by Lucy Rinaldi
“She's fine.” His tone is clipped, it hurts.
“Daddy, I'm sorry...”
“Nothing to be sorry for.” He cuts me off.
“Yes, there is. I never wanted to keep things from you and mom. I knew it was wrong, but Kory didn't have a choice. He was working on a case that could have put me in danger.” He hasn't gone into details but he gave me that much.
“Whatever his reasons, they should have been enough not to marry you until the danger was over. The fact he forced you to lie to us, the fact you went along with it for six years, just proves that you have no respect for your mother and me whatsoever.”
I don't understand why he's being this way. When I arrived home, he told me he loved me, that he wanted me to be happy. But he's not spoken a word to me from that day until now, and all he's saying is stuff that hurts. I know what I did, I can't keep saying I'm sorry. And how could he think I have no respect for them?
“Daddy, that is not true. I have so much respect for you. I love you both more than anything.”
“Obviously not.”
That stings. I didn't mean to hurt them, that was the last thing in the world I wanted to do. Now they hate me for it and I can't cope with it. But I won't cry in front of him, I will hold it inside until I get home. Then I can cry until I have nothing left inside of me.
“Will you ever forgive me, Dad?” I swallow back my emotions.
“I'm not sure we ever can, Aimee.”
I close my eyes, unable to stop the tears from falling. We pull up outside my house, it's dark and cold, and I wish more than anything Kory was here to hold me right now.
“We'll always love you, Aimee. Never doubt that. But you've hurt us in a way no daughter should ever hurt her parents.” I can't say anything, I can't even speak, I'm drowning in emotion.
He finally looks at me, right in the eye, and I can see his own tears in his eyes, and that hurts me even more. He doesn't say anything more, and I know there's nothing left for me to say either. Just one thing. “I love you, Daddy. You will never know how much. Nor will you ever know how sorry I truly am.”
With that, I get out of his truck and run to my front door. I don't look back, not once. I rush inside, slam my door closed and sink back against it, my ass hitting the floor, and I sob into my hands. Nothing in my life has ever hurt this much. All my life Jenny and Marcus Lynch have been the two people who loved me, nurtured me, helped all of my dreams come true. They taught me right from wrong. They taught me how to love.
Never did I think I would have to live without my parents right by my side. Never did I think they'd cast me out of their lives like I was nothing to them.
I want so much to tell them about my baby. I want them to know they're going to be grandparents. I want them in my baby's life. I need my mommy by my side through this pregnancy. I want her to help me choose what crib I'll buy, the clothes my baby will wear. I want her input on everything. I want my daddy to be the doting grandfather I always imagined he would be.
I always dreamed about the day I'd tell them that their only daughter was pregnant. The looks on their faces, the shocked but over the moon looks they'd give me. The way my daddy would hold me while telling me how proud of me he is.
But then, I used to dream about my wedding day and all the things my parents would help me with. And I completely understand why they're mad that I left them out of things. My mother wanted to help me pick my dress, my daddy wanted to walk me down the aisle and hand me off to my new husband.
I don't know how to make this right. I don't even know how to make them listen to me. All I know is, this is breaking me in every way imaginable. I don't know how to move forward. I don't know how I'll go on knowing they will never forgive me.
My friends may act like they've forgiven me, but I've heard them talking about me when they think I can't hear. They're still pissed off with me as much as anyone else. The only difference is the fact they're trying to move on for Kory's sake. It hurts beyond words to know the only person who thinks anything of me anymore is the man who caused all of this with his lies.
And as I curl up in a ball on the floor, I sob until I have nothing left in me to sob out. I can't go on like this. I know I have to pick myself up and try and move on. Or at least, mask it in front of people. I need to be strong for this baby. I have a family who love me, my husband and soon our baby.
I don't need anything more in this life.
At least, that's what I'll tell myself.
Sixteen
Kory
“Tell me again why we're doing this?”
“Because it's my turn to host dinner.”
I groan.
I can't believe this shit. I do not want people coming around tonight. I wanted to spend the night alone. After our appointment with the doctor earlier, who told us everything was perfect with our baby and the pregnancy, I had hoped we could have a quiet night in.
But apparently, it's tradition for one of the girl's to hold a huge dinner party, same day every year, different girl. This year, it's Aimee's turn, and I am not happy about it.
She's been preparing for this all day. Scallop salad for her starter, Italian gnocchi for the main course, and devils food cake with homemade mint choc chip ice cream for desert.
She's worked hard and I hope for their sakes that nobody makes any kind of comment that would hurt her feelings. I'll kill them.
She looks beautiful in her knee-length silver dress. The material is silk and emphasizes all of her curves. She's perfect. So fucking beautiful. Her hair is French braided down her back, and her bare shoulders... God, I could kiss them right now. Trail my lips over them, down her back and... I need to shake it off, I'm giving myself a damn hard on!
She's forced me into a gray suit, tie included. Why the hell I need to dress like this when I know for a fact no one else will be is beyond me. I feel like I'm on my way to work. Why couldn't I just have worn jeans?
“Kory, please try and pretend like you're going to enjoy tonight. It means a lot to me.”
