A/N: Whew! It's been a while, but I am back! I'm actively working on future chapters. I'm honestly surprised it's been so long since my last update. I will finish this story because it's been my baby since lockdown. I love this universe. I hope you enjoy this one! It picks up after Patrick learns Teresa has "invited" his mom to spend his birthday with them.
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He took in his mother's scent as he held her tightly, and he couldn't help but catch Teresa's knowing grin from the corner of his eye. How the hell did she pull off two surprises in 24 hours?
He chided himself. Maybe if he hadn't been so preoccupied, he would've realized something was up when Teresa was packing or buying so much.
"It's great to see you, mom!"
"It's great to see you, Paddy!" She leaned out as she took his hand and squeezed it. "Happy birthday!"
"Did you know…about the house?"
"Well, yes. Teresa told me when she invited us out here."
"She invited you out here?"
Her face blanched. "Of course she did! Are you not happy to see us?"
"Yes, I'm happy to see you!" She narrowed her eyes at him. Okay, not even he had convinced himself. He was happy to see his mom, but he was still reeling from yesterday morning. And he'd planned to have some family time to center him, to bring him back.
Although he'd gone grayer and packed on some pounds, Thomas Jane was still much the same. Full of condescension, manipulation, and scams. He could hear the disdain in his tone when he said: "So you let the tramp back in, but you're pissed at me for being the one who stayed and doing what he could? Real nice, Paddy."
That being the best his dad could do drove him to be so much better in every way. He slammed his eyes shut, trying to shake off that memory. Mom definitely sensed something was off as she squeezed his shoulder.
No, he wouldn't do this. Not today. Mom–and the rest of the family–were here. For him. He also caught the blue banner hanging over the mantle.
Unconsciously, he walked over to the banner and ran his hand over the corner and the rough letters that spelled his name. The blue banner was getting threadbare now, but she had kept it all those years.
"You kept it."
"Of course, I did."
"Our, uh, birthday tradition."
"Yeah. I didn't realize I had taken it with me. I must have…well, I must have had it out to decorate when I…"
"Yeah, of course." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "We don't need to talk about that today."
No, he'd done enough talking about that yesterday.
His stomach rumbled, which reminded him why he came down in the first place. "Honey, what do you want for breakfast?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. You're the birthday boy."
"Pancakes! And eggs!" He heard the seven year old before he saw her. He laughed softly. Of course Annie had some input.
Teresa interjected. "Annie, it's daddy's birthday. Let him choose breakfast today."
He grinned. Teresa had been a bit firmer with trying to set boundaries for Annie and helping her learn her place as an independent girl in a larger family.
He ruffled her hair. "No 'happy birthday, daddy'?"
"Happy birthday, daddy! But I'm hungry!"
"Lucky for you, I think that pancakes and eggs sound great, Annie."
Mom tapped his side. "I'll go get started on that!"
"Oh, no. Patricia, I have it." Teresa started to move toward the kitchen until mom grabbed her arm.
"No, Teresa. I insist! I'm here. I will take care of it. Paddy wants pancakes and eggs, and that's what we will have."
"Can I help, grandma? I know how to make eggs now!"
"Why of course!" Mom ushered Annie (and Charlotte who now toddled behind them) into the kitchen as Teresa looked a bit dumbfounded.
He walked over to her and took her into an embrace. "Mrs. Jane, you are just full of surprises!"
"Anything for you."
"But?"
"Hmm?"
"Mom invited herself here, didn't she?"
"She asked what we were doing for your birthday this year. She wanted to come out, and I wasn't sure I could say no to her."
He kissed the side of her head. "You know, she's not here to replace you."
"I just thought I'd be making your birthday cake, and when I lost that battle, I thought I could at least make breakfast." She flashed him a mischievous grin. "Besides, that would be a bit awkward, wouldn't it?"
He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, pulling her toward him. "You're certainly irreplaceable. But I might get used to the women in my life vying to take care of me. Maybe I like being a kept man."
She scrunched up her nose, which made his chest heavy with anticipation awaiting her barb.
