Page 155 of Forever Flames: Padraig & Stevie
My immediate reaction is to cross the room and invite her in. Get everything aired out in front of the entire family.
Then Isla shifts in the corner, shoulders stiff, eyes darting up for the first time all night.
I realize now’s not the time. Not tonight. Not like this.
The words tear out of me before I can think. “You shouldn’t be here.”
Everyone in the room halts, shocked. Connor’s glass hangs halfway to his mouth. Liam’s brows lift, sharp and curious. I’d made a lame excuse about her spending the day with her own family and with all the chaos of the day, no one has said a word.
Now, all eyes are darting between the two of us, including all of our kids.
Yet, Stevie doesn’t flinch. Her gaze finds mine, steady as ever. “I know.”
It lands like a stone dropped in water, ripples spreading into every corner of the room. My feet carry me out before anyone speaks, the hall stretches long and dark. Behind me, I hear the whisper of her steps following.
I push through the door to the guest room and sink down onto the edge of the bed, staring at the floorboards like they might give me answers. Weeks of silence and slammed doors play back through my head. Enduring the near silence in the townhouse where I convinced myself I was protecting her. Holding the pieces together with patience and hope.
All its done is let the fissure in our family spread.
The door closes behind Stevie, shutting us away from the awkward laughter and clatter in the kitchen.
Her face is pale, eyes rimmed red, but there’s steel in her spine. “This isn’t working, Padraig. We can’t go on like this.”
“What could I do?” I press my palms to my knees. “She wouldn’t look at you. Wouldn’t even stay in the house. I thought giving her space might—”
“No. She needs us. Not space. Not silence,” Stevie interrupts me. “Her world has been ripped apart. She’s angry. Betrayed. All of the things. She’s a teenager. She can’t fix it alone. Isla needsbothparents to show up. Even when it’s brutal for one of us. Right now, we’re letting her grief steer this family off a cliff.”
The truth of it rips through me. I thought I was shielding Isla, but I’ve been hiding. Taking her pain onto my shoulders until it weighs on everyone else too.
“I don’t want her to feel abandoned.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “Not by me. Not ever.”
“You didnotabandon her.” Stevie kneels in front of me, grounding me with her presence. “But youareabandoning yourself. And us. We have four other kids who need their dad. We can’t keep living apart if we’re going to get through this. If it takes counseling every single day, then we do it. But together. Not split down the middle.”
Her hand slips into mine. “I love Isla more than life. This entire situation kills me. I can’t stand by and watch you disappear into her pain. We have to lead as parents. United.Even if she hates us for a while.Especiallythen. I know all of this hurts you too. It’s time to put it aside.”
The words sting, but they lift something too. I squeeze her hand. “So what do we do?”
“If you love me and our family,” her eyes shine with tears, “we face it. All of it. Together.Now.”
Her certainty pins me, and for a long moment I can’t speak. Finally, I let the words out. “I know you didn’t keep her from me on purpose. I see it in you, every time you look at us.”
Her shoulders drop, relief cutting through her tension, but I don’t let her exhale fully before I go on. “But, Stevie… I’ve had a daughter all these years and I didn’t know. I’ve missed birthdays, first days of school, nights she cried herself to sleep, all of it. There’s a hole I don’t know how to fill. I can’t pretend it doesn’t hurt or sweep it aside because it’s easier.”
Tears slip over her cheeks. She doesn’t try to defend herself, which almost breaks me more than if she’d fought. I take her in my arms and press a kiss to her temple. “I need you to let me work through this. I won’t run from it, but it’s not something I can fix with one promise. It’s going to take time. For me, for Isla, for us.”
Her breath shudders against my lips, but she nods. “Then we’ll give it time, but can we do it together?”
“Aye, baby.” I nod furiously. “Yes.”
For the first time since everything came to light, I feel the ground steady under me. Not solid, not safe. Something squishy I can stand on while my core tightens. I let myself believe maybe we’ll find our way back. Not only to Isla, but to all of us.
“Why don’t you go get her,” Stevie encourages.
I stand and make my way down the hall. The living room’s bustling with activity. Isla’s on the couch, legs pulled up, arms crossed tight. She looks up when she hears me, eyes full of suspicion.
“Let’s go talk.” I gesture for her to follow me. “It’s time to clear the air.”
She shakes her head. “No. I’m fine here.”
