She stops at the bottom of the steps, her hand covering her mouth, and a second later, I’m launching myself into her arms. We both cry as we hold each other. I feel a hand at my back and my dad’s cologne engulfs us both.
When she pulls back, she rests her forehead against mine and wipes away the tears trailing down my face.
“Hey, Mom.” I’m so used to being strong all the time. I feel like a little kid again, standing here with my mom, wanting to always feel her arms wrapped around me.
“Hey, Sweetie,” she says and smiles, her eyes still watering.
She releases me and my dad steps forward and wraps his big strong arms around me. I didn’t realize how much I missed his bear hugs until just now.
My sister steps up next, and I look down at her belly. I slowly reach out my hand, but halt it halfway to her stomach. I look up to her and see her smiling at me. She grabs my hand and places it against her pregnant belly. A feeling of love for my sister, so strong it nearly has me staggering back, drives into me. I can’t help the laugh that slips free when I feel a tiny nudge on my hand.
“Did she just…” I ask, looking up at my sister in wonder.
She nods, her smile growing. “She did.”
I look over when Colt walks up to us. His hand settles on my lower back and he watches me with his own love shining in his eyes.
Reluctantly, I pull my hand back.
“Mo
m, Dad, Nina, this is my boyfriend, Colt. Colt, this is my mom, Kat, my dad, John, and my sister, Nina.”
My mom reaches over and grabs Colt’s cheeks to bring his head down to her level, where she plants a kiss on each cheek.
“It’s so very nice to finally meet you, Colt,” she says, smiling broadly.
“The pleasure is all mine, Ma’am.”
“Nonsense with the ma’am. You call me Kat.”
Colt smiles, and turns to face my dad, holding out his hand. “Sir.”
“John,” my dad corrects, just like I knew he would. “Good to meet you, Son.”
My sister steps up next and pulls Colt into a brief hug.
This is why I love my family so much, and why I know my fears were unfounded. They are so loving and accepting. The fear I was feeling a few minutes ago dissipates fractionally.
I sit on the couch with Nina beside me, holding onto one hand, with my mom on the other side, holding onto the other.
Save for Colt and my dad, who both are looking deadly dangerous at the moment, we each have tears running down our faces. I just told them what happened when I was younger, and what I believe to be the results of the experience.
Nina looks at me with horror on her face.
“Abby,” her voice cracks, right before her face screws up with pain. “I am so so sor—”
“No,” I tell her hoarsely, then shake my head. “No, Neen, don’t you dare apologize.”
“But, Abby. If it wasn’t for you trying to protect me…”
I shake my head harder and pull her into my arms.
“You were eight years old, Neen. Of course I was going to protect you. You were my baby sister.”
She holds onto me like her life depends on it. Her tears soak my shirt. I run my hands down her back, trying to soothe her. I knew this would affect her the most. I would do it a hundred times over to protect Nina, but essentially, it was because of my love for her and my need to protect her is why Darren got away with what he did.
“I don’t understand why you never came to us,” my mom whispers brokenly.