‘Grandma, Grandpa, if you won’t accept our mommy, then we can’t be part of the Haven family either
Alex’s words landed like a stone in still water. Beside him, Lucas and Lily nodded, their desserts forgotten, tiny faces set with determination that feard and of place on children so young.
Sophia’s fingers tightened around her napkin. These children she’d just met–these little pieces of her heart she didn’t know were missing set now. drawing a line in the sand.
“Where Mommy goes, we go, Lucas added, his usually sunny expression replaced with something unmovable. “If Motmy can’t come in, we stay out too?
Sophia caught Marcus’s eye across the table. This wasn’t the adorable grandchildren chat she’d expected. The triplets fierce loyalty to frene was boths heartwarming and deeply inconvenient.
“Children,” Sophia said, her voice softening as she leaned forward. “How about we take this one step at a time? Give Grandma some breathing room
The triplets exchanged a silent conversation with their eyes but said nothing.
I’ll talk to your mother, Sophia promised, choosing her words carefully. “But even if I invite her, she might not want to come. You understand that, right?
Their faces fell in perfect synchronization. They clearly hadn’t considered that their mother might refuse the olive branch, even if offered.
Alex bit his lip, a shadow crossing his small face. The same thought seemed to hit all three children at once: If Mommy discovers Daddy is the man from her past…
“Okay, Grandma,” Alex finally conceded, his voice small but dignified. “We’ll be patient.”
Relief washed over Sophia’s face. As the children picked at their desserts with less enthusiasm, she studied their features–Adam’s eyes in one, his determined chin in another. A wave of tenderness caught her by surprise.
Outside the school that afternoon, Sophia bent down, reluctant to say goodbye. “Take care of yourselves, darlings. We’ll visit again soon.”
“Come anytime,” Lily said, her earlier gravity melting into a sweet smile.
“Travel safely, Alex added with a small wave.
As the children disappeared into the building, Sophia turned to Marcus, her eyes bright. “Did you see that? They’re exactly like Adam when he was little. That same spark of intelligence, that same thoughtfulness.”
‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Marcus cautioned, though his expression had softened. “We should check their DNA first.”
‘You’re right, Sophia agreed, though her heart had already made its decision. “Haven children shouldn’t be wandering around outside the family.”
“Let’s go to the hospital now,” Marcus said, already turning toward their car. “Why wait?”
That evening, the triplets sat at Irene’s dinner table, suspiciously quiet. After the meal, Alex glanced up at his mother, opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it.
“What is it?” Irene asked, catching the look.
“Nothing,” Alex mumbled, suddenly fascinated by his empty plate.
Later, Alex knocked softly on Brandon’s door. “Uncle Brandon? Got a minute?”
Brandon appeared in the doorway, lounging against the frame with his trademark lazy smile. “What’s up, munchkins?”
The children filed in solemnly. Once the door clicked shut, Alex straightened his tiny shoulders. “Uncle, could you help us ask Mommy how she feels about… you know… the man who got her pregnant?”
1/3
Chapter 386
Brandon’s eyebrows shot toward his hairline. “Hold up–did Adam put you up to this? That sneaky-
“No! Lucas cut in, waving his hands frantically. This has nothing to do with him!
“We’re worried about Mommy,” Alex explained. ‘She seems sad.”
Lily tugged at Brandon’s sleeve, deploying her most devastating puppy–dog eyes. “Please, Uncle Brandon? Pretty please?”
Brandon looked down at that face and visibly crumbled. ‘You’re killing me with those eyes, kid, Fine, I’ll ask her. Wait here.”
Brandon knocked on Irene’s door, then poked his head in without waiting for a response. “Hey, sis, Got a minute for your favorite brother?
Irene glanced up from her medical journal with narrowed eyes. “What do you want?‘
“Just a heart–to–heart,” he said, sprawling across her sofa. “You know, life, the universe, everything.
‘Make it quick. I’m busy.”
Brandon decided subtlety wasn’t worth the effort. “Do you ever think about him? The guy who got you pregnant?”
- 4.
A sudden chill settled over the room. “Get out,” Irene said, her voice dangerously quiet.
“What if he came back?” Brandon asked, immediately regretting the question as he saw the hurt flash across her face. “Would you-
“What is wrong with you?” Irene snapped, slamming her journal shut. “Are you deliberately trying to ruin my night? You know exactly how I feel about that part of my life!”
She stood up, eyes flashing. “One more word and I swear I’ll chase you out with the first blunt object I can find.”
“Alright, alright!” Brandon backed toward the door, hands raised. “Can’t blame a guy for asking.”
Back in his room, Brandon found the triplets waiting anxiously. He clutched his chest dramatically. “Kids, I risked life and limb for you. Your mother nearly murdered me. I need emotional support, stat.”
Lily immediately hugged his leg. ‘Poor Uncle Brandon! Here’s a kiss to make it better.”
Brandon scooped her up, pressing his cheek against hers. “That’s more like it.”
“Ow! Your beard is scratchy!” Lily protested, squirming away.
Brandon’s laughter filled the room as he set her down.
Later, cross–legged on their shared bed, the triplets held a hushed council of war.
Mommy kicked Uncle Brandon out,” Lucas whispered. “She’s really mad about this whole thing.”
“What if she never forgives Daddy?‘ Lily’s voice wobbled. “What if Grandma and Grandpa find out who we are, and then everything falls apart?”
“If Mommy discovers Daddy is that man from her past…” Alex voiced their shared fear. “She might break up with him forever.”
The thought hung between them like a dark cloud. After all their scheming to bring their parents together, the idea of then
ating was unthinkable.
Lily’s eyes welled up. “What do we do now?”
Alex reached for her hand. “Don’t panic. Remember who Mommy is–she has the softest heart of anyone. She won’t stay angry forever.”
He squeezed her fingers reassuringly. “We just need to help things along. She’ll forgive Daddy eventually.”
His confidence was contagious. Lucas and Lily nodded, their determination renewed. They would not let their family fall apart.
2/3
Chapter 386
In her bedroom, Irene stared at the ceiling, Brandon’s questions echoing in her mind. Restless, she reached for her plane and opened her chat with Advet. A message from earlier caught her eye:
Working late tonight. Remember to eat something decent.
Though just words on a screen, she could almost hear his steady voice behind them. A warmth spread through her chest, chasing away some of the dad Brandon had stirred up.
As she scrolled through their conversation history, her phone suddenly lit up with an incoming video call
Chapter Comments
LIKE
