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“Think it’s about ti was your fault If you’ll allow it, then I’ his arms over his chest as if his dad’s answer meant little to him

Honestly, we both knew that it meant the world

But Laric, like always, protected himself first, and rejoiced later

Lynn brought his grandson, as literally a year to the day younger than his tith Six, to his mouth and pressed a kiss to his forehead

“I’d love nothing better than to be able to share that with you”

• • •

My parents walked in the door, a frown on their faces

“What was so important that you…oh, my God” My mother launched herself at me

Her body must’ve blocked my father’s view of the baby because he said, “Winter, what in the ever-loving fuck is wrong with you?”

My mother moved, her face a mask of tears and revealed what he’d missed

Dad paled, his hand over his heart “Fuck That hurts”

I sniffled as tears started to leak down randson?”

• • •

“What’s she saying?” I asked, eyes sleepy

“She said she’d come, but she’s had diarrhea seven times today, and that she’s not sure if she’s sick, or if it’s the new protein powder she’s switched to She said she wouldn’t take it tonight, and then if she was feeling better, then she would be here in theat dawn,” Laric drawled