Keir

While the boys are at C&C, helping to decorate for a special family dinner tonight, I'm picking up my parents from the airport. Ainsley offered, but I need to talk to them... or really, my mom. My dad told me to marry Grace when he met her, and not just because she was dressed as a superhero. He saw what everyone who gets to know her sees—the exceptional woman who has the biggest heart, and enough love for a man and his two sons to share.

"I love that Matthew Corrigan does this for his employees," my mom says when we're on our way to Ainsley's house, where they're staying for the weekend.

"He's great."

"Are we going to see your photos while we're here?" My dad asks.

The dreaded photos that cost us all so much? I'd like to burn them at this point, but I can't. "Sure."

"I'm going to make dinner on Sunday, because you all need a home-cooked meal."

My mother says it like I don't feed my boys, and it sets me off. "If I hadn't listened to you about Grace, they'd be having one every night."

"She's not right for you. Especially after all that news coverage."

My dad sits up straight in the passenger seat, and looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. "What? Is that what happened at the party? Please tell me you've fixed things with her, Son."

"Things are worse than ever between us, but she still made dinner and dessert for Trev's potluck last week."

"You asked her to do that after you hurt her?"

"No. Trev called, and asked her. She didn't hesitate to say yes to him."

"I didn't know," my mom says, and I can hear the remorse in her voice.

"I did, but I still listened to what you said, and hurt us all."

"How can we help you fix it?"

"If someone could get her back to Vegas, maybe I'd have a chance."

"She's not here?"

"No."

I tell them everything, and by the time we reach Ainsley's house, I've been swatted on the back of the head by both of them. They've also changed their flights, so they can watch the boys while I fly to New York tomorrow, and try to earn back a place in Grace’s life. Tonight is about my boys, but tomorrow will be about all of us.

Grace

Finding the perfect dress to wear for a dinner you're a special guest at is harder than it seems. I could've called Stella, but I wanted to put in the extra effort for the boys. I finally settle on a bright pink dress, completely covered in fabric flowers that get bigger from top to bottom. I manage to get shoes in the same color, and decide my diamond studs are the only jewelry I need. I curl my hair into soft waves, showcasing the various shades, and put on a minimal amount of makeup. I feel pretty, as I walk out the door, and drive to C&C.

Walking into the cafeteria, I feel like I've been transported into a fantasy land. There are dragons, fairies, twinkling lights, and lots of flowers. Professional decorations are seamlessly mixed with ones the children have created. The various tables have been replaced with large rounds that seat ten each, and there’s a dance floor in the middle of the large room.

As usual, I feel Keir before I see him, and head in the direction my body tells me to go. Just as Matt said, there's only one seat left at the table, and it's in between Trevor and Connor. There are two small bouquets of flowers tied with ribbons at the place setting, and I want to run and claim them, but I force myself to walk slowly over to them.

I'm only a few feet away when Keir looks up. His eyes widen when he sees me, and he says my name. "Grace."

Trevor jumps out of his chair first, and I kneel down to take his hug. "You're here! Matt said he'd bring you, but I didn't know if you'd come."

"He said he'd throw you over his shoulder if you wouldn't come, but I told him you'd punch him like Diana would," Connor adds.

"I would've punched him if he'd done that, but I didn't come here because of him. I came here because my two favorite boys made me the best invitations ever."

They are so adorable in their little bow ties, button downs, suspenders, and pressed pants. I want to hold onto them forever, and forget all the problems I still have to face, but I know I can’t. I can pretend for one night, though.

"We're your favorites, Pretty?"

"Who else would be?"

"Not Daddy," Trevor says, and I stifle a laugh as Keir curses.

I decide to take a little bit of pity on him, because I still owe him an apology. "Your daddy is a man, so he wouldn't be one of my favorite boys."

"Do I qualify?"

I look up to see Ethan standing over us with a smile on his face. He holds out a hand to help me to my feet, and pulls me into a tight hug.

"You're definitely a close third, E."

"Are you back for good?"

"We'll talk about that later. Save me a dance?"

"I'll save you two."

His face is bright red even before I kiss him on the cheek, and send him back to his own family. When I turn back to my own my table, Keir's dad grabs me into a big hug. "It's good to see you, Grace."

"You too."

I get and give hugs to Zack, Ainsley, Sierra, and Joel, ignoring the other two people who are seated here, because I'm not getting into it with them in front of the boys. Trevor holds out my chair for me, and Connor places my napkin on my lap. They each hand me a bouquet, revealing a silver Wonder Woman cuff beneath them.

"Is this for me?"

"Yep. We got to pick one gift online for up to $25, so we combined our money for you," Trevor tells me.

"Do you like it?" Connor asks.

"I love it," I say, putting it on my right wrist, before hugging them both again. "The flowers are beautiful, too. I'm very honored to be your guest tonight."

