Page 15 of Steadfast

“I loved him,” she said happily.

“You adored him,” I agreed.

Aisling didn’t remember much of our dad because she’d only been four when we lost him, and Ronan was only a little better. He’s been six, and I always thought he should’ve had more memories, but a part of me wondered if he’d blocked them out. Dad’s death had been so shocking and traumatic, especially with how Mom had reacted, that maybe it was how he’d protected himself from the turmoil.

“Do you think Mom would be like this if Dad was still around?” Saoirse asked after a few minutes of quiet.

“No fuckin’ way,” Cian spat.

“No,” I said at the same time.

“She’s an alcoholic,” Saoirse argued. “It’s a natural progression.”

“He’d never put up with this shit,” Cian scoffed.

“He couldn’t have stopped it,” Saoirse said stubbornly.

“He would’ve, Sersh,” I said softly. “And if he couldn’t keep her in line, he would’ve kicked her ass out.”

Cian made a noise of disbelief.

“He loved her,” I continued, ignoring him. “He loved her more than anything. But he wouldn’t have let her put us through all the crap she has. No way.”

“Agree to disagree,” Cian said flatly.

“Either way, I still wish he was here,” Saoirse murmured.

“Me too,” I replied.

Cian and Aisling both agreed.

I turned to look at Richie, who’d been quiet while we reminisced.

“We should go out tonight,” he said softly, brushing my hair away from my face.

“I can’t stay out late,” I warned.

“We never do,” he replied with a chuckle. “But we should celebrate my new job and having this shit with the social worker over.”

“I can make dinner for us,” Saoirse said from my other side. “We’re swimming in groceries.”

“No bullshit new recipes,” Cian bitched. “Just make us something normal.”

“You can cook.”

“Fuck that.”

“Then shut up and eat what I make you,” Saoirse ordered.

“Fine.”

I grinned at Richie.

He leaned down close. “He’s going to be trained so well by the time some woman puts a ring on it.”

“Hell yes, he will,” I replied smugly. Then something occurred to me. “Where the hell is Ronan?”

“He’s asleep,” Aisling called out. “He fell asleep in the grass.”

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