Page 112 of Mad Love

“I’m so sorry. He grabbed it before I could—” she starts.

“It’s fine,” Sadie and I both tell her.

“He’s handsy when we’re trying to feed him. Quick as lightning,” I say in the voice I use with Caleb. He smiles like he’s being praised.

“I’ll go change him,” Olivia says, still looking uncertain, but everyone else is busy with something, so she nods like she’s convincing herself.

I laugh. “Thanks. I don’t think you’ve been up there since I moved in. His room is next to ours, and his closet is full of clothes, so take your pick.”

She nods and carries him upstairs, holding him out so he doesn’t get her wet. He laughs like they’re playing a game together and I shake my head as I get back to the turkey. Once everything is ready, Sadie moves next to me and I put my arm around her.

“We thought everyone could fill their plates here,” Sadie motions to the island, “and then we’ll take it to the dining room. The drinks are set up in there.”

“This looks incredible, you guys,” my mom says. She reaches up and pats my face. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see you so happy.” She looks at the ceiling. “I am not gonna cry,” she says, laughing. “My boy is all grown up and entertaining us in his beautiful home with his beautiful family.” She waves her face. “Okay, I am gonna cry.” She looks at Sadie. “Thank you. Thank you for having us today. Thank you for loving our son and grandson the way you do. I don’t know what we did before you came into our lives.”

Sadie’s eyes are glossy as she hugs my mom and they both sniffle afterwards. I smile when she walks back toward me and I tuck her back against my chest.

“We’re so glad you’re with us today,” I say. “I’m beyond thankful for my family and the way my family has expanded this year.” I shake my head. “Jeez, there’s something in the air. Where are the waterworks coming from? My heart is full.” I take a deep breath. “Everyone help yourself. Let’seat!”

I’m moderate with my plate. It’s full of things I wouldn’t normally be eating, but in smaller portions, and I avoid the food that triggers me to eat too much. My mom’s broccoli rice casserole, for example—I can’t just have a little and be satisfied. I’ll still be sluggish in my workouts later, but nothing I’m eating should affect the game on Sunday.

I’m getting ready to sit at the table when I realize I haven’t seen Olivia in a while. I go into the kitchen expecting to see her there, and when I don’t, I ask, “Have Olivia and Caleb come back yet?”

“I haven’t seen them,” Sadie says.

“I’ll go check on them.”

I take the stairs two at a time and when I reach Caleb’s room, I find Caleb dressed and pulling out all his books from the shelves, and Olivia is sitting in the chair where we read to him.

“What’s going on in here?” I ask and Caleb jumps. I try to give him a stern look, but he holds out a book like he’s excited for me to see it, and I can’t resist. I’ll work on getting firmer pretty soon, but so far nothing he does seems too naughty.

“Clean up, clean up,” I sing.

He bobs his head back and forth with the song and tries to put the books back. I help him and turn, grinning at Olivia, but when I get a good look at her face, I’m in front of her in seconds.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” I bend down until we’re at eye level, and when her eyes meet mine, I’m shocked to see them full of tears.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Olivia cry in my whole life.

“Olivia, what is it?”

She points to the picture of Sasha and Caleb hanging on the wall next to us.

“This is his mother?” she asks, her voice breaking.

I nod once. “Yes, that’s Sasha.”

She closes her eyes and the tears spill over. “Weston, I have something to tell you and I don’t think you’ll ever forgive me for it. I can’t forgive myself for it.”

I clasp her hand and look at her for a second, and then the realization hits me like a huge, hard stone.

“It was you, wasn’t it? You were the one who saw her?”

Her eyes flicker back to the picture and she nods reluctantly.

“She showed up at the other house and I thought it was just another crazed fan coming to tell you she was having your baby. You had just had that other woman who wouldn’t stop stalking you, so I guess I went into big sister protective mode. I didn’t even buy that there really was a baby.” She lets out a choked sound. “How did you know?”

“Sadie read about it in Sasha’s journals.”

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