Chapter 12 - A Christmas Without Fear
Z
Christmas approached beneath a sky full of snow.
Marin agreed to help decorate Noah's room, but only after Gideon promised that no one would interfere with her studio or her schedule.
He kept his word.
She painted small stars across the ceiling, and Noah insisted on adding a red boat to the lighthouse mural. His handwriting was still uneven, but he wrote his name beneath it.
NOAH ROURKE.
He showed the picture to everyone in the house.
Even Freddy took a photograph.
During dinner, Noah asked Marin whether she would be there on Christmas morning.
“If your dad invites me.”
Gideon set down his fork.
“Would you spend Christmas with us?”
Marin considered him.
“Would I be a guest or an employee?”
“A guest.”
“Would I be allowed to leave whenever I wanted?”
“Yes.”
“Would you ask me to stay because you love me, not because you need me?”
His eyes softened.
“Yes.”
Marin smiled.
“Then I'd love to come.”
Noah clapped his hands.
After dinner, Gideon walked her to the gate.
“I have something to tell you,” he said.
“That's usually how trouble begins.”
“I've arranged for the estate to be transferred into a family trust. Noah will be protected, and the legitimate business will operate under independent management. I'm stepping away from the operations that kept me tied to Marcus.”
Marin studied his face.
“Are you sure?”
“No. But I'm certain I don't want my son growing up believing fear is the price of belonging to a family.”
She took his hand.
“That sounds like a good beginning.”
He looked at her, then toward the lights shining through the snow.
“I'd like you to be part of what comes next.”
“I already am, Gideon. But I'm not a reward for becoming a better man.”
“I know.”
“I'm not a cure for your loneliness.”
“I know that, too.”
“And I won't promise forever because you ask beautifully.”
He laughed softly.
“Then I'll have to keep giving you reasons to choose tomorrow.”
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
May you like
It was not a promise of forever.
But it was a beginning neither of them wanted to lose.
