Page 13 of Embrace Me

Jamie is still speaking, showing slides of some of the kids who will be featured in the first episodes, and the audience is rapt. As she speaks, I see two security guards move towards my mother. I watch, amazed and thrilled, as Elizabeth Fairchild is escorted off the premises, her eyes going wide as she passes my father in the process.

I press my hand over my mouth to hide a smile as I see my mother’s eyes widen in recognition. Her mouth drops open, but she doesn’t get a word out before the security guards have led her away, removing the interloper from this exclusive, ticketed event.

As soon as she’s out of sight and out of the main building, Frank and Evelyn join us in the hall. Immediately, I fold myself into Evelyn’s warm embrace. “I’m proud of you, Texas,” she says.

I grin up at her, my brows raised. “For managing to not lose my shit, you mean?”

“Damn right,” she says, and we all laugh together.

”I’m sorry,” Frank says, and I think how perfect those simple words are as he pulls me into a hug.

That’s the moment that every bit of doubt is erased. The moment that I know how right it was to let him back into my life, and that no matter what mistakes he made, this man is my father again.

But over the years, I’ve also learned a hard truth—that Elizabeth Fairchild is never stepping into that role again. For that matter, she was never really a mother to me. Not in the sense of what that word really means.

And as I hold my husband’s hand and lean against Evelyn, all I can think is how grateful I am for the people in my life who really do love me.

* * *

“The kids are gone,” Damien says, “and I believe that I promised you a long, lazy night of making love.”

I sigh and snuggle closer to my husband. We’re on the couch, my head in his lap, and I’ve been randomly flipping through channels, bouncing back and forth between various streaming services, looking for something that strikes our fancy. “That sounds wonderful,” I say, setting the remote beside me on the cushion.

He gently turns my head, so he can look at me more directly. “I think I hear a but,” he says, and I have to laugh. He knows me so well.

“I like this,” I say. “This lazy moment of just being with you, on the couch, maybe watching TV, maybe talking, maybe reading.” I reach up and brush my fingers over his beard stubble as he strokes my hair.

“Are you saying that you’re turning down sex with me for a long, lazy night just sitting here talking with me?”

I grin. “Shocking, I know, but do you mind?”

He chuckles. “Baby, you know there’s nothing I would rather do than spend time with you. Do you want to pick a show?”

I move my head back and forth, feeling lazy. “If there’s something you want to watch, I’m up for it. Otherwise, I’m happy to just sit here, maybe talking, maybe just listening to you flip through the magazines you’re trying to catch up on.” I’d seen the stack when we’d come into the living area, a huge pile of various engineering and science-related reading material, which is not only Damien’s jam, but a key part of how he stays on top of his industry.

He laughs. “Busted.”

“Go ahead,” I say. “I’m happy just being here.”

His fingers slide through my hair once again, then he picks up a magazine and puts it in his lap. I feel the brush of the pages against my hair every time he turns one.

I close my eyes, enjoying the moment. This lazy time, where everything can just drift away. Not the good things—those are surrounding me, keeping me warm and safe. My husband. The kids nearby at Gregory’s house. The warm embrace of our home.

I relish the way this moment acts as a barrier against the cold, hard thoughts that had bothered me earlier this evening. That nagging question of why my mother is back in town and what the hell she wants.

I don’t know the answer, and that uncertainty bothers me. But being with Damien like this—knowing that I’m truly loved—makes all of that wondering bearable.

I draw in a breath and let my eyes flutter open as I look at his gorgeous face. He smiles at me, then presses a kiss to his fingertips and gently brushes them over my lips.

“I love you, baby,” he says.

“Yes,” I tell him. “I know.”

Chapter Seven

“Mommy! Guess what, Mommy!” The words greet me as I step into the kitchen area. “Mr. G’s taking us on a nature hike!”

I glance over at Gregory who lifts his shoulders in a hint of shrug. I hide my smile, and turn my attention back to Lara. “And where are you going on this nature hike?”