Just One Year(74)
“What does Emma know about her mother?” Caleb asked.
“I’ve never had the heart to tell her that her mother chose to leave.”
“My father felt the same way for a long time. Never wanted to hurt me,” I said. “How did you explain it to her?”
“I told her Ariadne was sick and had to leave to get better. Technically, that’s the truth. I do believe that woman is mentally ill in some way.”
“Will you tell her the full story someday?” I asked.
He looked conflicted. “Yes. I think so. I’ve just been waiting for the right time. But it never feels right to lay that on her.”
“I understand. My father chose to tell me the truth when I was a little older than Emma. I definitely appreciated his honesty, and it helped explain so much. I was lucky to have a really supportive stepmother, though.”
“That’s the one thing we’re definitely missing here. I’ve had women come and go, but no one willing to take on the responsibility of mothering my daughter.” He sighed. “Ariadne’s leaving also left us in financial shambles. Without her around to help with the café, it inevitably closed. I had to find other work and childcare for Emma. It’s been a difficult ten years, but I don’t regret a second of it. My daughter is the best thing to ever happen to me.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that. “You sound like my dad.”
“He and I surely have more in common than we know. And I have to say, I don’t know you very well, but it’s clear he and your stepmother did a wonderful job.”
“Thank you.” I smiled with pride.
He turned to Caleb. “I’m sorry. We’ve been ignoring you.”
“No need to apologize. I’m just happy we had an opportunity to meet you. My girl has lived far too long feeling like she was alone in her situation. I do believe we were meant to find you. It’s funny how things work out sometimes.” Caleb turned to look at me. “I thought Teagan’s coming to the UK was solely to benefit me, but now I see it’s bigger than that. Fate had other plans.”
Stuart rubbed his hand over his face. “I’d love for you to get to know Emma, but I’m not sure what I want to say about who you are quite yet. Maybe we could wing it for a while until I figure it out? I’d like to tell her the truth about her mother before we explain your relation to her, if that’s okay.”
I smiled, hoping he knew there were no hard feelings about that decision. “Of course. There is no rush at all. As long as she can find out the truth at some point, I’m good with that.”
“How long are you here in England?”
That question gave me anxiety. But I answered with what I knew.
“I’ve been here a few weeks. My plan is to stay for the six months I’m allowed and then figure it out from there. I came to be with Caleb. I have one more year of school left that I have to finish, but being with him for now is more important.”
“Young love is definitely powerful.” He grinned.
“Maybe we could come out here on the weekends—or every other one—if you’ll allow it,” Caleb suggested. “We could take Emma for ice cream, or the four of us could just hang out from time to time.”
A voice came from behind us. “Can I come out now?”
Stuart looked up at her. “Sure, my love.”
She pointed to Caleb. “I know she’s Teagan, but what’s your name?”
“Caleb. Nice to meet you, lovely.”
“Who are you people?”
Caleb chuckled. “We’re new friends of your dad.”
“Teagan might be someone who can look after you when I have business to take care of from time to time,” Stuart added. “How would you feel about that?”
Her eyes went wide. “Like a new babysitter?”
“Yeah. Occasionally.”
Instead of answering, Emma came over and wrapped her hands around my cheeks. “You’re so pretty.”
I thought I might lose it. She had no idea who I was, but based on how she was looking at me, maybe there was some kind of innate connection. It was like looking in the mirror—not only because of our looks, but because of our shared experiences.
I finally found the words. “You’re so pretty, too.”
In that moment, I knew I’d been given another purpose in life: to make sure Emma felt less alone—loved—to make sure she understood that her mother leaving was not her fault.
Growing up, I’d always wished for an older sister. Lord knows I’d done a shitty job with the little sister I’d had for so many years. But I’d changed. Here was my chance to be the big sister I’d always wanted. I would never take family for granted again—any of them.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
* * *
TEAGAN
It was nine in the morning when the phone rang. Caleb and I had the day off from classes and work, so we’d slept in. Startled by the ring, I picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Hello...Teagan? It’s Stuart.”
Emma’s father hadn’t contacted me since our visit over a week ago. My family had been flabbergasted when I told them about Emma. My father was particularly emotional about history repeating itself, with Ariadne abandoning another child. But overall, they seemed happy that I’d found my long-lost sister. I hadn’t been sure yet whether to celebrate the discovery, though, since Stuart hadn’t made it clear when he planned to tell Emma the truth. For all I knew, that could be years away.