Page 184 of What Started In Deception

Scrolling through his contacts, he found his mom’s information and tapped the video icon, unable to deny that he was thrilled to truly share Lydia with his family for the first time. Their fake relationship was no longer a thing. It finally got to be just the two of them with no deception attached.

Mom appeared on-screen, dressed in her scrubs with her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, already at the hospital. Her big blue eyes grew wide before she beamed and pressed her hand to her heart. “I love what I’m seeing.”

He grinned. “I thought you might.”

“Hi, Bina,” Lydia said, smiling herself.

“Hi, honey. It’s so good to see your beautiful face.”

Lydia smiled again. “Thank you. It’s nice to see you, too.”

Mom backed up closer to the wall in the hallway where she stood. “I’m assuming that whatever was broken is all patched up?”

Ty nodded. “I couldn’t let her get away.”

Mom beamed all over again. “I’m so happy for you two.”

He adjusted the phone slightly in his hand. “I should probably tell you that I resigned from the FBI yesterday. I’m moving to Oliver Heights.”

Mom gaped. “Honey… I… Honey.”

He pulled Lydia closer with his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “This is what I want, Mom. I want Lyd. I want the life that we’re going to make together right here.”

Suddenly, Mom started to cry.

He winced. “Mom⁠—”

Mom shook her head. “I promise I’m okay.” She sniffled. “Oh, honey, this is all that I’ve ever wanted for you. This is what your dad would’ve wanted for you, too. A happy life and a good woman to share it with.”

He swallowed, finding himself blinking back tears as emotion choked his throat. Mom so rarely talked about Dad. Even after all these years, he knew that it hurt her too much. “Thank you for saying that.”

She wiped at her cheeks. “I mean every word, sweetheart.”

He looked at Lydia as her big hazel eyes swam with tears of their own. “Mom wants us to come down for a visit.”

Lydia nodded. “I have a few days left before I have to get back to the classroom.”

Mom’s grin was back. “You guys just let me know when you’re coming, and we’ll make it work.”

“We’ll look at our calendar today,” Lydia told her. “Maybe this weekend?”

“That would be perfect. Maybe let your sister know, Ty.”

He nodded. “I’ll call her later.”

“Okay, honey. I need to get back to work.”

“Have a good day, Bina.”

“I will.” She let out a little squeal and boogie.

Ty laughed as Lydia did. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, honey.” She blew them both a kiss, then hung up.

Lydia beamed as she looked at him. “I really love your mom, Ty.”

He smiled. “The feeling is definitely mutual.”