Fallen Woman(86)

I had no idea what he’d said to the kids to get them amped up about meeting them, but they’d been as excited about this as they were about the adoption and changing their names. Personally, I was overwhelmed by the idea of it. What had started out as just being with Jase’s parents somehow morphed into extended family including aunts, uncles, cousins, his grandparents, and Jase’s friends we hadn’t seen in quite some time. Normally, I would have found comfort in Max, Willum, and Drake being there, but things were so different since we’d last seen them. I had no idea how any of this would go, and frankly, I was terrified.

“Relax, love. You’ll have a great time. I promise.” I grimaced at him but didn’t respond. “Plus, they’re good at masking their feelings so you’d never know if they hated you anyhow.” He followed that snarky comment up with a wink and slap to my behind. I knew he was kidding, but somehow, now I wondered if I’d ever know how they truly felt or if it’d all just be a show they put on.

When we finally pulled up in front of his parents’ house, I would have fallen over had the seatbelt not been holding me in my seat. I’d never seen a house this large—and Ryan came from big money. There were tons of cars parked in the driveway and along the street. “Are we late?” My brow furrowed, worried I’d already made a bad impression.

“No, Gia. Calm down. We’re right on time.”

Stepping out of the car, I helped the kids down from the back seat and got Emmy out of her car seat. We could hear the music coming from behind the house and smell the food. There was chatter from what sounded like a ton of people, but the backyard was completely hidden by the monstrous house.

The kids all took off running toward the front door. Jase took my hand but stopped me from moving. “I love you, baby. Don’t worry about anything. My family is going to welcome you and the kids right in.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.” I leaned up to seal my lips to his. “I love you. So much.”

The moment we walked in the front door, I was assaulted by sounds, lights, smells. Everywhere I turned, there were people who all knew Jase, and my kids instantly became shy and huddled around our legs. Emmy practically crawled up Jase’s leg to sit on his hip opposite me. The twins held hands but didn’t move. Derrick backed up against me, and I secured him to me with my free hand on his chest. He was a tiny speck of dark in a vast sea of white. I could feel his heartbeat against my fingers, and it was racing. The comfort of our little world had just fallen apart.

As people came up to introduce themselves and try to shake Jase’s hand or hug him, they were met with resistant children who wouldn’t get out of arm’s reach of either of us. A beautiful older woman appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She didn’t address Jase or me; she instantly squatted to meet the kids on their level.

She turned her attention to Derrick first. “You must be Derrick Lane. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s very nice to meet you.” She held out her hand for him to shake. He looked to me for confirmation she was safe, and I gave him a little nod, a wink, and smile. His little hand was lost in hers. “These must be your brother and sisters? Am I right?” Derrick eagerly nodded. “Wait, don’t tell me. This dashing beauty is…Megan, and this other fellow must be her twin, Trace.”

“Trace is my best friend, but we let Megan play, too.” Derrick was proud of himself for including a yucky girl, but even more than that, he loved Trace fiercely. They were tight.

The woman giggled and said, “That’s very nice of you. I bet Megan appreciates that.” When she stood up, she came eye to eye with Jase’s baby—Emmy, who buried her face in her daddy’s neck. “And you. You must be Emmy Lane. That name’s as pretty as a flower.” I had no idea who she was, but if she talked to me the same way, I’d want to be her friend.

Emmy finally looked up at the smiling, silver-haired woman. “You have my daddy’s eyes.” The moment I caught a glimpse of them, she was right. This was Jase’s mother.

“Oh no, love. I don’t have your daddy’s eyes…he has mine. I’m his mommy. You can call me Penelope.” She glanced at me with a tender smile and regarded Jase in the same manner before going back to the children. “I have a big surprise for all of you. Do you want to come with me and see what it is?” Emmy couldn’t get out of Jase’s arms fast enough. Somehow, in that ten-second exchange, she’d decided this woman was safe, likely because of her connection to Jase. Without looking back, they all disappeared through the house with her.

“Where did they go?” I asked Jase, although not worried.

“No clue what she has up her sleeve, but she loves a party, and even more than a party, she loves to entertain children. My guess is if we were to step out back, we’d find her version of a circus.”

Sure enough. There were bouncy houses, rides, a huge pool; you name it, and it was sitting in their backyard with kids playing on it.

“Whose kids are all of these?”

“My cousins. I’m the last one to get married and start a family.” He put his arm around me as we watched Emmy take Penelope’s hand and follow her to the carousel. The other kids had already gotten on. Jase’s mom lingered for a while before setting the kids off with a group of others who looked to be about their age and pointed up to us standing on the patio. I waved so they’d know where I was, and then she started walking toward my husband and me.