“I’m oddly numb, and I’m worried about costly litigation that will chip away at the safety net Mike left for me and the kids.”
“That can’t happen.”
“It could. Her child is his child. She probably has grounds to sue.” The thought of that makes my stomach and every other part of me ache with fear and uncertainty. “I’m thinking about contacting her.”
“Seriously?”
I shrug. “Why not? I want to know what she’s planning, and what better way to find out than to ask her?”
“You should check with a lawyer before you do that.”
“I will.”
“Jeez, Iris. Just when we think we’re coming back from losing him, somehow it gets worse.”
“I’ve decided not to let this cause a setback for me. I’ve worked too hard for too long to get to where I am today. I can’t go back to how I felt when it first happened. I just can’t—and I won’t.”
“You’re so strong,” he says, his shoulders slumping. “I wish I was half as strong as you are.”
“You’ve been so there for me and the kids. Mike would be very proud of the way you’ve stepped up for us.”
“You really think so?” he asks, brightening.
“I know so.”
“If you… end up with him… with Gage… I hope you’ll still let me be part of your lives.”
I’m shocked he would think I wouldn’t allow that. “Of course I will.” I cover his hand with mine. “You’re my brother-in-law for life and my kids’ uncle. You’ll always be welcome in our lives, no matter what.”
He blinks back tears. “Thank you. I love you guys so much.”
“We love you, too.”
“You could never love me as anything more than Mike’s brother?”
“No, and I’m sorry if that hurts you. There’s someone out there waiting for you to find her so you can write your own love story.”
“It’d be nice if she’d show up one of these days.”
We share a warm laugh that seems to put us back on more solid ground. I’m relieved, because the last thing in the world I want is trouble with him or Mike’s family.
“Someone needs to tell your parents about Mike’s other son.” I put my finger on my nose. “Not it.”
“Ugh, seriously? You want me to tell them?”
“Yes, please.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Neither do I.”
“They’ll be devastated to learn he was unfaithful to you. They love you as much as they loved him.”
Mike was adamant that no one know about his earlier indiscretion, so this news will come as a huge shock to his parents. “I know, but there’s a blessing to be had in this, too. Another child of Mike’s for you all to love. That child is an innocent bystander in this mess.”
“True.” He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you taking one for the team.”