Page 48 of My Shining Stepbrother

“Thanks, dad.” I would be nothing without this man I am lucky enough to call my father. “That means a lot to me.” He wraps me into another tight hug.

“I only ever want your happiness.” He says loud and clear in my ear.

I pull away from him and look him over. “That’s all I want for you too. How are things going with Anita since she started therapy?” I ask him curiously.

He takes a deep breath while shrugging his shoulders. “I do love her. It’s just hard to see past everything.” A slight sadness comes over him with his words.

“I get it.” I try to comfort him the way he has so many times for me. “She did a lot of bad things to Rose. She is getting the help she needs, though. She is also working on her relationship with Rose.”

I look behind my dad and see Rachel walking our way. She seems broken on the inside but holds a strong face. I excuse myself away from our conversation to walk her way and give her the update.

“That’s great, but I called my mom.” I notice her shaking hands as she speaks. She is scared of what will happen once Anita gets here. “She is on a rampage and on her way here.”

“What did you tell her?” We need to make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to the story of tonight.

“I told her it was a robbery gone wrong.” She explains how she left out the details of herself, not wanting to cause her mom a mental breakdown.

“Okay, we need to tell my dad.” She nods in understanding. I know she will trust him just as much as Rose does. My father showed them love and respect when they needed it the most.

I walk over to my dad with Rachel close behind. I just got done telling him the story that Rachel told Anita when the front doors opened. A frantic shouting Anita comes barreling in with eyes locked on the three of us. I straighten my shoulders and back as if I were about to fight.

“Reese, where is Rose?!” She locks her eyes on mine as her venomous tone comes out.

“She just got out of surgery. They will come to us once they get her in her recovery room. She will be okay, but she will need rest.” I say the rest part with a sharp tone, so she understands. She can't go in there acting like a mad woman.

“Where the hell were you?!” Her words are ice cold. I would love to tell her I was killing the men who took her daughters while shooting at them, but I know I can't.

“I was in the car putting some things in the back. When I turned around, I saw everything but got there a second too late.” I hate lying to people, but I know we have to. She would never accept this life we live.

“She could have died?!” She yells, looking at me, but I can tell she isn't yelling at me. It was out of my hands at that moment.

“She is okay, Anita. Calm down, please, before they kick you out.” My father wraps his arms around her before kissing the top of her head. I can see their love and my father pushing back the past. Something between them is different, though.

“I know. I’m sorry; this is just terrifying. I’m working on controlling my anger, I swear.” Anita lays her head on my father's chest, taking deep breaths.

“I know you are, and I'm proud of what you have accomplished.” He lets her go ever so slowly to look into her eyes. “We need to tell you something, though. Please, do not get upset by it either.”

She straightens her back, turning to look at Rachel and me. Rachel throws her hands up in defense and takes a step back.

“They think I’m Rose’s husband.” She narrows her eyes at me, but I don't see any anger behind them. “It was the only way they would tell me anything about what was going on with her.”

“I can play along with that.” She says softly, still staring at me with her narrowed eyes.

“Anita, I do want to marry her one day.” While she is in a good mood, I better rip off the band-aid.

“Excuse me?” Her eyes spread wide open in shock.

“I love your daughter more than anything and will cherish her for the rest of our lives. I want your blessing to ask her to marry me.” I tell her without pouring out too many sappy details.

She turns and looks back at my dad with a confused face. “You didn't tell him?”

“It doesn’t change anything, Anita. They are not step-siblings and share no blood relation. If this is what they want, then it is what they should be able to have.” She looks at Rachel and I, almost like she is contemplating her words.

“We got married a few nights ago.” She says with a raised eyebrow. Does she think that will stop us? That our feelings will now fade away suddenly?

“We knew each other before that and started dating before. We both knew this could happen eventually. Please Anita, I need your blessing.” I beg, and if she wants me down on my hands and knees begging, I will do that too. “I will do anything to make Rose my wife. I want to marry her, and I need her in my life forever.”

“I will not deny either of you love and happiness. I will only give you my blessing if I speak to her and know she will want this too.” I give her an understanding nod before taking a step back.

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