Chapter 25
“ I already had something to eat,” Lucy protested, pausing to give Ian an exasperated look. “You do realize I can make my own plate, right?”
Ian sat down on the couch and held the food out. “But doesn’t this look delicious? Angie and Lily both pitched in to make this.”
“I’m working on a new recipe book,” Lily announced, taking a seat opposite them. “It’s basically recipes for people with autoimmune diseases. It’s meant to help them, so everything doesn’t feel so overwhelming.”
Lucy gave Lily a grateful smile. “You don’t have to do all of this. I already appreciate all of you pitching in to help around the house and with everything else.”
Emily waved her comment away. “It’s what family does, Luce. Don’t even think twice about it.”
“All you need to do is focus on getting better.” Aunt Heather handed her a mug of steaming hot tea. “And obviously making sure that Ian waits on you hand and foot.”
A chorus of laughter rose through the air.
Ian glanced around the room and saw Aunt Rebecca and Aunt Ashley in the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards and rearranging casseroles. Uncle Frankie hovered on the other side of the counter, exclaiming loudly over the schedule until Grandpa Frank and Grandma Jen materialized behind him, and Grandma Jen took the schedule out of his hands. His cousins Rob, Terry, Jonathan, and Suzie were in the backyard, mowing the lawn and trimming the hedges. Now and again, they looked over at them and grinned.
Jeff and Tara were in the attic, cleaning up and moving things around with the help of Ruby, Zac, and Zoe. Kelli, Dana, and Dean sat opposite them on the couch, talking amongst themselves and wrapping some of the Christmas gifts. When the doorbell rang, Ian gestured to Sophia to get it. Moments later, Tammy, James, Luke, and Denise spilled in, carrying more trays of food. A short while later, Abby, Tania, Josh, and Emma knocked on the front door, revealing a large storage fridge that they then wheeled out into the garage.
Ian’s chest was bursting with gratitude and emotion.
It felt too small to contain everything he was feeling.
Having everyone there made him feel stronger, like he could handle anything in the world, so long as he had his family by his side.
It had been too long since Ian felt that way.
Over the next few hours, more and more of the Wilson clan poured in, filling the place with so much love and support that it brought tears to Ian’s eyes. He’d been by Lucy’s side the entire time, only getting up when he had to in order to get her more food and water. Thankfully, Lucy didn’t look tired or uncomfortable with all of the attention.
On the contrary, she’d regained some of her color since starting her medication and following her doctor’s instructions. She was even gaining back some of the weight she’d lost, and Ian knew that without his family, none of this would’ve been possible.
He pressed his mouth to the side of her cheek and laced his fingers through hers.
“You can’t keep hovering,” Lucy whispered, looking quickly in his direction. “I’m fine, you know.”
Ian squeezed her shoulders and drew back. “I know, but I want to be here.”
“Dr. Monroe said we’ll have to go back to our normal lives eventually,” Lucy reminded him, a small smile playing on the edge of her lips. “You can’t take me with you to the station, and you can’t be a cop from home.”
Ian shrugged. “I’ll figure something out with the station. For now, I’ve got the next couple of weeks off, and all I want to do is spend them with you.”
Lucy’s expression made the butterflies in his stomach erupt. “You’re amazing.”
Ian smiled and tweaked her nose. “Only because of you and the kids. Without you, I’d just be boring old Ian.”
Lucy snuggled into his side, the smell of vanilla and peaches wafting up his nostrils. “There’s nothing boring about you, sweetheart.”
Ian pressed a kiss to the top of her head and shifted. “You have to say that; you’re my wife.”
Lucy’s chest vibrated with laughter as she slapped his arm.
He was in the middle of a conversation with his dad when his phone rang. Frowning, Ian took it out of his pocket and stared at the name flashing across the screen. Then he glanced over at Sophia, who switched places with him and tucked Lucy into her side.
Ian stepped into the study and closed the door behind him. “Hey, Bryce. Look, I appreciate you calling me back, but now really isn’t a good time. Can we talk later?”
“This is only going to take a minute. I’ve been doing some more digging, and I uncovered something that I think will help you and your family.”
Ian glanced over his shoulder and ran a hand over his face. “Can you get in touch with Liam and tell him?”
“I already did, but I thought you’d want to know too. The evidence I uncovered proves Eric bribed the original judge in charge of Lily’s custody case.”
The room spun and dipped out from underneath him. “What?”
“It took a while and a lot of elbow greasing and vibes, but I finally managed to do it. This is it, Ian. This could be our smoking gun. If you combine this with everything else we’ve learned, I think we’ve got enough to open up a formal investigation into Eric.”
Ian expelled a harsh breath. “Are you sure?”
“Well, Liam will be able to confirm what I just said, but yeah. I’ve got a good feeling about this.”
Laughter spilled in underneath the closed door. “Okay, that’s great. Thank you so much for your help, Bryce. I’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll coordinate with Liam.”
In a daze, Ian went back out into the living room, where a few board games and cards were taken out. Lucy was leading the charge, but she did a double take when she saw him and paused. Several pairs of eyes turned to him, and everyone fell silent.
