“Midnight, with your daughter here?”
I recognize that voice. Looking over towards the bathroom, I see my mother coming out. She has red hair like I do, blue eyes, and a dancer’s lithe body. Her eyes sparkle as she takes me in.
“Hi, honey.”
“Mom?” I gape. “When did you ….”
“I called her,” Dad admits. “When I was at my most worried, I needed to make sure that you would have a choice of where to live and what to do. I didn’t expect you to fly here, Diana.”
Mom shrugs and stands at Dad’s side. I look between them and try to get my brain to function. “Is this what you wanted to tell me?”
“Yes.” Dad smiles. “Mom is going to be staying with you guys for a while. We’re going to figure things out when I get out of here.”
“That’s so unnecessary, Miles. I can get a hotel.” Mom waves away the idea, but if he knows her like I do, he knows that’s a trap and an easy way to start her pouting. “I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”
“It’s no inconvenience,” Roman speaks up from behind me. “We have plenty of space. Honestly, you could live there and never see us if you didn’t want to.”
“How lucky that I’ll have you two so I don’t get lost.” Mom answers.
I look between her and Dad. I only remember arguments, barely hushed with the reminder of me being there. I remember talking to Dad on the phone while he was overseas, only for my mom to get on, and the conversation would go from normal to hushed yelling, accusations, and or crying.
And yet, right now, they’re both smiling, completely at ease.
It’s the kind of thing I hoped for when I was thirteen, the kind of dream that wedged its way into my brain after I saw The Parent Trap, but it’s a dream I left behind quickly. My parents fell out of love, and they deserved to enjoy life as much as I did. I’d understood that they were better people away from each other.
Even if I didn’t love it, I made myself understand, and now they were throwing me for a loop. What kind of people managed to say goodbye, only to come back together?
“I’m sorry. Diana, this is Roman.” Dad motions to the big man still behind me. “He was in my platoon, and he’s one of my business partners.”
“One of?” Mom looks over Roman slowly.
I feel a twinge of possessiveness, like I’m ready to wrap myself around him and claim him all for myself right here and now. But Dad just nods. “Roman, Gunner, Nick, and Holden.”
“All the guys.” Mom huffs. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Well, we kept each other alive in the worst the world offered; I figured we’d keep each other afloat in the business world too. And we have.” Dad gets a bit fiercer.
I don’t even feel like I’m a part of this moment. I’m just watching it on TV, unable to find the remote to flick to something less uncomfortable. I rub my arms as Dad and Mom talk to each other as if they can stave off an argument as long as they keep mentioning me.
“Well, Sophie, you’re why I’m here. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, that everything is taken care of, and you’re not just wandering from a hotel to work and back.” Mom loops me back in.
“Oh, no. I live with the guys and have been staying up to date with work and everything else. Everything’s been good. I promise.” I say nervously.
She smiles. “Well, we need to catch up. We should do lunch or something tomorrow.”
“Yeah. It’s Saturday. Why not.” I agree.
“That’s what I like to hear.” She beams. “I’ll take a hotel for tonight, though. I’m not quite ready to move into your dad’s place.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Diana.”
She rolls her eyes and pushes Dad’s hair off his forehead. “Get better, Miles.”
She tells me she loves me and then walks out. I glance at Roman, and he clears his throat. “When we were coming up, we saw a former employee near your room.”
“Ah, yes. Sasha wanted to tell me something, but it didn’t make any sense. I’m guessing she was trying to convince me to give her the position back.”
Dad rolls, obviously exhausted. I bite my lip and nearly reach back for Roman’s hand. But I can’t do that either. Not until we tell Dad.