Page 82 of Fourth Wall

At this moment, I knew everything would be okay because there was really no other choice for it to be anything but right.

After a half hour or so, I finished getting ready, and it did not look like I had been crying all afternoon. I went downstairs to see everyone gathered in the living room.

"Look, Mommy, Christian brought us our favorite flowers again. They’re poppies," the girls exclaimed, drawing my attention to a beautiful arrangement on the kitchen counter.

"You're right, sweeties. Those are beautiful," I replied, trying to hide the turmoil swirling inside me. I glanced at Christian, who shrugged nonchalantly, but I could sense the tension in his demeanor.

"You guys headed out?" my mom asked hesitantly, unaware of the full gravity of the situation. I had only told her that Tyler was taking me back to court, but I couldn't bring myself to burden her with all the details. I didn't want to worry her any more than she already would be.

"Yes.” I nodded, planting quick kisses on her and the girls' cheeks. My heart ached at the thought of leaving them, even for a short while, but there was no other choice.

"I promise I'll take good care of them," she assured me, pulling Christian into a heartfelt hug. Despite his towering Viking-like presence, he embraced her gently, receiving a kiss on the cheek.

"Take care of my daughter," my mom said, her voice filled with emotion.

"Always," he replied, looking at me with a subtle wink. I felt a mix of comfort and anxiety at his assurance. This man had an undeniable hold on my heart, and I couldn't deny the feelings that had blossomed between us.

The girls ran over to say goodbye to us.

“Will you be back soon, Christian?” Kinsley asked. I looked over at her and laughed.

“What am I, chopped liver?” She giggled, and I enveloped her in a hug. “We are just going out to a little dinner but will be back quickly,” I reassured her.

“You are coming back too, right?” the little girl asked Christian.

“Of course, silly. I live here too.”

My heart felt like it would explode out of my chest.

As we prepared to leave, I took one last glance at my family, a lump forming in my throat. The angst and uncertainty were overwhelming, but I had to face this battle—not just for myself but for my children and the future we all deserved. Christian's presence was a source of strength and vulnerability, and I prayed that together, we could navigate through the storm ahead.

“You know, I think I really like your parents,” Christian confessed when we both got into the car.

“Oh yeah?”

“I never had a family, Maeve. What you have given me is beyond measure. You have given me a home in replace of a house. You gave me the family I was so scared of ever having because if I did somehow, I would fuck it all up and ruin everything.”

“Christian, you could never ruin anything, even if you tried. No matter the outcome of this meeting, I’m so grateful you’re by my side.” I genuinely spoke to him because it was the truth. I knew I was still hiding this big secret, but he gave me companionship and a sense of accomplishment, which I felt I had been missing for so long. I was running on empty, and my battery needed to be recharged. I guess I didn’t realize my incredibly tall, hunky Viking-like god would be the one to do it.

“Well, thank you anyway.” His voice was filled with compassion as we pulled onto the street where Tyler’s house was.

“It is the big blue house on the corner. His car is in the driveway, so that’s a good sign.” Christian pulled up into the driveway and tucked something under his foot.

“Christian,” I warned.

“It’s just small.” He shrugged his shoulders. I just had to keep reminding myself that he was a bodyguard and did this for a living. “I’m not going to go in and fuck them up. It’s for your safety, I promise.” He turned toward me and gave me a small kiss on the cheek before opening the car door and getting out.

I took a few deep, centering breaths before I got out on my side as well. I needed to remind myself that I wouldn’t let Tyler permeate my boundaries.

Christian paused right before we got to the front door.

“Do we enter the gangster way by kicking in the door or do we knock?” He paused to laugh, and I playfully hit him in the arm, pulling on his bicep and leaning up to kiss him on the cheek.

“You are incorrigible.” I giggled.

“Do not let him speak to you in any way you are not comfortable with. You are strong, and we will come out of here more successful.”

I reached out to grab Christian’s hand, and he quickly pulled me in, giving me a squeeze. Somehow, going into this together felt stronger.

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