Brigit stares at us, blinking rapidly. "But… but how? You said my parents died."
"That was a story we told to protect you," I explain gently. "When you were born, things were complicated. My parents, your godparents, they made me keep it a secret."
“Why?”
How do I explain? “It’s complicated. But I was young, not as strong as I am now. I did what I had to do to keep you with me. Especially since Phoenix was gone. I thought he’d died.”
Brigit glances at Phoenix then back to me like she’s wondering what he has to do with any of this.
“You see, sweetheart, Phoenix is your father.”
Brigit’s gaze snaps to his again. "You're really my dad?"
Phoenix nods, emotion making his voice rough. "I am. And I'm so sorry I didn't know about you until today."
A slow smile spreads across Brigit's face, transforming her expression from confusion to joy. "I have real parents? And they're you?"
I nod, relief filling me. "Yes. We're your real parents."
"And now we can be together?" Brigit asks, hope brightening her voice. "Like a real family?"
"Yes," I promise, gathering her into my arms. "We can be a family now. No more secrets. No more pretending."
Brigit throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly before reaching one arm out toward Phoenix, inviting him into our embrace.
I hold Brigit close, still unable to believe that our secret is finally out in the open. When we finally break apart, Phoenix clears his throat, clearly emotional but trying to maintain composure.
"Brigit," he says softly, "Keira and I are supposed to be getting married today. There are a lot of people waiting downstairs."
Brigit's face falls slightly. "Do you have to go now?"
Phoenix shakes his head, surprising me. "Actually, I was thinking that our wedding plans need to change." He looks at me, then back to Brigit. "This isn't just about Keira and me anymore. It's about all three of us becoming a family. That means you need to be a part of the ceremony. Would you like that, Brigit? To be part of our wedding?"
Brigit's eyes widen with excitement. "Really? I could be in the wedding?"
“Absolutely.”
Brigit practically bounces on the bed. "Can I wear a special dress? Can I stand next to you? Can I do the flowers?”
Phoenix laughs, a genuine laugh that reminds me so much of the boy I fell in love with. "Yes to all of that. In fact, I think you should help us plan how this is going to work."
He turns to Nanny Fiona, who's been watching the scene unfold with tears in her eyes. "Fiona, could you help Brigit get ready? I need to go downstairs and make some arrangements."
Fiona nods, seeming to see Phoenix in a new light as well. "Of course, sir."
Phoenix stands, suddenly transformed into the leader he was born to be, but gentler now, with purpose rather than vengeance guiding his actions. "I'll handle everything downstairs. The ceremony, the guests, my brothers—all of it."
He looks at me, determination in his eyes. "Take your time with Brigit. I'll make sure everything is ready when you are."
As he leaves, I feel a sense of normalcy returning. Not the false normalcy I've lived with, but something real and hopeful. For the first time since Phoenix returned, I feel like we might actually have a chance at happiness.
26
PHOENIX
Iwalk down the hallway with a lightness in my step I haven't felt in a decade. My mind races through the happiest moments of my life. Christmas mornings with my brothers when we were kids, the day Keira first whispered "I love you" to me the first time, and now today. Today, when everything I thought I knew shattered and is rebuilding itself into something better.
I pause at the top of the grand staircase, needing a moment to process it all. I have a daughter. A beautiful, wise little girl who somehow inherited Keira's strength and my stubbornness. How the hell did that happen?