I roll my eyes at myself. I'm an insensitive fuck sometimes. I walk across the room and pull her into my arms. She rests her head on my chest. She smells so good. I don't know how I'm gonna get through this dinner when all I want it to ravage her.
“I'm sorry, baby. Nothing is going to spoil your evening. I promise.” I kiss her head.
She looks up at me and smiles. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, beautiful.”
“Do you think they're going to notice?” She's been worried since she got dressed about the slight bump forming at the bottom of her stomach. She's now fourteen weeks pregnant, she's not really showing, which apparently isn't unusual, but she wants to wait until Christmas day to tell people.
Trouble is, I'm not sure people won't notice before then. It's not like Lora doesn't know. And it's not like Roya hasn't asked Aimee more than once why she hasn't so much as sipped a glass of wine since we came home. My little sister is forever making comments, dropping hints that Aimee might be pregnant. I don't know how many times we've denied it, but I'm not sure I can if I'm asked just once more.
I stroke her almost flat stomach and smile. My baby is growing in there. The baby I never thought I'd have. “If they do, they do. We can't hide it forever. I don't even want to, Aimee.”
“I know, but I really want to do the big reveal at the Christmas party. Don't you think it would be amazing?”
I nod and chuckle. She really wants this, so I'll say nothing to anyone. Whatever she wants is fine with me.
It isn't long before the place is filled to the brim with people. All of my sister's and their husband's, Paige and Enzo, Emilee and Chase, Mia and Jesse, my parents, even Freddy and Paige's parents. Aimee's parents were invited but they haven't turned up.
I've watched Aimee looking at the door every now and again, hoping they'll knock. Each time the door knocked she skipped to it, secretly wondering if it was them. Coming back into the room with a fake smile on her
face each time.
They haven't turned up and I can see how much it's hurting her that they haven't. I can't believe how childish they're being over this. If it was up to me, I'd make sure they never had anything to do with Aimee again. But she loves them and I know she'd forgive them instantly should they knock that door.
“So,” My father places his wine glass on the table before taking my mother's hand in his, making her smile. After all these years together, they're still so very much in love. Their lives are so much more pleasant now that Roya is home. After all the years wondering what happened to their little girl and she's sitting right beside them next to her husband.
I'm not sure all these little kids playing while they should be eating is helping my mind to settle any on the fact that will be me soon. Me with my own child running around causing havoc. Not that any of the kids here are causing havoc, they're all well-behaved enough. But I'm not sure I'm going to be the kind of father who allows his child to play when it should be eating. This is a family dinner, after all. My parent's never allowed any of us to do... What the hell am I complaining about, they're kids!
“How are you finding married life? And I mean, now that you can be open about it?”
I look at Aimee and smile. She's so beautiful it stifles me. God knows what she sees in me, or why she's even given me this chance, but I am more than grateful that she has. She smiles as I wink and take her hand in mine. “It's perfect, Dad.” I turn to look at him. “It couldn't be better. I don't deserve her, but I love her, always have, always will.”
“Oh, Kory. What a beautiful thing to say.” I roll my eyes playfully. My mother, she's never been so sentimental as she has this past year. Having her little girl back has thawed her heart a lot.
Not that it would be fair to say my mother was ever hard-hearted, but she could be strict with us kids when we were younger. After Roya was abducted a wall seemed to form in front of my mother's heart. She was afraid to show her true feelings, needed to be strong for us all. Especially me, I had my breakdown and needed a lot of looking after. She was there for me the whole time, but who was there for her?
Yes, of course, my father was. But I think it's fair to say they both suffered in ways no parent ever should. And I think in a lot of ways, it pulled them apart as a couple. Yes, they loved each other, stayed together because they couldn't be without each other. But something changed within both of them that day. They weren't as close, never really opened up to each other the way a couple should in that situation.
They always put us first, never let us see their sadness. And it's only now in my later years do I understand what they truly went through back then.
“I still can't believe no one saw what was going on.”
“You saw only what I wanted you to see, Callie.”
“Yeah, but she's one of my best friends, Lora's very best friend. I never realized you were such a good liar, Aimee.”
My wife lowers her head. For fuck's sake! Aren't these people over this shit yet? I hate that everyone seems to be picking at her of late, everything seems to be getting to her just as badly. Any other time, I know she'd be all over this, giving everybody what for, making them see just why she did what she did – what I made her do – telling them to move on from it because it's done with.
But instead, she's seconds away from crying over this, yet again. Why can't she push past all of this? Is it hormones?
“Please excuse me.” She gives no one the chance to say anything in response, she's out of her seat and out of the room so fast the wind swipes past my face.
I round on my sister, “Why can't you drop it? Why do you have to keep making her feel like that?!”
“I'm sorry.” She shrugs.
She's not sorry at all!
“We're all just curious as to why she couldn't confide in us, Kory. We're her friends.”
“And as her friends, you should be more understanding to how she's feeling right now, Paige!”
“Don't yell at my wife!”
“You shut your mouth!” I yell in retaliation.
