Page 38 of Too Good to Be True

Seth

“ S eriously, Rowan? The effects of exercise on the immune system?”

“We had to choose a topic from the list provided by the school, and this seemed the most appropriate. Besides, Logan didn’t mind doing some workout.”

“That’s because he loves spending time with you.”

“What are you saying…” Rowan shakes his head and looks away.

He still has some problems accepting our love, but we are not giving up. The kids and I are here for him, ready to let him feel our warmth whenever he feels lonely again.

We are at the Science Fair to cheer Logan on.

He had prepared his project with Rowan, a project he was very proud of.

It took two months to complete, months in which I was barely home, I have to admit.

I worked as hard as I could to put something aside for my project, something I haven’t told anyone in the family about yet.

They know I am working on something super secret and they respect that.

They’re curious, especially Emily, and I can’t wait to share everything with them.

I tried calling Shonda to invite her to the event. Her assistant told me she would pass on the message. After the judge’s decision, I tried to contact her. She is still the kids’ grandmother and although she tried to take them away from me, I forgave her and I think they did too.

Unfortunately, I was never able to speak to her directly. But I did write her a letter a few days ago. I hope it reaches her and helps us bury the hatchet for the kids’ sake.

Rowan told me that not everyone would. I replied that I didn’t care what others do. He looked at me, his eyes beautiful and bright, and then he told me he loved me. Every time he says it, it makes me feel something new. I will never get tired of hearing him say it.

“Here, his turn is up,” Rowan tells us.

“Go, Logan!” I immediately stand up to cheer him on as loudly as if I were in the stadium. “The Graham family is here! Only for you!”

The family in question stood up to support our nerdy member, complete with a banner I had prepared.

“You’re cool, Logan!” Mason whistles loudly as Emily claps her hands.

Logan waves enthusiastically from the stage and we take our seats again.

Fortunately, he is not one to be embarrassed easily.

We went to Mason’s game last Saturday. I tried to control myself, as Mason asked me to do, but it was difficult.

I just burst out. And when Mason scored the winning point, I couldn’t stop myself.

I screamed so loud and for so long that I went home with no voice.

Rowan made me some herbal tea and then… Well, then…

Let’s just say he took care of me, in every sense of the word.

“Uncle Seth, I’m hungry,” Emily says.

“I think I have some snacks in my bag.” I rummage through my bag and pull out some chocolate bars for everyone. “Here, take them.” I pass the food to my niblings, holding out a bar for myself as well.

“Nothing for me?” Rowan complains.

I reach into my bag and pull out a plastic bag of carrots and celery, all cleaned and sliced by my magic hands.

“You’re wonderful, thank you.” Rowan plants a kiss on my cheek, making me blush.

“It was nothing.”

Nothing my arse! I even cut my finger on a carrot!

The things you do for love!

“What’s for dinner tonight?” Mason asks. He has already swallowed his bar.

“Rowan’s cooking,” I tell him.

“Pasta for everyone,” Rowan says.

“What kind of pasta?” Emily asks.

“I got some vegetables and…”

The kids giggle and so do I.

“You’ve had enough of my vegetables, I see.”

“Excuse them, they have been badly, very badly, spoiled by yours truly. Good thing you came along to bring some order to this chaotic family.”

“This family is perfect the way it is,” Rowan says, his tone soft. “I wouldn’t dream of changing one single thing about you guys.”

“Ohh, isn’t it too good to be true?” I ask the kids. Mason simulates a gag while Emily giggles with her hand over her mouth.

“You are,” Rowan takes me in his arms. “And by the way, lasagne for everyone tonight.”

“What?” Mason immediately snapped to attention, “I don’t believe it.”

“With lots of meat, cheese and mozzarella.”

“I’m starving!” Mason touches his stomach. “Let’s hope Logan wins soon so we can go home.”

Rowan laughs, and I snuggle up against him, sighing with happiness.

“You’re going to make a vegetarian lasagne just for you, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely.”

I laugh. I was sure of it.

“If you want to join me, you are welcome.”

“I love you, Mr Kennedy, but not to that extent.”

“I THINK I’M READY.” I sit on Rowan’s lap on the sofa at home. I hand him my beer and he takes a sip.

“Ready for what?”

“To show you my project.”

“I’m all eyes and ears.”

“Not now. Tomorrow. With the children.”

“Whenever you feel like it, babe.”

I lay my head on his shoulder. “What are you working on?” I ask, alluding to the folder he left on the sofa when I arrived.

“This isn’t about work.”

“Mmm?”

“It’s something personal.”

I lift my head and look at him.

“I think I found my sister.”

“What… When… How… Why didn’t you tell me immediately?”

