Page 32 of Second Chances

“Fine,” I huff. “That Dom training’s doing you some good, by the way.”

“It’s doing me all sorts of good as you’ve found out every time I’ve fucked you. Now stop trying to change the subject and tell me.”

I slump down into his arms.

“You have the perfect family.”

Ryan cocks his head toward the dining room.

“It’s been a long time coming for me, but I won’t argue with that.”

“I long for it.”

I finally say the one thing I’ve been holding back all my life. I long for a different family: a mother who loves me, and a father who I don’t have to mourn for every day.

“I don’t understand. You go to see your mum every Tuesday.”

“I do, but I don’t enjoy it.”

“I still don’t understand?”

Ryan leads us over to a small two seater sofa in the hallway. An antique from the time of Queen Victoria that looks perfectly at home in Miranda and Pete’s house.

“When I was younger, my dream was to be a prima ballerina. To dance for the Royal Ballet Company, but I had an accident. It damaged my leg so badly my dream was shattered as well. I think my mother was more in love with the idea of me being a top ballerina than I was. It was ok at first—my father placated her dismay at not being able to see me on the best stages in the world, but when he died, that all changed. Being a teacher to some of the best ballerinas is not the same thing, in her eyes. The prestige isn’t there for my mother—a fact she reminds me of most Tuesdays. Any conversations we have are strained, and dinners are nothing like the joviality of your family meals. I got upset seeing that because I know I’ll never have it with my own mother.”

Ryan kisses my forehead.

“I’ve known since you avoided talk of your mother at the Tudor banquet something wasn’t right about your relationship with her, but you need to listen to me, Elena. Teaching as you are is incredible, and to be honest, it’s a more worthwhile occupation than performing yourself. You’re nurturing the next generation, helping them to find the best within themselves. I also suspect that you’re excellent at spotting the pushy parents and guiding the young ballet dancers to mitigate that. You successfully run that business for Amy on a day-to-day basis. You are the business now. Don’t ever feel ashamed of that.”

I nuzzle into his chest, his warmth giving me comfort.

“I wish my mother would see that.”

“I know she’s your mother, but she’s blind to how amazing you are. Be happy and inform her that’s all that matters. If you want me to come and tell her, I can. I can use my Dom voice, or failing that, bring Matthew, Grayson, and James with me. I’m sure the four of us can convince her of how wonderful you are.”

I can’t help but laugh as the thought of the four muscular, alpha men frowning at my mother pops into my head. She’d give as good as she’d get, but I don’t think she’d be a match for them in any way, shape, or form.

“I might take you up on that offer.”

“Do so.”

Ryan drops his head and presses his lips to mine.

“No more tears. Those people in there are as much your family as they are mine. They adore you and always will.”

A cough comes from the door. It’s Ryan’s mother.

“He’s right about that. You’ve been a part of our family for a good number of years now. Amy adores you, and you look after her. We’ll always look after you.”

“I’m sorry for being a drama queen,” I apologize to Miranda, but she waves her hand at me.

“You’ll never be as big of a one as Sophie. You should see the pout she has on her face because Grayson has said she can’t leave the table until she’s eaten her brussels sprouts. Even Ash ate his and has gone on the PlayStation, so she’s scowling at him.”

“I better not eat any, or she’ll scowl at me too for showing her up,” I add.

“Hell no.” Ryan gets to his feet and holds his hand out for me. “You need all the vitamins they contain. You’re a dancer, and I couldn’t be prouder of you. Nutrients are important for you, so you’re going to eat at least seven as well.”

“Seriously.” I take Ryan’s hand, and he leads me into the dining room. Miranda follows behind us and takes her seat at the opposite end of the table to her husband. I watch her as she looks down at her plate and sees seven brussels sprouts nestling there.

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