She patted his chest. "I wouldn't get my hopes up. You seem fully capable of taking care of yourself to me!"
"If she's getting under your skin, maybe just tell her."
She tensed a bit. "Your mom is fine."
"So you're not a bit upset that she's kinda taken over your plans for the day?"
"No! I told her she should come if she wanted."
"But you didn't invite her?"
"Well, she asked what we had planned this year. She wanted to make a thing of it."
"Mmmhmm."
"I just…I don't know how to compete with her, filling in the time she missed with her little boy. I don't know what I'm supposed to do here."
"You're doing just fine. I'd say you've done everything you need to do and more. I love my birthday surprises."
She grinned at that. "I'm glad you do!"
"Since mom is making breakfast with the girls, we could take this time and go for a walk on the beach."
"Yeah."
He kissed her palm before linking their hands tightly and leading them to the door. "Mom, we're going for a walk."
"Okay, Paddy! Have a good walk."
"Are you okay with the girls?"
She glared at him. "Of course I'm okay with my grandchildren! Go!"
As Charlotte was plopped on the counter and Annie beat eggs next to her, both girls looked content with their grandma. When he looked to his wife for her approval, she just shrugged. Without further ado, they walked out onto the beach hand in hand.
"Bet you thought we'd have no alone time this weekend!"
"Not really. I will say I enjoyed our alone time last night."
She squeezed his hand. "Me too. Your mom offered to watch the girls this evening so we could go out somewhere."
"Last time we went out somewhere while my family was in town we became family twice over."
She grimaced. "When you say it that way, we sound like inbreeders."
He laughed. She was full of quips this morning. "You know what I mean. But I would like to take my girl out tonight."
"Aren't I the one taking you out?"
"Eh. Let's not get caught up in the semantics."
She smiled. "Well, it's your birthday."
"It is."
"And is it going well so far?"
He grinned. "Absolutely!"
He noticed a shift in the smile on her face. "Well, I don't really want to ruin that, but do you want to talk about what's going on?"
"Hmm?" That caught him off guard.
"What was that with your mom back there?"
"Nothing! I was just happy to see her."
"Right." She stopped mid-stride, causing him to also stop. "You've been off for a little while now, and I've been really trying to give you space to work through it or maybe talk to me about it. I know it's hard to talk about things sometimes, especially if they're about money."
"Excuse me?"
She sighed. "Patrick, is something going on with the dealership? If so, you can tell me. I've told you before that money isn't a big deal to me."
"I know, but why would you think I'm having money trouble?"
"Because of how closed off and anxious you've been." He could read the concern written across her face. Suddenly, he could hear his own heart pounding. He'd not meant to cause her any worry.
"Teresa, it's nothing like that."
"If it's not that, then what is it? What's made you act so distant? What made you blow up at Annie like that? You can tell me anything. I don't…." She trailed off.
"What is it?"
"I know you're right here, and I want to respect you as a person. But my God, you feel so far away right now."
He just wanted to deal with it on his own. He wanted that man nowhere near his family. But now, Teresa was concerned about him and their finances. She didn't like to spend much time thinking about money, but she'd also just bought this house for them and they were expecting twins.
In any case, she deserved to know what was keeping her husband away.
"My dad showed up at the dealership." She gasped. "He's been there a few times now. Maya called to see if she should give him my personal information."
"And what did you tell her?"
"I told her absolutely not! I don't want to be anywhere near him. It's just…it was bad enough knowing what a shit father he was to me and how he used me. Reconnecting with mom made it even worse. What kind of person does what he did?"
She nodded. "You are under no obligation to talk to him."
Deep down, he knew that. He was putting that into practice. But if he heard mom out, did he have an obligation to hear him out? Even if he was likely there to scam him in some way?
No, that was Thomas Jane talking.
"I've always known what he is. He's just an opportunist."
She pulled him into her embrace. "I'm so sorry, honey. You deserved so much more, and you don't have to have a relationship with anyone you don't want to be around. You know that, right?"
"Yeah, I know."
"I love you, and I'm so proud of you."
He grinned at that. "I know. That's why I don't want him anywhere near us. It doesn't matter what he wants or why he's here."
