Second Chances: A PAVAD Duet

by Calle J. Brookes

  “I don’t think we have much of a choice, doc. What do you say we just do it? Get it over with the best way we can? Deal with the fall-out as it comes. Together.” He held a hand out to her, much like he had the first time they’d met. Ally drew in a deep breath, and took it.

  Chapter 42

  Dan kept her hand in his as they followed their children into the house he’d bought twelve years ago. He’d had dreams of raising his children in the house and he’d wanted them to have room to spread out. With seven bedrooms and four baths, he had that. And now he’d have a family to fill it.

  It had been a sacrifice to afford the home at first, back when he’d first started out. But he’d trusted his financial advisor—Ed Dennis—and the other man had made several wise investments on Dan’s behalf. Now the house was paid for, and he had three college funds just waiting for his daughters to access them. So far Kelly had proven resistant to that idea, but the money was hers. And Emma’s was hers, waiting until she graduated.

  Dan made a mental note—he had four more college funds to set up. He’d talk to Ed about shifting some of his assets around first thing next week. He should be able to manage it, if he readjusted some things. And he’d need to put Ally and the kids on his life insurance policy. He had a lot of changes to make next week.

  The doc’s two children were rolling around with Cletus under Emma’s watchful eye. Gracie sat in the corner, watching everyone with a considering expression on her face. Kelly stood, arms crossed, in the kitchen. Waiting for him and the doc. Dan hesitated. How should they do this? Tell the older two separately from the children? Kelly and Emma were adults, they had to respect that. Or should they tell all of their children at once? Treat them like a united group from the very beginning? Which would be best?

  “Dad? Ally? What is this?” Kelly’s tone was full of suspicion. Her eyes were trained on the hand Dan still held. “What’s going on?”

  “We have something to tell you all.” Dan pointed to the kitchen table. Kelly stared at them for a long moment. Emma picked up the doc’s little girl and carried her to the table. Gracie and Ryan followed, both looking confused. Kelly was the last to table. Instead of sitting, she stood, one hand on the back of Gracie’s chair, the other on Emma’s. Emma had little Aislin on her lap. Ryan kept looking between his mother and Dan, confusion and worry on his face. Poor kids, they all looked so confused.

  Dan’s stomach clenched. It had sounded so easy when he and the doc had been making their plans. But five sets of eyes on them didn’t make it the least bit easy.

  “Mom? What’s going on? Why are you holding Mr. Reynolds’ hand?”

  Dan heard the doc’s breath catch. In that moment he knew she was about to cry. He pulled her closer, then scooted the chair at the head of the table over to one side. He pulled a second chair up next to it, and nudged the doc into that chair. Kelly finally slid into the chair at the end. Facing her father. He looked at his family. The doc was on his right. Emma and Aislin his left, then Gracie, Kelly, and the only boy, Ryan. All were in a position where he and the doc could see their faces.

  Dan took a deep breath. “We have something to tell you. It’s going to change things.”

  “Oh, God. You didn’t!” Kelly suddenly said. “Ally? You and my dad?”

  “Kelly…” the doc’s voice shook. She was shaking.

  “Let us finish, please. Kelly’s not wrong.” Dan looked his eldest in the eye. She would be the hardest, he knew that. Especially for him. “The night you were shot, Ally stayed here with me, yes. Things happened.”

  Kelly snorted. “Sure they did. And now what? Why are you finally sharing this with the rest of us? And do the kids really need to be here for this?”

  Emma hugged Aislin as the little girl asked why Aunt Kelly was mad at her mommy. Emma looked at her father and the doc. “I think I get it. It does affect the kids, doesn’t it, Daddy? Because there is going to be another kid.”

  Dan heard the doc gasp beside him. He looked at her quickly. Her cheeks were bright red as she stared at the table. He scooted her chair closer to his side. Draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “Emma’s right. In a way.”

  “You’re kidding! You couldn’t even use a con—” Kelly looked at Ryan and Aislin and hastily amended her question. “Couldn’t even have been careful? Not exactly responsible of either of you, was it? God, Ally!”