"Do you want your food now? We’re going to get if for you, because we know what you like.”

“I’ll carry the heavy plate,” Trevor adds.

“I would love some food. Thank you.”

The boys scamper off, and I turn my attention to Keir and his mother. “I am very aware of your low opinion of me, Mrs. Martin, and that Keir agrees with you about me staying away, but I couldn’t do it tonight. Those little boys want me here, so I’m here, and the two of you need to pretend you’re at least okay with it. For them.”

“My opinion of you is actually quite high right now, and I’d like to apologize for what I said to my son at Connor’s party. I’m over-protective of my boys, and I was afraid you’d hurt them. I know I ended up hurting all of you instead, and I am truly sorry.”

You could knock me over with a feather, and I feel a lump in my throat that wasn’t there a moment ago. I swallow past it to answer her. “Thank you.”

The boys come back with two plates filled with some of my favorite foods, but I wait to dig in until everyone else has food. Keir takes them to get theirs, and I have a moment alone to try and calm my breathing. Keir’s mom isn’t against us, so the only thing standing between us is us.

Keir

I watch Grace as she laughs and eats with my sons, answering their questions, and listening to them talk about what they’ve been doing since she saw them at Connor’s party. She never gets irritated with them, or tells them they’re talking too much. She ruffles their hair, and kisses their cheeks, and none of it is fake, or forced. I took this away from them, and I curse myself again for being a coward.

“Can you come over tonight, and I can open my presents, Pretty?”

“Which presents, Con?”

“My birthday presents you gave me. I didn’t want to open them without you.”

Her hand flies to her mouth, and I see tears glisten in her eyes. “My sweet boy…I mean, you’re such a sweet boy. Not mine, just…excuse me.”

She gets up from the table, and practically runs outside. The boys start to wiggle out of their chairs, but I tell them to stay. It’s my turn to take care of Grace. Long past my turn, but I’m not going to make the same mistakes again.

As I make my way to the patio door, Ethan steps into my path. “Leave her alone.”

“I’m trying to make things right.”

“I won’t allow you to hurt her again. She’s breaking, and you can’t completely break her. You just can’t.”

“I promise you, I’m trying to heal the cracks I made.”

“Why now? Why not when she was being attacked by your ex-wife, your mother, the world?”

Tegan places her arm around him, and kisses his cheek. “E, let him go. He needs to give Grace those answers.”

“If she comes back in here crying, I’m going to kick your ass.”

“Understood.”

I step outside, and hear the glass going opaque as I close the door. My sister is a goddess, and I’m going to tell her that once we’re back inside.

“What do you want, Keir?” Grace asks, looking out over the city.

“How did you know it was me? My cologne?”

She shakes her head. “I always know when you’re close.”

“Same.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I needed to see you, and tell you some things. I got stopped by your smitten assistant on my way out, or I would’ve been here sooner,” I tell her, going to stand next to her at the enclosed railing.

“Ethan is one of the only people who saw me break down after the press conference, so he’s a little protective.”

“I should’ve been there.”

She shrugs. “You should be where you want to be.”

“Next to you is where I always want to be, but I’ve done a fucked-up job of showing it.”

“I wouldn’t hurt those boys. Ever.”

“I know you wouldn’t. They’re your boys, and they need you.”

She shakes her head. “They’re not mine. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“The hell they aren’t! Those boys have belonged to you from the moment you picked Connor up, and held Trevor’s hand at the game. They are yours, and if you still want me, so am I.”

“I owe you an apology for the photos. I picked ones that weren’t your best, because I wanted to punish you. You hurt me more than I’ve ever been hurt in my life, and didn’t stand up for me after it, and I wanted you to hurt too. I couldn’t do it personally, so I tried to do it with work. That was completely unprofessional, and morally wrong.”

“You think I didn’t hurt? The boys are the only things that kept me going most days. Seeing you, and not being able to hold you, kiss you, touch you…talk to you. Don’t you know what that did to me?”

“No. How would I? How would I know you cared at all? You didn’t talk to me, you didn’t stand up for me when your ex said I was a slutty, bad influence on your sons. So tell me, Keir, how the fuck would I know?”

Shit. “You didn’t.”

“I’m tired of fighting, Keir. For you, for respect, for everything. I’m just so tired.”

“Let me fight your battles for you.”

“I don’t need you to fight them for me. I need you to fight with me.”

“I would be honored to stand at your side.”

“For how long?”

“Forever. I love you, Gracie.”

“I need time to think.”

I want to hear her say she loves me, but she’s already done that, and I treated her like shit. I’ll give her whatever she needs to figure out I’m all in with her, and I’m not changing my mind. I can’t completely hate Jacky, because she gave me my boys, but what I felt for her once is nothing like what I feel for Grace now. Not even close.