Nanny Fiona jumps up from where she was sitting, ready to protect Brigit. “Is everything alright, Miss Keira?" she asks, her gaze darting suspiciously to Phoenix.
“Everything is fine. I promise. We need to speak with Brigit.” I squeeze Phoenix’s hand.
Nanny Fiona's posture remains rigid, protective. "She's still upset from what happened downstairs."
"I know," Phoenix says, his voice gentle in a way that surprises me. "That's why we're here."
When we enter, Brigit shrinks back, her eyes wide with fear as she looks at Phoenix. My heart breaks seeing her afraid of her own father.
"It's okay, sweetheart," I say, sitting on the edge of her bed and reaching out my hand to her. "We need to talk to you about something important." She comes to me, throwing herself in my arms.
Phoenix stands awkwardly at the foot of the bed as Brigit eyes him warily. “I’m sorry I frightened you, Brigit. I owe you and Nanny Fiona an apology.”
"Why is he being nice now?" Brigit whispers to me, loud enough for Phoenix to hear. "Is it a trick?"
“No trick, sweetheart,” I say, smoothing my hand over her hair.
"I've been cruel since I came back. I've been angry and hurtful to people who didn't deserve it." His eyes meet mine briefly before returning to Brigit. "I was so focused on punishing those who hurt me that I became someone I never wanted to be."
“I didn’t hurt you,” Brigit states.
“No. You didn’t.” Phoenix runs a hand through his hair. "What you saw downstairs today… that's not who I want to be anymore. That's not the kind of man I want to be for this family."
The word 'family' hangs in the air between us.
“You told me I should choose to be happy, and that’s what I’m going to do.” He looks at Fiona. "I know you've protected Brigit all these years. I'm grateful for that, more than you know."
Fiona's stern expression softens slightly, though she remains watchful.
Phoenix turns back to Brigit. "I know you don't trust me yet. I haven't given you any reason to. But I promise you, I'm going to try to be better. To be someone worthy of your trust."
Brigit looks at him skeptically, then turns to me, her eyes questioning. "Is he telling the truth?”
I smile at her, letting all my hope and cautious optimism show. "I believe him, sweetheart."
Brigit studies my face, searching for reassurance. Whatever she sees there must satisfy her because she gives a small nod and some of the tension leaves her shoulders.
I take a deep breath, gathering my courage. This moment has lived in my imagination for years. Telling my daughter the truth about who she is, who we are to her. I never imagined Phoenix would be by my side when it happened.
"Brigit, sweetheart. There's something important we need to tell you.”
Phoenix moves closer, sitting carefully on the other side of the bed. Brigit's eyes dart between us, wary but curious.
"Are you sending me away?" she asks in a small voice. "Is that why you were trying to make me leave with Nanny?"
My heart breaks at her misunderstanding. "No, darling. That's not it at all."
"We won’t ever send you away," Phoenix adds softly. "In fact, what we want to tell you is about keeping you close. About being a family."
Brigit's forehead wrinkles in confusion. "But we're not a family. You're marrying Keira, and I'm just their god-daughter."
I reach for her hands, holding them in mine. "That's what we've always told everyone, but it's not the truth." I meet her eyes, my own filling with tears. "The truth is, I'm not your god-sister, Brigit. I'm your mother. Your real mother."
My breath holds, afraid of her reaction. Will she hate me for keeping the truth from her?
Her eyes blink in surprise.
"And Phoenix," I continue, glancing at him, "is your father."
