Keir

I have Trevor next to me on the couch as we watch Zack and his team play. He's calmed down a little, but I know Jacky did damage I'll be dealing with for at least a week, if not longer. It's Connor who has me intrigued. He's still in Grace's arms an hour after he reached for her, but they're on the other side of the couch from us now, instead of standing up.

He's always been a friendly kid, but climbing into a stranger's arms is different than saying hi to a new kid at daycare. And she's blowing my mind by letting him attach himself to her like this. There's no way her arms aren't getting tired, yet she keeps rubbing his back, and whispering to him, while wiping away his tears.

"Pretty, I'm hungry. Can I have ice cream?" he asks, speaking for the first time since this all went down.

"That's up to your daddy."

"Yes, you can have ice cream, but you should call Grace by her name."

"I don't mind a handsome young man calling me pretty," she says, smiling down at him.

Of course, she doesn't. If I referred to her that way, I'd get my ass handed to me, but my kid can say it all he wants. And yes, I'm officially jealous of my four-year-old.

"I'm Connor," he tells her, holding out his little hand. "You can call me Con, if you want."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Con."

"Does your mommy love you?"

Oh, God. Now, I'm not jealous, I'm heartbroken for my kids. Again.

"Yes, she does."

"I want my Mommy to love me."

"I know. Your daddy, and brother, and everyone in this room loves you, though. They're the smart ones, because they know you and your brother are awesome."

Holy hell, this woman just keeps getting better and better. I already thought she was spectacular, but this right here makes me want to fight even harder to get a second chance.

"Let's go get that ice cream," I say, because I am so close to losing it right now.

He stands up, and waits for me to join him. Trevor walks over to Grace, and introduces himself, before walking with us over to the dessert buffet. My kids are the literal best.

"Hey, man, I am so sorry," Xavier says, joining us at the table.

The boys are too busy looking at the choices to pay attention, which I think he noticed. His son isn't with him right now, either.

"You didn't know."

"No. I wouldn't have brought her."

"She likes attention, and money. This was a perfect storm for her."

"I wasn't interested in her before, and I'm sure as hell not now. I cannot believe how she was with your boys, though."

"We're too boring for her, I'm afraid. You're glamourous."

"Fuck that. Us dads need to stick together."

"Thanks for that."

"We should hang sometime. Alone, and with the boys."

"Definitely. Speaking of them, I need to check on what they're piling on their plates."

"Gotcha. Talk to you soon."

I get the boys sorted, and Connor insists on bringing something to Grace, so I help him pick out what I think she'll like. When we get back to the couch, Connor climbs up next to Grace, and Trevor sits closer to them, so I do too. Thanks, kid.

"I brought you dessert. Daddy said you like brownies."

"He's right. Thanks," she tells him taking a bite.

"I made your shirt wet."

I look over, and notice the wet spots, from where he was crying on her. I'm glad she's wearing blue, and not white, or I'd feel even worse.

"It'll dry."

"Auntie A likes Wonder Woman too."

"That's because your aunt is super smart, and knows Wonder Woman is the best superhero."

"Better than Iron Man?"

"Yep."

"Daddy, can boys have a Wonder Woman birthday party?" he asks, looking at me expectantly.

"If that's what the boy wants."

"I want that. Pretty, will you come if I have a Wonder Woman party? I'm going to be five!"

"I'd come even if it wasn't Wonder Woman, and if it was okay with your daddy."

"Daddy, please!"

"Grace is always welcome to spend time with us," I tell him, meeting her eyes so she knows I mean it.

"I'll be there. Just tell me where and when."

"Daddy will give you an invitation. You can come to Auntie A's house with us after the game, too."

"I'm not sure she wants extra people coming to her house, Con," she tells him, and I can't help but smirk, because I know what's coming.

"Auntie A!" he yells.

She comes right over, even though Zack's running down the field. "What's up?"

"Can Pretty come to your house after the game?"

"I'm assuming that's you, Grace."

"Yes."

"We'd love to have you join us."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Once you get to know me, you'll realize I don't say things I don't mean."

"I don't know that I'll be getting to know you so well, but since Connor wants me to be there, I'll go."

"Just like that?"

"Yes."

"We're going to be friends, Grace. Whether you think so now or not, it's going to happen."

"We'll see."

"Yes, we will."

Ainsley winks at me, before going back to her spot at the window. My sister is smart, crazy, and simply the best.

"Grace, can you be my friend too?" Trevor asks her, and I almost stop breathing as we both wait for her answer.

"Of course."

"What about daddy?" Connor asks.

"Your daddy and I have to have a talk before I decide if we can be friends."

