“Only way to overcome your fear is to conquer it.” Her silence isn’t encouraging, so I try one last time. I kiss her softly. “I feel like Little Grizzly would come home with me.”
Raelynn laughs and finally lifts her head. “How exactly does that apply here?”
“Because Little Grizzly is fierce. She tackles what she perceives as threats, or fears, head-on. She is more than just a momma bear. Little Grizzly encompasses her entire being and all the things she fights for. I think this is something she’d fight to overcome.” Raelynn’s eyes water. “I promise to make it a good Christmas for you both. Please, Raelynn.”
She nods. “Okay. We’ll come home.”
“You won’t regret it.” I turn off the car, open the door, and as we’re both climbing out of the driver’s side, we see Henry at the door with his jaw hanging. “Shit.”
Raelynn walks to him as if we both didn’t obviously get out of the driver’s seat.
“You’re...” Henry can’t seem to form words.
“Might want to watch what you say,” I tell him. “You have a bad habit of sticking your foot in your mouth.”
His eyes harden.
“All you need to know, Henry, is that this is new. Jackson doesn’t know right now, and he’s good to us both. Now, move, so I can go inside to my son.”
Henry moves out of the way as she asked and this time, I don’t wait to be invited in.
“Are we going home?” Jackson asks hopefully once again. His eyes flit to Henry. “I miss Bree and my house.”
“It’s okay, baby, and yes, we’re going home. Let’s get our things together.” She takes Jackson’s hand and leaves the room before Henry can open his mouth.
But never fear, Henry still speaks.
“You’re taking my son from me on Christmas Eve?” Anger laces his voice. “You’re a real prick, you know that?”
“It wasn’t my intention. I came to talk to Raelynn, and Jackson clearly wants to go home. Raelynn made the decision.”
“On her own?” he asks skeptically.
“Don’t start shit with me, Henry. I’m not an enemy you want. Raelynn and Jackson never should’ve been here, and she’ll be back tomorrow like she originally promised.”
He glares at me, but doesn’t say another word. His glare hardens when Jackson and Raelynn return and Jackson asks if he can ride with me back home. He takes my hand and we walk out while Raelynn stays behind for a moment to talk to Henry. By the time Jackson is buckled in, Raelynn walks out. The look on her face makes me want to storm back into that house and remind Henry of what I just said.
I walk over to her, but she waves her hand in dismissal.
“It’s nothing. He’s upset.” She tosses her bags into the trunk and then slides into the driver’s seat. She attempts to crank her car, but nothing happens. “Shit. No, sweet car. You can’t die on me now.”
“Die on you?”
She looks at me. “It’s been trying to die for a year. Let me just leave it here for now. Will you bring me bac
k tomorrow? Or Henry can come get us?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Once she grabs her bag and puts it in my car, we’re on our way home. Right where we all should’ve been from the start. This better go well because if this blows up in our faces, I don’t know what it’ll do to Raelynn. I also have to figure how out to tell them I’m dating Raelynn without spilling the truth in front of Jackson.
“Can you stay in here for a minute?” I ask Raelynn when I park in the garage. “I’ll come get you when I’m finished.” This seems to be the best and easiest way to break the news. It also ensures that it’ll happen quickly. Raelynn nods. I escape into the house and find everyone in the living room, watching a movie. I steal my kid from my sister and clear my throat.
“I need to tell you guys something real quick before Raelynn and Jackson come inside.” All eyes finally land on me. “I’m dating Raelynn. Don’t mention this in front of Jackson. Got it? Great.” I ignore their surprise and start to walk away, but Mom’s voice stops me.
“You’re what?”
“Ma.” She heard me; there’s no need to repeat myself. “Trust me.”