  The doc made another distressed sound. Ryan jumped up and glared at Kelly. “Don’t yell at my mom!”

  Dan knocked on the tabletop once. “Everyone calm down. Ryan, your mom is fine. And all of you, we need to talk about this.”

  Kelly stood up. “What’s there to say? I’m thinking it’s already done! I hope you both are happy.”

  Dan stood up, as well. He faced his oldest. “Kelly Danielle, I suggest you sit down. You’re the oldest; I expected better out of you. We need your help. Sit!”

  Dan hadn’t risen his voice to one of his girls even once since he’d first found them. But this time, his words had an unmistakable bite. Kelly sat. “I hope you two know what you’re doing.”

  “We do. We are going to have these babies, and we are going to ensure that all of the children have a happy and healthy childhood. It’s what I wanted for all of my children.”

  Ryan stood up again. Looked at his mother. “Babies? You’re having another baby? With him?”

  “Wait a minute…” Emma broke in. “You said babies. There’s more than one? Wow, Dad. Aim big?”

  The doc nodded. “Two. Fraternal. I’m so sorry. All of you! We definitely didn’t mean this to happen. It was an accident. But we owe to the babies to do what’s best…for everyone. Ryan…sweetie…”

  The little boy still glared at his mother. “I don’t want more babies! I want my dad! Not Aunt Kelly’s!”

  Tears slid down the doc’s cheeks. “I know. But honey, your dad... We’re never getting back together. It’s just not happening. We can’t be together anymore. And Dan is my friend. You know that, right? He cares about me and I care about him. These babies don’t mean I don’t love you or your sister any less. You have to understand that.”

  “No I don’t! I want to leave! I want to go back to my dad! You can call him and tell him you don’t need me anymore! You’re getting two new babies! You don’t need me or Aislin, do you?” The little boy’s voice bounced off the walls and had Cletus barking and little Aislin crying. Emma rocked the little girl, Gracie wrapped her arms around the little boy. Kelly just watched.

  The doc was at her son’s side, kneeling down trying unsuccessfully to hug him. He wouldn’t let her. He shoved her with both hands, hard.

  Dan let a curse out, and caught her before her head hit the edge of the table. His breath caught in his throat. It had been too damned close. He struggled for control. Once he regained it, he raised his own voice for the second time. “Enough! Everyone, quiet! Sit down!”

  Ryan continued to glare at him. “You can’t tell me what to do. You are not my dad!”

  Dan stared at the little boy, who, except for the red hair, looked just like his mother. Poor kid. But what Dan said now would set their future course, him and this boy. “No, Ryan. I am not your father. I am not claiming to be. But I am an adult, and I do expect respect from you. And I never want to see you shove your mother again. Do you understand me? You could have hurt her. That will not be tolerated.”

  The doc protested. “Dan!”

  “Doc, they are unhappy. We knew they would be. Expected it. But no matter how anyone feels about this, about us, about the new babies, there will be respect. For everyone, and from everyone. That includes Ryan. And that includes you, too, Kelly. Now everyone is going to sit down and we are going to discuss the changes that are going to affect this family. All of it. And that includes every single member at this table—including the twins.”

  Chapter 43

  Ally was exhausted by the time she pulled her vehicle into the drive of the little house she shared with Kelly. Kelly ha
d chosen not to come home. But she hadn’t stayed at Dan’s either. Ally hoped she’d gone to a friend’s. Payton’s, maybe. Or perhaps Kelly had gone to stay with Cody at the hospital. Their teammate had been attacked two days earlier, and the younger agents were taking turns staying with her.

  Ryan was sullen, alternating between wiping his nose and glaring at her. Aislin didn’t really understand what had happened. Ally carried her daughter into the house, steps after her son. He was so, so angry at her. And hurt. Just like she’d expected him to be. He’d sat silently while she and Dan had explained about the risks involved with the pregnancy, what they hoped for the future. How they’d expected Ally and the kids would eventually move in with Dan. Ryan hadn’t said anything other than that he didn’t want to move.

