CHAPTER 16
HAVEN
I see the group of people we must be meeting the moment we step inside the museum.
They’re kind of hard to miss. Part of it is all the tattoos I can see peeking out of long-sleeved shirts and sweaters as they stuff coats into the bottom of a stroller.
But it’s more than that. There is an ease about them, like their hearts are connected.
It’s what makes the strongest of families, that connection. Their hearts are open with each other, and their smiles are big and bright. I’m only a little bit jealous of the love between them. It’s so clear to see and something I’ve been missing for a long time.
And, right there in front, just like Knox said he would be, is a middle-aged man with a beanie on his head and a baby strapped to his chest. His large hand is running up and down the baby’s back as he sways from side to side in a way. I doubt he’s even aware he’s doing it which makes it sweeter.
I know it’s Wyatt without anyone telling me.
The blonde woman next to him, who must be Tenley, is looking at him, her heated eyes flicking between his face and the baby he’s wearing.
Even though Knox told me all about how they got together, I’m still a little surprised at their age difference.
It’s not like I care and certainly no one’s opinion but their own matters.
Their love is obvious, which is more than enough for me.
A young boy is standing next to them with a huge smile on his face. If I hadn’t heard the story of how Ian came into Wyatt’s life, I would find it hard to believe it by looking at them. They’re a little family; one filled with a lot of love.
Wilde is squirming next to me and it’s only my arm wrapped around his shoulders keeping him in place. On my other side, Knox offers me his elbow, and I slip my arm through his, needing the comfort he’s offering me so damn effortlessly.
“They’re going to love you,” he murmurs softly.
All I can do is nod in response. He might not be willing to say it, but this meeting matters. To him. To me. To them. I can only hope it’s going to turn out well in the end, but meeting new people has no guarantees.
It does help that they’re all smiling and joking around with each other.
“Is that your family, Knox?” Wilde’s unable to control himself any longer and screeches the question which has everyone’s attention turning our way.
“That’s them, Bud,” Knox assures him gently. “Let’s go and say hello and I’ll introduce everyone.”
“Okay,” Wilde chirps, his head nodding rapidly with a huge smile on his face.
When we step closer, the blonde woman who I assume is Tenley and the man with the baby on his chest, who must be Wyatt, step toward us. They both have smiles on their faces as they look between Wilde and me.
“Hi,” the woman chirps and waves, not giving a single fuck if she’s being over eager, “I’m Tenley.
This is my husband and the owner of Vibrant Ink, Wyatt.
And these are our boys.” She motions toward the teenager first, “This is Ian, he’s 13, and the baby who has the best seat in the house is Kessler. ”
“Hi,” my voice is weaker than I’d like, but the smile on my face is genuine. “I’m Haven and this is Wilde.”
“I’m four,” Wilde pipes up as he bounces on his toes. “I’ve heard all about Knox’s family. You use skin as paper and that is so cool,” he fists pumps the air and does a little spin, his excitement unable to be contained for a moment longer.
Everyone cracks up and then Avery is stepping up next to Tenley.
“I don’t know,” she teases Tenley gently, “I think this one might have the best seat in the house.” As she rubs her belly, I remember that time.
A feeling of yearning, one I haven’t felt in years, rushes through me.
I want to feel that again. She winks at me before greeting us, her voice bright, “Hi Wilde. Hi Haven. It’s nice to see you.
” I haven’t seen her since our meeting, but I know she’s working behind the scenes to help everyone at Safe Home stay safe.
“I’d like to introduce both of you to Bridger,” she waves a man over who looks to be about the same size as Knox.
They might be similar in size, with equally broad shoulders, but the amusement which is always dancing in Knox’s moss green eyes can’t be found in Bridger’s eyes. Instead, there’s wariness and trepidation. But the way he rests his hand on Avery’s belly tells me everything I need to know.
“It’s nice to meet you Bridger,” I tell him just as Wilde exclaims loudly, “Hi Bridger.”
Everyone laughs and something settles in the space around us.
There’s a flutter of activity as we get introduced to Monroe, Travis, and Ellis.
I’m kind of thankful they’re all single because I’m at capacity when it comes to new people and names.
I’m hopeful, at best, to keep everyone I’ve already met straight.
