Chapter 257 Twice the Blessing
GENESIS
“Twins??” Revelation echoed, eyes wide as saucers.
I nodded, tears still slipping down my cheeks, the ultrasound photos clutched in my trembling hand.
Rev let out a half-laugh, half-sob and launched herself at me, arms wrapping tight around my shoulders. I hugged her back just as hard, both of us shaking with laughter and happy tears.
Donald wheeled closer, his face softer than I’d ever seen it. The cancer was gone, beaten back completely by the aggressive treatment. He was walking again now, slow but steady, no longer needing the chair full-time. He reached out and squeezed my hand.
“I’m really happy for you, sweetheart,” he said quietly. “Two little ones… this house is going to be so crowded with little ones .”
Rosie stepped forward too and hugged me. She had moved back home months ago, but she still came by every couple of weeks, usually with Marcus, one of Knight’s men. They were serious now, talking about moving in together. She’d text me pictures of her new apartment, always ending with “Tell the babies Aunt Rosie loves them already.”
Jaden had moved on too. After the injury that ended his ballet dreams, he’d quietly switched to physical therapy and coaching, working with young dancers now, helping them avoid the mistakes that cost him his career. He and Kieran had made peace; the apology had been short, private, and real. They weren’t friends, but they weren’t enemies anymore.
Veronica… she’d come to me months ago, eyes red, voice shaking, and asked for forgiveness. I gave it to her. The bleeding incident wasn’t her fault, I’d been under too much stress for too long. She still kept her distance most days, but she sent flowers every month and a card for Daisy’s birthday. Small steps. Healing steps.
Daisy ran up then, pressing her cheek against my stomach like she could hear them already.
“I’m going to be a big sister for two more babies!” she squealed, rubbing her face back and forth.
I laughed, ruffling her curls.
“You’re going to be the best big sister ever.”
Amelia smiled from the armchair, cradling Michelle in her arms. He was bigger now, chubby cheeks, bright eyes, already trying to grab everything. I reached over and took him gently from his mother.
“Hey, little man,” I whispered, rubbing my cheek against his soft hair.
Amelia watched us with quiet affection. She and Kieran had talked about co-parenting, no drama, no marriage. She wanted her career back, modeling, traveling and they’d agreed Michelle would still keep living here with us full-time once he was a year old. She’d visit often, stay as long as she wanted, but the day-to-day would be with us. She was okay with it. So were we.
I looked at Rev, still hugging me like she’d never let go.
“I think it’s time I meet Mom,” I said softly.
Rev’s eyes went wide.
She hugged me harder.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Okay.”
My heart was racing so hard I thought it might crack a rib.
I paced the living room, five steps one way, five steps back, hands twisting together.
Kieran watched from the armchair, legs crossed, looking entirely too amused.
“You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet, princess.”
I snapped my head toward him.
“This isn’t funny.”
He laughed, the warm sound that always made my stomach flip.
“It’s a little funny. You’re adorable when you’re nervous.”
I glared.
He stood, crossed the room in two strides, and caught me around the waist, pulling me against his chest.
“Relax,” he murmured into my hair. “She’s your mother. She’s going to love you.”
I pressed my face into his shirt.
“I haven’t seen her since I was born.”
“I know.”
The sound of tires on gravel cut through the quiet.
My heart stopped.
I pulled away and ran to the front door, stepping out onto the stone steps just as a sleek black car rolled to a stop.
The back door opened.
A tall woman stepped out, pantsuit, silver-streaked hair pulled into a neat chignon, face lined with years I didn’t remember. But her eyes… her eyes were mine.
Delores Caldwell Sanchez.
My mother.
She saw me and froze.
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
She took one step, then another, faster, and faster until she was running up the steps.
I didn’t move.
I couldn’t.
She reached me and pulled me into her arms.
I broke.
The sob tore out of me, years of grief and silence and pain crashing free. I wrapped my arms around her and cried into her shoulder, shaking so hard I thought my knees would give out.
She cried too, holding me tight, rocking me like I was a baby again.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered over and over. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”
I couldn’t speak.
I just clung to her.
Kieran stood in the doorway, watching us quietly.
When we finally pulled apart both of us a mess of tears and smeared makeup, she cupped my face with trembling hands.
“You’re so beautiful,” she said, voice cracking. “You grew up so beautiful.”
I laughed.
“I missed you.” I didn't even know it was possible to miss a mother you never had.
“I missed you more,” she whispered.
She looked past me to Kieran.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For taking care of her.”
Kieran inclined his head, once, respectful.
“She takes care of me.”
Delores smiled through tears.
“I can see that.”
She looked back at me.
“I’m here now,” she said. “If you’ll let me stay.”
I nodded, fast, and a bit frantic.
“I want you to stay.”
She pulled me into another hug.
And for the first time in fifteen years…
I had a mother again.