  Kelly hadn’t said much more either—especially to Ally. And Ally was torn. Kelly was her best friend, and she knew the younger woman was mad at her. But Kelly had handled the situation no better than eleven-year-old Ryan. Ally knew Kelly was hurt, but it wasn’t just about Kelly’s feelings. It was about everyone, including the twins.

  Dan had been right tonight, when he’d said everyone would have to work together if this change was going to work.

  Ally tucked Aislin into her bed after slipping the little girl’s pink shoes from her feet. She covered her child with the quilt her own mother had made when Aislin was a baby, then sat watching Aislin sleep for several moments. The purple Kool-Aid had faded from Aislin’s hair, finally, and Ally stroked the strawberry blonde strands. Aislin still loved her, was excited about getting little sisters and brothers. Ally smiled, remembering Gracie trying to explain that she might get two sisters, or two brothers, or one of each.

  Emma and Gracie seemed ok with it, too, though neither had come out and said so. Emma had hugged Ally before she’d left, telling Ally to take good care of the mini-Reynoldses inside her. It had been the only time Ally had smiled since entering Dan’s home.

  Kelly had barely looked at her. Hadn’t asked about her health or about the babies’. Ally tried to remind herself that that was how Kelly always reacted to situations. With anger and defensiveness. Wisecracks and snark. Then Kelly would take a few steps back and reevaluate.

  Ally just wasn’t used to Kelly’s anger directed her way. Especially when Ally felt so raw.

  Ryan slammed his bedroom door and Ally stood staring at it for several long moments. Maybe it would be best to let him be alone with his thoughts for the night? Ally seriously considered it, but she had never put her children to bed without telling them she loved them, and she would not start now. She knocked on the door and pushed it open slightly.

  Her little boy glared at her through the tears on his cheeks. “Leave me alone.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you are my son and I love you. I know you’re mad at me, Ryan. I get that; I understand it. But no matter how mad you get at me, I still love you. And I always will.” She didn’t try to hug him this time. Her little boy needed his space. He was nearly as tall as her shoulder now and sturdy at eighty full pounds. He wasn’t a baby anymore. And he had a right to feel the way he did.

  “Yeah, right. Just like you will love Dad forever? Like Dad loves me and Aislin so much he doesn’t call or email or come see us?” He practically spat the words at her, and Ally flinched at the rancor behind them. How long had he thought that?

  “I will always love your dad in a way, Ryan. He gave me you and your sister. And we had a good life together until he decided that wasn’t what he wanted anymore. And it wasn’t anything any of us had done. It was something your father decided. He needed something that we couldn’t give him. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you. He just doesn’t know how to show how he feels anymore. And I don’t care if I have a thousand kids, you will always be my first and will always have my love.”

  “Dad’s getting married.”

  Ally took a step back. She hadn’t known that. “How do you know?”

  “I friended Uncle Harold. Daddy posted it two days ago.”

  “First, you know you’re not allowed social pages without my say-so. We’ll talk about that later. Second, I’m sorry, sweetie. Sorry you found out that way. I didn’t know, myself, or I would have told you. I hope your dad gets a chance to be happy. It would seriously suck if he spent the rest of his life unhappy, don’t you think?” Poor Ryan. She knew he’d had fantasies of her and Jack reuniting. Then in the scope of a few days those fantasies were destroyed. No wonder he was angry. First Jack, then her. The timing sure sucked for the kid.

  “Like we are?”

  “Are we? I didn’t know that. I thought you were starting to like it here.” Now that was a sharp jab to her mother heart. All she’d ever wanted in the world was happy, healthy children. And now here he was telling her she’d failed him. “You are making friends, liking the school.”

  “I guess.” He flopped on to his bed and pouted. “It’s ok.”

  “And Aislin likes it, too. And if you guys are happy, then I am. That’s all that matters to me, Ryan Michael. That all of my children be happy and healthy.” Ally settled on the bed beside him. “And sweetheart, that has to include the new babies, too. I know you’re mad at me right now…”

  “A little. Why did you do it with Aunt Kelly’s dad? That’s gross. You’re both old. You’re not supposed to do it. And now Aunt Kelly hates us, too.”

