27. Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Oak
T he snow was melting rapidly and everything was slush. Gone were my skating days on the pond, and we’d reiterated to the kids that there was absolutely no going on the ice anymore.
This was the time of year that I’d always disliked the most. I hated trudging in the melting snow and driving in it, but every time I walked between my cabin and the Yellow House, I could at least remind myself why I was doing it.
The kids were up to speed, and while Harper was having some trouble—apparently her dad being bi wasn’t easy for her to understand on a certain level—at least their support system was ready to, well, support.
Charlie actually asked Uncle Teague to talk to Harper during one of their frequent calls, because Uncle Teague was bisexual as well. It seemed to help, even though nobody but Uncle Teague and Harper knew what exactly was said, and she began to relax a bit more.
We were grateful, Law and me. Now that we were completely free from any pretense and lies by omission, we could cuddle on the couch while we watched movies and occasionally, I’d stay the night in Law’s bed.
We were moving forward slowly but surely, and I was happier than I thought I could ever be, even though something was still holding me back a little bit.
One Friday in early spring —okay, more like late winter, but I was getting tired of the season and refused the idea of it lasting even a day longer— Law and Marlie had taken Ranger for his vet checkup, and I was hanging with Tris and Harper.
Because Law had picked the kids up from school and then dropped the duo off at the Inn before he and Marlie went to get Ranger, we went to bother Charlie just because we could.
“Uncle Charlie!” Tris yelled loudly, then barreled through the smartly already open office door. I’d given Charlie a heads up, I wasn’t cruel.
“Hey, bud!” Charlie hugged Tristan while Harper and I peered into the office a bit more politely.
Since Charlie had told Dana we were coming over, she soon called us into the dining room for snacks.
“Auntie Dana has the best snacks!” Tristan announced before dashing past us once again.
“I wish I had half of that kid’s energy,” I murmured.
Charlie chuckled. “A quarter would do.”
“Hey, even I don’t have a fraction of his energy and I’m not even twelve yet,” Harper deadpanned, making us laugh, which clearly made her day.
She gave Charlie a hug, and then we put our outerwear in the designated spot where Tristan had flung his backpack and clothes already.
I followed Harper into the dining room and got myself a snack once the kids had done their raiding of the selection. Dana came out of the kitchen with a mug of coffee and handed it over.
“There you go!” She was in a good mood. I think part of that might be the fact that she, Nic, and Aunt Regan were figuring their shit out, finally. I didn’t comment on it though; it wasn’t something they liked to talk about at this point and I respected that.
“Thanks!” I took the mug and my plate to my usual table by the windows while Tristan and Harper went to the one the kids normally used.
I noticed a car drive into the lot and park near the other side of the doors where I couldn’t see it, but thought nothing of it.
“Oak?” Harper looked at me expectantly.
“Yeah?”
“Can we make pizza for dinner tonight?”
I shrugged. “If we have ingredients, I don’t see why not. I don’t think your dad had any plans yet.”
I heard a murmur of voices from the lobby.
Tristan was singing his pizza song with a wild little shimmy in his chair, holding two carrot sticks like they were glow sticks and he was at a rave or something.
I laughed at his antics and picked up my coffee. My gaze swept over the dining room doorway just as a woman walked in.
The coffee sloshed over the edge of the mug I had barely time to put down before it fell.
“Oakley,” my mother said, her eyes filling with tears.
“No.” I got to my feet immediately, the chair clattering behind me as I backed away. “You can’t be here.”
“Oakley—”
“His name is Oak,” Harper said sternly as she got out of her seat and reached a hand to her brother. She pulled him toward me, her shoulders squared as she stared down the woman I had never wanted to see again. Tristan’s mouth hung open, but he plastered himself to my side as soon as they got to me, and Harper stayed in front of me.
She was tall for eleven, which wasn’t surprising with both of her parents being tall, and she already came up past my chin.
I put my hands on her shoulders, her behavior having given me time to process.
“It’s okay, Harper. You can stand down.”
Speaking of standing down, Steve pushed his way into the room and walked up to us, then sat his butt in front of all of us.
“Oak, I—” Erin Young got cut off by the kitchen door opening and Dana stepping out.
She didn’t say anything, just glanced at us and their dog, then back at Erin with a raised eyebrow.
“Can we talk?” Erin said finally, her tone just shy of pleading, and for once her eyes looked sincere.
Tristan tugged at my sleeve. “Oak? Is that your mom?” It wasn’t a surprise he’d put two and two together, he was a smart kid.
I cleared my throat and squeezed him to my side. “Yeah, bud. This is Erin.”
“Okay.” I could tell he was thinking hard about something.
Dana looked at me with a clear question in her eyes. At my nod, she said, “Kids, why don’t you take your snacks and come eat with me in the kitchen?”
Harper turned to me, clearly worried as hell.
“It’s fine, Harper,” I promised.
Sadly, she was old enough to be able to see through my BS, so she narrowed her eyes.
“I have Steve.” And Charlie, because I could see him hovering just out of view behind my mother.
