Page 101 of Embers in Our Souls
“You’d do that for me?” she looks surprised.
“Indy, I’d do anything for you. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” I move my hands through her hair and lightly kiss her on the lips.
“What will you say?” She looks nervous.
“I’ll have to say something about you. I can’t just tell them to come home with no explanation of why.”
“Okay. Yeah, that makes sense.” She nods, but she still seems unsettled.
She moves her body to hug me and I wrap my arms around her. “I’m scared, Ty.”
“I know, baby. But you’re not alone,” I reassure her.
We sit together as I make a call to Scarlet and Jerry. As expected, there is shock and a lot of tears on the other end. I look over to see Indy biting her nails, a habit she had when we were kids.
Once I’m done explaining everything to them, Jerry speaks first and I hear the emotion in his strained voice.
Only three words come out: “We’re coming home.”
With that, I turn to Indiana and tell her she’ll be meeting her parents in a matter of days. She wraps her arms around my neck and cries quietly. I think it’s in relief, but also holds some apprehension for what’s to come.
CHAPTER 48
Indiana
“I’ll be right nextto you the entire time,” Tyler reassures me for what feels like the millionth time as he parks his truck along the curb.
I’m looking outside the window at the house where I know my biological parents are inside waiting for me. I only nod in acknowledgment. I can’t help the butterflies that are multiplying inside my stomach. The anticipation is killing me.
It’s been four days since that phone call from Theo. Due to the stress of the last few days, I’ve had a Crohn’s flare up, requiring me to stay home this week to recover. Kalli has been worried about me since I received the news, calling Tyler to make sure there isn’t anything else she can do. I’ve been restless waiting for Jerry and Scarlet to arrive. Aside from his shift two days ago, Ty has been by my side providing support in whatever way possible.
Noah has been none the wiser in all this, having the best time with Tyler at our place, cooking and playing at the park after school. They’ve been watching movies, making me dinner, and playing board games. School is out soon, meaning his birthday is fast approaching. Aside from sending invitations out, I’ve barelydone a thing. Once this meeting happens, I need to get things done for Noah’s celebration. I can’t drop the ball for my sweet boy.
Tyler cuts the engine and we’re left with silence. “Indy, baby, look at me.” He grabs my hand and squeezes.
At night, he’s held me and let me feel the comfort I need while I’ve processed the emotional roller coaster this news has hit me with. I truly believed Tyler was going to freak out and run away, but I didn’t put enough weight on the fact that this was going to hit me hard.
After Tyler hung up with Jerry and Scarlet, a wave of emotions washed over me and I felt overwhelmed with how this was going to change my life. I don’t know if I’m prepared for the explanation they’re going to give me as to why they gave me up. Add to that, why they chose to keep George only a few years later.
“Come on. You can do this.” He picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles. I look over at him and give him a weak smile.
“What if I can’t?” I ask him, my voice cracking at the end.
“You’ve been through so much worse, Indy,” he tells me. “I know you can do it. Plus, you’re not going through any of this alone, remember? You’ve got me and Noah every step of the way.”
I nod, looking down.
He drops my hand and grabs my cheeks with his palms, leaning over to drop his forehead to mine.
His eyes settle on me and all I feel is lost in his gaze. “Indy, you are the strongest woman I know. Whatever happens in there, it won’t change that. No matter what you find out today, you’ll leave with answers about your past. But it won’t change who you are. You’ve grown to be a capable, beautiful, and strong person. That’s what everyone sees because that’s what you are.Noah sees it, and so do I. Don’t let their decisions decades ago make you feel otherwise.”
Just like he did eleven years ago, Tyler reminds me that I can do so much more than I give myself credit for. I smile and bring my lips to his. At first the kiss starts softly, then I deepen our connection.
“I’m glad I married you all those years ago,” I tell him after I pull away.
He weaves his hands through my hair, stealing another brief kiss, before he opens his door. He makes his way around the truck and opens my passenger door, extending his hand. I take it and step out of the car, smoothing my dress.
When I take a breath, hoping to calm my nerves, I look over at Ty and give him a small nod. No matter what, today I’ll get the answers I’ve been seeking regarding my birth parents. If I get to form a relationship with them, that will be a bonus.
