Chapter 27

Somehow,looking at houses is jarring and hopeful at the same time. It's as if Gabe and I are finally starting to pick up all the broken pieces, and placing them back together. Yet, it reminds me of how fragile everything can be and what if this time it doesn't work either? What if we, Gabe and I, are like mismatched pieces, stubbornly trying to fit?

"Penny for your thoughts?" Gabe asks as I stare at the wall of what used to be the nursery of whoever owned this house.

The place is a grand six-bedroom mansion facing Washington Lake, empty and waiting for new occupants. I can't shake off a sense of foreboding. "I wonder if there's a sad story behind why they left," I say softly, my eyes fixed on the faded pink mural that might've been some winter wonderland or a fairy palace.

"This place might have bad karma," I mumble. "There's a reason why they left the house. A bad divorce . . ."

"My cousin Tucker owns this place," Gabe clarifies. "They outgrew it. He and his wife decided to buy a lot and build a custom home. Once they settled in, they put this one up for sale."

"Are they happy now?" The question slips out.

He nods. "The happiest," he assures, but there's a wistful sigh that follows. "We could do the same, you know. Start fresh, and build our own place. In the meantime, we can move back into our old house."

"Why did you move out?" I ask curiously.

His grip on my hand tightens. "Living there without you was unbearable," he confesses. "It was too fucking hard to get out of bed . . . I was dying little by little. Jude stepped in, and convinced me to co-own the penthouse—which, by the way, he rarely uses."

"You know what baffles me about him?"

Gabe shakes his head.

"He pretends to be this arrogant selfish guy, but underneath all that, he's just like you. Kind-hearted, loyal, and full of love," I observe. "Cora, she adores her Uncle Jude."

A playful glint appears in Gabe's eyes as he raises my hand to his lips. "Don't let him know you finally figured him out. Let's keep that our little secret," he whispers. "Jude's always been that way. Pretending he doesn't give two fucks. He's the most extroverted introvert. He's an open book to those he loves and a mystery to the rest."

"Why is he like that?" I ask.

He shrugs. "Who knows, but that's part of his charm and maybe why we get along so well."

"You two are so different and yet, so similar." I smile at him. "I don't think I was ever like either one of my siblings."

"Have you called Cedric back?" Gabe asks.

I shake my head, my shoulders slumping slightly. Cee wants to see me, have a meal, or at least coffee. I don't know if I'm ready to talk to him. Maybe once I know what's happening with Izzy I'll be able to do it.

Which actually might not happen any time soon. It's been almost a week since the doctors weaned Izzy off the sedatives and she hasn't woken up yet. I went to check on her, but she was still asleep, looking small and frail against the hospital sheets. There's some brain activity which is good, yet that doesn't give me any real answers.

The doctors also refused to respond to my urgent questions. According to them, it's not their place to discuss hypothetical scenarios, but rather wait until they have solid information to create a recovery plan.

I did some research, and the doctors are right. Izzy's prognosis isn't easy to determine until she regains consciousness. A stroke has so many possible complications and not one person recovers the same as another.

I just don't understand how she ended up with an addiction, and neglecting her children. Was she drinking before the car accident or after? I want to talk to her ex-husband and demand answers. However, Fitz Everhart prefers I don't involve myself in the case. He's got my back. What we know so far is that Cora's dad relinquished his parental rights just like Mom did when she divorced Richard.

I'm aware that not having either father involved makes everything easier when it comes to the guardianship of the children—or their adoption. A selfish part of me wants to keep them. Somehow, I think I'll do a much better job than the one Izzy has done so far, but maybe I'm completely wrong.

"Ame, what's going on, baby?" Gabe asks, his blue eyes searching mine with concern. "You seem far away again."

"I'll talk to Cee when I know what's going to happen with Izzy," I conclude. "One problem at a time, right?"

He nods. "What else is bothering you? I can see the wheels turning in that beautiful head of yours."

I shake my head. "Let's do that. Go back home and build a house that fits our family." I pause trying to imagine our future. "Well, once we know how that will look. We have to wait to see what's going to happen with Cora and Caleb first."

He wiggles his eyebrows. "We can always withdraw an embryo and knock you up."

"Caleb is still a baby," I remind him. "Maybe when he's older . . ."

"Fine." Gabe studies me for a moment before saying, "When was the last time your doctors screened you?"

I sigh. "Not now."

"Can you ask your neuro-oncologist to send me your medical history?" he requests.

"You're not supposed to treat family—it is unethical." I glare at him, hoping he'll back off.

"I'm going to set up a team. Hence, why I need the history. My only involvement is getting you the best people I know," he states firmly.

"Leave it, Gabe," I say.

"We need to monitor that if you are ever to get pregnant. I want to make sure we have everything in place," he states, and I see the worry in his eyes. It takes me a few moments to remember one of his biggest fears—losing me.

I reach up and caress the wrinkles on his forehead before linking my arms behind his neck and kissing his stubbled jaw. "I won't leave you again. I'm healthy, I promise. We could try a surrogate if you're afraid that the hormones might trigger something."

He places his strong hands on my waist and pulls me close. "I love you so fucking much. The last thing I want is for you to go through that hell again—or for me to lose you." His voice breaks slightly.

"Tomorrow," I sigh, conceding. "Tomorrow, I'll make a few calls and sign the releases you need."

"Thank you," he mumbles. "Now tell me what is bugging you."

"Cora and Caleb," I say softly. "I want them to be ours, but then . . . I don't want to take them away from Izzy. That's what Richard did with my mom. He took me away from her even when he had no right to do it."

And I wish I knew why he did it. Because as far as I remember, up until the day I figured out that he wasn't my father, he had loved me just as much as he loved Izzy and Cee. We were close until Helen came into the picture.

Suddenly, it hits me. This is the one other thing that's been nagging me, but I keep pushing it aside. Richard Lewis. There are so many things happening that I don't want to give any attention to, but maybe this matters, too. If only to get some closure.

"I'll call Cedric. See if he'll let me see Richard," I say tentatively.

Gabe looks at me and nods. "Just know that he might not remember you at all."

"But maybe he will. I don't understand how he stopped loving me, or maybe he never did, you know? It was some twisted revenge to make my mother suffer." I press my lips together, anger rising inside me. "I don't approve of her relationship with Declan, but why take me away from her?"

Gabe strokes my hair soothingly. "Sometimes people get caught up in their own pain and end up hurting those they are supposed to love the most." His voice holds a quiet sadness. "I'll be right there holding your hand if you decide to see Richard. Whatever you decide."

He tilts my chin up gently and lowers his lips to mine in a soft, loving kiss. I melt into him, thankful that I'm back in his arms. Hoping that we don't lose each other again.

Never again.