Chapter 36
Harmony
The next morning, I sneak inside Serenity’s house. She’s not usually awake at this hour, but sometimes Summer gets her up early. After the threat was gone and I was safe again, I moved back in with my sister, which is nice, but I miss Elias.
The scent of bacon and eggs wafts out of the kitchen, and my mouth waters.
For now, I have to ignore my rumbling stomach.
Maybe if I go straight to Summer’s room, she won’t notice I didn’t come home last night.
I’m an adult and can have sleep overs at my boyfriend’s house—I told myself—but Serenity likes to be informed when I’m not coming home at night so she isn’t up worrying.
I pause my tiptoeing when Serenity appears in the doorway with raised brows and a spatula clutched in her hand. “I wonder where you’ve been all night.”
I give her a guilty smile. “Sorry, we fell asleep watching a movie.”
“I know you’re an adult, but make sure you’re being careful. Okay?”
“Are you seriously giving me ‘the talk?’” I nod toward the direction where Summer sits only a few feet away. “And in front of the kid?”
Serenity rolls her eyes. “No, I know you’re smart. I just wanted to remind you.”
I move to the kitchen now that I’ve already been caught. If we’re going to have this conversation, I need food. But I also have a bigger question on my mind, and if I don’t ask now, I’ll chicken out.
“Did you know that Sully is my father?”
Serenity halts on her way back to the stove and nods without making eye contact. My heart plummets to the floor.
A sudden coldness hits my core. I never expected Serenity to hide something like this from me. “You’ve been lying to me for my entire life?”
She shakes her head vehemently. “I swear I only found out right before Mom passed. She told me on her deathbed.” Serenity looks down at the spatula still in her hand.
“She didn’t want that to be the last thing she said to you.
And when I confronted Sully, he said he wanted to tell you on his own terms. I’m so sorry, Harmony. ”
I take a deep breath. No matter how much I want to be mad, I’m not.
With Mom gone, finding out my father is still around is a blessing.
I had always thought Serenity and I shared a father—he “died” before I was born—but with our completely different features, I don’t know why I didn’t question it earlier.
I came back to town with only my wedding gown, my sister and niece, and a threat. Now? Well, now I have a loving boyfriend, a new father, and Serenity and Summer. Life can’t be any more perfect than this.
I pull out my phone and call my father.
***
Elias parks his car in front of a two-story home in the middle of the country. Oak trees surround us. A white fence wraps around the entire building. The shutters are freshly painted black.
This is where I could have grown up. It’s so different from the small cottage Mom rented in the center of town.
We step outside his Honda. Elias immediately circles the car, coming to my side. My feet are frozen to the ground as I continue to take in the house. U.S Army and American flags fly proudly in the wind by the front door.
“Are you ready to go inside?” Elias asks, wrapping his arms around me.
I shake my head and bite my lower lip. Sully was always in my life especially after I started working for him at Cutesy’s. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act around him now that I know he’s my father. “I don’t think I’m ready.”
Elias pulls away and grabs my hand, kissing it. The warmth from his lips on my skin makes me lean into him. “We can stand here until you’re ready.”
I take a deep breath. And another. I’ll never be ready now that I know the truth. “Let’s go. It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid, right?”
“If that’s what you want, then I support your decision.” He squeezes my hand gently. “If you want to leave and take more time to adjust, I support that, too.”
I smile. “How did I find the best man?”
He dips his head and kisses me. Then he says, “We’re both lucky. Because now I have you again.”
Holding his hand, I lead him to the big house. Having him here to support me means everything. We close the distance and walk up the front stairs. Before we can knock on the door, Sully opens it with a warm smile.
“I’m so happy you’re both here.”
I smile. “It’s better late than never, right?”
He chuckles and motions us inside. Life couldn’t get any better than this.