Page 59 of Only Ever You

She opens the car door, and before I know it, she’s sprinting toward her mother.

I laugh, shaking my head. She’s not seen them in months, which is probably unlike her, but when she flings herself into her mother’s arms, I get heart pangs. It’s been so long since I felt like part of a family—and even then, it was part of her family, not my own.

I didn’t realise how much I missed it. Not until right this very moment.

After getting out of the car, I take some tentative steps toward the house when Pippa’s mother looks up and meets my gaze.

“Deacon.” Her warmth washes over me, and for a second I hesitate. I knew coming back here would bring back all kinds of emotions, but I wasn’t prepared for this.

Longing fills me. Yearning for that motherly relationship I never really had with the woman who gave birth to me. I thought I’d feel like a fish out of water, but instead I’m home.

“Mrs Miller,” I choke out.

She walks toward me, and I stiffen as she wraps her arms around my chest. “It’s so good to see you. Call me, Jean.”

“It’s good to see you too, Jean.” I engulf her in a hug, and she kisses my cheek.

“Thank you for bringing my girl home. She’s never been so happy,” she whispers. “You did that.”

“I love making her happy.”

She steps back. “You were always such a good boy. Come inside. I baked a cake.”

“Oh, that has my name on it.” I grin.

“I baked two because I knew that’s how you’d react.” Her expression straightens. “Lucas is inside. I hope you’re okay with that.”

I nod. “It kinda goes with the territory.”

Her brows knit. “I want you to feel at home, Deacon. We’ve all missed you.”

Giving her forearm a squeeze, I take a step toward the house. “I’ve missed you too.”

Pippa waits in the doorway, and I slide my hand into hers.

We walk into the house, her mother right behind us.

In the living room, her father rises from his seat, but I shake my head and hold out my free hand as I approach. He gives me a warm smile and takes my hand, enclosing his other one over it. “It’s good to see you, son.”

“It’s good to see you too.”

He drops my hand.

Pippa gives my forearm a squeeze and lets go, stepping away.

I see why when Lucas moves into the room.

“Deacon.” Lucas holds out his hand to shake.

This feels like a test. I have to get past this for Pippa. I don’t have to be friends with Lucas, but I can tolerate him for her sake.

“Lucas.” I accept his handshake.

Pippa grasps my bicep, and I turn my head to meet her gaze. Tears well in her eyes, and while I still want to punch my former best friend, I’ll keep it to myself because I love Pippa more.

“Thank you,” she mouths.

I press a kiss to her forehead before turning back to Lucas.

---