She didn’t speak for a long moment, her eyes remaining fixed on her son. Then she got up and came around the table before wrapping Prescott up in her arms.
“Do you have any idea how proud I am of you?”
Prescott froze as if he wasn’t expecting her reaction.
“Mum?”
She pulled back and clasped his face between her hands.
“You’ve always worried you’ll turn out like your father, but you’re nothing like him. You’re loyal, kind, and caring. Ezra doesn’t deserve to be called your father. He doesn’t deserve you. I might wish I’d never laid eyes on the man, but he gave me you. I love you so much and I want you to take care of Scarlett. I want you to love her the way I know you can. Make sure those three take care of her too. Francis is a good egg, but I know what West and Drake are like. You keep them in line.”
“Scar does that well enough herself.”
“I imagine she does. Never let you boys get away with anything, that one.”
Rosie pressed a kiss to Prescott’s forehead, giving him a bright smile. Tears welled in my eyes at the sight of it. Then she came around to me and I found myself caught up in her arms.
“If there’s anyone who can keep those boys and my son from doing anything stupid, it’s you, Scarlett.” She drew away and looked at me. “You were always saying you were destined for each other. I suppose this isn’t really surprising under the circumstances.”
I didn’t like to tell Rosie they’d done a lot of stupid and fucked up things, regardless of my presence or intervention. Instead, I smiled and nodded. She patted my shoulder before going back to her own chair. The three of us finished up breakfast, the tension in the air somewhat dissipated from earlier.
Prescott and I stayed in the kitchen to deal with the dishes whilst Rosie took her dogs out for a walk. Prescott washed and I dried. He leant up against the counter when he was done, watching me as I put the plates away.
“What?” I asked when I folded up the tea towel and placed it on the counter.
“That was easier than I expected.”
“Telling her about all of us.”
He nodded. I reached out and took his hand.
“She watched us grow up together, Pres. It’s not like I’m some random girl you all decided to share between you. What we have is different. It’s special.”
He looked conflicted, making me wonder what was going through his head. When he let go of my hand, I almost protested, but he took his phone out and fiddled with it.
“I’m ready,” he said after a moment, staring down at the screen.
“For what?”
“To delete Ezra from my life.”
I moved closer and peered at his screen. His thumb hovered over the delete contact button.
“Yeah?”
“Mum’s right. He never deserved me. He’s a shit excuse for a man, and I don’t respect him. I might not be perfect, but I know I’m a damn sight better than him. I would never abandon my family.”
He pressed down, erasing Ezra’s contact details from his phone. Then he let out a breath and looked at me.
“I have you to thank, you know.”
“Me? I didn’t do anything.”
He shook his head, popping the phone on the counter and capturing me up in his arms.
“You came back to me, little lamb. For ten years, I hoped I’d get to see your face again. To see you laugh, smile and tell me when I’m being an idiot. You never abandoned me. You fought your way back even if you didn’t know that’s what you were doing at the time. Every day, you show me how strong and brave you are in the face of all the shit you’ve been through. And you love me, flaws and all. You’ve done everything, sweetness, absolutely everything just by being you.”
I reached up and cupped his face, letting a tear fall down my cheek from his words. He had no idea how proud I was of him for being able to let go of his father for good. Ezra had done nothing for him other than be his sperm donor.
“I just love you, Pres. All I’ve ever done is love you.”
He pressed his forehead against mine.
“That’s all I need you to do, sweetness. Keep loving me no matter what happens.”
I kissed him, melting into his embrace. Loving him was effortless. And I’d keep doing it until the very end.
Twenty Nine
Francis
Drake and West weren’t downstairs when the lift doors opened to reveal Prescott and Scarlett. The first thing she did was run across the room and barrel into me, almost knocking me off my feet from the impact.