Page 54 of Unbreak Me
“Wait until you see her. You would never know that she just met Ryder two weeks ago. They have a very strong bond already, and it’s like she knew right away who he was.”
“That’s because the bond is in here,” she says, placing a hand over her heart. “The minute we brought Ryder home with us, I felt that mother/son bond immediately. He will always be my sister’s little boy, but he also became my son that day, just as much as my other three. I’ve always felt that bond with you,” she says softly. “You were dealt a shitty hand with your parents, but it all brought us together. Trevor and I will always be here for you, Eve. You’re like a daughter to us, and that will never change.”
She squeezes my hand before letting go and walking into the house. My throat gets tight with emotions as I try to keep it together.
“You okay?” Ryder turns around and walks back to me.
“Yes,” I nod my head. I watch as Ryland reaches out for a smiling Meaghan. She laughs, tears flowing down her face as Ryland puts her hand on her cheek. “I’ve never been more okay than I am right now.” I feel his arms come around me as we stand back and watch his parents and sister get to know another piece of their hearts that they didn’t know was missing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
RYDER
Eve stifles a yawn next to me as she lies her head on my chest. I know the emotions today have taken a toll on her, and she’s got to be exhausted. I finish the rest of my bourbon and set the glass down on the side table next to me.
“I think we’re going to call it a night. We need to get Ryland in her bed, and this one can hardly keep her eyes open.”
“I think all this anticipation of today has finally caught up with me.” Eve sits up and stretches.
“We will have plenty of time in the next two weeks to visit more. You guys go ahead and get this precious little girl to bed.” My mom looks down at a sleeping Ryland in her arms. She read her a bedtime story hours ago and refused to let us move her when she fell asleep in her arms.
“The pool after dinner wiped Rybug out,” Eve laughs.
My mom’s head whips up to stare at Eve. “What did you call her?”
“Rybug. The nickname just popped in my head the day she was born, and it just stuck.”
My mom looks down at Ryland and brushes back a curl from her face before meeting me with tears in her eyes. “That was what your mom used to call you,” she whispers softly. “God, I had completely forgotten about that nickname until now. My sister always said you looked so adorable all swaddled up. Snug as a bug…”
“In a rug,” Eve says at the same time. She reaches out and takes my hand. I don’t remember a lot about my mom, but I remember her love. Every once in a while, I get feelings that remind me of her, even though I don’t have any memories to go with them. I just feel…her.
“She couldn’t be here with you, so she sent the next best thing,” my mom says softly, looking at Ryland.
Eve squeezes my hand and smiles at me. Clearing my throat, I swallow down my emotions. I see Sophia wipe her eyes as Travis and Jake give me a small smile.
“She definitely sent me the next best thing,” I say quietly, looking at my daughter. “Two best things, actually.” I glance at Eve and hold her gaze, feeling the love that my mom would want me to feel. I break away and run a hand through my hair. “Okay,” I say, standing up. “I think I’m going to get my girls to bed. I think enough tears have been shed today,” I laugh softly.
I walk over and gently pick up a sleeping bug. She buries her face in my neck and sighs in her sleep. I rub her back and meet my mom’s eyes. She knows exactly the love I’m feeling holding my daughter in her arms because she’s looking at me with the same love shining through.
“She’s beautiful, Ryder,” my mom says, looking back at Ryland. My dad puts his arm around her and squeezes her shoulder. “I know we tell you all the time, but we are so proud of you and the man you have become. And now you’re a daddy.” They both beam up at me with eyes full of pride.
“It’s the scariest job I’ve ever had in my life.” I run my hand up and down her back, feeling her small breath on my neck.
“It is,” my dad laughs. “Just wait until she’s driving and dating.”
“I can handle cars and will teach her everything she needs to know, but the dating I know I’m not going to be good at.” The thought of teenage boys and parties immediately makes me break out into a sweat when I think of everything that could go wrong.
“Let’s just focus on getting her potty trained first before you start planning all the ways to scare the boys off,” Eve laughs. “We still have some years to go before we have to worry about that.”
My dad chuckles, knowing exactly what’s going through my head. I push the thoughts away before I go into full-blown panic mode and follow Eve out as we say goodnight to everyone.
“Why don’t you go get ready for bed while I put Ryland down.” I open the door to our place and step inside.
“I was thinking of taking a bath. Will you join me when you’re done?” She smiles at me, and I bend down to taste her lips.
“I’ll be in soon. Save me a spot,” I whisper against her before kissing her one more time.
“Mmmmmm,” she hums when I pull her bottom lip before releasing her. “Don’t take too long.” She kisses the back of Ryland’s head and walks toward the bathroom.
