21. Fiona
Chapter Twenty-One
FIONA
I lie in bed longer than I probably should, letting the morning sun creep across the sheets.
My thoughts are tangled, playing the conversation I shared with Cormac last night on repeat.
I laid myself bare for him, and he did the same. And for the first time in what feels like forever, he looked at me without a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
I turn over and run my hand over his side of the bed.
The sheets are still warm, so Cormac must not have been up long.
I shift over and inhale the smell of his cologne that lingers on the pillow.
My skin still tingles from his touch, and I let out a contented sigh as I rub my thighs together, enjoying the slight ache between them.
But of course, the worry doesn’t leave me fully.
Now I know what it’s like to lose Cormac, those feelings don’t suddenly vanish overnight.
My reality weighs heavy on my chest, the kind of weight you can’t shake no matter how much you try.
I won’t be able to fully relax until Lorcan has been taken care of, and I know he won’t go down without a fight. I can only pray that Cormac won’t get caught in the crossfire and that we might actually get a chance at a happily ever after.
I wrap myself up in the sheet as if it were his arms, clinging to the memory of last night like an anchor, as I think of the future.
What if I do something stupid? Or worse, what if Cormac changes his mind? I can’t risk that. I need to prove to him that I’m committed. That I won’t ever hurt him again.
The question is, how? What can I do that will truly show him he can trust me?
My phone buzzes on the bedside table, jarring me from my thoughts.
I reach over, fumbling for it, and the screen lights up with Joe’s number.
My heart lurches as I bolt upright in bed and answer the call.
“What’s happened?” I demand.
“Auntie Fi?”
“Amber?” My voice is breathless, caught between excitement and disbelief at the sound of her voice.
“Daddy said I could call you.”
“H-he did?”
“Because of the news.”
“News? What news?”
“My doctor says I’m much better,” she says excitedly. “The machine on my heart is working.”
I try to hold back tears. “Oh, sweetie, that’s amazing!”
“I don’t need to go to the hospital for six months,” Amber continues. “But Skye isn’t happy about that.”
“Oh? Why not?”
“Because she likes the chocolate pudding.”
I let out a watery laugh as the tears start pouring down my cheeks.
“Amber, I’m so relieved you’re feeling better. I’ve been so worried about you,” I manage to say despite the lump in my throat.
“You don’t need to worry, Auntie Fi!”
I hold the phone even tighter, wishing it were her instead. “That’s my job as your auntie. I have to worry.”
“When can I show you my cool scar?”
“Oh… I’m not sure—”
“Daddy said you can come and visit.”
“He did?” I ask, though I’m not surprised.
He would be an idiot to ignore my ultimatum.
“So, can you come and visit? I really miss you.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, a mix of relief and joy threatening to overwhelm me at the idea of seeing my nieces.
“Of course, I’ll come! I’ll make the arrangements today. I promise.”
I chat with Amber for a little longer, soaking up every word and savoring the sound of her laughter.
When the call ends, my heart feels like it’s about to burst at the thought of seeing my nieces, and knowing that Cormac was the one to make that happen makes it all the more sweet.
I throw back the covers and practically jump out of bed. I quickly throw on a pair of leggings and a jumper and rush out of the bedroom, hoping to catch Cormac before the business of the day snatches his attention.
“Cormac?” I call out as I hurry down the stairs.
Voices come from the kitchen, and I almost collide with one of the maids on the stairs as she brings up a basket of fresh towels.
“Have you seen Cormac?” I practically yell at her.
She looks a little startled and shakily points toward the kitchen.
“Thanks!” I call out as I sprint down the remaining stairs.
I catch the smell of fresh coffee mixed with buttery toast as I burst into the kitchen.
Cormac is leaning against the counter, clutching a mug of coffee.
He’s deep in conversation with Brennan, who is bent over the island and scrolling on his tablet.
“Cormac.” I’m sure whatever they are discussing is important, but right now I’m too excited to be polite.
Cormac’s head snaps up, and his eyes quickly flick over me, a crease appearing between his brows, instantly on alert.
“What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” I grin, though I can still feel the remnants of the tears on my cheeks.
Brennan frowns. “You’re acting weird.”
“That’s because I have news. Really good news.” I am one second away from bouncing up and down on the balls of my feet.
“What’s this news?” Cormac wearily, braces a hand against the island.
“Amber got the all-clear from the doctor. She doesn’t need any more surgery and…she says I’m allowed to come and visit.” I clutch my hands to my chest as I try to hold back my excitement.
Something like relief washes over Cormac’s face as his shoulders relax.
“That’s good news. Really good news.” He mirrors what I said. And for a fleeting second, the corner of his mouth twitches in an almost smile.
I step closer, my heart hammering in my chest.
“I wanted you to know because you’re the one who made it possible. You’re the one who got me back into their lives, and I… I owe you so much.”
He shakes his head. “You don’t owe me. I just gave back what was already yours. Any fool could see how much those girls need you. Joe was wrong to keep them from you in the first place.”
I nod, biting back the emotion that threatens to spill over. “Still… you made it possible. You always make things possible for me. I don’t think I could have done it without you.”
