Page 125 of Reclaimed

And Juniper practically moved in. She made it three days before Lee showed up and dragged her back home.

I’ve never known the kind of love that’s in this room. And I’m beyond lucky to have been welcomed into the family with open arms.

A couch spot is vacated for us, and Aiden practically pulls me into his lap. I keep my hand glued to his. Facing down a serial killer was the most terrifying experience of my life.

But telling his family we lied about the baby is a close second.

I don’t want to lose everything I’ve gained over the last couple of months. Losing any single person in this room would gut me. And I’d deserve it.

With a deep breath, Aiden grabs my attention. At my nod, he clears his throat.

“We have something we need to say.”

The room falls silent. So many eyes swing in our direction that I feel like I’m standing beneath a spotlight on a stage. A squeeze from Aiden settles the sudden rush of panic.

“We lied to you. And in order for us to move forward, we need to clear the air.”

“Aiden,” Corjan interjects, a flash of alarm in his eyes. “You don’t need to do this.”

Aiden powers through. “A few months ago, Isla and I started a pretend relationship. The details don’t really matter, but when I brought her over here for the first time, I falsely claimed her baby as mine.”

“So you aren’t the father?” Juniper asks, her expression solemn.

My fingers tighten around his. “No,” I answer directly to my best friend. “As much as I wish now that it could be true, it’s not. The father is someone I knew at Eve’s. He didn’t want the baby, so I left. That’s the entire reason I came back to town.”

“I feel stupid I didn’t put it together.” Juniper fiddles with the sleeve of her shirt.

“You shouldn’t. I shouldn’t have hid it from you, but I love him, Juniper. I love Aiden so much that it doesn’t matter. I hope you can see that.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’d have to blind not to see it. It’s obvious to all of us that the two of you belong together.”

“This might have started off as pretend, but it’s real now.” Aiden kisses the side of my head.

“Why tell us now, though? You probably could have kept it a secret and we’d have never known.” Jack leans a shoulder against the wall separating the living room from the kitchen.

“Because when I put a ring on her finger, I don’t want there to be any doubt that it’s real. When our son is born, I don’t want anyone to question if the love I have for him is as real as the love we all have for each other. Because every person in this room has taught me you don’t have to be blood related to be a family. And that little boy is my son with as much truth as you’re my mom.” He looks to Nancy. “And you’re my family,” he says to everyone else.

“Dammit Aiden, now I’m crying,” Nancy chokes from the recliner. Lee squeezes his mom’s shoulder. “We know a thing or two about unconventional beginnings, don’t we?”

“It’s all because of you,” Aiden says to his mom. “Your heart has always had room for a kid in need of a home, so I hope you have room to love one more.”

“Of course I do!” Nancy snaps around a sob.

I sweep a finger beneath my eyes to wipe away the stray tears.

“It doesn’t need to be said, but I’ll say it anyway. We’re so glad you’re okay, Isla. We love you. And the two of you might have started out as pretend, but you weren’t fooling anyone. There hasn’t been a fake moment between you. At least not one that I’ve seen.” Nancy winks.

I cross the room and give her a tight hug. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for bringing my son back to us. He needed you.” As we pull apart, we lock eyes and her gratitude passes between us. “Still does.”

The front door flies open, severing the heartfelt moment.

“Sorry we’re late!” Cortney stomps in, white snow falling from her boots onto the black weather mat. Sebastian trudges in behind her with a scowl. She peels off her coat but stops short. “What happened? Why is everyone crying?”

“Everyone is not crying,” Jude huffs.

“Why are thewomencrying?” Cortney amends.

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