by Bridget Lang
"Why won't you be honest with me?" he asked.
She jerked her head away and stepped further into the darkness, turning away from him. The finishing touches were still being set on the yard for the wedding tomorrow, and the Chinese lanterns were all off, just hanging gray against a black sky.
"I wish you'd stop," she said.
"Why? Stop what? Trying to get the truth out of you? I'm not stupid Mia!" Logan wasn't holding back anymore. He let his rage and pain out and hit Mia with it full force. "If you love me then stop lying to me!"
Mia's heart broke a little more each time she heard the anger in his voice directed towards her. "I don't think you're stupid," she said.
"Then what the hell is it? Emma's three. She looks just like me. Like us. Just say it already. Just tell me!" He was screaming at her and if the music inside hadn't been so loud Mia was sure the whole party would have heard.
"Fine fine yes!" she screamed, and spun back to face him. Tears poured over her cheeks. "She's yours. You're right. Emma's your daughter." Logan stared at her, his face screwing into a mass of internal explosions too complicated for words. "Well?" she continued to scream. "Are you happy now?" She sank to the ground and curled her knees to her chest, sobbing.
Logan knelt beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me?"
She heard the hurt in his voice and wanted more than anything to take that away. To make him understand. "I was trying to help you," she said. Now that it was out, she might as well tell him everything. "You'd just gotten drafted. I didn't find out till after you'd left. I knew I couldn't do Harvard. But I knew I couldn't give her up either. I didn't see any reason to steal your dreams from you."
Logan stared at his feet. "You should have told me. It wasn't your decision to make."
She nodded, seeing that so clearly now. "But at the time, it felt like the right thing to do." She wished he'd understand. See her side. She only lied because she loved him.
They sat on the deck, in the dark, while Mia sobbed. Finally, when her tears subsided, Logan said, "Come on, I'll take you home."
Chapter 14
Logan watched the staff set up the chairs and the band check their instruments. Loud, unpleasant music hung in the air as someone tuned an instrument. It had been a long, sleepless night for him. He couldn't believe Mia had lied to him like that, and for so long. If he hadn't come back for Rachel's wedding, would she have ever told him the truth?
On the other hand... what an incredible sacrifice she'd made for him. He could only imagine what it must have been like for her when she'd found out she was pregnant. And to go through that alone, without the support of her parents or even a friend... That must have taken incredible courage. He was mad at Mia, but he kind of admired her too.
"He big brother," Rachel said, walking up to him. "Whatcha doin'? Contemplating the gift you're going to give me on my wedding day?"
He smiled in spite of himself. "Rachel... are you happy? With Erik I mean? He seems like kind of like..."
"A jerk?"
Logan smiled. "Well, yeah."
She shrugged. "Nobody's perfect. He might be a jerk to others, but he's nice to me. And everything he does, he does for me." She smiled. "Even when he's being a jerk, it's all for my benefit."
Logan laughed. Rachel gave a small cry just then as their mother stepped out onto the lawn holding what looked like a penguin ice sculpture.
"That's for after the ceremony," Rachel screamed, running towards her.
Logan couldn't believe his little sister was getting married. He looked around the yard with the perfect decorations, the perfect band, the perfect day. There was only one thing that wasn't perfect about the wedding, and that was Mia missing it.
It happened in a flash: one minute Logan was contemplating Mia and the wedding, the next his decision about everything was made. It was all so clear. He jumped into his car and almost crashed pulling into the parking lot of Smart Mart. He searched the aisles, frantic to find what he was looking for. Finally, his eyes lit upon it and he ran to the checkout counter.
It was dark when he pulled up to Mia's. He saw the glow from their apartment and hoped Mia wouldn't get mad when he knocked. She opened the door and a smile registered immediately on her face. She threw her arms around Logan, who returned her embrace. Her lips were soft as she pressed them against his.
"Wow," he said. "In front of the babysitter and everything." Mia looked behind her and saw Tera watching with wonder as Mia kissed Logan again. Mia had been terrified she'd blown it last night. That she'd never see Logan again. When she heard his knock on her door, it was like a weight had been lifted. She was determined never to let him get away again.
"Emma honey," Mia called. She turned to Logan, smiling, radiant. He'd always found her radiant though. Emma walked over and beamed up at Logan.
"Hi you," he said.
Emma smiled, but seemed shyer than usual. She cast a sideways glance at Mia.
"Emma, tell Logan what we were talking about earlier." Mia knew this couldn't make up for the last three years, but she hoped it was a start.
"Mommy said you're my Daddy."
The second Emma uttered "Daddy," Logan's heart melted. Football players weren't supposed to cry, but in that moment, he didn't think he could stop himself.
He nodded. "That's what Mommy told me too. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long." He hesitated, suddenly uncertain what to say. Emma's eyes spoke for him, moving to the box in his arms. "I've got a present for you," he said, holding the box out to Emma. She smiled and gently took it from him. He had a whole lot of presents to make up for.
Mia gave him a look which, for once, looked happy instead of angry. He wrapped her hand in his, and they watched as Emma ripped open her gift.
"Princess dress!" she screamed, excited. Mia's eyes brimmed with tears.
"Go ahead and put it on," he told Emma. "We've got a wedding to get to."
Mia's head snapped towards him. Her eyes searched his face. "All three of us?" Logan saw her grow pale and tightened his hold on her hand.
"We're a family now. I'm not embarrassed, and you shouldn't be either. Just hold onto me, and I promise I'll never let go."
THE END
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