"He's nice," Trevor tells her. "He doesn't know how to cook, but he can do laundry and math." This kid's getting extra dessert later.

"Good to know."

We all watch the rest of the game, yelling when Zack scores. The Legends win, which will make the party at my sister's house extra fun. I just need to figure out a way to get Grace alone, so I can talk...and explain.

Grace

I cannot believe I agreed to this. No, that's not true; I would've done anything to make things better for Connor and Trevor. I can handle being around people who laughed at me if it means they might smile a little. After what their mother did to them, it's the least I can do.

Since everyone's arriving at the same time, I don't have to wait to be let in. Harlow smiles at me as she holds the door, and I force myself to smile back. Keir and I hadn't even met when they went on their date, so it's not fair for me to be rude to her. No matter how much I want to be. Petty, party of one, over here.

"Pretty!" Connor yells, running up to me and wrapping his arms around my legs.

"Let's let Grace walk into the house, Con," Keir tells him, shaking his head.

"It's fine."

"Do you want to go sit outside with us?" Trevor asks.

"Actually, I need to borrow Grace for a few minutes. I'll send her out to you when we're done talking," Ainsley tells him.

"Do I have a choice?" I ask.

"Yes."

I could tell her no, but this talk is going to have to happen sometime, and it might as well be now. I motion for her to lead the way, and trail her down a hallway, and into a totally cool office. It's a mix of sports, and computers, unlike anything I've ever seen before.

"Wow."

"Chole outdid herself."

"I love that woman."

"Ditto."

I sit down in a chair, and wait for her to speak. She seems to be waiting for me to do the same, but this is her show, and she's going to have to lead it.

"You can yell at me if you want."

"I don't want to yell."

"What do you want?"

I have to take a moment to gather my thoughts, because I don't want to cry. "Why would you laugh at me like that?"

She looks taken aback. "I didn't laugh at you! I was amused by the situation, and I laughed at Keir, but not you."

"Oh."

"Listen, Grace, I love my brother more than I can ever express to you or anyone else. He went through hell with his bitch of an ex, and I would do anything to see him happy again. I tried to set him up with Harlow, and when that didn't work, I wanted to keep trying. He shot me down, and told me he was happy just hanging with the boys every night. My nephews are great, but I knew he was lying. Maybe I should've pushed harder, but I'm glad now that I didn't, because he found his smile again on his own. With you."

"I don't know about that," I tell her, because I'm still lying to myself about how strong our connection was.

"I do. Before you walked over, he told me he had a date, and he was smiling. A genuine smile that lit up his whole face. He likes you a lot."

"I like him a lot too. I just don't understand why he didn't tell me you were his sister. It seems so small, but it feels so big."

"I know what he told me, but he needs to explain it to you himself."

"That's what Miles said, the bastard. He knew from the moment I said your name, and he just played me. I mean, he even told me I should wear Zack's jersey today."

"Oh my God, Zack would've died. Hell, I would've died. And our friends would've been cheering for you."

"They all know?" I ask, feeling embarrassed again.

"Yeah, but they're all on Team Grace."

"Even before I apologized for complaining about all of you?"

"Yep. We get it, you know. It seems like we have all these perks no else gets to have, and an unlimited budget, but we really do earn everything we have."

"I believe you. If I'm being honest, I might have been a little jealous, because I felt like I was working harder than the men, and here were a bunch of women just breezing in and out like the queens of the building."

"Reina's name means queen, but none of us are like that unless we're provoked. Our job is to help people."

"I know, and I just feel stupid now for complaining. Not only because I have no doubt you do so much good, but also because Miles told me I have some of the perks. I never read past the health and vacation benefits online to see it all."

"Oh wow, I can totally show you all the fun you can have as an employee of C&C. Matt is really the best CEO in the world, and not just because of his business savvy."

"I'd like that, thanks."

"You're welcome. Now, what are you going to do about my brother?"

"I don't know. I'm attending a Wonder Woman birthday party for his son, so we're going to have to talk sometime."

"Connor wants a Wonder Woman party? Seriously?"

"Yeah. He saw my shirt and said you liked her too, so he asked for it."

"We are going to rock this. My friends, and you too, of course."

"I don't want to intrude, especially since things are up in the air with Keir."

She waves a hand at me, like it's nothing. "Please. Keir's world revolves around those boys, and they are both half in love with you already. Whatever they want, he'll do. As for planning, this is a perfect way for you to get to know us."

"If you're sure, I'd love to help."

"I'm sure."

"Okay."

"I'll check everyone's schedules, and plan a meeting for the party, and let you know. We can also plan a time for me to give you the rundown on everything else."

"I really appreciate this, Ainsley."

"No biggie. We should probably get back, though, because Keir might think we killed each

other."