She kept rubbing his back. She was clearly trying to soothe him. It was…helping. "Patrick, will you look at me?"
He met her eyes. "What is it?"
"I know you've mentioned things before about your past. I need you to know that you don't have to be ashamed."
"Teresa, I…"
She took his chin into her palm. "Let me finish. Some of the things you've mentioned indicate that you've had a past that you're less than proud of because of the things you did, especially things that your dad made you do. I get it."
"No, you don't."
"I do. Do you think everything I've ever done in my life has been my proudest moment? I have an idea, Patrick. It's okay."
"I don't think it is."
"Maybe you can't forgive yourself. I understand that. I need you to know that I would never judge you for that. Everyone has a past, and in your case, you were just a kid. None of that is a reflection of the man you became."
He kissed her palm. "Of course you don't judge me, my love. It doesn't mean that I don't hold it against me."
"Well, you shouldn't. Besides, I've told you things that I've never shared with anyone else. Do you think I'm particularly proud of the fact that I stuck around and let a guy beat me in the name of love?"
He blanched at that. "Teresa, that's not what happened…"
She rolled her eyes. "I know what you're going to say. I've said it to others probably a thousand times too. My point is that we all have pasts that can make us feel ashamed even when we shouldn't. Like I came to you with a past, you came to me with a past. Beyond the perspective our pasts gave us, I don't think that's a reflection on who we are today or where our family is."
"Of course." He nodded along, but he also knew her words held some bit of truth. Teresa was always fiercely independent, and admitting anyone had hurt her or taken advantage of her was something that probably came at great cost to her.
But not to him. All he saw when he looked at her was his hero: strong and brave. His Wonder Woman.
She continued. "I don't want you to worry that me, or the girls, would ever think anything less of you. You are the greatest husband and father in the world. I know your heart; you're a good man."
"Don't you think you're laying it on a little thick?"
She winked at him. "I'm just being thorough."
"Right."
Of course, she always knew what to say.
"And more importantly, you are a good son. I know I'm probably not the one you need to hear it from, but Patricia adores you. And she's proud of you too. I hope you know that."
"I know."
"But?"
"It's just that he asked why I'd let her back in my life when she left but he stayed."
"Sounds like emotional manipulation to me."
"Sure. But it was so easy to let her back in. So easy for this to happen. Did I idealize the situation?"
She grimaced. "I don't think you did. I think you were curious, and you reached out and found a mother who wanted to see you too. If you have any doubts about that, or what it means, maybe you should talk to her about it."
"I don't want to add onto how bad she feels. Like you mentioned earlier, she came here this morning and completely took over everything. She even put the banner up."
"What's the story with that banner?"
"She made it for my first birthday. And she put it up every year. Well, for my first seven birthdays."
"Oh, I see."
"What?"
She shook her head. "Knowing your mom, that's probably something she did at great personal cost."
"What do you mean?"
She paused, trying to gather her words. "She had you young, and she had to figure out how to survive."
"Huh?"
"She was only 15, maybe 16, when she had you. You never paid attention to that?"
"No."
"She didn't tell you about her family?"
"No. She told you?"
Teresa looked surprised. "Well, yes. But…I just assumed she'd tell you that."
"Tell me what?"
"Well, your dad was a full adult who got a teenager pregnant! While I know it's not supposed to be a big deal or whatever according to her, I'm a cop, and it's all I could think about when you mentioned him. He's a creep."
"I mean…she mentioned something that made me think…" He paused.
It made him think of why he hated his father even more. He'd never embarrass mom and make her answer questions about thoughts he could now form about childhood observations. He was little more than mom's pimp. Definitely a creep. He didn't want that man around his family.
"What is it?"
He redirected himself. "I guess I never thought about how old she was. Or how old he was. I just thought 'gee, I don't have parents.' That's some added perspective, I guess."
"Don't be a smart ass."
"I'm not! I was just thinking that mom comes here with the banner and takes over your kitchen, which seems to upset you but you won't say anything, because she feels guilty."