He studies me closely as he takes a sip of his coffee, his dark eyes so intense that my cheeks heat. “I just did what needed to be done. Hopefully now, things can settle down.”
“When can I go?”
Cormac raises an eyebrow.
“After you’ve brushed your teeth and eaten your greens,” Brennan chimes in, and Cormac shoots him a look that only makes Brennan chuckle under his breath.
“How about this afternoon?” Cormac suggests, setting down his mug.
I blink.
I wasn’t expecting to be able to see the girls so soon, but of course I’m not going to object. “That would be amazing.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“You will?”
I notice the look that Brennan gives his brother, and I feel that familiar niggling thought tugging at the back of my mind.
Is he offering to come with me because he wants to keep me safe, or is he coming because he wants to make sure I don’t secretly meet up with Lorcan without supervision?
From the look on Brennan’s face, I can tell he’s wondering the same thing.
Cormac takes a sip of coffee. “I want to make sure nothing goes sideways. I don’t trust Joe. And considering the ultimatum you gave him, I doubt he’s thrilled at the idea of seeing you, so you’re not going alone.”
That trace of possessiveness makes my cheeks flush.
His gaze meets mine, and I can’t fight the huge smile that spreads across my face because no matter his intentions, I get to see my nieces today, and that’s what really matters.
“I’ll go and tell Amber I’ll be coming today. Oh, and Cormac…” I hesitate for a second before throwing my arms around his neck.
He staggers back a step before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me flush against him.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You deserve it.”
“Get a fucking room,” Brennan grumbles, and Cormac’s shoulders shake with silent laughter.
I press a quick kiss to his lips before reluctantly pulling myself free from his arms and darting from the kitchen. Though at the door, I pause and glance over my shoulder.
Cormac offers me a wink before turning his attention back to Brennan, leaving me standing there, grinning like a lovesick teenager.
I bolt up the stairs, and I’m so lost in my own excitement that I run straight into Ciara as she’s leaving her bedroom.
“Why are you in such a hurry?” she asks suspiciously.
I grin. “I’m visiting my nieces today.”
Ciara throws her arms in the air. “Oh, my god! That’s amazing!”
“What’s going on out here?” Elena peers around the door to the nursery.
Ciara holds her hands to her chest, looking like she’s on the verge of tears. “Fiona gets to go and visit her sweet little nieces today, and we’re just so happy for her”
I wrap an arm around her shoulder. “You don’t need to cry.”
“Can I still blame it on postpartum hormones?”
“That’s my excuse, get your own!” Riley calls from inside the nursery, and I swallow a laugh. “I’m stuck with a baby on my boob, so get your asses in here so I can join in!”
I link my arm through Ciara’s and drag her into the nursery.
Riley is lounging in the rocking chair in the corner, feeding Aubrey.
Elena sorts through the dressers, overflowing with clothes and burp cloths. “So, what’s going on?”
“My six-year-old niece, Amber, called this morning and told me that her pacemaker is working perfectly, and she no longer needs to visit the hospital except for her six monthly checkups.”
Elena clasps her hands together. “Oh, how wonderful! That’s such good news. What a brave little thing to undergo heart surgery at her age. You must have been worried sick.”
“That’s an understatement, but I get to visit her and her sister today.” My eyes prick with tears at the thought of being able to hug them in a few hours’ time.
Riley smiles. “You must feel so relieved.”
“It’s all Cormac. He’s the one who made it happen.”
Ciara’s eyes widen a bit. “Seriously?”
Riley laughs. “You sound surprised.”
“It’s Cormac. He’s like the hardest person to read.”
I nod. “That’s true.”
Riley smirks. “Except when it comes to Fiona. Then he’s crystal clear.”
I frown. “He is?”
“Yes,” both Riley and Elena say at the same time, and I blink.
Elena gives me a knowing look. “I see things. That man adores you, Fiona. Even if he does have a funny way of showing it.”
Ciara rolls her eyes. “I think that’s just the Sullivan way.”
I nod.
Elena forces the last of the burp cloths into the drawer. “How about I bake you something to take with you?”
Ciara claps. “That’s a great idea!”
“You really don’t need to—”
Riley shakes her head. “Don’t bother arguing. You will lose.”
Elena smiles. “Do your nieces like cupcakes or cookies?”
I laugh. “They like anything with sugar. Skye’s first thought after she found out her sister no longer needs to visit the hospital so often is that she’s going to miss the chocolate pudding.”
Elena shakes her head as she chuckles to herself. “I’ll whip up a chocolate pudding too.”
“Can you accidentally make two?” Riley suggests. “I’m quite partial to some chocolate pudding.”
“I swear, it’s like I’m living in a house full of children,” Elena grumbles under her breath, though her eyes shine with amusement.
Ciara laughs. “You’re only realizing this now? I mean, have you met Brennan?”
“Better make it three, Elena. You know how Brennan doesn’t like to share,” Riley says, and we all burst out laughing.
I soak in the sound, my chest so full it almost hurts. This is what family sounds like.
And one day, I hope Amber and Skye can be a part of it too.