Rowan laughs. “I’m telling you now. I resumed my research after… Well, after we talked about it that night. It was you who inspired me.”

I brush my chest, flattered.

“She lives in the South. Near the sea.”

“Oh my God! Did you call her? Have you met?”

He shakes his head slowly, a touch of sadness crossing his face.

“What is it, love?”

“What if she… What if she wants nothing to do with me?”

I take his face in my hands. “Why wouldn’t she?”

“It’s been a long time.” He sighs heavily. “I don’t know if I want to sneak into her life and lay the weight of our past on her. Maybe she’s moved on, forgotten everything… Me.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and rest my head against his.

“I know you’re scared, but I’m with you. We all are. Whatever happens… We will never leave you.”

Rowan caresses my arm.

“We are your family. And we want you.”

“Yes?”

I nod.

“And I want you. Unconditionally.”

“Then it’s settled. You’re ours.”

“Am I?”

“Every part of you. Muscles included.”

Rowan laughs. A twinkle in his eyes that wasn’t there before makes them even more beautiful.

“It’s all for you. My muscles, my soul, my heart. All for you.”

“And I will take it. Rest assured. And I will never let it go again.”

“THIS IS IT. We are almost there.”

“Where are you taking us, Uncle Seth?”

“Just a few more minutes of patience.”

“Where are we?” Logan asks. He wears his science fair medal around his neck, which he never takes off. An excellent second place, of which we are all proud.

“We’re right outside my new atelier.”

“Atelier?” Rowan asks in surprise.

“I present to you…” I point to the glass behind me. “My tailoring workshop.”

“Your… what?” Rowan looks at me in disbelief.

“I’ve kept it a secret until now, can you imagine?”

“Seth… What’s going on?”

“I have to say I had some very good help.” Just then, Ross and Vanessa come out of my atelier.

“What…” Rowan gently shakes his head.

“Ross is my PR man and Vanessa… Well, she helped me find this place at a great price, practically for free.”

Rowan looks at her friend with grateful eyes.

Vanessa hugs me. “We couldn’t let this talent go to waste. Don’t you think?”

“I don’t know what to say…”

“That you are happy for me?”

“I’m not just happy. I’m…” Rowan takes me in his arms. “Proud as hell. And I can’t wait to see you at work, doing what you love, and… To support you however I can.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“Why don’t we go in and see how it’s going?” Ross suggests. “I have to admit, there are a few touches of yours truly here and there.”

“We didn’t doubt it,” Mason says, before following Ross inside with his siblings and Vanessa.

“No more club?” Rowan asks.

“Oh no, I still intend to present the shows and design and sew the girls’ clothes, but I want to create something of my own. I want something with my name on it.”

“You have every right, and I… God, I love you.” I wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m proud of you, babe. And I’m sure Mark is no less proud than I am.”

“You think so?”

“You bet.”

Rowan kisses my tears, then slowly lets me go. “How about showing me your atelier? Have you named it yet?”

“I’m working on it.” I take his hand and walk him to the door. “Maybe you can help me?”

“You’re the creative one, but if I can…”

“I mean, with the legal part. I’d like it to be something unique, you know?”

“You want to create a brand?”

I nod anxiously.

“Whatever you want, love.”

What I want, I already have. And it is more than I ever dreamed.

I have my family, I have the best man in the world by my side.

I have friends, a project to carry on and a lot of joy and love to share with everyone around me.

Even with Mark and Jillian. Because I know they are there.

I can feel them. I can even feel their arms around me.

They were the first to believe in me, the first to treat me with respect and love. The first to give me a home, a family.

I know that I can never match their love for these children, but I will always do my best to raise them as they would have done and to love them as they deserve.

I will always be their anchor.

And I will always be by their side.

“Hey, are you OK?” Rowan asks.

“You know me.” I wipe my eyes with my arm. “I’m always so emotional.”

Rowan plants a kiss on my temple.

“Good thing my sexy lawyer is here to balance it out with some healthy testosterone.”

Rowan laughs.

“Truth is, I wish Mark could see this.”

“I'm sure he is.”

“Sometimes I think it was Mark who put you in my path. His way of still watching over me.”

“I think it was fate. We needed each other and found each other in the middle.”

“You did not need me.”

“I did, and you don’t even know how much.”

“Hey, you two, are you done making out?” Emily makes us laugh.

“We’re done.”

“Come on! Ross says we can all go for pizza afterwards.”

“Pizza always wins,” I say. “I wonder if our lawyer will make an exception to the rule or…”

“Stop it. Or I’ll have to shut your mouth my way.”

“Oh… I can’t wait for you to do that.”