Read Online Holding On (Hooking Up) by Jessica L. Degarmo - Free Book Online Page B

would have been able to, had the situation been reversed. I was having a hard enough time forgiving Gran for her many transgressions. I wasn’t sure I liked what that said about me, but I was human, after all, and if I’d learned anything since all this started, it was that no one was perfect. I’d also learned that unconditional love meant accepting someone’s flaws and loving them in spite of them.
    “Eventually I did, after a lot of years and a whole lot of therapy. In their own misguided way, they only wanted what was best for me. They loved me, and I loved them. I know now why they did what they did and I forgive them for it, but it doesn’t mean it was right. Letting them bully me into giving you up was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”
    “It doesn’t matter now. We’re together, and nothing will keep us apart ever again.”
    A wistful look crossed her face, but it disappeared seconds later, replaced by a smile. “Here, look at this picture. Don’t you look just like I did?”
    I examined the picture and nodded. We did look startlingly alike. There would be no clue to help me find my father in my appearance. I was all Mom.
    I glanced at the clock and was surprised to see it was after eight. The time had flown. I loved every minute of my time with my mother, but it was time to go home to my men.
    “Will you be ok for the night? I have to go. Benjie likes it when I tuck him in.”
    “I’ll be fine. Go home. I’ll see you later. Tell Ryan I said thanks again, alright?” she asked, giving me a gentle pat on the back and a kiss on the cheek.
    I let myself out and headed home to my family. They were waiting for me when I let myself in.
    “Catie, you’re home!” Benjie shouted, obviously still wound up from the day. He was toting the raggedy stuffed dog Mom had given him while we were unpacking. When she told him she’d had it since she was a little girl, he appeared completely awed and had carted it around the rest of the day, calling it ‘Grammy’s Doggie’ and kissing its worn felt nose. “Daddy says I have to go to bed. Can I have a story first?”
    “Sure, come on.” I led him into his room and tucked him and Grammy’s Doggie into bed, inhaling the sweet little boy scent of him, all sun-kissed skin and play and peanut butter. He was delicious, and I nibbled on his neck, making him squeal.
    “That tickles, Catie!” He giggled happily. I laughed with him and cuddled him close. I rearranged his blankets and tucked him in tight, just the way he liked.
    “What story do you want me to read to you?” I asked him.
    “No, no reading. Tell me and Doggie a story,” he insisted, his bright brown eyes eager and full of life.
    “What kind of story?”
    “One about dragons and princes and stuff.”
    “Ok. Once upon a time, there was a little prince named Prince Benjie—“
    “Hey, that’s me!” he chirped.
    “Is it? Cool! I didn’t know you were a prince. Can I tell the story now, Prince Benjie?”
    “I command you to tell me the story,” he said grandly, gesturing widely with his chubby little hand, clunking me in the chin with it.
    “Ok. So, Prince Benjie ruled in a far away kingdom called Pittston, and he was regarded as the greatest ruler in the land.”
    “Why?” the little mop-top prince asked me.
    “Well, he was kind and courageous.”
    “What’s courageous?” he asked somberly.
    “It means brave.”
    “Oh. I’m brave.”
    “Sure are. Can I continue, Your Highness?”
    “Yep.”
    “Ok. So, he was so brave he challenged a dragon. He was walking in the woods one day and he came upon this huge fire-breathing dragon who roared, ‘Who goes there?’ Prince Benjie said, ‘It is I, Prince Benjie, and I command you to leave this forest.’”
    “Why did he want the dragon to leave?”
    “Well, the dragon breathed fire, didn’t he? What would happen if he caught the trees on fire?”
    “Oh. Ok.”
    “So, the dragon says, ‘I don’t want to leave. Where would I go?’