Page 59 of Takeover

Cheryl waves Vickie off, and Vick immediately shuts up while she waits for our stepmother to talk. “How do you know she wants him back?”

I reach for my water and take a sip before I tell them the entire story. From Lindsay’s reaction when she first met me to Ethan’s confession that she came to his office. I leave out the details about why their marriage ended since that is Ethan’s private business.

When I finish speaking, Alan leans back in his chair and whistles while Vickie mutters the word bitch under her breath.

“Honestly, this is why I’ve stayed away from men with kids. Not because of the kids. I love kids, but because the ex is always around.” I catch Cheryl’s eye. “I guess you have experience with that, evil one. Our mother is always in the background. You share holidays, graduations. Hell, she even crashed Dad’s sixtieth birthday party that you threw for him.”

Our food arrives, and Alan and Vickie dig into one of the platters of mini lamb chops. Cheryl takes her time loading her plate, but I’ve lost my appetite.

“Before I get into the ex,” Cheryl begins, “I need to know about you and Ethan. Where do you two stand, darling? Does he make you feel insecure?” She reaches across the table and grabs my hand, filling me with her warmth.

“He sent her to Boston on a private jet, booked her the presidential suite at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel, and got her a car and driver for the entire weekend, evil one. What does that tell you?” Vickie says.

“Nothing, Vick. He’s a man of means. All he has to do is send one email and someone will take care of that for him. I don’t care about the things. I want to know how you feel when it’s just the two of you alone at home. Not in a fancy restaurant or being driven around in a fancy car.”

Everyone at the table quiets down. Alan actually leans in to hear what I’m going to say.

“When it’s just us, it’s wonderful. He’s amazing, evil one. Not at all like the villain I thought he was. He’s sweet, funny, and he’s in the same category as our dad as far as dads go.” Vickie finally smiles at that. “He told me he loves me.”

Cheryl and Vickie both gasp, and Vickie bounces in her seat while she quietly claps her hands.

“And?” Cheryl says.

“And I told him I love him, too. I really do, but I’m afraid. What if this ends with him going back to her so his son can have both parents?”

“Darling, that sweet little boy does have both parents in his life. You need to remember that everyone has a past, even you. You have exes. Do you see yourself leaving Ethan for one of them?”

“Of course not, but I don’t have kids with any of them either.”

“No, but Ethan’s relationship was over way before he ever laid eyes on you. They simply could not make it work for whatever reason that may be. He’s been open with you about it, and you say you believe he loves you.”

I nod at her, confirming my previous words.

“Then go with that. The man is forty, so he will have a past, but that also means he’s at an age where he knows what he wants, and what he wants is you. I saw it at Thanksgiving. Don’t worry about Lindsay or whatever the hell her name is. She’s his past. But, yes, you will have to share a lot of important milestones with her for Vincent. And honestly, that never bothered me. I’ve always known where I stand with your father and with you three. I was more bothered when your mom didn’t show up because it hurt you guys so much.”

Vickie huffs and rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t contradict Cheryl.

“You’re our mom,” Vickie says.

Cheryl smiles, and just like the first time we called her our mom, her eyes fill with tears.

“We both are, darling, but this is about your sister. Tara, Ethan is a package deal. Just remember that. Lindsay is Vincent’s mom. That’s it. I’m sure she’ll cause trouble, but that won’t last long. She needs to realize getting back with Ethan is a lost cause. Just continue to be the woman he fell in love with. As long as you love him and his son unconditionally, you’ll be fine. Don’t get down in the mud and fight with her. If you do, she’ll think you’re insecure and that she has a chance.”

“That’s it?” I ask her. “That sounds way too easy.”

“That’s it,” Cheryl says with a shrug. “And it is easy when it’s the right one.”

“So, just be your fabulous, beautiful self,” Vickie says. “That’s why he fell in love with you in the first place.” Then she coughs, leans over, and whispers in my ear, “And fuck that bitch ex-wife of his.”

“Yeah, what my twin said,” Alan says between bites of food.

“Okay. Thanks, evil one. I feel better.”

She squeezes my hand again and orders me to eat. The tension I’ve been feeling since I woke up this morning lessens, and I focus on my food.

“You know, growing up, I never considered how some of the things my mother’s done has affected you. Did any of it ever bother you? If it did, you never let it show. At least not to us.”

Cheryl shakes her head and shrugs while she chews. I can tell she’s pondering what she’s going to say next. In all the years since Cheryl’s been in our lives, I don’t ever remember her saying a cross word about my mother. There was never a time when she didn’t welcome her into our house or tried to exclude her from anything.

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