Harper nodded and took Tris’ hand. Dana held the door open for them and helped Tris with his drink. Then the door closed behind them and I was alone with my mother. The dining room had never felt so small.
She eyed Steve, having never been a fan of dogs. He eyed her right back.
“Steve, come here. Stand down.” I went back to my seat and he came to sit next to me, then put his giant head on my lap. “Good boy.”
Clearly scrambling for something to say, she asked, “Is this your dog?”
I shook my head. “No. But those are my kids.” I nodded toward the kitchen.
I saw Charlie put a hand over his mouth in the doorway where he was hiding.
It wasn’t a lie, exactly. They weren’t my kids, but they also were.
Erin’s expression was stunned. “Uh….”
“My partner is their father,” I explained.
As if summoned, I could see Law’s SUV make a hard turn into the parking lot, and barely stop before the love of my life burst out without stopping to help Marlie out.
She was big enough to do it herself, though, so I wasn’t worried.
Before Erin could gather her wits, I heard the front door, then saw Charlie vanish and the door opened again as he went to gather Marlie. Law stepped into the dining room, his eyes wild as he sought me and Erin out.
“It’s okay, baby,” I told him, and he deflated with relief.
The suspicion in his gaze didn’t go anywhere, though.
He strode across the room to me and leaned down to kiss me on the lips as he squeezed the back of my neck in the way that had become comforting to me.
“You sure?” he murmured, never looking at Erin, instead opting to stare into my eyes, searching for something.
I smiled at him. “I’m sure. You can pull up a chair though, if you want.” Not because I needed him there, but because it would make him feel better.
“Okay.” He smiled back, relaxing even further. Then he turned to Erin and held out his hand. “Mrs. Young, I’m Lawrence Caldwell.”
I snorted softly. I’d never heard him call himself that.
My mother, confused about my snort but unable to not be polite, shook hands with him. “It’s nice to meet you.” It sounded like a question just enough that I let a chuckle slip.
The way her eyes went cold at that would’ve given me chills only a few months ago. Now, I leveled her with a gaze that made her eyes widen in surprise.
“So, why are you here, Erin?” I asked pointedly.
She gasped softly, and for a few seconds she looked as if I’d slapped her. She was about to open her mouth when Charlie and Marlie came in.
Marlie, being the sweetheart with fewer social skills than her siblings, didn’t stop to read the room. She just handed her backpack to Charlie, kept her head down and walked to me. She rounded my chair because Steve was still hogging one side, and hugged me.
“Hi, Oak,” she said, smiling.
I kissed the top of her head. “Hi, Marlie. Did you leave Ranger at the vet’s?” I made an educated guess.
“Uh-huh. We needed to hurry back when Uncle Charlie texted Dad, and there was an emergency before us.”
“We’ll get him once we’re done here,” Law murmured softly as he made himself comfortable between Erin and me.
“Come on, kiddo, snack time,” Charlie called out to her.
“Okay!” she said easily, then patted Steve on the head. “Be a good boy for Oak. He’s important.” Then she walked to the kitchen doors and vanished inside with Charlie in tow.
I fucking loved these humans.
Turning my attention back to Erin, I raised my brow, and waited.
“Yes, well, you see.” I almost waited for her to wring her hands, and then she deflated a little. “We haven’t been able to get in touch with you on the phone and we need you at home. Your grandfather has been diagnosed with—”
“Let me stop you there,” I said firmly. “I don’t have a ‘grandfather;’ I have Gramps. Just like I have Grams. Your parents. They’re also the grandparents of those kids having a snack in the kitchen.”
“What do you—”
“I mean that I am not a Young anymore. My name is Oak Mulligan now, Erin. I am not a child of yours or Bart’s anymore. I don’t want anything to do with you two.” Before she could speak, I lifted a hand to stop her. “Now, if any of my siblings ever need to get away, try to find a shred of decency within yourself and give them this address to come to. We take in strays here, people whose families don’t love them the way Jesus meant.”
She was fuming then, but I thought I saw a flicker of shame, too. “You listen to me—”
“No.” I smiled wryly. “I won’t. I don’t have to. I’m an adult. I have a life, a job I enjoy, friends and family I love, and”—I reached to take Law’s hand and squeezed it—“the love of a good man who knows a thing or two about abusive mothers.”
That really got Erin going; she got to her feet, pointing a finger at me. “How dare you!”
The low, dangerous growl from between me and Law made her eyes widen. I’d never heard Steve this angry. He got to his feet and let out one rumbly bark, nowhere near his full volume, but still scary if you believed all big black dogs were violent and out of control.
The kitchen door burst open, and Tristan ran out. “You can’t be our grandma; you’re mean!” he yelled at Erin. “We don’t want mean grandmas!”
He scrambled up onto Law’s lap and glared at Erin.
I’d let go of Law’s hand and now reached for Tris’ arm. “Buddy? There is no world in which I would let her get anywhere near you or your sisters. Like you said, our family has no room for mean people, only loving ones, right?”
