18
REBECCA
One and a half hours later, the kids and I walked into Central Park: Reiner and I had agreed to meet near the ice cream cart, which, of course, was the children’s favorite thing.
The two of them were incredibly excited: even though I was holding their hands, they were constantly trying to run in every direction, searching for their dad.
As soon as I’d told them what we would actually be doing that afternoon, their little faces had lit up like never before: surprise, excitement, curiosity… oh, they’d never been more beautiful. After an initial moment of shock, they’d started running, shouting, and jumping on any surface that allowed it: they were the picture of happiness, and just like Reiner, they bombarded me with questions about him. I answered some while others I left for him. After all, I couldn’t
spoil every surprise.
–
Wayne was… let’s say a little less thrilled than the kids: if I thought convincing him to go home after lunch was difficult, convincing him of the goodness of my idea to introduce Reiner to the kids was even worse. He was extremely protective of us and very wary of Reiner: I didn’t blame him at all if only, I was grateful: he loved those little ones like nephews, and me like the sister he never had. Wayne and Ravi were, and would always be, family.
He only truly surrendered when I assured him that Reiner really didn’t have any intention to take Jim and Vi away from me – that I’d felt it loud and clear in his mind, and that his only desire was to get to know them: just like it had happened to me, finding out that he was no longer the Alpha and had been exiled reassured him quite a bit. Nevertheless, he decided to verify that information with a source inside the pack – who confirmed that yes, Garrett was the new Alpha and that Reiner had been exiled for refusing to become his Beta and leaving the pack without swearing loyalty to the new Alpha.
When I found out about that (something that Reiner hadn’t told me), I’d felt sick to my stomach: not only had they taken away his father’s legacy, they had also tried to mock him.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” Violet grinned, happily bouncing. Just like her brother, she was a bundle of happiness and excitement: she couldn’t wait to meet him. She and Jim kept looking around, trying to spot him.
“Five minutes and we’ll be there, little one,” I reassured her, unable to hide my smile. I loved seeing her so happy – and the fact that my previous encounter with Reiner had gone so well made me feel at ease about seeing him again.
1/4
ig Point
18
In the end, neither of us had ever mentioned what had happened four years earlier – nor had
he asked why I hadn’t told him about the kids, something he had every right to inquire about. It
was clear that, at least in that moment of his life, he had no desire to dwell on past pains – he
just wanted to move forward and start a new life.
I was more than happy to support him: despite the recent developments with his family, I wasn’t sure that if I had told him the truth about what happened four years ago, he would have believed me. Considering that, as far as he knew, I had cheated on him, he probably didn’t
have much trust in me – and I knew that when you lost Reiner’s trust, regaining it was a real
challenge: he would likely think I was lying to take advantage of him.
Even if that wasn’t the case, my last encounter with Sheila and the images of the deepfake she had used to turn Reiner against me were still an open wound, never fully healed, that haunted me more nights than I cared to admit.
The mere thought of talking about it made my stomach churn.
Let’s leave things as they are, I decided. If he won’t bring it up, I won’t either. Let’s focus on the
kids – they’re all that matters now.
I extended a thread of thought toward Reiner, finding him instantly. Where are you?
Exactly where
you
told me, next to the ice cream cart, he replied promptly… and very hurriedly.
You have no reason to be nervous, I chuckled.
Yeah, well, easier said than done, he retorted. Where are you guys?
Just around the corner.
The kids and I turned the corner just as Reiner turned toward us: and I realized I’d never, ever
forget that moment.
The rest of the world disappeared, and time seemed to stand still: it was just the four of us –
and that invisible thread that bound us all together.
For an e endless moment, none of us moved: Reiner stared at the kids, shocked and teary–eyed, and they looked at him with the same emotions in their eyes. They didn’t even ask me if it was really him: they had no doubt about it. They, I knew, could feel it.
That was the precise moment, I realized, when we truly became a family. When the dream Reiner and I had fought so hard for became a reality.
The next moment, time and space resumed their flow – and the kids ran toward Reiner.
“DAD!” they shouted, flying toward him: and Reiner, without missing a beat, knelt down and
2/4
18
opened his arms just in time for them to dive into them.
In that very moment, as Reiner’s arms closed around them as he hugged them, and I felt love and happiness explode in his chest… it was as if something in me clicked into place –
like the missing piece of a puzzle.
“Hey, you guys!” Reiner exclaimed, holding them tightly. “You’ve grown so much!”
I kept a little distance as they finally met, hugged, and got to know each other: and when Reiner pulled out two gifts, one wrapped in pink and one in blue shining paper, the kids went
even more wild.
What are you doing, standing there like a statue?, he asked, chuckling. Come here.
Something warmed in me at those words – something I quickly hid: it wasn’t a good idea for him to sense certain things through our bond. After all, we were there solely for the kids.
So, I joined them, crouching down beside them. In a split second, Jim wrapped his arms
around my neck, still bouncing.
“Look, Mommy!” he exclaimed, excited to show me his new toy. Reiner had gotten him a mechanical dinosaur that moved, made sounds, and had glowing eyes. For Violet, he’d chosen a beautiful doll (the exact one I had planned to get her for Christmas), complete with a
pacifier, little outfits, and a diaper.
“They’re beautiful,” I smiled, trying to recover from the kids‘ onslaught. “Did you say thank you?
”
“Oh, don’t be a bore, Becks,” Reiner chuckled.
“Thanks, Daddy!” the kids exclaimed, hugging him and planting kisses on his cheeks.
“So,” Reiner said after a while. “Who’s up for some ice cream?”
Naturally, his proposal was met with jubilant cheers: and so, the four of us (it felt so strange to finally say that!) headed toward the ice cream cart.
Yes, I thought, watching Reiner literally glow with happiness and the kids bask in their dad’s
embrace. Yes, it’ll be fine.
North Wave
