Tangled Affections

42.

Rose cleared her throat, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "I know this might be sudden, but I was thinking... maybe you could come live with us? At least for a little while. I mean, you don't have to stay if you don't want to, but it would be nice to get to know you... as sisters."

John chimed in, smiling warmly. "Yes, Becky. You're welcome in our home. We'd love to have you. It's your home too, if you'd like it to be."

Becky hesitated, her eyes drifting to where Freen stood a few feet away, watching over her like a silent guardian. She felt torn, not wanting to leave the safety and comfort Freen provided. She looked back at Rose and John, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I... I need to ask someone first," Becky said, her voice quivering. "There's someone who means everything to me, and I need to know what she thinks."

She pointed toward Freen, whose eyes widened slightly but remained filled with support and love. Rose's face tightened at the mention of Freen, a subtle tension pulling at her features. She still couldn't bring herself to look at Freen, the sting of past rejections and heartbreaks too fresh. Accepting Becky was one thing, but accepting Freen as her sister-in-law in the future? That thought alone made her chest tighten painfully.

Rose's expression remained conflicted, but she nodded. "Take your time," she said softly, her voice strained but genuine. She wasn't ready to face that part of the truth yet, but she was trying. "I'll be waiting whenever you're ready."

John, unaware of the deeper tension between the girls, simply nodded, still smiling warmly. "Whatever makes you comfortable, Becky. We're here for you."

Becky gave a hesitant nod, her heart still heavy with uncertainty but also a small glimmer of hope. Maybe this was the beginning of something new, something she had never known—a family. Even if she couldn't have it all right now, perhaps she could start with a sister.

But one thing was clear—this was going to be a journey, and there was still much healing left to do. As Becky looked at Freen, she knew one thing for sure: she wasn't ready to let go of the person who had been her anchor through the storm. And for now, that was more than enough.

Freen sat on the edge of the bed, watching Becky as she nervously paced back and forth, her hand brushing through her hair repeatedly—a sign of her anxious thoughts. Becky's eyes were filled with uncertainty, darting from her packed suitcase to the door and then back to Freen. Freen's heart clenched with a mix of emotions—love, worry, and a deep-rooted fear of being apart.

"Becky," Freen said softly, her voice gentle but steady. "I think you should go and stay with Rose and her dad for a while."

Becky stopped pacing, turning to face Freen. "But... what if things don't work out? What if they don't really want me there? I don't want to leave you, Freen. I don't want to be away from you." Her voice trembled with vulnerability, and Freen could see the fear etched on her face.

Freen stood up and walked over to Becky, taking her hands in hers. "I know you're scared," she said, her eyes locking onto Becky's. "But I think this is a chance for you to experience the love and care that you've missed out on for so many years. You deserve to have a family, Becky. To know what it's like to be surrounded by people who want to love you."

Becky's eyes filled with tears, her lower lip quivering. "But you're my family, Freen. You've always been my home."

Freen felt a lump form in her throat. She had to fight the urge to keep Becky here, to hold her close and never let her go. But she knew that wouldn't be fair. Becky had a chance to heal some of the wounds from her past, to discover a part of herself that had been missing for so long. She couldn't let her fear of losing Becky keep her from experiencing that.

"Becky," Freen whispered, cupping her cheeks and wiping away a stray tear with her thumb. "I don't want to be selfish. I want you to have everything you've ever dreamed of—a family, a place where you feel you belong. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. You're not losing me."

Becky searched Freen's eyes for reassurance, her own eyes wide and filled with doubt. "But... what if you find someone else? What if I lose you?"

..........