It was so quiet Ian could’ve sworn he heard his heart pounding in his ears.
He sank into the nearest chair and ran a hand through his hair. “That was the PI. He found evidence that proves Eric bribed the judge who was overseeing Lily’s custody case.”
Lily’s hands flew to her mouth.
Ian looked over at her. “I’m sorry, Lil.”
Lily shook her head, and her hands fell to her sides. “It’s not your fault. Why are you apologizing? It’s not like you’re the one who did it.”
Sophia came to stand beside Lily and draped an arm over her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Lily stood straighter and glanced around the room. “I’m sorry he’s making you all relive a painful chapter of your life. I wish things weren’t like this.”
“None of us blame you, sweetheart,” Grandma Jen told her before rising to her feet and glancing around. “Eric is the one at fault here, and he’s going to live with what he’s done.”
A murmur of agreement rose.
“The question is, what do you want to do now, Ian?” Grandma Jen turned to him, her bright eyes wide and attentive. “Whatever you decide to do, we’re going to support you.”
“I’ve been chasing leads for months, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with any of this.”
Especially when it had taken up so much of his time and energy already.
Time he should’ve spent with his wife and their children.
For the first time since learning about Jake Long, Ian wasn’t filled with a burning desire to make Eric Taylor pay. He wasn’t even sure he was interested in pursuing the case any further, not when there were other more important things that required his attention and other people who could step in to take over.
“You need to pursue this,” Lily told him, pausing to dash away the tears. “I know it’s not going to be easy for any of us, but we’ve come this far. You can’t let it go now, Ian.”
Ian stood up, walked over to Lucy, and took both of her hands in his. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I’ve been so fixated on what happened in the past that I haven’t been able to see what’s right in front of me. My focus needs to be here with Luce.”
Grandpa Frank stood up. “It doesn’t have to be either or, my boy. That’s what family is for. We’re supposed to help each other out and pitch in during the difficult times.”
Ian spun around to face his grandpa, Lucy’s hands still in his. “Grandpa, I appreciate it, but I can’t ask any of you to help with this. You’ve seen the lengths Eric is willing to go to.”
“All the more reason to do something,” Aunt Heather replied, lifting her chin. She cast a quick glance around the room, and the furrow between her brows deepened. “You can’t expect us to see what’s happening and leave you to face it alone.”
Another murmur of agreement rose.
Ian frowned and shook his head. “No, I can’t ask you all to put yourselves at risk, especially when it’s going to be a long and trying battle—”
“You’re not asking.” Lily stepped forward and squared her shoulders. “We’re offering, and we’re not taking no for an answer. You shouldn’t have to do any of this alone, either of you. We’re here, E. And we’re not going anywhere.”
Ian stared down at Lucy’s face, and he saw the tears in her eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”
“We’ll coordinate with the kids,” Aunt Rebecca offered, quickly rising to her feet. “Those of us who live in Provincetown will take turns coming up here to help out with Lucy. We’ll make a better schedule.”
“And we’ll talk to Liam and see what he needs from us,” Stu added, taking a few steps forward so he was standing in the middle of the room. “We all loved Kelly, so we’re all going to do this together or not at all.”
A cheer rose through the room, and a few members of the Wilson clan exchanged delighted looks.
A lump rose in the back of Ian’s throat as he glanced around the room and felt the outpouring of love and support. During dinner, everyone took turns suggesting ideas until they had a plan they all liked.
Ian held Lucy’s hand the entire time. “If you ask me to walk away from all of this, I will.”
Lucy twisted to face him, the fork halfway to her lips. “I’m not going to.”
“I should’ve offered before,” Ian added in a low voice. “You were right. I let it consume me, but I’m not going to do that anymore. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.”
It shouldn’t have taken Lucy’s diagnosis to show him what really mattered, but it was better late than never.
Lucy set her fork down and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I love you, Ian. I’ll support whatever you decide to do.”
Ian pressed a kiss on the inside of her wrist. “I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
“Are you telling me Ian Railings is finally learning to let go of the reins and let other people help?”
Ian gave her a half smile. “A little. I guess if the past few months have taught me anything, it’s that life isn’t always going to give me the answers I want, and I need to be okay with that too.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?”
Ian’s expression turned serious. “I’m sorry it took me this long to figure it out, Luce. Do you forgive me?”
Lucy squeezed his hand, her eyes soft and wide and earnest. “There’s nothing to forgive. We’re going to get justice for Kelly together.”
“And we’re going to get through this together.” Ian gestured between them and pressed his forehead to hers. “Because none of this means anything without you, Lucy Dapp.”
“You’ve turned into such a sap,” Lucy teased before giving him another kiss. “Now, come on. Let’s get back to dinner.”
He no longer felt like entertaining all of the Wilsons.
Instead, all he wanted to do was cuddle up next to Lucy on the couch and dream of the rest of their lives together. However, after seeing how alive and alert Lucy was around them, he realized he could wait a few more hours.
Because they had all of the time in the world to figure things out together.