She gave him a knowing smile. "No, it's because you're her son. She feels good being around her son. She wants to take care of you just like she takes care of her other children. I just think that she's trying to catch up on missed time maybe. And from what you've said, it sounds like your dad was pushing buttons."
"I know what he does, but it doesn't mean I don't still have these questions sometimes."
She frowned. "Was there something else that he said to you? Because you've been pretty confident and seem content in the relationship you're building with your mom and family."
"He just asked me when he became the bad guy when she clearly didn't want me."
"He never wanted you to have other family because that meant he could have all the control. Now, you have a family. You call the shots."
He hummed, taking in her words for a moment. Of course, he had a family. Getting to know his siblings was great. Sometimes, he was sad that he never knew them when they were children. Would he have been as excited as Annie to be a big brother? Would they have looked to him for advice? Would he have been the person to teach Jason how to surf?
"He told me that I have a brother."
She blinked rapidly. "A brother?"
"He brought them with him. Or at least he said that's who they were. It was probably a con. He asked if I'd…well, he asked if I would consider taking them in for a bit."
"Oh. So, that was his ask. Did he say why?"
He chuckled. "Said he was down on his luck. Him, his woman, and my brother need a place to go. They've been bouncing around, and he decided to look me up. When he did, he thought maybe I could help since I had made it big. He talked to me like…like I was some old friend he'd known. Not his son."
A bit of silence passed between them as he noted the suspicion in Teresa's eyes. "I could run a background check if you have their names."
He scoffed. "Teresa, it's a con. I know it is. I'm just not sure to what end it's a con. He probably doesn't even have another son! For all I know, the kid I saw belongs to someone else, and they're supposed to be babysitting him or something. Kids make the con sweeter—at least that's what dad always told me."
A lump started to form in his throat. What if that young woman was in danger? Was he using her like he had used mom? The young blonde woman he met yesterday looked utterly exhausted. If this was a con, her and the kid were likely the bait. How many times had he done this with new women and kids over the years?
"Do you want me to check next week?" He hesitated. A part of him didn't care, but a part of him wanted to know. She tapped the top of his hand. "You don't have to make a decision on that now."
"Sure."
What he and Teresa had made for themselves meant the world to him. He didn't want her anywhere near Thomas Jane. He had no desire to see him, not after what happened the last time he put on his Boy Wonder scam for him.
He didn't want to see that life. He didn't want to be part of it. Not in the slightest. Not anymore. His family was the promise of something so much different. It was a chance to build.
With a squeeze of their hands, they continued their walk.
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When they got back, mom had breakfast ready to go and was already feeding the girls. Charlotte seemed rather content as she ate her pancakes by the fistfull.
"Mama?"
"Yes, baby."
"Shimsuit?"
"After breakfast and nap."
Charlotte frowned. "No nap!"
"Yes, nap." He replied in Teresa's place. "It's how you grow big and strong like Annie."
"Annie nap?"
"No!" Annie yelled in protest.
Charlotte frowned, making the closest thing she had to an angry face. "No nap!"
Teresa huffed. Charlotte was definitely a Lisbon through and through to her mother's consternation and to his amusement.
He intervened once more. "Annie is a big girl. She doesn't need to nap right now. You do."
He tapped her nose with his index finger, earning a string of giggles.
Crisis was quickly averted after breakfast as Charlotte passed out in her high chair as they chatted with mom and Paul.
Teresa and mom were talking about house decor. Eventually, they left to go talk about their plans by location, leaving just him and Paul alone.
"Paddy, I brought my clubs this weekend!"
"Great!"
"I thought perhaps we could go play some holes this week. There's a course not too far from here. I love scenic courses. Maisie might join us if she's not too caught up in surfing or whatever."
He probably should've been more clear to Paul that he didn't entirely love golfing. It was something on occasion with clients and business partners.
Paul was giving him that earnest grin that he'd come to know. He was always so sincere. It's not like when he had to agree to his real dad's plots and ploys to gain an ounce of affection. This was an honest invitation to socialize over an activity that they might both enjoy.
Ah what the hell? Golfing never killed anyone…that he knew of.
