Page 114 of Tempting Rowan (Trace + Olivia 3)

As soon as I sat down, Ivy cuddled against one side, and Tristan burrowed against my other. I guessed playing on his new bunk bed wasn’t a priority anymore.

I ran my fingers through his light hair and kissed the top of his head. I loved him so much—and that love had led me to make the worst decision of my life. I’d thought I was doing the right thing though.

“Tristan,” I swallowed thickly as his blue eyes—Trent’s eyes—raised to meet mine. “There’s something I need to tell you,” I whispered, my voice cracking as I spoke. God, this was hard.

Ivy sat up too, watching me curiously. She knew from my tone that I had something important to say.

I didn’t know quite how to approach this. Shit. I should’ve googled this or read a book about it. I was sorely unprepared to have this profound conversation with my son.

Finally, I reached out, lovingly stroking his cheek. “A long time ago, I had a baby,” I took a deep breath, closing my eyes, “a baby boy.”

“You had a baby?” Ivy gasped.

“Baby? Where?” Tristan looked over his shoulder like one was magically going to appear.

“Here,” I tapped his chest.

“The baby’s inside me?” His light brows wrinkled together, looking like a fuzzy caterpillar.

“No, silly,” I couldn’t help but laugh, “you’re the baby.”

“I’m the baby? I’m not a baby, Row.” He shook his head in disgust that I would suggest such a thing.

“Not now, but once you were a baby. My baby. I carried you in my tummy,” I touched my stomach.

Tristan reached out, his little fingers touching my now flat stomach through the soft cotton of my shirt. “I was in there?” He tilted his head.

“Mhmm,” I nodded. “I was a kid myself,” I brushed his hair out of his eyes, “and didn’t think I could take care of you. So, my mommy became your mommy. She adopted you.”

“Huh?” He questioned.

I shook my head. At his age, there was no need to go into detail. He wouldn’t understand.

“What I’m trying to say, Tristan, is that I’m your mommy.” I couldn’t hold back my sob. When had I turned into such a blubbering mess? I didn’t like this new development.

Tristan grinned, showcasing his slightly crooked little white teeth. “I always knew you were my real mommy.” He surprised me by flying at me with open arms. I wrapped mine around him, holding on tight. I never wanted to let him go. I wanted to cling to him forever.

“Does this mean you’re my mommy too?” Ivy’s soft voice spoke up.

I looked over at her, not releasing my son, and found her crying little sniffling tears.

I frowned, wanting to cry harder for my sister. “No, sweetie.”

Her face crumpled. “I want you to be my mommy too!”

I let go of Tristan with one hand, and wrapped it around her, pulling her in for a group hug. “I am, Ivy. In all the ways that count, I am your mom. It isn’t blood that makes someone a mother, it’s how they care about you,” I dotted kisses all over the top of her head.

The three of us continued to cry, clinging to each other.

I was glad Tristan knew the truth, that they both did.

Now, it would be easy to move on…I hoped.

chapter twenty

“Why do we have to go?” Tristan stomped his feet as I tried to fix him in his dress clothes.

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