Page 28 of Finding Us

“I’d like to watch a movie,” I say.

“Works for me,” Garret agrees.

Pearce sets Lilly down. “Go get changed. And when you get back, you can pick the movie.”

She gets this big, excited smile on her face and races out of the room.

Pearce watches her leave, then turns back to us. “I’m taking her to Disneyland while we’re in California. I want to surprise her, so I’m not going to tell her until we get out there.”

“Are you serious?” Garret asks. “Aren’t you worried about the crowds and her running off?”

“I’ll keep an eye on her. Brian is going to fly out and meet us there so he’ll be watching her as well.”

Brian is one of Pearce’s security guys. He’s huge and looks scary but he’s actually really nice.

“How’d you get Katherine to go along with this?”

“I didn’t. She keeps trying to forbid it, but what’s she going to do? She can’t stop me. Katherine won’t even be there.”

“She’s not coming to the wedding?” I ask him.

“I told her not to. I assumed you two would be okay with that.” He grins a little as he says it.

Garret and I don’t respond, but we don’t need to. Pearce knows how we feel.

“I told Katherine that if she wasn’t going to be supportive of your relationship, then I didn’t want her to attend. This isyourwedding and you should only have people there that you want there. People who love you and want to see the two of you happy. And unfortunately, Katherine is not one of those people.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Garret says. “Thanks for doing that.”

He nods. “Well, shall we head to the movie room? Lilly will likely pick out a cartoon, but the three of us can watch something else after she goes to bed.” He stands up from the table. “Or if you two want to watch one alone, I can go do some work in my office.”

“You should watch with us,” I say. “We don’t get to see you much anymore.”

Garret takes my hand under the table. “Yeah, Dad. It’s Friday night. You shouldn’t be working. You need to relax. You should watch a movie with us.”

“Okay, then. Let’s head over there.”

We watch a cartoon with Lilly and then a comedy with Garret’s dad. He actually laughs during it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the man laugh.

This house feels totally different than what I’m used to. The mood is lighter and warmer. And it’s not just because Katherine isn’t here. She’s been gone before and it wasn’t like this. Something’s different. Pearce is different. Good different, and it’s made the place feel a little more like a home.

When the movie ends, Garret gets up. “I’m going up to bed. It’s been a long day.”

Pearce stands up and stretches. “Yes, I should get to bed as well.”

He usually sleeps about three hours a night so this, too, is strange. He normally goes to bed at 2 in the morning and it’s only 11 now.

He picks up the remote and turns the equipment off. “I don’t mind if Jade sleeps in your room, Garret, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t let Lilly see, given that you two aren’t married yet. It would only cause questions.”

“Yeah, we understand. Goodnight.” Garret walks out.

“Goodnight, Mr. Kensington,” I say.

He laughs. “Jade, you’re marrying my son in a few weeks. You need to start calling me Pearce.”

“Okay, I will. Goodnight.” I follow Garret up the stairs and to his room. It looks the same as when he left. I was sure Katherine would’ve redecorated it by now.

“What’s up with your dad?” I ask as I change into my pajamas.

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