Page 106 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“Back the tragedy train up. How about you start by asking for something small?”
“What the hell are you talking about? None of this is small.”
“How about you ask for permission to bring Dylan to meet his grandmother?”
I still. Ma. Goddamn, she’d love to know I have a son. “Shit. You’re right. She deserves to meet him.”
Reckless shrugs. “Baby steps. You get them to allow that, then they start to come around to the two of you being a couple.”
“And to the three of us being a family.”
“Yeah. Ease into it. No need to draw a big line in the sand.” He points the hand holding the cigarette at me. “And not a word about giving up your patch, brother. Understand?”
I grin. “You’re right. I gotta go. Fiona and I have a lot to talk about.”
Mounting my bike, I roar out of the lot and head across town to my future, my love, my goddamn everything.
Pulling to the curb, I take the outside stairs two at a time and knock on her door quietly, afraid to wake Dylan.
Footsteps approach. There’s a pause, and then the door is swung open.
I step inside, and her fingertips go to my cheek. “Oh, Shine. Your face.”
Rubbing my jaw, I give her a grin. “Your father has a powerful right hook.”
“You fought.”
“He got one swing in, that’s all.”
“I hate this.”
“Well, we got past it. C’mere.” I take her in my arms, careful not to touch her sore area. “How are you feeling?”
“I took another pain pill.”
“Dylan asleep?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see him?” I take in her small apartment.
She leads me to her bedroom and the crib against the wall.
I pat my son’s back, his little bottom stuck up in the air and his hands tucked under him, one at his mouth where he sucks on his thumb.
Fiona pulls my hand and nods to the door.
We exit quietly and move to the couch. I sit in the corner, and Fiona gently rests against me on her good side.
“You okay?” I kiss the top of her head. “You comfortable?”
“Yes.”
“Fiona, I want us to be together like a real family. I’ve fallen in love with you. I want you to know I’ll do everything in my power to give you and Dylan the best life possible. What I need to know is whether you want the same thing?”
“I love you, Shine. I do want that. I want us to have a chance to make a real family. Dylan needs both of his parents. I want him to grow up with a father in his life.”
“I want you to know this isn’t just about Dylan. I’d want you even if we hadn’t had a child. You’re like my missing piece, sweetness. The part I’ve been searching for a long time. When we’re together, everything about us feels right.”
