Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

41 - Reveal

Doyle looked in the mirror. Sometimes her mind could still see the bruising. She pressed her lips together and kissed the air to smooth her lipstick.

"Aren't you ready yet?"

Doyle smiled when she turned toward her room, Kasper looked nice in his casual outfit. She reached up and straightened his collar. "Monty is going to be jealous."

He shook his head. "They're solid. She would never take a hall pass."

Doyle chuckled. "You are so conceited."

"No, I'm not."

"Are too."

"No."

The bickering continued down the stairs. Percy shook his head. "Some things never change in this house."

"But a lot have Perce," Kasper reminded him.

"McIntyre has picked up your brother and will be here momentarily."

"Why were we invited to this dinner?"

Doyle smiled. "Because Sofia has the hots for you."

"And you're cool with being at their house? What if you..."

She cut him off before he insulted Gray. "It's totally fine." She didn't tell anyone about California and for reasons of their own, Jimmy and Philip were keeping it quiet.

Doyle had taken extra care to look nice. It was the first time she and Gray would be together with her siblings. As soon as the car arrived, she climbed into the back while Kasper sat up front. The familiar ride from Beacon Hill to Back Bay wasn't long at all.

Kasper said, "The last time I was here was to bring Doyle home."

Ivy looked up at the house. "I thought it might be bigger."

Baxter laughed. "Who are you?"

Doyle said, "It's large inside."

Georgie stood next to Jimmy's car which was parked in the driveway. Sofia greeted them at the door with a big smile. As Doyle stepped in, her eyes immediately found Ana in Gray's arms. The baby was shy with all the unfamiliar faces.

Doyle walked over and smiled. "Hi Ana." Her heart swelled when Ana reached out her arms. She took her from Gray. "See that's my brother, and my other brother and silly Jimmy."

"Hey." Jimmy complained. "It's nice to see you happy."

"I am happy."

She knew Gray was behind her before she felt his hand on her waist. Baxter almost stepped forward, but Ivy squeezed his hand. Knowing Jimmy, he brought Ivy in on the conspiracy.

She looked at Kasper. "I'm happy because Gray and I are together for good."

"What?" Baxter asked.

"Why?" Tate asked.

"When?" Kasper asked, looking hurt.

"Gray was in LA and the thing is I didn't realize something important. The night of my attack, I had a lot of nightmares and dreams. During one of them, I kissed Gray. In the morning, I was glad to feel the chain around my neck. Dad would have killed me if Gio stole it."

"Seriously?" Shocked Jimmy broke the stunned silence, but he quickly laughed. "I didn't see that coming."

Baxter looked at her. "You're making that up so we'll concede."

"Concede, what?"

Baxter frowned. "That you should be with him."

Jimmy said, "Bax, let them be together. He's an excellent influence. Doyle, when was the last time you smoked?"