Page 76 of Shattered Union

Her eyes light up. "We are?"

I nod. "Yeah, so give us a little time to work all this out." I release Denis's hand and sit down on the floor beside the armchair, where Denis takes a seat. Both Mary and Gareth are on the floor, Gareth laying on his back and Mary waddling around, investigating everything.

It takes Mary a while before she makes her way over to me. I've been getting curious glances from her, but she hasn't found the courage to move in my direction.

"Oh, Da, I didn't tell you." Chloe grins. "My friend Mallory had to cancel the sleepover, she's going to stay at her granny's this weekend. But we'll be doing it next week."

Denis nods. "All right, peanut. Have you had any more trouble with the girls?"

I know he's talking about those little shits that have been picking on her. "Um, sort of. When I met Mallory and Jess yesterday morning, we saw Marie and Aisling in the shopping centre."

I tense. What did that fucker do now? I'm going to lose the plot if this shit continues.

"She said some things to both Jess and me. When she tried to hit Jess, Mallory beat the shit out of her," she says sheepishly.

I smile. Thank God Mallory isn't afraid to use her fists. It should never have gotten to that point, but I'm thankful neither Jess nor Chloe were alone when it happened.

"You think they'll get any backlash?" Denis asks me, his face void of any emotion, his tone is even, but the tick in his jaw gives away just how pissed he truly is.

"Yeah, that should keep the girls off their backs. Bullies always target those that don't fight back. Having Mallory in their corner will ensure they're not bothered by anyone else. Her mam is another story."

Mary finally sits beside me, her eyes wide as she takes me in.

"Hey there, sweetheart, it's nice to meet you," I whisper to her.

Her smile is bright as she claps. "Hi," she babbles to me.

"Well, aren't you pretty," I tell her as I reach for one of her curls and softly tug, watching as it bounces. "I love your hair."

She reaches for my own and I tilt my head for her so that she can reach it properly. Her small chubby fingers curl around a strand of my hair and she tugs. Hard. I laugh, knowing she can't help the strength that she has.

She giggles as I laugh and releases the strand and makes to grab my nose. I open my mouth and pretend to munch on her fingers, causing her to giggle even harder.

"Wow," Chloe whispers in awe. I turn to look at her and see that she's staring at Mary and I in wonder. Her eyes wide and glassy.

"Is everything okay?" I question, wondering what's got her looking like that. I glance up at Denis and see that he's staring at me with such intensity. "Okay," I say with a sigh as I reach for Mary and sit her on my lap. "What's wrong?"

"Ma never played with her," Chloe tells me. "She only ever laughs for Da and I."

I blink. What the actual fuck? What the hell has that woman done to these children? I tighten my arms around Mary and cuddle her close. God, I can't imagine being so cold and callous to these children. There was seriously something wrong with Zoe. It's a shitty thing to think, but I'm glad she's dead and can't fuck up anyone else's life.

"Mo ghrá," Denis whispers, his lips close to my ear. "It's okay. She has you now."

I nod tightly. Too fucking right she does. I glance down at the cheerful baby in my arms and wonder what would she have become had Zoe stayed alive? Would she be as cynical as Chloe is? As angry as the young girl is?

"Want to go outside?" I ask Mary, and she grins her toothy grin at me. "There's a slide and swing out there," I tell her.

She's instantly off my lap and moving toward the door. I can't stop the laugh that escapes me as I watch her move. She's fast for a toddler. I look up at Denis. "You coming or do you want to stay here?"

He gets to his feet and holds his hand out for me. I take it, his hand engulfing mine. He helps me up off the floor. "I'm getting bigger," I whine, my jeans barely fitting me anymore.

"You're gorgeous, baby," he tells me as his hand cups my arse, pulling me flush against him. "Seeing that little bump that has my babies..." he shakes his head. "Never seen anything better."

I bite my lip to stop the moan from escaping me. "Behave," I hiss at him. "The kids are here. Besides, Mary wants to play outside. Do you want to get Gareth?"

"Yeah,mo ghrá." His eyes are soft as he looks at me.

"Love you," I mouth to him and watch as his lips curl and his eyes flash with want and heat.

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