Chapter 31

Michael

fter dinner, I help clear the table, and all feels right with the world. I can't believe it, but somehow everything that was so broken feels right again.

I’m clean and sober, still going to meetings and therapy. Living with my dream girl and getting our home ready for our baby who, no matter what, I will be there for.

I have my family back, a kickass career, and, although I have a sinking feeling in my gut that something has to go wrong soon, I push it away and just let myself feel the happiness.

Cash walks into the kitchen, placing a couple dishes in the sink. “Damn, Monroe, your family really does know how to do the holidays.”

I chuckle as I start to rinse the dishes and open the dishwasher. “Yeah, I told ya. You live in Kansas now, you’re stuck with us.”

He leans back against the counter and folds his arms casually. “It’s kinda nice.”

I’m happy he enjoyed himself and glad to have a second to speak to him alone. “Cash? How did you get Dani to listen to me?”

I knew he had to have had a hand in Dani finally talking to me again. I’d expected her to shut the door in my face, but she didn’t.

“I told her about my daughter, Shay, and what a total shithead I was when I first found out my girlfriend was pregnant.”

Dani knows about Cash's daughter? I haven’t told a soul since he told me, but I’m oddly proud of him for telling someone else about her.

“Is she why you stay sober? I mean, I know they say you have to get sober for yourself first . . .”

“Yeah. I always thought that part was bullshit. It would have been easier for me to just live deep in the abyss of my addiction. Never having to feel. I got sober for Shay, and I stay sober for Shay.” He slaps his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “I think about her up there watching, and I just want to make her proud.”

“I’m sure she is, Cash.”

He pats my shoulder, grinning. “Thanks, Monroe.”

He leaves the kitchen, the memories of his daughter showing in his face as Brooke joins me.

She takes over loading the dishwasher as I rinse the dirty dishes and hand them off.

“I like him. Kind of reminds me of Jax.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Don't worry, Brooke. I think you can keep him.”

“Yay.” She feigns giddy excitement, continuing the joke. But I have no doubt she really does like Cash. She loves adding to our family.

“Mom would love you so damn much.”

She smiles over at the picture on wall above the sink, the last family picture that was taken before my parent's accident. Makes sense it’s in here. This is Brooke's happy place, and she's been keeping my mother's memory alive since day one. “Well, I definitely love her.” She wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a side hug. “She gave me all of you.”

I smile, unable to express how grateful I am for her. But because it’s Brooke, I know she already knows.

The last dish is loaded into the dishwasher, and she turns to face me. “I keep thinking about Julia.”

“She's dead.”

I’ve had a couple of conversations with Brooke and Dylan since I told them. They don’t push for many details, but both seem to want me to know it wasn’t my fault.

It’s starting to work.

“I know, but I can't help but wonder if she did this to anyone else.”

My mind goes straight to Brandon. “Brooke, she can’t hurt anyone else.”

She nods, hugging me again before picking up a pie from the counter. “I know, it’s just the social worker in me. I hope no one else is out there struggling. That's all.” She nods to the two pumpkin pies still on the counter. “Bring those in for me, okay?”

I nod and pick them up as Dani passes Brooke, walking in from the dining room. Brooke carries the cherry pie to the table along with my mom's jello dessert for Gabby.

“Man, that looks good.” Dani looks at the pies in my hand, groaning. “I’m going to gain fifty pounds with your apparently starving kid.”

I laugh and hand her one of the pies. “You just give my kid anything he wants. Your body is fucking hot.”

Her lips pout, and I'd love to taste them, but Brooke calls in from the dining room, “Michael, are you bringing the dessert?”

“Be right there.”

My lips drag over Dani's, stealing a quick kiss and resting my forehead against hers. “I love you.”

I make sure I tell her every fucking day, because I don’t ever want her to question it.

“I love you back.”

I kiss her again, not caring that there are people waiting for Thanksgiving dessert, just needing this moment with the woman that rescued me in every way.

She made me feel again. She stole my heart, and I hope she’ll never give it back. She's my rock, and with her, anything is possible.

Including trying to save someone else who never had a chance.