Redemption(79)

“What do we have here?” She smiled at the scene and I could tell that the smile she gave was one of pure happiness. She loved that we looked like a family and I was going to do everything in my power to give her what she wanted.

“Tara fell and she has a boo-boo. I don’t like boo-boos, Mommy. Did you kiss Tara’s boo-boos away?”

She laughed, but I could tell there was a hint of sadness in that laughter. What happened last night affected us all. “I did, but she will be a little sore for a while. You’re okay with her staying here until she gets better, aren’t you?” She looked up at me briefly before casting her eyes back to Jeremy.

“Tara is a nurse and nurses help people get better.”

Tyler nodded. “That’s right.”

“So Tara needs to have someone look after her now. She’s always helping other people. Now it’s her turn.”

I was so proud to call Jeremy my son, but even more so now. For someone who was yet to turn four, he was so wise. He was my little champ.

Tyler had tears in her eyes as she nodded with a smile. “Yes, that’s right. Tara needs to be taken care of for a while.”

Jeremy nodded. “Then Tara stays and we put her broken pieces back together again.” We all smiled for a moment, then Jeremy frowned. “Does that mean Big Uncle Jimmy can stay, too?” His eyes suddenly lit up. I think there was no denying he liked having Jimmy around.

Tyler nodded. “Jimmy cares for Tara very much, so I think he will want to stay. It’s only fair.”

Jeremy threw his hands up and cheered. “I’m going to have two mommies and two daddies.”

In shock, Tyler and I stared at one another. I think we knew the time to tell him was going to come soon, but we also knew how difficult it could be. What if the truth ended up with him hating me? I couldn’t live with that. He might blame me for not being around all this time, and I would have to agree with him. The circumstances surrounding it were beyond my control, but there was no way of explaining that to Jeremy. The whole situation was fucked up.

Once the shock wore off, Tyler ruffled Jeremy’s hair and smiled. “I suppose you’re right. How lucky are you?” She winked at Jeremy and he giggled.

“Can I have pancakes now?”

We both laughed. “Coming right up, grown-up.” I winked at him and got straight to work on the pancakes. Funny how something so small could make you the happiest fucking chump alive.





Chapter 16



Tyler



It’s funny how letting go could make you feel the biggest relief ever. That was how I felt now. It was how I felt once I realized that no matter what, I couldn’t let Dean go. It was the worry of last night. The tossing and turning in my bed, the agonizing wait, the relief of hearing Dean turning the shower on when he came in. He was trying to be so quiet so as not to wake me, but how could I sleep when he was out there doing what I knew he was doing? I wasn’t blind. I didn’t know the details and I didn’t want to. I just felt relief for Tara, relief that he was back, and the immense relief of finally giving in to him.

When I saw him in the shower, his head hanging down, all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around him. When I did, I saw the blood. Dean tried to hide me away from it. Even after all this time, he was trying to protect me from the ugly outside world. It made me frustrated, It made me smile. Most of all, it made me love him even more. I should have been shocked at the sight of the blood, but I knew it wasn’t Dean’s, and instead of being shocked, the only emotion I felt was relief of knowing Tara was finally free and she’d never have to look over her shoulder again.

That night, after we had eaten dinner, we all sat around with a glass of wine. Jeremy had been very attentive towards Tara today. After the initial shock of seeing her bruises, he kissed each one and hadn’t left her side all day. He was being every bit the nurse that Tara was on a daily basis. He made me so proud, and I could tell he made Dean proud, too.

Dean was currently chasing Jeremy around the living room. He had just had a bath and was supposed to be getting ready for bed. Instead, Dean was winding him up and I thought he’d never calm down. The amount of cheering, giggling, and shouting made my eardrums nearly burst. It was at the point when I found Dean on the floor, his legs in the air and a flying Jeremy on top of his feet that I had to step in.

“Will you children stop this ruckus?!” I had my hand on my hip for good measure.

Dean winked and flashed me his swoon-worthy smile.

Bastard!

“Don’t be a spoilsport. We’re having fun.”

“Yeah. Don’t be a spoilsport, Mommy.” Jeremy giggled and I huffed.