Page 49 of All the Forbidden Things

Kenzie folds her arms and crosses her legs while staring at the toe of her boots.

“And what about Layla?” Billie asks. “What will happen to Layla in all of this?” The hand that was resting on my baby’s back now protectively cups her head, and I watch as Billie lands a gentle kiss on her crown.

I feel dizzy at her show of affection.

“I’m petitioning for full custody. We have all the evidence we need to prove Whitney’s affair with Gardener had been going on for some time. Aaron has also obtained copies of the toxicology reports on both her and Gardener after the accident. He had a little bit of everything floating through him, and she had cocaine and MDMA.”

“Oh fuck, I did not know that,” Mel states.

“I only found out on Thursday.”

“Is he coming today? Aaron?” Billie asks.

“No, he has something on, but Jake’ll be here at some stage,” I respond. “Anyway, I feel like I’ve explained this nine-hundred times now. I don’t want Whitney’s name mentioned again, but can I just add that I hope I can trust you not to repeat any of this to anyone outside of this room.”

“Of course,” Billie agrees.

“Kenz?”

“When she learns to walk again, can I kick her in the crotch?”

“Makenzie, there’ll be no threats of violence, thank you,” Mel warns.

“It’s not a threat, Mother. It’s a promise.”

“Not until she’s back in America, or wherever she decides to go once she leaves here. I don’t want anything increasing her stay,” I tell her jokingly… kinda.

“Bloody hell you grown-ups are no fun. Am I allowed a beer?”

“NO!” Cal and Mel respond in unison to their daughter's request.

Billie

“You sure you don’t minddoing this?” Max asks.

I snuggle Layla to my chest; I can’t stop sniffing her, she smells so good. “No, go. I’ve got this.” Cal had asked Max to run through some new songs Max had written for their upcoming album and I have no problem snuggling this angel until they get back.

“There’s a changing table and all her nappy stuff in the laundry room. I’ll just drop her bottle in the warmer. It’ll take three minutes. Just give it a shake once it’s done and then test it on the back of your hand. She usually finishes the whole four ounces, and I wind her once when she’s had about two oun—”

“Max.” Mel turns from the oven and calls out to him, but he doesn’t listen.

“Don't bother changing her before you feed her because she’ll probably crap about half-hour after she’s fed, also—”

“Max!” Mel repeats.

“You might wanna put a tea towel over your shoulder. Are you sure you’re gonna be able to do this with just one hand?”

“My hand’s fine,” I tell him.

“Right, well, I’ve got my phone, and we’ll just be across the drive—”

Mel finally snaps and yells at him. “Max, will you please fuck off. We’ve got this.”

We all watch as one of his hand's lands on his hip and the other rakes through his hair. He looks between each of us, and his golden eyes finally settle on me as he says quietly, “I’ve only ever left her with my mum.”

My heart, oh my heart . . . a very small piece of it bursts out of my chest and lands in his hands.

This man. He’s been so very badly broken, and yet, still, he has so much love to give.