Page 84 of Hold On Me

Mama Brady was adamant that we weren’t allowed to spill who we got. A Brady tradition for decades, I’ve been let in on it seeing as I’m family to them now.

Growing up, I had all the money in the world, so Christmas was never as big a deal as it was to other kids because I had no need for anything. I already had all that I wanted. Except the family element of it all. We didn’t wake up on Christmas morning to devour presents and pigs in blankets. We didn’t sit around a dining table with paper crowns on our heads andwatch the Queen’s speech. We didn’t play board games until late at night and get drunk on family time. Christmas was just an ordinary day.

To be invited to partake in a family Christmas and be included in their traditions is new for me, but I’m trying new things left, right, and centre. The last new thing I tried I fell in love with, so I’m optimistic for this as well.

My phone beeps with a notification.

Little One

How’s it going? Is my dad okay with everything? Jameson has been relentless with the questions.

A smile tugs on my lips. She’s thinking about me. Maybe I’m not the only one who’s hooked. I quickly type back a reply.

Me

Your dad’s worried you’re going to hurt me. He’s going to give you the talk, not me lol. What questions is he asking? And what are you telling him?

I don’t tuck my phone away, deciding to keep it in my hand, eagerly awaiting a response.

“Get a look at him.” Hank's voice grabs my attention away from the phone and back to him and Jenson.

Jenson leans in to Hank, keeping one amused eye on me. “Was I this pathetic when I started dating Angie?”

“You’re still that pathetic. Angie’s got you whipped, and it looks like Penny has the same effect on old Benny boy here.”

I’m about to argue that no one could be as pathetic as Jenson around Angie, but Hank holds his hand up to stop me.

“But it makes me proud of both of you. This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

He looks at me poignantly and dips his head. Memories of conversations we’ve had over the years flood through me. Him telling me how much he loved Penelope’s mum, how he forgave her time and time again for her cheating and drinking because he doted on her. She was his everything. Until one day she couldn’t be anymore.

So Penelope became his everything.

He couldn’t stand to see the pain in his daughter's eyes and he told the woman he loved to go. Even though it broke his heart to have her leave. She never deserved Hank, but that didn’t stop him loving her.

His eyes stare into my own, and I nod slightly, acknowledging I understand what he’s saying.

Another text comes through and I avert my gaze to see what it says as Jenson starts to talk about football with Hank.

Little One

I’ve had enough talks with my dad. The birds and the bees one was particularly mortifying lol.

Little One

I’ll try my hardest not to hurt you. I promise.

I take a deep breath at that last message and let it seep into my head and wash away the little doubt that I had left. She promises.

Another text comes through and this one makes me laugh loudly.

Little One

Jameson wants to know if all Brits are ‘pierced’. He wants me to deny or confirm, but I’m leaving him guessing.

“What’s got you laughing?” Jenson calls over to me, and I spin the phone so he can see for himself. He shakes his head with a small chuckle on his lips. “Jameson and his obsession with pierced members.”

“Pierced what now?” Hank splutters his beer that I didn’t even see him get, causing me to laugh even more.

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