Page 75 of Broken Chains

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I need to know she's happy and that whatever screwed up path her life took after I left, I need to know I made the right decision, for her. I swear, that's all."

"Peyton's more protective than usual over her, I don't think she's going to let that happen," I told her honestly.

To my surprise, the front door opened and Peyton stepped out on the front porch, holding Eve in her arms.

"Babe?"

"It's okay. If this is the closure she needs, it's okay." She then turned to Melina. "I need you to respect the fact that I am her mother now, but I cannot imagine how I would feel if someone kept a child away from me that I had brought into this world. I'm not sure I could ever give up my child the way you did, but if you truly did it because it was best for Eve, then I will forever be grateful of that. I want you to know that she is loved beyond measure. She's happy and she's healthy. I'm not going to say you're welcome in her life, but for just this one time, I can give you this moment."

Peyton handed Eve to Melina, and then wrapped her arms around my waist for comfort. I hugged her close to my side and kissed her forehead.

"You didn't have to do this," I told her.

"I know, and yet I really did."

"Hi, Eve," Melina said. "I'm your mo. . ." She stopped when I glared at her. A tear ran down her cheek. "I'm Melina," she said instead. Eve only lasted another minute before she began to cry and squirm, searching for Peyton. Melina sniffed and handed her back quickly. "She always did cry for me."

The second Eve was back in Peyton's arms, she rubbed her little face against her mother's chest, as if smelling to confirm she had the real deal this time, and instantly settled.

"Thank you," she told Peyton as she stroked Eve's soft curls one last time, then turned to leave.

I didn't wait around as I guided my most important treasures back inside. Everyone was quiet and watching.

"Well, I think it's safe to say this case is settled. I won't be bothering you guys again," Katherine said.

"That's a first," James said under his breath. The sexual tension between those two was palpable.

Trish huffed and stomped out of the house. I'd never understand what her problem was with me, but I really didn't care either.

Katherine followed, as Jake left with her.

Lily rescued Eve for Peyton seconds before Thomas hugged her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Peyton said. "Exhausted though, so no offense to anyone here. I really appreciate all the support, but now that that is over, I'm going to fix dinner, feed you all, then you have to go."

The room broke out into laughter.

True to her word, Peyton cooked for everyone. I would have argued and insisted we just order pizza or something if I didn't know how much cooking relaxed her, and after the crazy day we'd just had, I knew she needed something normal to calm her nerves.

Bran and Gage even showed up, and when the boys strolled in, we filled them all in on what had happened. There was a feel of celebration in the air.

After dinner, without a word, people started leaving one by one.

Luke was the last to go. He pulled me into the living room, and we sat down to talk for a bit.

"You know, I was more than a little leery when I first found out you had mated a Collier. Oh, I know they aren't all bad, but Jedidiah did have reasons for leaving the pack. Maybe they weren't good reasons, but our elders felt they were important enough to follow him."

"They aren't any different from us. Maybe more compassionate and kinder. Let's be honest, we have a pack of assholes.”

Luke laughed. "Yeah. They can be a rough bunch, but we're still a pack, family," he said. "I know the pack hasn't always supported you and your brothers the way we should have. I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay. I managed on my own, and Jedidiah did help when necessary. He at least saw we stayed together, had a roof over our heads, and food in the pantry. It wasn't all bad."

"I'm glad. There's so much I want for us, but he really left us in a financial hole and now with the plant closing, things are going to be really tight."

"Cruz said you're considering merging us back into Collier," I said.

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