Page 44 of The Sweetest Chirp

How do I answer that? Ingrid beats me to it, “Well, when a man loves a woman, and the woman opens her legs?—”

“Jesus Christ, Ingrid!” Mom scolds, but I snort. She’s not wrong. I look over to see Audrina hiding her grin.

Emotion is thick in my dad’s voice as he asks, “Did you know, Thatcher?”

I know the truth will look bad on Audrina, but I can’t lie. “I found out four days ago.”

All eyes cut to Audrina, but to her credit, she stands tall. My mom’s voice is guttural as she asks, “You had a baby and raised her by yourself?”

Audrina takes a deep breath and nods. “I did.”

“Malyshonuk,” her mom scolds. “Why? We would have helped you.”

“She didn’t need help,” I say, and all eyes now fall on me. “Can’t you see how perfect Arwen is? She’s not even three, and yet she signs like she’s ten. She’s brilliant, and it’s all her mom.”

Audrina’s face floods with color. “I learned everything from you, Maeve.” Her voice is small. “I just did everything you did for Ingrid.”

My sister perks up beside me. “And you did great,” she says and signs.

Mom has to hold the counter for support, but my dad isn’t far from her. He wraps his arms around her waist, holding her to his chest. Even with the tension in the room, no one couldever question how much my parents love each other. I learned everything I know from them. Well, I take that back. My dad isn’t an asshole; that’s a chemical imbalance that’s only mine. With a shaky voice, my mom asks, “You hid my baby’s baby from him?”

Audrina’s smile falls off, and I instantly go on defense. I drag Ingrid to Arwen before pressing my temple to my daughter’s head. Once I know Ingrid has her, I walk over to Audrina. I don’t touch her, but I stand nearby so she knows I’m there.

Before either of us can answer, Anya snaps, “You not only chased her away, but you knocked her up?”

Audrina holds up her palms, sighing deeply. “I know this is a lot to take in, and I can’t even begin to apologize for the pain I’ve caused all of you.” Her eyes settle on me, and I give her a small smile. “I never meant for so much time to pass. I was scared and didn’t know how to come back.”

“So, if Thatcher hadn’t found you, you would have kept his child from him?” Mom asks, and I flash her a look.

“We aren’t doing this. Between the two of us, we have had enough what-ifs. All that matters is that Audrina and Arwen are home. Arwen is so excited to have her Babas and Dedes in her life. Please don’t let my daughter down by holding her parents to their mistakes.”

“We’d never,” Dad breathes. “We are just trying to figure out how this happened.”

“Again, when a man loves a woman?—”

“Ingrid!” all four parents bellow.

“Enough,” Dad scolds, but Ingrid just grins. “I am floored, Thatcher.”

“I know. I’m sorry for that, but Arwen is all that matters.”

Mom’s eyes burn into mine. “How are you not upset?”

“I am,” I answer honestly. “I hate that I missed everything, but that’s not going to keep me from being in their lives now.”

I feel Audrina’s eyes on me, but I hold my parents’ gazes.

“I’m so confused,” Dad admits, and William nods.

“It’s a lot to take in.”

“I understand, and I’m sorry,” Audrina says softly. “I hope you know I never intended to hurt anyone.”

Mom’s lips draw down. “Oh, sweetheart, we know. It’s not who you are. But then, I never thought you’d hide my son’s child.”

“Mom,” I warn, and her eyes flash to mine.

“Am I wrong?”

---