Page 55 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 2

“Just get your ass out here.”

“You mean ‘arse’ right?” I heard Baine teased.

Once Tilly was ready, I took her hand in mine and unlocked the door. Grant was waiting on the other side.

“Finally.”

“Next time you offer up the room, take your shit with you.”

“Lachie’s feeling feisty. Must have been a good reunion,” Tucker said.

Hannah pushed her way through the crowded main room and ran to leap into Tilly’s arms. She hugged her tightly. I hadn’t realized just how much they’d bonded in the time she’d stayed with my family. The boys were much of the same, excited to see her.

Toby looked around, confused. When his eyes met mine, he knew. I saw the way his jaw locked.

“Where’s Mom and Dad?” Hannah asked.

I’d never seen a room empty so quickly. I hated this. It was the last conversation I ever wanted to have with them.

“Let’s sit down,” I said.

Hannah clung to Tilly.

My mate was already starting to cry and we hadn’t even started talking about it.

“Mom and Dad didn’t make it, sweetie,” I told her.

“I’m so sorry,” Tilly said.

I hugged her to me.

“You mean their dead?” Hannah asked.

“Yes.”

Her little chin quivered and then she just broke. I pulled her into my lap and just held her as she cried.

The boys were all trying to hold it in and be strong for her too but there were tears in their eyes, too.

“What’s going to happen to us now?” Tom finally asked.

“We’re orphans now. We’ll be sent away to boarding school to finish out school and then we’re on our own,” Jack said.

“That’s not going to happen,” Tilly said.

She sniffed and dried her eyes.

“I know you’re all grieving and will for some time, but you are not alone. We’re family and we’ll take care of each other.”

“You’re staying in Australia with us?” Hannah asked her through her tears.

“We haven’t decided that yet. We all know Lachlan’s job is in the States.”

“We’re moving to California?” Toby asked.

“We haven’t decided that yet, either,” I told him. “Look, we’re all going to have to make some compromises. Ultimately Tilly and I will decide what’s best for all of us, but we want you guys to have a voice in this.”

“Fine, then we stay,” Toby said.

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