"Sounds great, Paul."
He clapped him on the back and shifted in his chair as though he was leaving. But he stopped abruptly. "Are you doing okay, son?"
"Yeah? Why do you ask?"
"I know I'm not like you or your mom, but you seem a bit off. You have been since this morning. You want to talk about it?"
"No, I'm okay."
"Hmmm."
"What?"
"You answered very quickly."
He rubbed his head. "You know what? No, I'm not okay, but I also don't really want to talk about it."
"Are you sure?"
He exhaled loudly, realizing soon after he'd probably come off like a petulant teen. He wasn't sure what it was that talking to Paul seemed to bring out of him. He was making conversation.
"You know, I spent my entire childhood just wishing I could be normal, wishing that my life was some weird nightmare that I'd wake up from. When I woke up, the blonde haired lady who sang to me and made sure I would eat would be back and maybe we'd be in a house. She'd tell me that was all a bad dream, and I'd have a real family."
Paul frowned. "I know your birthday must be a hard time, and…"
"And then, my dad would come and slap me upside the head to tell me to stop daydreaming because there was money to be made in this life. 'Life is shit, but it's the shit you make it' is what he'd always say to me. Well, I guess I followed his advice to some degree. I took my shitty life and made it into something, and I have something great to show for it."
"Of course you do."
"Which makes it a good time for him to drop in to ask me to bail him out again."
"Has he contacted you?"
He nodded. "Showed up at the dealership wanting to talk to me. I finally went to see him yesterday morning, to tell him to get lost. But it's never that easy with people like him. They just get under your skin, knowing which buttons to hit to reach their objective."
"I can't say I have many good things to say about your dad, so I'm not sure I'm the best to give advice."
"Well, Paul, you wanted to talk about it."
"You're right. And that's what we're doing. I just don't have a particularly high opinion of him is all I'm saying. I've never really been one to speak ill of someone's parents, but he…" Paul huffed, clearly taking a moment to clear his thoughts. "When I first met your mom, I thought wow. This beautiful girl is into me. Maybe this move to Vegas was worth the chance I took because I'm so lucky to have met such a wonderful girl. See, I knew when I met her that she was so special. Then, to learn that was all orchestrated with hopes of defrauding me was something."
"Yeah, I can see how that's not exactly confidence building." For the first time in a long time, he thought of Angela. But he shrugged that off. She wasn't his concern today.
"But you see, I was right about the girl that I met and the woman she would become. When that man kidnapped you–which is what I consider it, I don't give a damn what the lawyers say–he did that to break that girl's spirit. He used an innocent child as a form of punishment. I don't have anything decent to say about him. Nothing."
He had nothing against Paul. He was perfectly decent. He seemed to be a good husband and dad, but he'd not really given much thought to how he might've felt watching mom going through all of that. He couldn't imagine helplessly watching Teresa be separated from the girls, as much as he couldn't imagine being the cause of that separation.
"I'm sorry to bring up a sore subject."
"Paddy, we're talking. It's not a sore subject. I'm just saying that I have no particular liking for the guy, which I can understand would put you in an awkward situation. What did he say to get you all beside yourself?"
"He saw the photo from New Year's with mom and the girls in my office. Asked how I could let…" he thought about how to proceed. Paul was very protective of mom. Good. "He asked how I could let mom back in but not even do him the favor of giving him a place to crash for a bit with his new girl and their kid. He said I have a brother."
Paul harrumphed. "Still getting girls at his age."
He didn't miss how Paul emphasized "girls."
Was he the only one who'd never noticed that? When he was a kid, mom was an adult full of wisdom. She knew how to make his special birthday cupcakes and had great stories. She was who he looked up to for all things just like Annie and Charlotte looked up to him.
"I guess so. I told him I couldn't help. Then, he obviously asked for money. Told him I couldn't help him with that either. Of course, he didn't take that well."
"Of course he didn't."
