Then he reached toward Mia as though the reunion could begin.
I stepped back. "Don't."
"Seriously? You're going to use the girls to punish me?"
I took the diaper bag from Gerald. "I'm not going to pretend this is okay. I'm leaving."
"No, you're not." Gerald put a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't."
"Gerald, don't..."
"You can't afford to get home by yourself, Claire," he said. "And I won't let you run off with my grandchildren like that just because you're upset."
He was right. I couldn't get afford to get home by myself, and I hated it.
***
On the flight, the men discussed a fishing trip. I watched the twins sleep and thought through my options.
He was right.
***
When we reached the house, Ryan dropped his bag by the door.
"So," he said. "What's for dinner?"
"Seriously?"
He rolled his eyes. "We've been happy all this time, and it's not like you've got somewhere else to go, so get over it already."
