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Son? He really just said son?
But then I look at Uncle Joe and realize what’s happening. He’s looking at his own life, considering it may be over sooner than he anticipated.
He’s not here to hate anyone. He’s here to extend love.
And perhaps the rest of us should do the same.
“I don’t know you very well,” I say to Pat, “but I want to be the first to welcome you to the Steel family. Your past may be spotted, and you may have hurt members of the family, but I believe in second chances.”
I look around then, waiting for someone to offer agreement.
Brianna speaks. “I agree with Dave. We should give him a second chance. He’s our cousin.”
Brock takes a deep breath and then mumbles, keeping his gaze fixed on the table. “I saw a little bit of a different side of you when you were caring for your grandmother in the hospital. As much as I hate what you did to Diana, Callie, and Rory, I’ve been looking at things differently lately. At least, I’ve been trying to.” He sighs. “I’ll try harder.”
More murmurs of agreement.
Pat swallows. “This means a lot to me. I know we may never find out why my parents changed their names and mine, or why they and my little sister died, but I’m glad to know I have another chance in life and a new family.”
Lauren squeezes his hand.
“I’ll get back to it, then.” Aunt Ruby slides her thumb under the envelope and pulls out papers. “We took samples from Bryce, Talon, and me to see if Pat shares DNA with any of us.” She scans the paper, and her eyes widen. Then she looks at Pat. “Seems you and I are half brother and sister, Pat.”
Jaws drop.
“So Theodore Matthias is the father?” Uncle Joe says.
“Apparently,” Ruby says.
Lauren closes her eyes. “So it was one of those three, which means…”
“Which means it is clear that our esteemed mother orchestrated it.” Ryan clenches his teeth. “My God, I’m glad she’s finally dead.”
“Me too,” Lauren agrees.
Uncle Ryan tents his fingers in front of his pale face. “All this time, I had a sister. I wish you had been able to grow up with us, Laur. None of this would’ve happened to you.”
Uncle Talon shakes his head. “We sure as hell don’t know that, Ry.”
Lauren shakes her head. “Please. I don’t want a bunch of people feeling sorry for me. I healed from that trauma long ago. Everything that happened brought me here, to this family. For that I’m truly grateful. And I’m grateful for both of my sons.” She turns to Pat. “Pat, I’m sorry I couldn’t keep you. It was too traumatic at the time. But you’re here now, and I have a second chance to be a mother to you. I hope you’ll let me.”
Pat gives a weak smile. “Thank you for that. I was alone in the world for a while, and I got involved with some bad people. I’m not using that as an excuse. I own the bad things I did. And I don’t know that I can ever make up for them, but I will try. That I promise you.”
Uncle Ryan nods but then glances at Aunt Ruby. “Baby? Are you okay?”
Aunt Ruby’s lips are turned down into a frown. Is she upset that Pat is her brother? Can’t say I blame her, but?—
“I’m fine,” she says, breathing in deeply. “It’s just… This will sound ridiculous, but I have such feelings of ambivalence about my father. He was a despicable human being, but I thought he was trying to change at the end. He saved my life that day. And now… Now I see he was never really any different at all.” She turns to Lauren. “I know it helps you and Pat to know, but I’m so sorry.”
“You know I don’t blame you for your father’s actions, Ruby,” Aunt Lauren says.
“Of course I know that. It’s just… I was hoping there was some good in him.”
“He saved your life, baby,” Uncle Ryan says. “He didn’t have to do that, but he did. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling.”
Aunt Ruby simply nods.
Brock frowns. “So let me get this straight. Theodore Matthias, Ruby’s father, is also Pat’s father.”
