Page 61 of My Monster, My Choice

“Father must’ve known,” Bobby says. “He must have known where you were, where Tera was, all this time.”

“There’s one last thing,” Jimmy says. “Carlton’s mother died when he was a child. Do you remember?”

I nod.

“We found out that she and mother were childhood friends. Did you know?”

I stare at him in shock before shaking my head. “No. I remember they were friends for a brief time when we first moved there, but it wasn’t anything close. More like a fake friendship for appearances, and then Beverly got sick.”

There was no indication that mother and Beverly knew each other before we moved there. I wonder if that was why we moved to that city? I was as clueless as I’d been during the news that she and Carlton’s father had taken up together. Mother hated their entire family. Or had she simply wanted what Beverly had?

“His mother died of a stomach illness. Vomited everything she ate until she wasted away to nothing. Sound familiar?”

“Poison?” I whisper. “Like Carlton?”

Jimmy shrugs. “We’ll never know.”

But I’m sure we’re all thinking the same thing. Mother could carry a grudge. If a childhood friend wronged her, would she kill her off and move in on her husband, despite having her own, no matter who or what stood in her way?

Apparently.

Robert cuts in. “Enough of the ugly news. Now, let’s talk about us. We’re so happy to finally find you. I have two daughters, Jimmy has one. I can’t way to tell Missy and Katie you have a newborn...and two adults.” He winks at Kenny, who puffs out his chest. “Maybe we can start having monthly dinners to introduce everyone? Or more often if you all want. It’s important for family to get to know each other.”

I’m nodding frantically, my eyes welling up with tears. I have nieces. Sisters-in-law in addition to my family here in Eden. Meeting Elex was the best thing that ever happened to me.

“We’d really like to get to know our brother-in-law,” Robert says, stepping forward to clasps Elex on the shoulder. “Thank you for taking care of our little sister.”

“She’s my heart and soul,” Elex says softly.

He accepts a hug from Jimmy, who’s always been a shameless hugger. Then I stand, so proud of my mate I could burst.

His arm comes around me and Liam, and I lean in to give the man a kiss. “You once promised to make every dream of mine come true. You did, a hundred times over. I love you with my whole heart, Captain Elex Neriah Mahogani.”

“My love, I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, but I thank the Goddess every single day for you, my two sons, my daughter”—he winks at Relion— “And my new son-in-law. Come to daddy, boy.” He pats his lap.

Relion scowls, but Kenny’s spontaneous giggles make us all burst into laughter.

The End~