Page 74 of Handsome
I laughed as we opened the next file. Real estate. She’d been looking at places on the west coast. One more thing she hadn't told me. I stroked Cyrus's cheek and said, “I think you should go ahead and file the papers with your brother to start the heart centers you talked about.”
“You’re right. I need to stop waffling and commit.” He flashed a bright smile at me.
We were both better together, it seemed.
47
Sarah
We spoke to Jeff about filing formal charges against Darren as soon as we arrived at the family home.
He’d already taken down the online video, and now broke down how the trial would be very victim heavy. We discussed my dating life, so Cyrus now knew about the one time I was lonely enough to briefly date a drifter for a few weeks.
Looking back, I had to admit I’d known he was bad news.
A trial sounded intense, and both of them reminded me regularly and often that I was under no pressure to testify at all.
However, Cyrus’s comment continued to replay in my mind. What if he’d hurt other young women? What if there was one right now?
Jeff said he’d send investigators.
My mind and body stilled. It was time to tell my truth to the world.
And I’d insisted.
We left Jeff alone, and strolled outside in the garden. I was enjoying the smell of lavender here when Cyrus said, “You’re doing the right thing by filing charges.”
I glanced over and told him about the worst thing I’d read today. “I hate recounting that weekend, but based on what I read, my sister was also his victim. Now that I've read her diary, I believe she’s wrong about life, but I also have a much better understanding of why she was the way she was.”
Jeff had wanted possession of the diary, but I wanted to finish reading it, and promised to hand it over after the weekend.
Cyrus kissed my forehead and said, “And after you testify, we’ll go back to the island, where we can just be ourselves.”
Our phones beeped and we saw the screen at the same moment. I grabbed his hand and said, “Joshua’s crying. Let’s go get him together.”
We sped up as he said, “Sounds perfect.”
I tugged on his arm. “No, not perfect, just awesome, because we’re a family.”
We raced up to get our son, and knew we’d go as a team to get his bottle if that was what he needed. Cyrus picked up his son and he settled right away.
The two of them together sent a spark through me. He rocked his son.
Then he said, “Speaking of, after the wedding it would be nice to give Joshua a new brother or sister.”
I rocked on my feet. The twinkle in his gaze sent a spear of heat through me. I walked beside him, covered Joshua’s ears like I didn’t want him to hear and then whispered, “Why are we waiting?”
He laughed and kissed my cheek. “I thought you’d want to wait until after the wedding photographs.”
I gazed up at him and said, “I say we let fate decide and just have fun.”
He nodded with a grin.
We’d have the rest of our lives together, as a family. I was happy and in love.
48
Warren
