“We talked briefly while we were outside with the kids.”
Ah, that explains it. “I’m not sure what I would’ve done. I hated Saffron, and I was very confused over my feelings for Reeve and Dillon. I like to think I would have taken him in, but Lori was there. She was his flesh and blood too. I might have considered that the best option.”
Easton shakes his head. “You wouldn’t have, Mom. You knew Reeve inside and out. If you’d known Bodhi existed, you would have taken him in. You loved Reeve more than you hated Saffron, and I know you’d never have turned an innocent baby away.”
Tears prick my eyes, and I have never felt prouder than in this moment. “I love you, E. I am so proud of the man you are becoming.”
Easton envelops me in a warm hug. “I love you too, Mom. Bodhi loves you as well. He’s too angry to do anything but lash out now, but I know what’s in his heart. He loves you and Dad. He loves our family. We just need to remind him of that.”
“We will, son.” I ease back, smiling up at him, needing to get these words out because I don’t want Easton paying the price for Reeve’s sins. “Reeve loved you so much, Easton. I don’t ever want you to doubt that. I know it pained him to give up Bodhi. I know he never stopped thinking about him. It doesn’t make it right, but I don’t want you carrying misplaced guilt. Reeve always wanted a family. It had been denied to him growing up, and he’d led quite a lonely existence, outside the times he was with me and your grandparents. His greatest wish was to be a father and to have a family of his own. You gave him that.Wegave him that. I hate what he did to Bodhi, and I don’t know if I can ever forgive him for his actions, but I am glad Reeve got to experience family life with us before he died. He wasn’t a bad person. He was a good person who made bad decisions, and a lot of that was because of the neglect he endured as a child. He craved love, and it often blinded him to the facts. The best way we can honor Reeve and support Bodhi is to love Bodhi with all of our hearts and to be patient and kind as he struggles to deal with the truth.”
“I know, Mom. I am trying to be there for him even when he makes it hard.”
I lean up and kiss his cheek. “We can’t ask any more of you, Easton, and you are not shouldering this alone. You come to us anytime with anything. All we want is what is best for both our sons.”