Page 62 of Don't Hurt Us
“It’s not like he tried to speak to us before this.”Danny pulls away and swipes at the tears that are still trickling down his cheeks.
“You’re right, he didn’t.He wasn’t a good father at all,” I voice what we’re all thinking but the kids are always hesitant to say.For so long I tried to make sure they respected a man who didn’t deserve it.“You won't need to see him again unless you want to.”
“I don’t.We have Maverick now, we don’t need him.”Bree clings to him even tighter.
“While we were at the courthouse, Mom and I decided to get married.”Maverick pauses and I watch as both of the kids turn their gazes on me.There’s so much hope swimming in their eyes.They want this to be true so badly, but I don’t think they believe it.
“Really?”Danny whispers.
“Yes.We wanted to make things official.We love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together.I was hoping it might ease some of your worries about this being temporary.”I run a hand up and down Danny’s back, trying to sooth him.
“You really want us?”Danny turns his attention back to Maverick and the tears come once again.
“Of course I want you.You two are the best.My love for you has nothing to do with my love for Mom.I would’ve loved you even if she refused to marry me.Even if we had broken up, I would’ve made sure I could still spend time with you.”
“But you got married without us?”Bree arches a brow.
“Legally?Yes, but I think we’ll have something small when we go to Mulberry Lane in a few weeks.”
“What?Really?”Danny leaps off of Maverick’s lap and is smiling from ear to ear.
“Yeah, we thought we could spend a week or two visiting Wyatt and Charlie, while helping Sophia and Peck get settled in their new house.We’ll probably have to stay at a nearby hotel though.We also need to check with Peck and Sophia to make sure that’s ok.”I wince.
“I already texted Peck, sweetheart.He loves the idea.”Maverick reaches for my hand and intertwines our fingers.He’s always one step ahead of me and thinking of all the things I didn’t.
“Thank you.”
“Of course.Now, I think we should go out for dinner to celebrate our new family.”
“Wait… This means you’re our step-dad now, right?”Danny’s gaze snaps to us.
“Yeah, but I’d rather if you just called me Dad.”Maverick grins.
Chapter 29
Maverick
It’sbeenalmostamonth since Sydney and I got married.The best month of my entire life.I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy and I don’t know how I lived without them.
We pull onto Mulberry Lane, following Peck’s car.It’s been a long drive, but it’s worth it to get two weeks away from Maple Springs and all of our responsibilities there.We’re excited to have our first vacation as a family, even if it’s to help Sophia and Peck unpack.
“This place is adorable!”Sydney whispers as she takes in the gorgeous homes that form a circle.
On the outside of the circle are four homes and it looks like they’re building some more of them.We pull into the driveway of the second house and I cut the engine.
When Peck said he was moving to Philadelphia, I expected him to be in the big city, but this is a suburb almost twenty minutes outside of the city.It’s quiet and looks more like a small town than anywhere near the city.I can see why Peck was ok with moving here.
We climb out of the car and meet Peck and Sophia in the driveway.We were able to fit all of their stuff within the three cars.I can’t imagine it will take long for us to unpack.
“We might as well go introduce you to everyone.”Sophia motions across the street.I glance over my shoulder to find families on every porch watching us.“Welcome to Mulberry Lane.Where everyone is more in your business than in Maple Springs.This is like a small town on steroids.”She chuckles and shakes her head.
A couple who looks to be only a little bit older than me meet us in the driveway of the home across the street.They each wrap Sophia and Peck in a hug before turning their attention to the rest of us.
“Hey, man, I'm Wes and this is my wife, Addi.We’re Sophia’s parents.”He shakes my hand in a strong grip.
“It’s nice to meet you.I'm Maverick, Sydney’s husband.”
“I'm sorry, what did you just say?”Peck squeezes between us, his wide eyes bouncing between Sydney and myself.
