A Special Kind of Perfect

CHAPTER 15

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Sheila Hunter tentatively smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I was waiting for the right moment to tell you this, but it seems that there is no better moment like this one." She smoothed the wrinkles of the sheet with her palm.

"Mom, you're worrying me," Peyton said, their beautiful, light-green eyes, shadowed with sadness. "What's wrong? Look, if it's about Aunt Imelda's visit, we'll get over it, we always do."

"When I met your father, he had just gone through a very ugly divorce, losing the custody of his only son to his calculated, cold-hearted ex. When Steven saw you, it was love at first sight, and the rest is history. He courted and married me because he wanted you in his life, and I was kinda jealous." Sheila smiled again.

"I know Dad loves us both," Peyton spoke softly. "He always encouraged me to get out into the world, express myself, make friends. Words of encouragement and praise were all I've heard from him, but sometimes, I wish he was firmer in defending us in front of his sister."

"He does, honey. The two of them have terrible fights behind closed doors. Last time, however, it was a major fallout, as your aunt told your father that he should take care of his own son instead of pampering you. He reacted very badly, practically threw her out of the house, and now we suspect she's back with a vengeance."

"Do you think she'll bring Dad's son along, hoping to make him turn his back on me? Because if so, she'll win from the start, Mom. I can't compete against Dad's own flesh and blood," Peyton sounded defeated. "Especially since he's a boy, and I'm..."

"Unique. Special. Blessed with so many gifts and talents." Sheila ran her fingers through her child's light-brown hair. "You don't have to be afraid of losing your dad's love. He'll always be in your corner, supporting you."

"Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled at the idea of having a brother, someone to share my dreams and ideals with, someone to talk to, but I'm afraid Aunt Imelda has already poisoned his mind, and he's going to look down on me. I can't do that, Mom. I can't make Dad choose between me and his son. If that is the case, I'll leave, he stays." Peyton's voice was sad, but also very determined.

"Honey, we don't know yet if Imelda found your dad's son, and even if she did, it's possible that he wouldn't like her very much and wouldn't agree to come here. Oh, his name is Tobias, by the way."

"What a beautiful name." Peyton smiled weakly. "I really hope the two of us could get along and make things work. More, I want to have a solid relationship with him, the kind I have with Alasdair."

A big smile lightened Sheila's face when she heard the redhead's name. For a year, he had been her child's only friend, a blessing in disguise. A lively, spirited, dynamic, brilliant, talkative boy, who wouldn't hesitate to get into fights to defend the weak against bullying, just like he did with Peyton when they was constantly picked up on.

He was also the one who introduced her child and Ezra to one another, and later, together with Leon, was the communication link between the two wounded souls, giving them hope and strength, making them have faith in the future of their relationship. And then there was Alasdair's boyfriend, always gentle, kind and considerate around Peyton, treating them like his own little sibling.

Yes, Sheila said to herself, carefully closing the door behind her. The situation was very different from the one four years earlier, when her sister-in-law last stepped all over her poor baby, breaking their little heart. There was almost nothing left, except the big, love-filled heart of the lonely, sad fifteen-year-old from then, replaced by Peyton's current, confident, smiling self.