  “Nonsense. Aunt Kelly doesn’t hate anyone. She’s a little mad and me and her dad, just like you are. But she doesn’t hate us, and she especially doesn’t hate you or your sister. And as for me and her dad, grown-ups sometimes get lonely. Sometimes they need friendships, especially when bad and scary things happen, like happened to Aunt Kelly. And when those friendships are between men and women, other things can develop. I care about Aunt Kelly’s dad. Quite a lot. And he feels the same way about me, and about you and Aislin. Can’t you give him a chance? You enjoyed being there a few weeks ago, remember?”

  “But that’s before he had the hots for my mom.”

  Ally laughed. “Where did you learn that? Never mind. I’m not sure I want to know. All I’m asking, sweetie, is that you give this a chance. We can all be a big family. We can live in that nice house, you can fish in the pond in the back corner, you can play with Cletus. And Teddy can visit. Would that be so bad?”

  “I guess not.” He let her kiss him, this time, then rolled to face the wall. Ally understood; he’d told her how he felt, now he needed some time alone. To think. Her half-grown man. Would she ever stop seeing him as the baby she’d first held more than a decade ago?

  “I love you, now good-night.”

  “I love you, too. Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  “I didn’t mean to push you. Do you think Aunt Kelly’s dad is still mad at me?”

  “No. I’m sure he’s not. And I think you can call him Dan, now.”

  ***

  The sound of the door opening early the next morning had Ally shooting from her bed.

  Kelly’s familiar footsteps tiptoed down the hallway. Ally wrapped her robe around herself and met her friend in the hall just outside Kelly’s door.

  The other woman barely looked at her. “I came to get some things.”

  Ally bit her lip. Kelly wasn’t going to make any of this any easier. “I see. Have you spoken with your father, yet?”

  “Nope. What is there to say? Daddy-dearest put the moves on my so-called best friend the minute my back was turned. Not much more to it, is there?”

  The snide remark set something off in Ally that she hadn’t realized was even there. “In the kitchen, please. I think we need to talk.”

  “After you. I have plenty to say.”

  Ally opened the fridge and pulled out two bottles of the juice she knew Kelly favored. She slammed them down on the small table where they’d shared many meals together. Kelly might be hurting, but there was a bigger picture at stake. Kelly was one of her closest friends, and Ally loved h
er, but there were children to think about. And like it or not, Ryan, Aislin, and Gracie often took their cues from Kelly. It sounded like Kelly needed reminded of that. And reminded that she was a twenty-six-year-old adult.

  Kelly’s brows rose. “Hormones, Al? Not exactly your normal self, are you?”

  “Watch it. I’m at the end of my rope, Kel. I’m sorry we hurt you, ok? I didn’t mean to do this. It just happened. We had a crappy night, and we ended up making a mistake. That mistake has lasting consequences. Can’t you see that we’re trying to make the best of the hand we’ve been given?” Ally spun to face the taller Kelly. Kelly’s arms were crossed, her entire posture defensive. “Other than the fact that we’d watched you nearly die that night, this had nothing to do with you! I like your father. A great deal. And the only reason we called it off six weeks ago was because of you, your sisters, and my children! Not because we didn’t want to be together, but because we knew our children weren’t ready for it. And let me tell you something! Your father cares about me, too. In a way Jack never did! And I gave that up. How do you think that makes me feel? Well?”

  Ally had never shouted at Kelly before. Rarely even shouted at her kids. The only person she could remember yelling at in the last ten years was Jack. Kelly stared at her, unspeaking for several long moments. “If that’s the case, why don’t you just go to him and be happy, then? Have a fairy tale life? Aislin and Ryan will eventually adjust. And Gracie’s apparently fine with it, anyway.”

  “And where will that leave you, Kel? Hurt and on the outside? Do you think your father and I want that? Hardly. He loves you, you have to have seen that. Yet you still push him away. These babies are just another excuse you can use. You know what? Do what you want, think what you want. I have to get ready for work. I’ll see you at the lab.”

  Ally didn’t look at her friend again.