I could see the upset in his eyes, the tears about to brim over, and I held out my arms. Steve had barely enough time to back away when Tristan launched himself into my arms.
“It’s okay, bud,” I promised him, holding him tightly. Then I looked at Erin. “Do not come back here.”
She was shaking with anger and something else I couldn’t read. Then she gathered herself and nodded.
“I’ll go visit my parents while I’m here.”
“Don’t let her be mean to Grams and Gramps,” Tristan whispered against my neck loud enough for Erin to hear.
She jerked back, finally understanding something, it seemed. She cleared her throat. “I won’t be mean to them.” She grabbed her purse and stepped away, looking at me closely for what seemed like forever but was only seconds. Then she nodded once. “Goodbye, Oak.”
With that, she turned on her heel and marched out. Law got to his feet and went to the window.
“She’s gone,” he said after a few moments. Then he came to embrace me and Tristan.
“She won’t come back,” I promised Tristan. “And nobody is allowed to be mean.”
The kitchen door opened and Charlie peeked out. “Tris? Can I have your ice cream?”
Tristan sniffled, then smacked a loud kiss on my cheek and scrambled off my lap. “No!” he yelled and ran to the kitchen.
“Oh, to be six years old,” I murmured.
Law chuckled and pulled me to stand, then into his arms. He squeezed me tightly, and just like every time since the first hug he’d given me, I melted against him, feeling absolute peace and comfort wash over me.
“You were right,” he said quietly against the side of my head.
“I know. But about what exactly?”
He squeezed my butt for being a brat, then replied, “You do have my love.”
My breath hitched, and I pulled back enough to look at him. I’d known it, of course. I’d felt the times he’d been close to saying the words, but I’d been afraid. Of what, I wasn’t sure.
“I love you,” I whispered, waiting for the fear to hit me, but it didn’t.
The way his brown eyes lit up was suddenly everything.
“I love you, too.” He leaned in to meet me in the middle for a kiss that was somewhere between chaste and hungry.
The front door opened and Uncle Teague walked in, looking much like Law had when he’d arrived.
“Did I miss her?”
“Yup.” I grinned. “Although she headed to Grams and Gramps.”
He cussed under his breath, then looked at us. His eyes widened, as if he could read the words we’d just exchanged from our expressions. Hell, maybe he, a hopeless romantic, could.
“Do you want us to take the kids tonight?” he asked smoothly, only smirking a little.
“Yeah, that would be great.” Law’s voice was only a little bit husky.
“Awesome. Plan with Charlie; I’m gonna go say hi to my dear sister.” His expression was all feigned innocence, and I knew Erin wouldn’t like what he’d have to say.
“Will do.” I turned back to Law and lifted my face for another kiss.
The door closed, and Uncle Teague was gone.
Law and I stood there for a moment more, then I sighed. “You and Marlie should go get Ranger. I’ll take Harper and Tris home to start on their homework if they’re going to the uncles’ tonight.”
“Sounds like a good idea.” He pecked my lips once more, then squeezed me and nipped at my neck as if he couldn’t quite let go without doing it first.
Then he reluctantly let go and stepped away.
“Kids? You ready to go?” I called, and they filed out with Charlie at the rear.
Steve lumbered into his spot in the lobby, and I made a mental note to get him a bone or something next time I went into town.
I knew Nic would be pissed off having missed all the drama and the chance to say her piece to Erin, but we’d already had enough action. The fact that she was picking up some paint seemed like a blessing suddenly. As if knowing where my mind had gone, Dana gave me a little smile from the kitchen doorway. I smiled back. I was sure she and Charlie would fill her wife in later.
Tris and Harper came with me to start dressing for the walk to the Yellow House while Law and Charlie made plans for pickup time in the background.
“I need to pee!” Tristan announced and dashed toward the bathrooms.
Harper rolled her eyes.
I touched her shoulder. “Thank you for being so brave and amazing,” I told her quietly. “You’re a fierce person and I couldn’t love you more. I’m so proud of you.” I’d need to tell Law everything later when we were alone.
She glanced at me quickly, then nodded without making eye contact. I opened my arms, and she hugged me tightly until her brother bounced back into the lobby with wet hands and joined in the hug.
Chuckling, I let go. “Law? We’re going now,” I called to him.
“Okay, see you in a bit, loves,” he called back.
Charlie went, “Aww!”
Harper rolled her eyes a little and went to open the door for Tris and me. We stepped into the parking lot, and like clockwork, Cricket materialized from around the corner.
“Hey, girl!” Tris went to hug her.
She came to get more pets and then joined us on the walk home.
I inhaled the clean spring air, listened to the kids’ talk about what they’d do at Uncle Charlie and Uncle Teague’s place, and smiled. I couldn’t remember feeling this relaxed before. I was sure my therapist would want to talk about all this and that Law would be extra attentive tonight, but I’d be fine.
I wasn’t going to fool myself into thinking that all the demons from my past were exorcized, but with no threat of the Youngs appearing here hanging over my head, I could finally truly move on as Oak Mulligan. Or maybe one day, many years from now, as Oak Caldwell.