"Called me an ungrateful bastard. Talked about all the sacrifices he made for me. Did you know when I left home at 17 and ran away with my ex-wife, he didn't even look for me? He didn't even care that I was gone! By that point, I saw him once every couple weeks or so whenever he needed to make some money to pay a debt or something. But 'he's the one who stayed' and 'did the best' that he could. Give me a fucking break!"
He wasn't so sure why he was sharing so much with Paul. Usually, he wasn't so open with people who weren't Teresa.
"What did you tell him?"
"To get lost just like he did before."
"You're not under any obligation to have contact with him."
"I know that."
"Do you want to have contact with him?"
"No! I don't want him around my family. He's not…he's not what I'm building with Teresa. What he represents is not that."
Paul sighed. "Then, you don't have to see him again, but I don't know that you're being honest with yourself, son."
"What do you mean? I don't want to see him! He kept coming to the lot, so I finally went in yesterday so he'd stop harassing my staff."
"I'm not talking about that. Have you ever spoken to anyone about your childhood?"
"Yes, I've been in therapy for a while now. Ever since my ex-wife left me."
"Did they ever get you to sit with what your fears are?"
"What?"
"That you'll be like him."
"I'm nothing like him."
"My dad was a dentist."
"And you're a dentist. Not the same thing."
"He was also an abusive, mean drunk. A loathsome son of a bitch."
"And you're not."
"One New Year's Eve, about a year or so before Amanda was born, I got piss drunk. We were out with friends, and your mother tried to get me to slow down with the booze. I remember yelling at her, almost like I was watching someone else using my mouth, to 'sit the fuck down and shut up or maybe you can be homeless again.' For the rest of the night, she sat there staring off into the distance as I poured one after the other back. Now, most of the time, I didn't remember anything when I was drunk. But that night I remembered. In the shame of my own drinking, around our friends, I humiliated her. I humiliated the woman I love. And there she was the next morning with a hangover cure for me, showing me all of this love after I spoke to her that way. It was 10 years before I picked up another drink. I didn't want to become that which I hated and hurt the ones I loved."
"Probably a good choice."
"What I'm saying is: you're nothing like that man. You've already made many choices in life that have shown your character. You wouldn't keep a woman like Teresa if you didn't have good, solid character. She chose to have a family with you. She sees that you are a good man."
"I don't think I've ever doubted that."
"Again, I don't have the gift. But I know that's bullshit."
He exhaled sharply. "Yeah, okay. I'm the guy people always leave: mom, dad, Angela…everyone fucking leaves! I don't leave; I get left. It's always there, in the back of my mind. What if Teresa figures out that I'm not good enough for her? That she's made a mistake? That I'm a terrible father to our children?"
His eyes watered. "Every day, I'm so grateful for them. But every day, I'm so terrified that they'll be gone one day. And if he's circling, I know that day is likely to be sooner rather than later. Teresa will never accept what he can turn me into."
"And neither will you." He wasn't sure when it happened, but he realized Paul had draped his arm around his shoulder. "You're not a child anymore. You're not under his influence anymore. You've overcome so much in life, and that's not changing because he drops in. You know who you are, son. And so do they."
He nodded. "I…I haven't told Teresa this. But I've been on medication for anxiety for quite some time. I didn't want her to think that I'm broken."
"She already knows that."
"What?"
"She knows you're not perfect. No one is. You shouldn't be ashamed of seeking help for something that is bothering you and that you can't control. You're being a responsible person for them and for yourself, but you're so afraid of her seeing you when I don't think anyone sees you more clearly."
"Him being here is a bad sign."
"And I think you have the tools, and the language, you need now to set the boundaries. For what it's worth for someone who doesn't think highly of that man, you don't have to have a relationship with him at all. You never have to speak to him again if that's what you want."
"Right."
"You're better than he is, Paddy. You're breaking the cycle. It's not easy to do. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. Do you think…would you mind keeping this between us? I didn't want to tell mom, and I just told Teresa this morning. Well, I didn't tell her everything. I just need some space with it. My behavior hasn't been great."
"Because you're trying to deal with this thing alone. You don't have to do that. Nor do you have to carry all of the shame that's not yours."
Paul had a way of getting people to talk. He was starting to understand why mom must have found her conscientious and found it hard to run a con on this man all of those years ago.
