I look down at Fallon, wondering if she wants more kids. In all honesty, it’s not something I ever gave much thought to. I was always so focused on Lennie, and I never thought I would end up with anyone. Would I want more kids? More little Lennie’s or Presley’s running around the house? I can’t say I’d be against it, but only if Fallon wants it.
Perhaps I’m getting way too far ahead of myself. We have other things to be focused on right now, and we’ve only started dating. But I’m all in. I’m happy to be a father figure for Presley, and I’d love to have Fallon as Lennie’s step-mom. Like I said, I’m getting too far ahead of myself. I need to focus on dealing with whatever it is Brad has planned, and we can go from there.
I glance at the time, realizing we should probably get going. “Ready?” I ask Fallon, watching her expression morph from one of joy and relaxation to anxiety and fear.
“Do we have to?” she asks quietly. She leans into me, and I focus only on her. The conversation around us has shifted to other topics, leaving us alone. “My brain is telling me that if we don’t go, or avoid it, then it’s not real.”
“You know that’s not what will happen,” I tell her regretfully.
She leans her forehead on my chest. “I know.” Her voice is muffled against my shirt and I rub her back soothingly. After only a minute, she leans back. “Okay. Let’s go.”
“Fallon.” Thomas stops us, reaching out his hand. “I don’t think Jason was going to mention it, but…” He hesitates. “He told us your ex wants to meet. Do you want us to come too? We wouldn’t be at the table, just at the restaurant. You wouldn’t even see us. We’d be there as silent support. It’s up to you, but the offer is there.”
She glances around the table, locking eyes with each of my brothers, seeing the sincerity in their eyes.
“You would do that?” she asks, her voice that is usually confident, now small and reserved.
“Of course,” Andrew chimes in. “You’re part of the family. We don’t mess around with family.”
“What about Marley and the babies? And Josie? Don’t you need to get back to them?”
“I think Josie will be pissed if she’s not invited.” Andrew stands, rounding the table to squeeze Fallon’s shoulder. “But like Thomas said, we won’t make our presence known.”
“As for Marley and the twins, Mar would probably love a night out, even if it’s simply to the diner,” Beau states. “But I’ll check in with her first.”
“I have no life, and no one to report to, so I’ll be there if you want me.” Thomas shrugs. I can tell it hurts him a little that he doesn’t have anyone to call his own, but I don’t bring it up now.
“Wow,” Fallon breathes. “That means so much. If you’re okay with it, then, yeah, I would love your support.”
“Then we’re there. Anything you and Presley need, we are here for. ”
The way my family is rallying around my girl and her daughter is enough to spring a tear to my eye. It means so much to me to know that they care for her as much as I do.
“Thank you,” I tell my brothers. I know I told them that she may not want them there, but I’m glad they asked. Having them there will help. “We should get going.”
I tell my staff working the bar that I’ll be back later, then Fallon and I are heading out the door hand in hand. The diner is a block or two away from the brewery, so we walk there. “Tell me what’s going on inside your head,” I say after we walk in silence for a minute.
With a sigh, Fallon shakes her head, looking up at me. There are dark circles under her eyes, and her demeanor is defeated. “I don’t even know, Jase. I barely slept last night. What if he really does want custody of her, and takes this to court, and takes her away from me? I don’t even know where he lives now. He could live halfway across the country. I’d have to move. Then what?”
“We’ll figure it out,” I try to soothe her. Her breaths are coming in faster pants, her anxiety growing. I try to speak, but she interrupts me.
“And what’s this about him being married again? How long ago did that happen? What does she have to do with all of this? There are so many unknowns.”
We reach the front of the diner, and I pull her into a tight embrace. “Deep breaths. I’m sorry I made you think about it again. We won’t know until we go in.”
She inhales and exhales against my chest, and I’m thankful she’s listening. Thomas pulls up outside the diner in his patrol car, and I see Beau in the passenger seat, withAndrew in the backseat behind the Plexiglass. I can’t stop the chuckle the sight elicits, and I slowly pull Fallon away from me. “Look.” I point to them. She chuckles when she sees Andrew in the backseat.
My brothers are clearly arguing about something, and if I had to guess, it would be about who has to sit in the back next time. Jokes on Andrew, though, he’s always going to be in the backseat. Perks of being the youngest of four.
Another vehicle pulls up beside the car, and I spot Josie in the driver's seat. She climbs out and sees Andrew in the backseat behind the bars, and starts laughing. Fallon and I watch as Josie snaps a few pictures from the front of the car with Beau and Thomas in the front seat offering a thumbs up, and Andrew in the backseat frowning.
“We should go in,” Fallon whispers, pulling my attention away from them. Josie turns, offering Fallon a gentle wave and sympathetic smile before we head into the diner. Fallon looks around as soon as we enter, and when she doesn’t see Brad, she heaves a sigh of relief. I reach down and take her hand in mind, squeezing it tightly and offering my support.
The waiter brings us to a table for four and leaves us on our own to wait for Brad and his new wife. Anxiety practically radiates off her, but I know she can hold her own. She’s the strongest woman I know, and it also helps that she was married to the guy, so she knows how he might react.
The door opens with a chime, and my siblings walk in, Josie, Marley, and the babies in tow. Marley waves as they walk by and are seated a few tables away from us. They won’t be able to hear the ins and outs of the conversation, but they will still be able to see us.
Fallon sits in silence beside me as we wait for Brad toarrive. I don’t try to fill the void with conversation. There’s not really a point. She’s too lost in thought right now for anything to stick. The waiter drops off some waters, and extra menus for us, and a moment later, the door opens and Brad walks in. Fallon’s head snaps up, and a grimace crosses her face almost instantly.
