Chapter 47
Tyler
I feel like the room is spinning. That is not what I expected Indy to tell me when she said she had information about her biological parents. I can’t help the way my face twists in confusion.
“I’m sorry. What?” It’s all I can muster in response.
“I know it’s crazy. Before you and I reconnected, I hired a private investigator to look into unsealing my adoption records. Apparently, it’s pretty damn hard. He called me when I was driving over here this morning and revealed my parents gave me up when they were teens.”
She looks down at her hands, twisting them as if she can’t settle down. “I thought maybe it was a misunderstanding or maybe this was an old address for them. But Theo—that’s the name of the PI—he said their names and that’s when I knew. He said their names are…”
“Jerry and Scarlet,” I say.
“Yes. Jerry and Scarlet Sycamore. And that they had another child named George. It all came together.”
Her tears are falling freely now, and I can’t lie, I’m fighting to contain my own emotions. But she needs me to keep my composure at a time like this.
How could Jerry and Scarlet put Indiana up for adoption, only to have George a few years later and keep him? I have so many questions of my own. I can only imagine the number of questions filtering through Indy’s mind at a time like this.
“Please don’t leave me,” Indy whispers.
I halt the endless thoughts racing through my mind when I hear Indy’s words and look up at her. “What?”
“Don’t use this as an excuse to leave.” She looks so scared as she confesses what she fears most.
“Why would I leave?” I finally say, foregoing my chair and kneeling by her side.
“Because when things got hard last time, you did exactly that,” she says softly.
“Indy, I told you before. I wasn’t in the right state of mind years ago. I was traumatized by what I witnessed. I got help; I’m stronger now. I did the work to get where I am today. I want to be everything for you and Noah. Always.”
More tears stream down her cheeks and she nods, which I assume means that was the answer she wanted to hear.
I grab her hand and we move to sit together on the couch.
I pull her onto my lap, and she buries her head into the crook of my neck.
I can only assume she’s experiencing a feeling of relief with this weight off her shoulders; yet she’s unearthed a new set of questions regarding the why behind her adoption.
Once I feel her body settle, I pull her away slightly so our eyes can meet. Even with her eyes puffy from the tears, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I wipe away the stray tears that continue to fall.
It’s ironic how years ago, I pushed her away because I didn’t want to hurt her further. I pushed her away because of Georgie’s death, yet she was one of the closest people to him without knowing it. He’s been close to me this whole time.
I’m staring at Indy under a new lens now. “You look like him,” I tell her.
She takes in a breath. “I do?”
“I never really noticed it before. I never imagined there was a connection, but now that I know, I see it. In the shape of your nose, the color of your hair, but most of all, the color of your eyes,” I say, kissing her temple.
I move my hands along her face, admiring her beauty, but also loving that she has a connection to a family that has become such a huge part of me.
“Georgie had the same greenish-brown eyes as you. I guess you both got a mix of your parents. Jerry has brown eyes, and Scarlet’s are a vibrant green.”
Her chin quivers.
“I’ve never looked like anyone around me before.” A small smile appears on her face. “Do you think they’ll want to talk to me?” She looks so small. She looks down again, almost like she’s nervous to know my answer.
I bring my forefinger under her chin to bring her gaze back to meet mine. “They are the sweetest people I’ve ever met. I have a feeling they’ll want to get to know their daughter.”
“Then why did they give me up and not George?” She looks so defeated.
I can’t say I blame her for wondering. The same question is going through my own mind, but I know there’s likely a good explanation.
“We can sit here and wonder until we’re blue in the face, but I think we should talk to them,” I tell her.
“I’m scared. I feel like I did years ago when I found out I was adopted.” She wraps her arms around herself and stares off into the room.
This house holds so many memories for a family that should be hers, yet never got to be.
“I won’t pretend to know what you’re feeling right now. But I will say this: don’t assume you know the whole story. Let’s reach out to them, alright?”
She looks back at me and nods. “I don’t know what to do. Should I call them? I mean, it feels weird. What if they never wanted me to find them?”
I blow out a breath. “What does your gut tell you to do?”
“I think seeing them for the first time in person would be the best thing. I don’t want to see them on a video call. I want them to talk to me face to face if that’s something they’re willing to do.”
“Want me to reach out to them to come back?” I ask her.
“You’d do that for me?” she looks surprised.
“Indy, I’d do anything for you. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” I move my hands through her hair and lightly kiss her on the lips.
“What will you say?” She looks nervous.
“I’ll have to say something about you. I can’t just tell them to come home with no explanation of why.”
“Okay. Yeah, that makes sense.” She nods, but she still seems unsettled.
She moves her body to hug me and I wrap my arms around her. “I’m scared, Ty.”
“I know, baby. But you’re not alone,” I reassure her.
We sit together as I make a call to Scarlet and Jerry. As expected, there is shock and a lot of tears on the other end. I look over to see Indy biting her nails, a habit she had when we were kids.
Once I’m done explaining everything to them, Jerry speaks first and I hear the emotion in his strained voice.
Only three words come out: “We’re coming home.”
With that, I turn to Indiana and tell her she’ll be meeting her parents in a matter of days. She wraps her arms around my neck and cries quietly. I think it’s in relief, but also holds some apprehension for what’s to come.