Page 150 of Mistaken Intention

I break the kiss, gazing into Josie’s eyes.

As much as I liked hearing my brother’s good news, and knowing I was there for him when he needed me, it had to be hard for Josie, and I’m aware of that… aware that their joy is something she can never share… never feel.

Our happiness feels tempered, moderated by this one sadness. Except it doesn’t have to be like that. It’s within my power to make it better, to take away at least some of the ache Josie feels for the one thing she can never have… never be. At least, in her eyes.

I kiss her again, just briefly, and turn to Hunter.

“I know we planned to do this later today, but I had a dream last night, which was a kind of memory, too. It was to do with the accident, and it’s left me with this… this need to protect my daughter. So, do you think it would be possible for me to meet her now?”

Livia sits forward on the couch. “Of course,” she says, answering for Hunter. “I left her with Pat while we came over here, but she’s yours, Drew. She always was.”

I smile over at her. “I’m grateful to you for looking after her for as long as you have.”

“You don’t have to be grateful.”

“Oh, I think I do.” Livia smiles at me, lowering her eyes, and I look down at Josie. “Are you ready for this?”

She doesn’t know what I’ve got in mind, but she nods her head. “If you are.”

“I am. That dream left me kinda rattled, and I guess hearing Hunter and Livia’s news has made me wanna try being a father again.”

She sucks in a breath, letting me know this won’t be easy for her, although I’m hopeful I can make it better than she thinks, and then she gets to her feet. I copy her, waiting while Hunter helps Livia to stand, and we all make our way to the front door.

Outside, it’s a warm sunny day, and I put my arm around Josie as we walk down the path to the rear of the main house. It’s been a good day so far, starting off with that spectacular shower… and while I didn’t think anything could be better than that, I’m not so sure now. If I get this right, it could make everything perfect.

Hunter opens the glass doors at the back of the house, letting us all into the kitchen. There’s no-one here, but I can hear voices and Livia leads the way to a living room, with brown leather couches surrounding an enormous fireplace. It’s very formal, but we pass on through and into the lobby before she guides us to a door, which opens into a much more informal living room. In here, there are four fabric covered couches, two in a dark blue, and two in a paler tone. There’s a television mounted above the fireplace, and on the floor, lying on a cushioned, fleecy play mat, is the most beautiful baby girl I’ve ever seen. She’s wearing a pink dress, with a white collar and a pink hairband with a bow on the side. Her tiny feet are kicking out as she waves her hands at the toy penguin and whale dangling from the wooden arch above her head. I’m mesmerized for a moment, just staring, but let my eyes wander to the two women sitting on either side of her. One is older, maybe in her early sixties, and is wearing a thin summer skirt and a white blouse. I realize this must be Pat and she looks up, her green eyes clouding with tears as she shakes her auburn head in disbelief. The other woman notices her reaction andturns toward me. I can see her face now, and the family likeness is unmistakable. This is my sister, Ella. I don’t recognize her as such, but she’s got the same dark hair as Hunter and me, cut in a short, pixie-like style, and her eyes are a similar shade of brown to mine…

“Oh, my God… Drew.” She leaps to her feet, her hand over her mouth as tears well in her eyes.

“We haven’t been introduced yet, but I believe I’m your brother.”

She bursts into tears and I let go of Josie’s hand and step forward, pulling Ella into my arms.

“I was so scared,” she whispers into my chest.

“What of?”

She looks up, her cheeks stained with tears. “That we’d lost you forever.”

I shake my head. “No such luck.”

She slaps her hand against my chest, just as a man comes through the door. I remember him as the man who helped carry me up the stairs. He’s tall, with dark hair and is really muscular, making the baby he’s cradling in his arm seem even smaller.

“One son… suitably changed and refreshed,” he says with an English accent, before he looks up and stops dead, staring at Ella and then at me. She steps away and I release her as the man comes over, holding out his free arm to put around her. She nestles against him, her head on his chest, and he smiles. “We haven’t been formally introduced,” he says to me. “I’m Mac… Ella’s fiancé.”

“I remember you.”

“Really?” His eyes widen and he tilts his head slightly.

“Yes. You helped carry me up the stairs.”

“Oh. I see. I thought you meant you remembered me from before.”

“No. Sorry.” I turn back to Ella. “I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t remember you, either. The only reason I know you’re my sister is because Hunter told me.”

She looks really upset, and blinks back her tears, although it’s Mac who speaks, shaking his head slightly. “Hey… don’t let it worry you. You’ll work it out when you’re ready.”

I glance down at the baby he’s carrying… a little boy dressed in blue dungarees and a white t-shirt. He’s gazing up at his father with total adoration.

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