"Paddy! Can you come here for a moment?" Mom calling for him broke him out of his thoughts. Mom…who was here right now. For his birthday.
Paul squeezed his shoulder. "We should probably go find out what they're up to."
"Yeah."
"Real quick: I want to let you know something else. They love you for who you are for yourself, not just for who you are to them. Don't forget that you are a person outside of them too."
"I know."
"I just wanted to remind you. So much of who you are is wrapped up in being Teresa's husband or Annie and Charlotte's dad. You're still Patrick. That's who they want. They need Patrick, too."
He nodded. His girls were his entire world. Sometimes, he wondered if he'd even be here if he'd not met Teresa is some hole in the wall bar.
When they found mom and Teresa in the second living room, they were talking about how they might be able to flip this space into another bedroom.
"Honey, your mom was just giving me some ideas for revamping the space here."
"Yeah? Does that include a mother's cottage?"
Mom was beaming. "Well, now that you mention it, we could buy a place here. Paul, what do you think?"
He chuckled. "I think Paddy was joking, dear."
"I know he was, but we could have so many events here!"
He laughed. "Mom, I think Paul has told us more than enough times how much he prefers the east coast beaches."
"The water is actually warm! Imagine someone wanting to actually swim in July! Paddy and Teresa, you have to come out to the Jersey Shore some time!"
"The girls don't seem to have a problem with the cool water." Teresa swatted his arm.
"For now!" Paul continued. "Wait until they're older! Teresa, a little help here?"
She threw up her hands. "I have zero opinions on the east or west coast. I prefer Hawaii."
She flashed him the warmest smile, making him smile as well. "Yeah, me too."
"And yet you have a coastal California home! Okay, Paddy, go get cleaned up! Once the girls are up, we're going to do cake and presents."
"Presents?"
"Yes, presents."
"Are you throwing me a birthday party?"
"Yes, that's what this is."
"Ah!" He flew off the bench next to Teresa and kissed his mom on the cheek. "I'm going to shower."
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After the girls woke up, mom gathered everyone around the table.
"Have a seat, son."
"Okay." As soon as he sat, she was attaching a party hat to his head. It felt a little strange as everyone snickered a bit.
"Smile, Patrick!" Amanda got his attention right before she snapped his photo.
Mom placed a chocolate cake in front of his face.
"Now, Paddy, I know the last time we did this I hadn't yet evolved beyond boxed cake mixes and foil cupcake tins. But happy birthday, my boy!"
She kissed his cheek. "Thanks, mom."
"Amanda, will you take our picture?"
They both smiled in her direction before Annie got them started on the birthday song. Later, he would look at that photo of mom just off to his side with her arms draped around him and just smile. A new photo for his office maybe.
For his eighth birthday, he'd asked mom for a birthday party. One of the local kids at the school he attended at the time had invited him to his party. It was one of the most wonderous things he'd experienced up until that time.
Obviously, he'd never had that party or any other. But he was having one now, for his 36th birthday. Because mom—and Paul, Maisie, Amanda, Teresa, Annie, and Charlotte—were all here.
After cake and presents, he and Teresa were off for the evening on the town.
She chose a local spot that had live music. The food was okay, but he was mostly happy to be here with Teresa.
The band was pretty good and had a range of cover songs, but it wasn't until they played a song with a jazz beat and slow tempo that he noticed Teresa's foot tapping.
"Would my lady like to dance?"
She accepted his hand almost as soon as he stretched it out.
"Of course, I would."
They danced around the floor, looking at each other as they danced. They often did that. He loved taking her in. It was almost like they were in their own secret world right now.
"Did you enjoy your party?"
"I did."
"Good."
"I know it's probably not what you had in mind…"
"No," she interrupted. "It's exactly what I had in mind."
"How's that?" He wondered if he might need to set some firm boundaries with mom if Teresa felt she was encroaching on her space.
"What I always had in mind was you enjoying your day, and Mr. Jane, you were incredibly happy today."
She reached up on her toes, planting a kiss on his lips.
"Was I?"
