Page 77 of Shattered Union

I turn my back on him and find Mary waiting at the door for me. "Ready?" I ask her and she nods, those beautiful curls bouncing all over the place. I hold out my hand as I reach her and my heart warms as she doesn't even hesitate to take it.

God, Denis's kids are the fucking shit. I adore them. My family will too. I can't wait for Mam and Dad to meet them.

* * *

"You wore them out,mo ghrá," Denis says with a smile. "Thank you."

I tilt my head so that I'm looking at his face. "For what?"

He stares at me with a look of disbelief. "Baby, do you know how many women would have done what you have today? Especially after the shit that's happened with their ma?"

I understand what he's trying to say. "But, Denny, they're kids. They have nothing to do with their mam's actions. I would never mistreat them because of what she did."

He pulls me into his arms. "Love you, baby." His lips crash down against mine, and I cling to him as he takes my breath away. His tongue caresses mine as he sweeps into my mouth. He swallows my moan as my hands snake up to his hair and I tug, needing him closer to me.

"Ahem," I hear coughed, and my entire body freezes at the sound.

"Fuck," I mutter as I tear my mouth away from Denis's.

"Well," Mam says. "I didn't expect to walk into that."

"Nic," Dad says, the amusement in his voice has me gritting my teeth. "It's a good thing she can't get any more pregnant. After that display, I'd say it would have come close."

"Eric," she hisses. "That's your daughter."

Denis's body shakes with laughter. "Do not laugh at them," I warn him. He'll only encourage them.

"Babe, I don't think I've ever been caught making out with someone."

I sigh. God, my parents have the worst timing.

I turn so that I'm facing them. "Hey, I didn't realise you were stopping by," I say with a smile. It's been a few days since I've seen them both.

Dad nods. "We should have called, your mam wanted to see you."

I glance at her and she's staring at Denis's arms around my waist, his hands resting on my bump.

"I'm going to make lunch in a bit, Mam, do you want to help?" I ask, offering an olive branch.

Her face lights up. And I know everything is going to be okay. "I'd love that."

"Tell her about your plan, baby, and the twins," Denis whispers in my ear so he's not overheard.

I nod. "Okay, and try not to piss off my dad."

He kisses my cheek. "Have fun," he tells me with a wicked grin.

He and my dad move into the living room where Chloe is watching TV and Mary and Gareth are fast asleep.

"You look happy, baby," Mam tells me as she walks over to me.

"I am. I know I hurt you when I didn't tell you about him. But Mam, I wanted time to get used to our relationship. After everything that happened with Keith, I knew you'd all be wary. But before I could tell you, everything imploded."

She reaches out, her hand cupping my cheek gently. "I understand, I get it. Your father hasn't been very happy with me. He made me see I was wrong for being angry. I'm glad that you and Denis sorted things out. It's clear to see that he loves you. We all want that for you."

I smile at her. Glad that things are finally easy between us. "I'm happy, Mam. It's going to take a while for us to be back to where we were. This time it's different, it's more real. It's not just us, it's also the kids. They've had a rough time and they're all still really young. I don't want to fuck up their lives more than they've already been. So we're taking our time."

She nods, satisfaction and pride shining brightly in her eyes. "I love you so much. I'm so proud of the woman you have become."

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