48. Thea

Chapter 48

Thea

TWO WEEKS LATER

A yden Hart passed in his sleep, surrounded by his family.

Thea knew it was coming, and still his last moment had been hard. She'd cried for several days straight, and even a week later, it was still hard to think her father was gone, that she'd never speak to him again.

The funeral had been a beautiful reflection of his life, full of laughter as well as sadness. And after thanking the last of the guests for coming, Thea sat herself on the corner sofa, exhausted from the emotional day. Jax stood opposite her, quietly chatting to Rosey who was perched on his hip like a toddler. She'd attached herself to him for the past few hours, even sitting on his lap during the service.

Jax had been so patient, and it made her fall even more for the quiet, still unhinged, giant.

As if sensing her, he met her gaze, pushing warmth down their mating bond.

"He's very good with kids." Mum took a seat beside her, forcing her attention. "That's good to know. "

"Mum!" Thea whined, pressing her shoulder against her mum's. "Dad's funeral is not an appropriate time to talk about kids."

"Of course it is," Mum said with a gentle laugh. "Grandchildren are important, and your father would have said the same thing if he were here."

"No, he'd say I was too young and that I'd need to go travel the world before settling down with kids."

She laughed, the sound gentle. "He was always the smart one."

They sat in silence for a moment, the living room a mess of leftover food and paper plates. Molly had disappeared up into her room with her girlfriend, and on any other day Thea would have made a fuss about favouritism. Maybe she'd bring it up next Sunday dinner, just to tease her sister.

"Is it serious?"

Thea turned to her mum. "Is what serious?"

"Your Jax."

Thea knew Jax could hear their conversation, so she dared not look over in his direction.

"He's my soulmate." It was the first time she'd admitted it out loud, but it was no less true. She was so thankful her father had got to meet him.

Her mum's smile grew. "Your dad was so happy for you."

"Dad always told me I never needed any man."

Mum chuckled. "Yes, you're right. But it still gave him peace knowing you had a partner to support you through everything. You were our baby girl, but you took on so much responsibility."

Thea tried to reflect the smile, but found she struggled. Guilt weighed heavily, a pressure that had only grown since his diagnosis. "I've been meaning to say… I'm so sorry about everything. Dad was… I never meant to hurt – "

"That's enough of that." Mum shook her head, eyes softening.

"But I made him sick." The last word caught, and Thea took a second to swallow the emotions that threatened to destroy her. "It was my fault."

"Oh baby, do you really believe that?" Mum gripped Thea's hands in her own. "Silly girl, of course it wasn't your fault. Sometimes people get sick, it is what it is, and your father has been sick for a long time. Even longer than you have been with us."

Thea let out a sob, mum holding her in her arms like she did when she was a child.

"He's free, Thea. He's been in pain for such a long time, and it's his own stubbornness that's kept him alive long enough to see you grow into this strong, beautiful woman. He wasn't ready to leave us, but he knew you'd have your sisters back."

Thea closed her eyes.

"We cry because we'll miss him, but we smile because he lived. He deserves his peace, baby. So you need to let all these negative emotions go, because he'd never want you to feel anything but happiness."

"Thanks, mum."

She nodded, glancing around the room. "I think it's time to put Rosey to bed. Why don't you take some of the leftovers home? That boy of yours needs to eat more."

"Mum!"

She smirked, giving Thea a wink. "Come on Rosey, it's time to go upstairs."

Her sister went without complaint, but not before giving Jax a kiss on the cheek. Thea waited, Jax's deep voice as smooth as silk as he wished her sister a good night, and promised he'd be back soon to have a playdate.

Her heart skipped when he looked up, those icy eyes melting her to the spot. "Thanks for today," she said when he approached. "You didn't have to stay."

Jax cocked his head. "I read in one of your romance novels that it's what a good boyfriend does."

Thea laughed, the weight she carried easing a little. She knew it would take some time, but she'd take each day as it came. "Just boyfriend?"

Jax dipped his head, thumb brushing across her tear-stained cheeks. "Maybe a little more."