Page 112 of My Darling Mayhem

The antics of seeing the twin boys become kids by helping my sons learn how to play a video game was what had me laughing so much. It was like getting to hit rewind on their lives and peek into so many moments and memories that I had missed. Juan and Taylor came in and settled in the living room with us, laughing while they watched, and I wondered when the last time was for them to be able to experience their boys like this.

I still wanted to know what had happened to them, but I knew it wasn’t really my business, and perhaps one day I would get the chance to find out. Maybe by staying in their lives, I would be privy to hearing from them once in a while.

It was later that afternoon that both boys cleared their throats and asked if they could talk to Archer and me while we walked in the garden that Juan and Taylor were so fond of.

The sun was beginning to set, which would thrust us into our fourth night in North Carolina and would mark the fourth night that Archer and I had been fucking like rabbits, actively trying to get pregnant. I didn’t know why I wanted it, and I had no clue why he did either, but every time we were alone, it was as though some frenzy would come over us, and suddenly we were ripping each other’s clothes off, and we weren’t even bothering with foreplay and we both loved foreplay. I just knew I needed him inside me as fast and as hard as he could. Then once he’d finish, we’d wait ten minutes and go again. It was madness and stupid.

We were being so senseless, and yet as I looked over at him, I smiled, hoping I was carrying some piece of him inside me.

Kingston cleared his throat then tucked his hands deep into his pockets.

“We wanted to apologize for our behavior.”

Gio rubbed the back of his neck and kept his gaze downcast.

“We know we’ve been taking things too far lately and we feel guilty about how we handled things with you. We hope you can forgive us and let us show you what family means. We honor a code, and it’s never been a blurred line for us, so…we’re ashamed that you felt afraid of us, or even like you had to protect your kid because of us.”

Kingston added softly, “Our dad used to tell us stories about you. When you were young and what it was like to have a sibling to care for and protect. He always got sad when he talked about you, and how he lost you for so long because he didn’t protect you in the ways that mattered. He would tell us that how we spoke to each other mattered as much as how we acted with one another.”

That made a swarm of warmth hit my chest as I pictured Juan talking to much younger versions of these two boys while he remembered me.

“It might not mean much, but we wanted to be sure you understood how sorry we were,” Gio said sweetly then the two shuffled their feet adorably as if they were waiting for me to forgive them.

It was Archer who placed his hands on their shoulders. “I know better than anyone how difficult it can be to lead and have to be ruthless while also being wise. On my end, I forgive you for what you thought needed to be done. I’m not perfect and have had my moments of being harsh when needed, of following law and rules even at the expense of my own humanity.”

I didn’t want to think of that. Of the way he’d said the mayhem would be part of our lives no matter what because that was a part of him.

“It means a lot that you apologized,” Archer finished then removed his hands.

I stepped forward and pulled them both into a hug.

“I have my own reasons to be sorry and most of that revolves around being gone. So if you can forgive me for missing your entire lives, then I will forgive you for burning my patch and scaring my son.”

They both chuckled against my neck and squeezed me.

“We want to see you more, tía,” Gio said, giving me a boyish smile.

I nodded, smiling at them both while we made our way back to the house. Juan and Taylor had planned a big feast because they wanted us to meet the rest of their chosen family. The friends who shared other wings of the house, even if it was seasonally.

Centered in the middle of the house, where a connecting hall with marble floors and tall ceilings sat, there were dozens of chairs spread out on either side of the long table. I was introduced to a man named Decker, his wife Mallory and their daughter Carter, who I had sort of met when she pulled up in the Jeep. Then came Scotty by himself in the middle, but two of the four dogs were lying near his feet. Next to him was Kyle, Presley and then a woman who looked almost identical to Presley, her mother Rylie. On the other side was my mother, Juan, Taylor, Alex, the boys and the four extra spots for my family.

There was more laughter, and I noticed both Alex and Carter glanced at each other quite a bit as if they were keeping a lot of thoughts and opinions to themselves. King and Gio kept their gazes on their plates unless Presley spoke up. In which case they both looked up like lost puppies, clinging to every word she said.

It was such an interesting dynamic to watch and experience.

Archer’s hand found mine as everyone talked and brought us into something that felt so delicate and intimate. They had allbeen together for so long, it seemed as though they were blood related, but then King and Gio would look at Presley and I’d realize how untrue that was. Alex and Carter would glance at Presley then each other and sip from their wine glasses. There was so much not being said that I felt like I was on a gameshow trying to piece together expressions and body language.

Juan finally stood, making a toast.

“I always hoped for my family to meet my baby sister. The one I let fall through my fingers all those years ago then was too prideful to help bring back. I wanted to take a second to thank you all for showing her and Archer kindness as you know we don’t allow any outsiders in here. You were all gracious enough to allow Wren, her two boys and Archer to not only stay here but truly welcomed then. Something tells me they’re going to be around much more as time goes on, and if that does happen, I want you all to know who they are and understand how Taylor and I consider them a part of this circle.”

Everyone raised a glass in our direction, and I looked over in time to see my mother’s eyes water as she sipped.

I knew right then my days of being alone, with or without Archer, were over.

My proverbial pair of wings had taken me home.

TWENTY-NINE

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