but you’ll get through this,” he assured her. “Your mom really wants you home.”
“I wish I could tell her the truth. I won’t!” she blurted. “I would never do that to her, Preston, or any of you. Sometimes, living in the dark is better, but I wish she didn’t have to go through the rest of her life thinking I left her on purpose.”
Dante rested a hand on her thin shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “As long as she has you back and gets to keep you, she’ll get over her hurt.”
Julie nodded, but she didn’t look convinced.
“Are you going in?” he asked.
“It doesn’t feel like my house anymore,” she whispered.
Dante turned her toward him and grasped her other shoulder. “I met your mom, I sat with her, and I listened to her talk about you. She loves you more than anything. To her, this will always be your home. Things will probably be strained between the two of you in the beginning, but the tough times will pass, and it will get better.”
Her eyes shifted toward the door. “I hope she doesn’t hate me.”
“She could never hate you. I know love when I see it, and that woman loves you more than anything. However, I would wait a little bit before introducing Preston to her.”
He wanted Julie to tell her about Preston before Lindsay got the chance, but… “You have to work on your relationship with your mom before throwing another major thing into the mix. In a month or two, when you think the time is right, tell her. She’s probably going to be shocked to learn your father had another child, but I think she’ll grow to love Preston too. I wouldn’t wait much longer.”
By the time he finished speaking, fresh tears streamed down Julie’s cheeks. “I won’t.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t still talk to Preston,” he assured her.
“I know.”
“Also, talk to your friend Paris and apologize. She’s a good friend; don’t blow it.”
Julie’s lip trembled. “I will, and she really is.” Then she threw back her shoulders and lifted her chin like a soldier marching off to war. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
Releasing her shoulders, Dante turned and rang the doorbell. Julie continued to fidget as they waited for the door to open. As the seconds ticked by, he found himself hoping Mrs. Abbott was home. Maybe he should have called first.
He was beginning to think this reunion wasn’t going to happen right now and the cluster of vamps at the end of the street was about to be disappointed. Then someone called from within, “I’ll be right there!”
Julie shifted back and forth faster as she gnawed her bottom lip like a beaver chewed on wood. Then the wooden inner door opened, and Mrs. Abbott blinked at him from behind the glass door. Her hair was wet, and she looked as if she’d tossed on her clothes.
At first, she looked astonished to see him, and then she started to smile. Her smile faltered when Julie’s anxious movements drew her mother’s attention.
It took a few seconds for full recognition to dawn on Mrs. Abbott’s face. When it did, she flung the outer glass door open and hit Dante with it. He didn’t make a sound as he edged away from the door while the mother and daughter embraced.
“Julie, my God, Julie!” Mrs. Abbott sobbed as her shoulders shook, and her words became difficult to decipher. “I’m so glad you’re home. My baby, oh, my baby.”
Julie was crying too hard to reply as she hugged her mom back. Wanting to give them time alone, and trying not to draw attention to himself, Dante edged down the steps. When he reached the sidewalk, he slipped into the flow of people strolling by before either of them realized he was gone.
Dante jogged across the street and over to where Cassidy, Kyle, Julian, Aida, and Preston waited at the corner. When he opened his arms to Cassidy, she stepped into them. She rested her head on his chest as they turned to watch the joyful reunion.
It was a few minutes before Mrs. Abbott and Julie realized they’d forgotten about Dante. Mother and daughter lifted their heads to look around. When they didn’t see him, Mrs. Abbott opened the door and led Julie into the house.
“I understand why you do this, but that made it a whole lot more special,” Cassidy said.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t always a happy ending,” Dante said.
Cassidy didn’t want to think about those times; she intended to