Sometimes there were moments in life where things seemed impossible. 

Like there was no way in hell that a certain situation could happen.

Sometimes people were who they were and they didn't ever change. It's kind of like that saying: you can't teach and old dog new tricks. 

Damian Hale has always been considered an old dog. Okay...maybe he's always been more shark than dog. But if the saying fits...

"I don't believe you," Harper said with wide eyes. "This has to be a lie or a ploy. Maybe reverse psychology. Something! But it's not the truth." 

I sat up in my chair and reached for my Dragon Fruit Refresher from Starbucks. "Harper, I'm telling you the truth. It's all real. Ryan is sure of it." 

Harper looked from me to Lanie. "Are you buying this?" Her eyes went to Jamie and Karma next. "Any of you? I know Damian Hale, okay, and he is not this man." 

Lanie spoke softly, as if trying not to make Harper more upset. "Maybe it is true, Harp. Some of it kinda adds up. I mean you said yourself Everly was pretty vague with some of the details when she told you that story of when they met."

"Well, duh! She barely knew me at the time. And she was sick." 

Karma spoke next. "Harper, could you be having a hard time accepting this because of Jackson?" 

I kept my mouth shut and sipped my ice cold drink. I loved Harper to death, but the woman had a temper—especially when it came to protecting the man she loved. 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harper snapped. "Please, Karma, explain it to me." 

Karma wasn't phased by her best friends attitude in the least. She stayed calm, cool, and collected during their spat. "Fine, I will. I think it's hard for you to except because it means that Damian was being cruel to Jackson on purpose. And the fact that he went back to Ryan's mom instead of choosing Everly. And you can't help think about how much Jackson's life would have been different if that was the case."

When Harper didn't say anything Jamie added softly, "Damian really hurt Jackson, Harper. It's understandable that you be more upset about this. Jackson didn't deserve what his father did to him." 

Harper leaned back in her chair with a defeated sigh. Poor thing. She was trying so hard to keep it together. I didn't blame her either for how she felt. When Ryan first told me this revelation, I was furious. Damian had been so jealous of Ryan choosing me and marrying me that he treated us badly. I didn't care about my feelings; but he hurt the man I loved. That was not okay. 

"Does Jackson know yet?" Lanie asked me. 

I exhaled a deep breath. "Ryan's telling him now."

Harper groaned at my words. "He isn't going to take this well. Oh, god. Poor Jackson." 

"I kinda feel bad for Damian too," Lanie murmured. When Harper's eyes snapped to hers, Lanie added in a low voice, "I'm not saying what he did was okay, Harper. And he should accept the consequences. But he also lost the only woman he really loved. He even flew there to say goodbye." Lanie shrugged one shoulder. "I don't know. It's just...sad. All of it is." 

"Yeah it kind of is," Karma agreed. 

I chanced a look at Harper. "He invited Ryan and me to dinner at his place this week." 

"Are you serious?" 

"Yeah. He said he wanted to make an effort to be in our lives and. And the baby's life." 

Harper's eyes narrowed. "There's more, isn't there. Something you aren't telling me." 

Damn. Lanie wasn't the only one who was perceptive. "Well, there is a little more..." Harper motioned for me to continue when I hesitated. "Ryan told him that the only way he would go was if he made things right with Jackson."

"And what did he say?" 

"He said he would."

Harper put her hands to her temple. "I'm getting a migraine. You know he only agreed to that to get Ryan to go, don't you? He probably doesn't care about making things right with Jackson." 

"I think he does," I replied. "Honestly, Harp, I really think he does. Otherwise, why tell Ryan everything?"

Harper shook her head and leaned back in her chair. With arms crossed over her chest she mumbled, "The only way we're going is if Jackson wants to go. Knowing how he feels about his dad, it's probably going to be a no. You know what? Scratch that. It's going to be a fuck no. Mark my words on that." 

"Fuck no," Jackson sneered. "Not a bloody chance in hell."

My eyes slid shut briefly. "Jackson, please. Just let me explain—"

"Oh you did explain. You explained how our father lied to us and treated me like a piece of shit on purpose. So please tell me why the hell I should I go to this dinner?" 

When I invited Jackson over for lunch today, he thought it was just to shoot the shit. Not so much. I knew my dad was going to talk to him privately at that dinner—if Jackson went—but I didn't want my brother to get ambushed with the truth. When it came to our dad, it was best that Jackson have an idea of what he was walking in to. 

