When she releases her hold, she goes back to her seat and drinks her hot chocolate as she talks about showing everyone her gift as soon as we get home. I glance over to see Jillian wiping away tears, and I squeeze her leg.
We talk about plans for New Year’s Eve and what they do for the ball drop. Rae tells me all about staying up late, which is her favorite, and then watching the fireworks they shoot off in her backyard.
It’s late by the time we get back home, and Rae has fallen asleep in the backseat. When the car stops, I unbuckle her and then scoop up her limp body in my arms. She’s so tiny like this, and I can’t describe the feeling of holding her in my arms. I have this natural instinct to protect her and keep her safe like it’s in my DNA.
“You got her?” Jillian asks, and I nod.
“Yeah, I’ll carry her to bed.”
It’s snowed a little more since we’ve been out, and the fresh powder covers the outside steps. As I lift her in my arms a little higher, I notice that there are already boot prints leading to the house.
“Did your brother leave?” I ask, looking back for his car.
“No, he said they’d be home all day. Why?” Jillian notices the recent prints the same time I do and glances up at the house.
Just as I follow her line of sight, someone steps out from the shadows. It’s so dark at the top of the steps, and the light is behind the figure. It takes me a second to understand what’s happening, but when I see Jillian’s body react, I know exactly who it is.
“Well, look who it is,” Paul sneers at the three of us as he slowly descends the steps.
I hold Rae tighter against me, reaching my other hand out to grab Jillian’s upper arm. I try to pull her behind me, but she’s frozen in place.
“Jillian.” I say her name and tug on her arm before she blinks and then comes to my side.
“Isn’t it lovely seeing the whole family together,” he drawls, taking another step closer. “I see you told him.” Paul steps farther down, and the light illuminates his face. He’s lost so much weight since the last time I saw him, and his eyes are sunken into his skull. He looks like death, and when he smiles, I can see some of his teeth have begun to rot.
“No,” Jillian says, barely above a whisper.
I look at him in question before his smile grows wider. “She didn’t tell you that you’re the father?”
Nine
JILLIAN
Isaac stands there for a moment with no expression on his face, but after a moment he turns to me. “I should put her down,” he finally says, and I nod.
My heart is about to come out of my chest. Why the hell is Paul here, and why now after all this time? I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. I’m relieved Rae is asleep and not witnessing this mess, because I have no doubt it would not have mattered to Paul if she heard what he said. Paul didn't care who he hurt, and in his world children don't get a pass. I didn’t know how cruel he could be until I became his wife.
We have no choice but to walk up the steps, and I’m surprised how Isaac remains completely calm.
“You can wait outside,” he tells his brother when we get to the top while I put the code into the door and unlock it.
“Don’t be a dick.” Paul lets himself right in, and Isaac’s nose flares. I know he wants to say something or more likely do something. From the look in his eyes, holding Rae is the only thing keeping it from happening.
“I’m warning you.” His voice is so low, and the tone is so cold it sends chills up my spine. I didn't know someone’s voice could sound so deadly. He really must be pissed, and I’m sure some of that anger is for me too. “Come with me, Jillian.”
I don’t want to leave Paul alone in the house. “I’ll stay here.”
“I don’t want you alone with him.”
“I was married to her, Isaac. I’ve been alone with her many times, and she’s still fine.” I close my eyes, knowing his comment is not going to help this situation.
“Was married. She’s not yours anymore.”
“I was never his.” I open my eyes to stare at Isaac, giving him a pleading look. Don’t take Paul’s bait. “Put our daughter to bed.”
Isaac visibly relaxes. I might have been worried about how Isaac would react to finding out Rae is his, but it wasn't because I thought he might not want her. Isaac made that fear disappear the first moment I saw him with Rae, and with his every action since then he’s made it clearer. He would’ve treated her like his own even if he wasn’t the father.