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“I know you do. You are.”
“And I can’t protect her from this. From Holly wanting to see her or talk to her. Trying to be part of her life even if I fight it. Even if I put up a wall, Bella is going to know what’s going on. And she could resent me.”
“No,” she said gently. “She won’t. But you can stand next to her while she goes through it. Because that is what she needs. It’s what you need also. What I’m going to do for you.”
His hand reached for hers, his much bigger, heavier one lying on top. “You make it sound simple, but we both know it’s not and it won’t be.”
“No, it won’t be simple,” she said honestly. “It’ll probably be messy and emotional and confusing. But she won’t be facing it alone.”
He squeezed her fingers.
“You really would be there when I tell her?”
“If you want me there, one hundred percent yes.”
“It might get ugly. It might bring some drama into your life that you don’t need right now.”
She gave a small, forced smile. It was better than being defensive.
Better than getting mad.
He wasn’t thinking straight. He wasn’t trying to be mean or insult her.
He was just talking through his fears.
And maybe his fears weren’t just for Bella, but for what he had with her also.
She could be the strong one for them.
“Ugly conversations are kind of my specialty. Ugly fights right next to it. Don’t worry about me.”
That triggered a laugh out of him. Exactly what she was going for.
“Yeah,” he said. “You are good at those.”
Her expression softened again. Her frustration lessening.
“But this isn’t a case,” she added quietly. “This is family. And family means we show up. It means we stand together. It means we fight hard.”
“You said we,” he said.
She nodded her head, her smile there, maybe some moisture in her eyes. “I did.”
“It’s a big word. Especially right now.”
“So is love,” she replied.
He studied her face again, as if he was looking for any lie within the truth of her words.
He wouldn’t find one.
“You’re sure you want to sign up for all this? All of it?”
She didn’t hesitate.
“I already did.”
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