"In all fairness, Everly didn't tell us the truth either." 

That got Jackson's attention—and not in a good way. With three big strides he came to stand in front of me and pointed a long finger in my face. 

"Don't you fucking dare. You are calling my mum a liar."

"She was my mom too!" I shouted. "And as fucked up as it is to say it, she was more of a mom than my birth mom. You don't think that this makes me feel some type of way? She lied to me too, Jay. They both did. I was older than you. You don't think I remember how it was when we lived with dad and Everly? We were happy. For the first time in our lives, we were happy. All of us. You and me. Everly. Even dad." 

Jackson cursed under his breath as he turned away from me. He ran his fingers through his already disheveled hair. "I can't believe this, Ryan. I just can't." His angry defense was starting to crack. "This is just too fucked up to believe." 

"I know it is," I reassured. "But think about it, Jay. You know our dad. Can you imagine what it took for him to come here and confess everything? And I saw it in his eyes. He meant every word." 

With his back to me, Jackson scoffed. "What? That he was happy-happy-joy-joy when mum told him she was pregnant with me? You really believe that?" 

"Yeah, Jackson, I do. I wouldn't lie about something like that." 

The tenseness in his shoulders magnified. "Do you hear how fucked up that is? If he was so happy about my existence, then why did he treat me the way he did? Because he's a selfish bastard, that's why!"

I understood why my brother was angry. He had a million reasons to be. But so did I. 

"How do you think I feel," I rasped. "At least he loved your mom. At least he was excited for your birth, Jackson. I was the product of an arranged marriage between two people who could barely stand each other. Tell me, brother, how am I supposed to feel about that." 

I knew I was losing it. And so did Jackson. He turned towards me, walking slowly in my direction. His eyes were the same as mine. Pained and on the verge of producing some fucking tears. 

Jackson pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm sorry. Fuck. I'm so sorry, Ry."

"So am I." I returned the hug and squeezed my eyes tight. "This is all so fucked up, Jay. I'm not saying we forgive him right away, but maybe we can learn to live together. You know, for...for her. It's what she would have wanted." 

"I think you're right." Jackson pulled away from me and ran his hand over his face. "Jesus. Next time you invite me to lunch, don't be surprised when I say no." 

I half-chuckled, wiping at my eyes in an effort to compose myself. "I know, I know. I didn't want to spring this on you. I just figured it would be safer if I did it instead of dad." 

Jackson made an amused snort. "Yeah. If he surprised me with this shit, I probably would have punched him." 

"Yes, you would have. There's no probably about it." 

Jackson walked over to my couch and plopped down on it. "I still can't believe this." He glanced over at me. "He really went to see her before she...passed?"

I nodded. "He showed me the necklace. And the ring. I believe him." I shifted on my feet nervously. "So will you come to dinner? I really need you there with me, Jay." 

"Yeah, I'll me there." Jackson winced and rubbed at his chest. "Fuck. I miss her so fucking much, you know? Sometimes it feels a little better. But other times...Especially now with this shit with Harper. Christ. I can't stand it." 

"What shit with Harper?" 

All the blood left Jackson's face. He looked white as a ghost. "She want's a baby," he said hoarsely. 

"I know that. You guys are planning to adopt." 

Jackson's eyes met mine and that pain inside them spoke volumes. I walked over to the couch and sat beside him. 

"You mean...she wants to get pregnant." 

Jackson ran his hands over his thighs repeatedly before gripping the fabric of his jeans until his knuckles turned white. 

"I'm scared, Ry. What if I do get her pregnant and she miscarries?"

I shook my head. "You don't know that will happen, Jackson. And she's a strong person. She can—"

"But I'm not." When Jackson looked at me now, he looked like a ruined man. Something I never thought I would see in my brother. "I'm not strong enough. Not for this. Not when it comes to her."

"Jackson, you would support her and—"

"Yes, of course. I would be there and help anyway I could. But strong or not, I know my wife. I know her. This would devastate her. And me. On top of that, I would have to see her in that kind of pain. But on the other hand, I want to give her what she wants. I want to give her everything." 

I knew words were futile at this point. So I didn't say anything. Then something happened. For the second time in my life, I saw tears stream down Jackson's face. The only other time was when mom died. 

"What do I do, Ry?" he asked raggedly. "What the fuck do I do?" 

***

Hey guys! I know we've had some heavy and emotional chapters recently. Just wanted to let you know I got some fun stuff planned coming up!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo