Page 106 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
While I appreciate my sister’s support, this isn’t about pride. Or accolades. It’s about necessity. I’m standing at the edge of a cliff with three children behind me and I’m the only adult shielding them from falling over.
Even if we have the support of my family, which we do. I have to be the one who protects us all.
I turn the page in my notebook and circle the word business.
“I’ve been thinking.” I glance at Joni. “Once the claims are settled, I’m paying off the house. Then I want to start an event planning business. Something small. Manageable. So I can work from home. I’ll build something to fit into our life, not the other way around.”
She arches a brow, “An event company?”
“I think so.” I nod. “Local. Boutique. Family-first. Maybe daytime corporate events so I can work when they’re at school. Nonprofits. I have the contacts and the experience. If this hadn’t happened I’d probably never have the guts to do it solo.”
Joni and I go back and forth about potential names for the business, and she’s midsentence when the back door opens with a soft clatter of keys. I hear the rustle of grocery bags. Then my mom’s familiar voice followed by Maureen’s Irish lilt.
We both glance toward the kitchen, eyes wide.
Neither of us move. I haven’t seen anyone in Padraig’s family since my mom’s birthday all those years ago.
Deliberately.
“Let me make you a sandwich,” my mom offers. “I’ll put a kettle on.”
“You’re an angel, so you are.”
“Oh please.” Mom snorts. “You’ve been running on fumes since Rory’s stroke. He’s doing better so take a load off.”
Maureen laughs, but it’s thin. “I’ve taken to pilfering biscuits from the rehab nurses’ lounge. I’m afraid they’ll catch me stealing their stash.”
Their laughter quiets.
“He’s making progress?” my mom asks gently.
“He’s stable.” Maureen exhales heavily. “Frustrated. In my mind he’s recovering faster than I could have hoped for. He’s nearly better than he was before. My boys have been incredible. I don’t think I’ve had more than a day alone since it happened.”
Joni shifts on the cushion, eyes flicking toward me.
I keep my gaze forward, locked on Jude, who’s coloring at the coffee table.
“Connor and Liam flew up right away,” Maureen continues. “Cillian and Seamus were already here. Brennan came up from the Valley a couple days later. They’ve all been committed to his recovery.” She pauses. “It’s meant everything.”
There’s silence. Mom prompts, “Padraig?”
My breath catches. Joni’s hand clutches mine.
“He’s in Los Angeles,” Maureen explains. “Mara went into labor early. Little Rafferty came a few weeks too soon. He’s doing well now but the NICU was touch-and-go at first.”
I blink, stunned. Mom never mentioned Padraig and his girlfriend were having a baby. Then again, I’ve been pretty out of it for the past six months.
Wow. Rafferty.
I picture a tiny boy with wavy black hair and Padraig’s quiet, brown eyes.
“Mara’s been struggling,” Maureen goes on. “Terrible postpartum depression. Bad enough her mum moved in to help.”
“Oh, Maureen…”
“It gets worse. She confessed something to Padraig which changed everything.” Maureen lowers her voice. “Apparently, she took her IUD out without letting him know. She got pregnant on purpose.”
Joni covers her mouth, wide-eyed.
