Page 60 of Tied to Hope
As they were piling all the stuff into the van, Sir pulled in and parked his car. When he got out, he was the picture of calm.
Smiling tenderly at his aunt, Sir walked over to her and gave her a hug. “It’s good of you to do this.”
Judy smiled up at him. “As I was telling your sweet wife, it does our hearts good to have the little ones playing together. No trouble at all.”
Sir secured the car seat into the van and took Hope from Brie’s arms. “Now, you be a good girl for my auntie.”
Brie kissed Hope on the forehead before Sir buckled her in. She then handed Judy the insulated bag with her milk. “I gave you extra, just in case.”
“Thank you, dear—” Judy stopped, a broad smile spreading across her face.
Brie looked in the car and saw Jonathan reaching over with his little hand, trying to touch Hope. Hope stared at him in wonder, reached out a tentative finger, and giggled when their fingers touched.
“Isn’t that just beautiful?” Judy cried.
“It truly is,” Sir agreed.
Judy laughed. “I failed to understand how exhausting parenting could be, but seeing moments like this makes it so worth it.”
“Yes, it does,” Brie said, giving her another hug.
“I’ll keep in touch, but it’s entirely possible it might end up being an overnight stay,” Sir warned her.
“Actually, Jack and I would prefer that,” she told him. “With it being such a long drive, it’s easier to keep her overnight. Plus, it allows the kids to spend more time together.”
Brie waved and smiled as Judy pulled out, but as soon as the van was out of sight, Brie turned to Sir. “I’m nervous.”
He nodded. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, as well.”
“I’m worried because Rytsar texted instead of calling.”
“I found that odd, but there’s no need to speculate. We can head over now. I’m not going to waste time changing out of my suit.”
Brie nodded, anxious to see Rytsar, but reluctant to face whatever news he had.
It was obvious that Sir could read it on her face because he took her hand as they walked over to Rytsar’s house.
“We are his support,” Sir reminded her as they walked up to the door.
This isn’t about us. This is about Rytsar, she repeated to herself.
Brie was aware that everything she said or did would have an effect on him, so she was determined not to do anything that might have the potential to hurt him now or in the future.
Sir gave her hand another squeeze before he rang the doorbell.
“Come in,moy droog!” Rytsar yelled from the other side of the door.
When they entered, Brie was relieved to see Rytsar smiling. He came over and gave each of them a hug. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course,” Sir replied. “We arrived as soon as we could.”
“I have news.”
Ever the sadist, he drew the moment out.
“And your news is…?” Brie asked.
“The boy is the spitting image of me as a child.”
