’s funny how things work out. Clive always said to leave this house to both of you. I just had to wait until you turned eighteen.”

“What about you?” she asked, frowning.

I almost rolled my eyes.

“Luke’s planned the next fifty years out,” I said, shaking my head.

“You know, they’re quite similar. Zach’s already planned what uni I’ll be in and where his job will be. I think we’re getting a plant to see if we can keep it alive before we get a pet.”

That made me smile. Luke had been right. Amber was growing up. I could already picture Zach becoming a responsible adult.