Forever Mine (ROYAL RIDERS SERIES BOOK #2)

12| Truths

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Truths

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Chapter 12: Truths (Michael's POV)

Amelia and I sat side by side with my uncle sitting across from us, all of us waiting on dinner to be served. "You didn't tell me you were bringing Amelia," uncle Mason said and then added, "but of course, she's always welcome here." 

She offered him a small smile, keeping her hands in her lap. 

"Anyhow," he waved a dismissive hand, "I wanted to see you and speak to you. It was important, so I didn't want to do it over the phone. Two things." 

I nodded, telling him to continue and spill it. 

"Next Friday. It's your parents' death anniversary." 

My jaw clenched and I hummed. "I remember." 

"If you find the time, we should go to New York together. Visit their graves. Hmm?" His voice was just as strained as I'm sure mine would be. 

"Yeah," I agreed, clearing my throat. "We should." 

He sighed and the room fell quiet for a while. "On um, a light note," he exhaled, "there's something I should tell you. Michael... you're like a son to me and you know that. I thought you should know because it's high time. But there's someone I'd like you to meet." 

"Who?" I asked, my brow twitched to raise. 

"Donna." 

"Donna...?" I trailed off questioningly. 

"Donna Holmes. She's an artist and art gallery owner of Reliquary. It's an art gallery near my office and she has an exhibition next Monday. I want you to come, I'm going as well. And you're free to bring Amelia if you feel more comfortable that way, coming with someone else." 

I watched him for a minute. "And why am I going to Ms. Donna Holmes' art exhibition?" 

"Donna is... She is um, she's my girlfriend." 

I blinked in surprise, my eyebrows shooting up. "Oh." 

He nodded, drinking his whiskey faster than usual. "She has been my girlfriend for quite some time, on and off since I moved to Boston back when you were in college. She's been wanting to meet you for a long time but I didn't know how to tell you that I was seeing a woman. I didn't know how you would react." 

"And how did you think I would react?" 

"I wasn't sure. I thought it could upset you, especially because you were younger then. You weren't a child, but it's a sensitive subject, isn't it? I didn't want you to think that bringing a woman into my life would take my time away from you and making time for you was important, it still is. Without your Dad around, I had to take you in and I did, so I have to keep it up. I want to. You're my nephew but you're the son I've never had. I was just never quite sure how to admit this to you. 

"But I think you're responsible and you understand. I met Donna when I really needed her when I was all alone in Boston. She's lovely and I think you two would really get along. And I would really like it if you met her because I'd like to marry her. Someday. One day," he gave us a small shrug. He seemed nervous to hear my response.