“Where’s Dallas?” Knox asks the question and looks around like he’s expecting her to jump out from behind a pillar or something.
“She said she had other plans and couldn’t change them,” Ellis answers, his voice quiet. There’s something soft about him, something soothing.
I think I catch irritation flash across Travis’ face, but it’s there and then replaced by a broad smile so quickly it makes me wonder if I saw it at all. Strange. I look at Knox to see if he noticed, but he’s just nodding with understanding as he looks at Ellis.
The next thing I know, Tenley loops her arm through mine as she looks back at Wilde and Knox. “How about we let the guys talk art while we take a stroll?”
Avery slips her arm through Tenley’s other side and sighs, “Yes, please. Bridger has been geeking out over coming here today and talking to me about the exhibits. It was starting to feel like I’d already walked the entire thing,” she keeps her voice pitched low.
“It looks like Wilde will fit right in with their excitement.”
I giggle and nod, looking back at Wilde who is holding Knox’s hand and looking around at the other tattoo artists with awe. The guys are quick to catch up with us, Wyatt pushing the stroller and carrying the baby with a loving look on his face and his eyes only for his wife.
As we start to walk through the museum, our tickets already paid for and my protests politely and definitely ignored, I pay attention to Wyatt and Bridger. They are both very aware of where Avery and Tenley are at all times.
Then there’s Knox. His focus is evenly split. He watches me while also paying attention to Wilde effortlessly. It’s not that the rest of the group isn’t paying attention to everyone, with Ian floating amongst the adults with ease, but it’s clear their main focus is the art.
“Are your guys usually this intense?” I whisper the question, not even really meaning to ask it.
Tenley giggles and nods while Avery shrugs. “Bridger’s kind of intense all the time, but even I can admit he’s upped his game.”
“It’s because we’re out in public,” Tenley explains.
“I swear there’s some caveman switch in them and they really believe someone is going to jump out of the shadows, sweep us off our feet, and we’ll ride into the sunset with some stranger.
And, of course, the only way to prevent something so ridiculous is being,” she nods toward them, “whatever they’re being.
” She eyes me before adding, “It’s not just our men, Haven. It’s yours too.”
My cheeks heat up, and I know I’m blushing as I bite my lip and look away without saying anything. Of course, my reaction only causes Tenley to giggle and bump my shoulder with hers gently.
“Don’t mind her,” Avery cuts in, “she’s nosey.”
“Hey,” Tenley exclaims.
I notice she doesn’t deny it though which has me chuckling. Thankfully, they let the discussion go and start talking about Christmas and lighter topics. Monroe doesn’t make it through the entire first exhibit before she joins our group.
“Haven,” she gets my attention while smiling at me, “Wilde is a great kid. We just had a very deep conversation about perspective, and I think he talked me into giving him one-on-one art lessons.” Her expression goes a little bewildered, like she’s not really sure what she agreed to, beyond knowing she’s now on the hook for something. “Are you sure he’s only four?”
I look over at Wilde and am filled with the love I have for him.
While I hope there is a time when he never really remembers his first three years, and how life used to be for us, I’m glad I’ll always remember.
Sure, I hope those memories can fade to be less sharp and cutting against my soul, but I want to appreciate where we are and how far we’ve come. That can only happen by remembering.
“He is,” I assure her, “but he’s taking these art classes very seriously. I’m just waiting for him to insist on getting a beret or a miniature watercolor set so he can always be painting.”
Monroe laughs and nods. “I wouldn’t mind a miniature watercolor set,” she admits with a thoughtful look on her face as she looks over at Wilde. She tells me out of the side of her mouth, “If you find a good one, send me the link. I’ll get one for me and little man.”
I’m a little taken aback by her offer, but it fades quickly. It’s been slowly dawning on me all day that these people are genuine.
Genuinely thoughtful and loving.
Genuinely giving and connected.
It’s not about keeping score. It’s not even about right or wrong. It’s about the connection.
While I have no idea how they managed it, they’ve pulled me in and have made me feel included in the connection they hold so dear. It’s both comforting and terrifying.
Us ladies stick together as we make our way, slowly, through the museum. Everyone takes time with Wilde and Ian, rotating through and giving them the attention they’d give anyone else. They don’t patronize either kid for being kids.
I don’t think I stop smiling the entire time.