Page 42 of Taming You

“Oh, sweetie, you won’t disappoint them by changing your mind. Your brothers just want you to be happy.”

I wipe at a stray tear. “They all did so much to take care of me as a kid and support me. I know none of them wanted to be taking care of their baby sister as teenagers, but they were stuck with me. I want them to be proud of me after they sacrificed so much.” I tip my head back, willing the rest of the tears not to fall.

“They would never say that.” Maggie stands and rounds the island, pulling some cookies and sweets out from the cabinet before settling back beside me and pushing them towards me. “When Henry and I were first getting serious, he talked to me about your guys’ childhood. He told me all about taking care of you and the boys, and all the responsibility he took on. Yes, he admits it was stressful and a lot for someone his age, but he’s also talked about how much he loved watching you all grow up and become the people you are today. How he’s grateful to have played a role in you all finding yourselves. I don’t think he’d go back and change a thing. I bet Kai, Ezra, Riley, and John would all say the same thing. You guys are family. I know you would each do anything for your siblings, and I got to experience that when you five embraced me when Henry proposed. Henry’s biggest wish for you and your brothers is to live your best lives and be happy. That’s how he believes he’ll know he’s succeeded in raising you guys.”

I grab one of Maggie’s homemade chocolate chip cookies and take a bite, letting her words sink in. I’m so grateful to Maggie for being there to support Henry when he’s spent his whole life taking care of everyone else. She’s taken on the same role with all of us, being an older sister to my brothers and me.

“I feel so lost. I’ve just spent all this time getting a degree, and now I don’t even know what to do with it. The thought of being a lawyer doesn’t make me happy.”

“And that’s okay. What’s important is how you go forward. You need to find what does make you happy. And you don’t have to do that right this second. You’re young and still have plenty of time. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you’d like. I quite enjoy having someone else in the house and having another girl around.”

“I love you, Mags.”

“I love you, too, Zo.”

I hug her, and when we pull apart, she grabs the sweets and I follow her into the living room, where she pulls out some blankets and puts on a movie. We sit together much like we did when I was a kid.

“Is she okay?” Henry’s voice wakes me up.

“Yeah,” Maggie answers. “It was just an eventful day.”

“What happened?” Henry sounds worried.

“Let her tell you when she’s ready, but she’s okay. I think she could use some time with her big brother, though.” Bless Maggie for letting me be the one to tell Henry.

“I’m worried about her.”

“Why?”

He sighs. “I’m so glad to have her here. I’ve missed seeing her, and when she was in her own place, it was so hard for us to find time to see each other, but I know things aren’t right if she is giving up the independence and freedom she had living on her own. Plus, she’s been leaving early some mornings, like out the door before I’m out of the shower, and other days she’s coming home super late. She doesn’t seem happy.”

I feel so weird lying here and listening to their conversation, but I’m not sure what to do and it’s about me.

“Honey, she’s twenty-six. She’s living her life, and I know how protective you are of your siblings, especially her, but you have to remember they’re adults now, too. They don’t need you to worry about them all the time. They need you to just be there for them.”

He lets out a deep breath and says, “I know.”

Silence fills the room, and I decide this is the time to let them know I’m awake. I stretch and make noises, and they turn to me.

Henry smiles. “Well hello, sleepyhead. Have a good nap?”

I yawn and rub my eyes. “Yeah.”

“Good. Mags and I were talking and we were thinking of ordering takeout for dinner. You good with Indian?”

I nod. “Sounds good. You know what I like.”

“Butter chicken and garlic naan. Gotcha.”

He pulls his phone out and orders while Maggie brings me a cup of tea. “Thanks,” I say as she hands me the cup.

“You’re welcome.” She looks over her shoulder at Henry and drops her voice. “You should talk to him.”

I smile at her. Of course, she knew I was awake.

“I will.”

The timer in the kitchen goes off, and she quickly makes her way to the oven, where she pulls out a tray of cupcakes.

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