"You were. I have an observational skill too. I do detect things, you know?" They both laughed softly. "I'm glad your mom and everyone came out for you. It's your birthday and you deserve to celebrate it in a way that makes you happy."
"I'd be just as happy with only my girls too."
"I know that, but you should've seen the childlike joy you had when your mom mentioned a party."
She bit her lip. "It's okay. I always wanted a party. It's what I had asked for for my eighth birthday."
"I'm glad you had one then."
"It's only a few years off."
"Better late than never. Patrick, I'm sorry if I made it seem that I didn't want your mom here earlier. I'm very glad that you and the girls have her in your lives."
"And you do too."
"Of course. I'm just saying I'm happy that you get to pick up in your relationship. I'm glad our girls have grandparents."
He kissed her lips softly this time. "Me too."
"And the other thing…I trust your judgment on that. I love you, and I trust you. Always."
"I know. I love you too, baby."
He grinned and poised himself to make a slightly crude remark to Teresa about wishing they had more privacy for what he'd like to do when they arrived home.
But suddenly, a memory hit him with full force causing him to slam his eyes shut.
"Patrick, what is it?"
"It's…it's nothing."
"It's okay to tell me."
"I don't want to talk about my dad."
"I didn't mention your dad."
"I just thought of another time, and…I'd rather not…"
"Your dad or Angela?"
He sighed heavily. Was he really going to do this?
"My dad caught me with Angela once. We were young, and we'd just started having sex not long before."
He paused for a moment to take in Teresa's face. She probably didn't want to hear this, did she? But she was still looking at him fully attentive.
"I freaked when he walked in. I thought he would yell, and I'd be in trouble. But he just laughed and walked out. He said 'take your time, son!' Of course, we both freaked and it was over. Well, when he stumbled in the next day, he threw a box of condoms at me. He said 'You'll need these, my boy. She only opens her honeypot for you because you've got a sweet smile, but it's how they control you. Those honeypots are nothing but disappointment. Be sure to try a few of them out before settling for one. Lots of honey out there, Paddy!' I didn't really know what he meant. I guess at the time, I thought we were bonding. You know, he was teaching me how to be a man, but…"
"You think he was right?"
"Well, no. I don't know. Maybe. At least about Angela, but I realize now he was competing for control."
"So, what made you think of that?"
"It's what he said next."
"What?"
"'They'll say they love you, but it's not real. Be ready to put up what they want. Show them a weakness, and it's over.' He laughed at that for a while. He wanted me to go do a con later to celebrate."
"And you thought of that while we were dancing?"
He felt guilty. And stupid. Why on earth would any moment with Teresa make him think of that?
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"Patrick, I don't know what to say to all of that, but..."
"It's okay."
"Let me finish. You faced emotional abuse and manipulation, and sometimes, I think it's hard for you to see how you fought to get out of it. You've overcome so much. I know it's hard to talk about things, but we can do this." She brought his hand to her round belly as she continued to hold him with her other arm. "I think we can definitely do the hard stuff."
He brought his hand to her right cheek, cupping it. "We can. I'm so sorry, Teresa. I love you."
She kissed his palm. "You don't have to apologize. You know, there's a reason why you're my favorite guy."
She laced their fingers together. "Why is that?"
"Because you're bold, handsome, and kind…of a smart ass."
"Wow. You know how to stroke a guy's ego!"
"I love to stroke your ego…and other unfortunately, I think we may now have too many houseguests."
He laughed. "Of course. Rain check?"
She returned the laugh. "I think that's best."
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The next morning, he couldn't help but smile as he woke up to her and the girls in their bed.
"Good morning, baby."
"Good morning."
Life couldn't be better.
And that's when Teresa's phone rang. "Lisbon."
Sometimes, it grated on him when he heard her say it. She was Teresa Jane now—everywhere except at work. That was something she kept as Teresa Lisbon.
"Yeah. What is it, Cho?"
She gasped in horror. "Arrested?!"
Without knowing what it was, he knew that everything had changed.
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A/N2: Families, amirite? Up next, we will be checking in with the CBI.
