“Why did you lie? You should have told me the truth. I would have worked with you, helped you.” She wrapped her hands around his.
“I couldn’t lose you.” His voice was rough. He trailed his hands over her hair. “I’m so sorry I put you through this. It’s all my fault.”
My mom sobbed into his chest. “Don’t say that Gav. I am so sorry. I betrayed you.”
He forced her face to meet his. “Look at me Ains. Never say that. This isn’t on you. Everything for the last seventeen years everything that happened was because of me and my decisions. And I realized that a long time ago. I never blamed you, not once.”
“Gav, how can you say that?” She closed her eyes. “I can’t imagine…”
My dad looked at her and gave her a soft smile. “Can’t imagine what?”
“Why would you forgive me after everything? I treated you so badly. I had to do-
My dad covered her mouth with his hand. “You did what you had to do to keep our pup safe. Just like I did what I had to do to keep you safe.”
“Gavin. You can’t mean that.” My heart broke at her words. How could she not see just how much he loved her?
He leaned in and kissed her lips softly. “I love you, Ainsley. I never stopped loving you. I didn’t blame you for anything before, and then when I learned the truth, I felt like I was dying. I never ever blamed you.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I am so fucking sorry, baby.” She wrapped her arms around his back and clutched at him, like she was afraid this was all a dream.
“How did you get here so quickly?” He looked down at me, where I was on the floor.
“When you called about Carl, I had the urge to come here. Once Carl got there, he had a vision that I was needed here. So, I took the plane back and got a room at the closest hotel.”
“The pack?”
“Ronnie and Tina have me covered.”
I just nodded. “How long are you here for?” I stood and took the kettle back to the makeshift kitchen. I busy myself around the cabin, trying not to interfere with their reunion. “Dad?”
“What? Huh?” My dad looked away from my mother’s face and back at me.
“How long are you here for?”
“Just today. Carl said I had to leave you both after this meeting, or else bad things would happen.”
“No.” My mom clutched at him harder. “You can’t leave me again. I just got you back.”
“I won’t. I would never leave you.” He hugged her close. “But I can’t stay. It would cause a war. And you need to get a divorce.” My mother hung her head in shame, but my father just pulled her head up and kissed her. “You never have to be ashamed about anything between us.”
I watched my mother gather herself, and then she released my dad. “I’m okay.” She shook her head and stepped back. “You’re right. We have a lot we have to do before we can fix our lives.” We both sat there and saw her smile wobble, but we just nodded.
My dad turned to me. “Have you started learning the computer yet?”
“No. But I had an idea. One that might make this easier.”
“What?” My mother came back to his side, and he slid his arm around her waist. I just smiled.
“I was away, so I haven’t picked my program yet at university.”
“What?” My dad furrowed his brows.
“How is that even possible?” My mom looked confused.
“Well, since Vince took over as the Dean a few years ago, there always seems to be a back log. Probably because he doesn’t hire enough staff, and while I was away at dads, the university admissions finally reached out for a decision. But I explained I was away and would select my courses when I came back.”
“What the hell has Vince done to the school?” My dad growled but then shook his head. “Whatever, we can fix it once we figure out the truth. The King wants this as top priority.”
“The King? You’re talking to the King again?” My mom turned to my dad and gripped his arm. “What if…”
