Page 119 of Forgotten Desires

It’s been six hours. Six long, agonizing, exhausting hours. The doctor said it could take up to twelve hours.

“I’m losing my mind,” I say, running my fingers through my hair.

Grady walks over, handing me a bottle of soda and some candy from the machine. “It’s hard when you’re waiting on answers and you’re helpless to do anything if there’s a problem.”

“The last update was three hours ago, I thought we’d have heard something.”

Asher grips my shoulder. “She’ll be fine. I know my sister and she’s far too stubborn to let this take her down. Just stay positive.”

For as much shit as Asher gave me, he’s been the most supportive out of everyone. He immediately rallied behind Brynn and I can see just how much she means to him. I may not have been his biggest fan, but I think all of his crap was because he just loves her and wants to protect her.

“How are you holding up?” I ask.

“I’m about as good as you are, I’m clearly just better at keeping it together.”

I laugh once. “Well, there’s that.”

All of us lean back in the most uncomfortable chairs known to man and wait. Someone enters the room, the four of us pop out of our chairs. However, it’s not the doctor, it’s my sister.

“Hey,” Kimberly says as she comes in the room, Layla right behind her. “Someone wanted to come give hugs.”

Immediately a little part of my fear dissipates. Layla comes in the room and wraps her little arms around me. “Is Rin okay, Daddy?”

“She’s doing just fine.”

Her smile grows and then she hugs all of her new uncles. She’s definitely taken to Rowan the most, but Grady’s house is where her new best friends live, so she loves him as well. Asher is a little more reserved, but when she’s tired, she loves to sit by him.

She’s taking all their attention and my sister comes beside me. “It’s kind of amazing seeing her with them. She’s always been so shy, but since Brynn has come into your life, and you take her to the farm, it’s like a part of her has come alive.”

“They allow her to be a kid,” I explain. “When we’re in Sugarloaf, there is no competition or rules. She can chase chickens, pet a goat, fish and run around catching bugs. It’s a different world than we grew up in.”

Kimberly looks over at Layla who is trying to climb Rowan. “I’m glad her world is expanding, Crew. She’s just so much happier and I wanted you to know that I see it, and now that she’s yours full time, I think her life is only going to be fuller.”

“I think so too. I know that Brynlee brings such a different feeling into the home.”

She snorts. “I think you mean she made it a home. That penthouse was windows and walls, but now it’s different. There’s a warmth there.”

“She’s . . . well, she’s amazing.”

My sister nudges me. “I’m glad you found her again.”

“Me too. She makes me so fucking happy.” And I love her, but I won’t say the words to my sister first, it’ll be to Brynn. When she’s ready to have that discussion, at least.

Kimberly laughs when she sees Rowan fall to the floor as if Layla “pulled” him down. “I don’t even understand this type of play. I can’t remember the last time Ryan got on a floor with his kids. Dad would never have considered it. It’s just . . . this is really great to see, you know? She’s getting to be the kid we dreamed of.”

“I think we turned out okay,” I say, trying to imagine my older brother rolling on the floor with his kids the way Rowan is doing with Layla.

“We turned out rich. I don’t know that it’s okay though. I’m almost thirty and have never been in a relationship because I was terrified I’d be forced to marry him. We don’t have much fun because we were taught if we had time, we should use it to make more money. I think that we’re great at business and terrible at life.”

I know she’s right in some regards. My life was work, so I think I was pretty good at it, but I was lonely. Marrying Jacqueline was what was expected and not what I wanted. All of those things brought me here to Brynn, though. If I took a different route, there’s no guarantee that I’d have her now.

We were so young when we met, and not only in age, but in experience as well. Brynn and I probably would’ve fallen apart. She’d have seen the ugly side of coming into my family, the expectations I had on my shoulders, and the way I was required to be more.

“Life is about growing. It’s about trying things, loving, laughing, and finding a way to handle your shit. My wife taught me how to do all those things in just a short time. Ten years ago, she showed me what love was and I walked away from it. Then, somehow, I got her back and with it came all the good things that I didn’t think I’d have again. You’ll find a guy who makes you want to walk away from your company, your work, your stresses because you’re happy with them. Like I am with Brynn and Layla.”

As though she heard us, Layla comes running over, a huge smile on her face. “I made Uncle Rowan fall down.”

“I saw. You’re very strong.”

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