of my stomach. I couldn’t tell whether it was from the pregnancy or having to be in a house where I would inevitably be faced with reminders of Tyler. I knew I needed to do this, but I couldn’t ignore the small voice saying I would regret my decision.
Hesitantly climbing the few steps to the front door, my breath caught when it swung wide open, Colleen’s warm smile greeting me before I even had a chance to knock.
“Mackenzie, dear…” She held her arms out to me as if I were her own child.
Dropping my bags, I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her tight. “Thank you so much,” I sobbed into her chest. “You have no idea what it means to me.”
“Oh, hush, darling,” she replied, rubbing my back. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m the one who should be thanking you for giving me another grandbaby.”
“It’s a boy,” I said through my tears.
Pulling back, she held me at arm’s length, gazing at me with the same warmth and devotion my mother used to when she was alive. “A boy!” she exclaimed, hugging me once again. “I’m so happy for you, and I’m even more thrilled that you’re here, Mackenzie. Truthfully.”
I met her eyes, amazed at her sincerity. For a family who seemed to make a living off deception and lies, she appeared to be so genuine. Apart from getting knocked up, I didn’t know what I had done to deserve to have her in my life, but I was glad I did.
“Come on. Let’s get you some food. I’m sure you must be tired from traveling all day.”
Nodding, I turned to grab the handle on my suitcase and she quickly tore it out of my hand. “Don’t even think about it. I’ve got this. Go on in, dear.”
In a daze, I walked through the doorway and into her stunning house. Just past the foyer was a sitting room, the furniture probably costing more than my entire college education. It was formal with a touch of personality. I half expected the house to be museum-like, but it wasn’t. It was a house for a family, and I could just picture the fights Tyler and his brother must have gotten into in this house.
The sound of paws clicking on the hardwood floor caught my attention and I looked down, my eyes growing wide as a stubby French bulldog came wobbling toward me, a silly grin on his face.
“Griffin!” I exclaimed, bending down to scratch his head. He barked in response, as he always did when someone said his name. “It’s so good to see you, buddy.” Panting, he briefly showered my face with kisses before a photo on the mantle in the sitting room caught my eye. I strode to the fireplace, Griffin close on my heels, and picked up the framed photo of a happy family.
“Griffin seems to like you,” Colleen commented, approaching me.
“He’s a great dog, stinky breath and all.”
She laughed. “You’ve got that right.”
“Is this your husband?” I asked, referring to the man in the photo who had those same green eyes as Tyler and his siblings.
“Yes. That’s Thomas.”
I returned my eyes to the photo, seeing a strong resemblance between the man and his two sons. He was tall and built, having dark hair and an exquisitely handsome and distinguished face. Colleen stood next to him and looked somewhat younger, perhaps in her late forties. In front of them sat a young woman with blonde hair and those trademark green eyes. Carol. She was probably in her late twenties or so. Next to her sat Alexander, a forced smile on his face. He couldn’t have been more than fifteen. Beside Alexander sat a child of no more than six. Tyler. He had the biggest grin on his face, his arm slung around his brother’s shoulders. From the photo alone, I could sense Tyler looked up to Alexander. I supposed he still did.
“You have a beautiful family,” I offered as I returned the photo to the mantle.
She placed her hand on my arm in a consoling manner, obviously noticing I was struggling not to crack. Not only was I pregnant, which caused my emotions to go from one extreme to the other within seconds, but I was still struggling with my feelings about what Tyler did.
“He’ll come back,” she encouraged. “I promise.”
“What if I don’t want him to?” I met her eyes. “What if I’m not ready to see him? To forgive him?”