“Ok,” I say. “Then what are you waiting for? Tully’s already told you your parents are home. Just knock on the door.”
Noah scrunches up his face before hesitating again, so instead of allowing him to back out, I knock on the door for him, forcing him to face his fears. Well, I guess ‘fears’ isn’t exactly the right word. He’s not scared of his mother, but I think he’s terrified of her rejection, of hurting her again. He wants nothing more than to earn her forgiveness and while he’s been doing everything in his power to make that happen, it all comes down to this moment, whether she believes he’s put in enough effort or if she wants him to continue paying for his mistakes.
“Shit,” Noah grumbles under his breath as he becomes fidgety. I take his hand and lace my fingers through his, giving him all the support in the world.
“What’s going on?” Lacey questions, flicking her eyes between me and Noah, clearly confused by Noah’s reluctance to walk straight through the door. After all, this is his family home and people generally don’t feel this way when standing at their own front door.
“It’s a long story,” I tell her, realizing that Noah’s not about to go and give her any answers, but I feel as though I need to prepare the poor girl before she walks in there. “Noah’s not exactly on good terms with his mom right now.”
“Oh, so am I supposed to be some sort of bargaining chip to get him on her good side?”
“No, not at all,” I tell her as we hear the sound of someone moving around inside. “You’re the sun in the sky which could hopefully lead them all out of the darkness. They’re all missing Lily so much, especially Violet and we’re hoping that your stories of her could help to heal her heart, even if it’s only a little. Noah will deal with his differences when they’re both ready. The only question is if she’ll let him through the door.”
Noah scoffs beside me. “No need to remind me.”
“Sorry,” I grumble moments before the door is pulled open.
Violet stands before us with a warm smile on her face for her guests, that is until she takes in Noah standing before her. The smile instantly drops, and she runs her eyes over me, giving me a small nod before glancing at Lacey and then returning her eyes to Noah. “I thought I made it clear that you weren’t welcome in my home until you had made up for the things you have done.”
“I promise, I’m working on it,” he tells her. “But this is important. I thought maybe you could put aside your differences just to hear me out. It’s about Lily.”
Violet’s brows dip down as she focuses closer on Noah. “What are you talking about?” she questions, desperately, searching his eyes for something I can’t quite work out.
Noah indicates to Lacey beside him. “Mom, this is Lacey.”
Violet’s eyes widen in surprise and she cuts off whatever Noah was about to say as she turns to take in the girl. “Lacey?” she questions with slight hesitation. “As in, the little girl Lily would talk about in the room across from hers?”
“The very one,” Lacey smiles fondly.
Violet’s heart sits upon her sleeve as she continues taking her in. “Oh, sweet girl,” she gushes. “I’ve always wondered how you were doing. It’s so lovely to see you again, though in my mind you’re still a little girl, but it seems you’re all grown up now.”
“I am,” Lacey chuckles. “I hope it’s alright that I’m here.”
“Of course, darling.”
Noah raises his chin. “Lacey sought out me and Tullz last week and told us everything she remembered of her time with Lily and I thought I’d invite her over to share the same things with you and dad,” he explains.
Violet glances back at Lacey with tears pooling in her eyes. “You’d be willing to do that?” she questions. “Share your memories of my baby girl with us?”
“I couldn’t ask for anything better,” she tells Violet. “I’d be honored.”
With that, Violet steps out of the doorway and welcomes us in, and it’s not until I get a few steps into the living room that I realize Noah and Violet are still standing at the door, staring at each other with broken souls.
“I’ll, um…I guess I’ll go,” Noah murmurs. “I just wanted to bring her here.”
Violet sighs. “Don’t be silly. Come in and share in the memories of your sister. We can talk afterward.”
Noah’s eyes flick to mine before he nods and walks through the door. I offer Lacey a seat as Noah drops down onto the couch. “Henley, sweetheart, could you race down and see what Tully is doing? I’m sure she’d like to be here for this.”
“Sure,” I smile. I hurry down the hall as Violet ducks into the kitchen, most likely to get some drinks and search out Eddison. I push my way through Tully’s door, hoping I’m not about to walk in on anything that I can’t unsee as you never know with this girl.