“It's okay, Enzo,” She grabs his arm, pulling him back into his seat. Enzo Ryker doesn't scare me, never has. But the man is crazy, an ex-cage fighter, I do not want to get into anything with him right now.
He can be mad all he likes, even though he's right to be pissed at me for yelling at his wife, but these fuckers should be more understanding when it comes to my wife! They're her friends! Supposedly, at least.
“There's no need for you to keep blowing up, Kory. We're just curious as to how she could lie so well to the people who have been her friends her whole life!”
“Callie, calm down.” Emilee, my sisters best friend urges her to calm down. I really couldn't give a shit if she does or not. I'm so angry with these people. These so-called friends of Aimee's.
I lean into the table, my left elbow resting on it, my right hand pushing my empty dinner plate out of the way. The food was delicious, Aimee always could cook amazing food.
Back to this lot.
“This is the last time I'm going to tell you people,” I look at each and every person in the room, kids included, each one is standing stock still looking at me with scared eyes. That's the last thing I want. “Aimee did not want to lie to any of you. You're her best friend's, she loves you all more than you know. She's been there for each and every one of you whenever you've needed her. Never has she asked any of you for anything in return.”
Each person is looking at me, each one knows I'm right. Even my parents, Paige's parents. She's been there for every one of these people and their kids at some point in their lives. It's time they were there for her.
“She won't ask you for anything now. But I will. I'm asking all of you to try and understand. I made her keep us a secret, but I didn't have a choice. The case I was working on was huge, huge enough to gain death threats.” My mother gasps, I ignore it. “Anything could've happened to her because of me. That would have killed me. Or her, I would never have risked that. Losing her like that would have destroyed me. It took six long years to sort out, but it's over with now. Now I can come home. I'm just lucky my wife still wants me after all this time.”
I rub my fingers over my forehead. This shit gives me a migraine.
“If you can't move on from this, if you can't put it behind you and be her friend's, then I won't have much choice.”
“Much choice for what?”
“To leave, Della,” My little sister's eyes widen, while my baby sister shakes her head profusely. Everyone is mumbling amongst themselves, but I need to find Aimee, she ran out of here in tears, she needs me.
“Look, the fact is,” I raise my voice loud enough to be heard. “Aimee is suffering because of this. I don't care what you all do, but I'm taking her back to Seattle. At least there she won't be shunned by the people she cares about.” I wait for no one to come back with anything, I have a wife to find and comfort.
I find her in the kitchen loading the dishwasher. I stand back and watch her for a moment, she's so upset. I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like to be her right now. Everyone seems to have something to say, yet they say nothing to me when it was all my fault. How is any of this fair to her?
“You don't have to stalk me, Kory, I'm fine.” She's not fine. She may be smiling but it's fake. I walk toward her. “I'm fine, honestly.” I take her waist in my hands and kiss her forehead as she holds my biceps. “They have every right to be upset with me.”
“They have no right, Aimee. How many times do they want you to apologize for something I made you do?”
“As many times as it takes.”
I pull her into me, one hand on the back of her head, the other around her waist as I sway her gently. Aimee is the kindest woman I know. She has a big heart and loves so easily. She would and has done anything for the people of this town. So why can't they be there for her now when she needs them the most?
Her parents have practically walked away from her. Her friends ke
ep sniping at her. She's pregnant and all she wants is to tell the world. This is supposed to be a happy time for her, for both of us. But it's shroud in sadness for my wife.
“Kory! Aimee! Can you come in here please?!” My mother calls.
This is all I need right now!
Seventeen
Aimee
With a kiss to my lips, Kory takes my hand and leads me back into the dining room. Lora smiles at me, I smile back and retake my seat at the table next to Kory. I can't help but notice the kids. They're all playing happily, all sixteen of them.
Yes, sixteen!
Callie and Hudson's three, Mia and Jesse's three, Emilee and Chase's two, Paige and Enzo's two, Della and Freddy's two, Lora and Tommy's two, Roya and Bryton's little man, and Layah, Paige's little sister. Of course, Paige, and Della's newest additions aren't all that old yet. Paige's youngest daughter is just six months old, Della's little man is four months old. Both are in there bouncing chairs giggling at their siblings.
Soon, there will be my little one to add to the mix. I smile at the thought of my baby playing alongside these kids. Then sadness hits me because I'm not sure my baby will get to be as close to these kids as I used to be to their parents.
“We want to say sorry.” I look at Lora. “All of us. You were right, Kory, we have no right to keep on about what happened in the past. What happened, happened, none of us can change that fact.”
“I've been saying that for how long?”
“Let her finish, Kory.”
I smile. Sidney, Kory's mother, always makes me smile when she's stern with him. No one else ever is, because he listens to no one else.
“We love you both,” Lora continues. “We love you and we're sorry. No one is going to bring up the past again.”
“It's time we all moved on.” I nod in Bryton's direction. He's right, and I just want to put it all behind me, I want to move on with my life. I need to for the baby inside of me. I need my friends to forgive me.
Being pulled around everyone and hugged over and over has me laughing for the first time in a long time. I haven't laughed like this is so long. Things don't seem so hopeless anymore, not as hopeless as they did, at least.