She didn’t want to wish Sharon liked her. For years her former mother-in-law had been so unpleasant, Kelly had gotten to a place where she’d gone numb. But when she’d seen how Sharon was with Tuesday, Mary and Natalie, Kelly couldn’t deny that she was hurt.

She wanted that, too. Wanted Sharon to look at her with the same warmth she looked at the others with. Sure it’d be nice for the girls to have their mom and grandmother friendly, but it was more than that.

Kelly wanted the other woman to like her. To finally believe—to see—how much Kelly cared about Vaughan and their family.

It made Kelly feel weak, to want that sort of relationship with Sharon. But she wanted it just the same. And the call Shurley had made would have seemed a small thing to an outsider, but it was huge. Which was what gave Kelly the strength to keep hoping things would work out.

Despite her nervousness, things were going well. Vaughan was showing her his commitment. Every day. Being there.

He’d come home to her that night before. He’d wanted her and sought her out and it wasn’t just the sex. It was that he wanted to be home. Where she and the girls were.

That put a bounce in her step.

And when she got downstairs to find both girls still clean, their hair still in place, Kelly knew it was Vaughan and his guitar that had kept them calm.

“Is that some of your new material?” she asked as she came into the room.

“Yep. You ready?”

“Sure.” Kelly smiled brightly. The girls ran to gather their things and they were off shortly after that.

She tried not to think on all the ways that night could go wrong and instead sang along with the radio with everyone else.

Vaughan knew Kelly was nervous but he let her pretend she wasn’t. What could he say? Kelly and his mother had a complicated relationship and now that his mom knew the whole story, Vaughan believed she’d come around.

But the damage had been done. Years’ worth of it. He just needed to find a way to mediate, to keep himself between Kelly and anyone who’d harm her. He knew she expected him to protect her should his mother go on the attack.

And he would. He sure as hell hoped that wouldn’t happen. He didn’t think it would, actually. But if it did, he had to choose Kelly or everything they’d worked to rebuild over the past two months would go to hell.

Once he’d pulled into his parents’ driveway, they got out and Kelly paused to take in the view. The sky was beginning to get pink as the sun got ready to set.

“This is so pretty. I have always loved this spot.”

He kissed her temple. “This is going to be just fine,” he said quietly. “I got your back if there’s a problem.”

“Let’s hope that won’t be tested.”

Minnie came racing down the front porch but instead of running to Maddie and Kensey, she leaped at Kelly, who grabbed her and stood.

“Hey there, Minnie,” Kelly said.

His mother, yelling the dog’s name, came outside but when she saw them, she lost her annoyance.

“Hello, my loves! Come on inside.” After hugs for their grandmother, they ran in, off to search for their grandfather.

Minnie didn’t want Kelly to put her down. When Kelly tried the dog just looked up at her with those big eyes and waited.

“I think she likes you,” Sharon said. “She ate one of my slippers today so she’s been keeping a low profile. Come on.” She waved them inside. “Dinner in about fifteen minutes. Would you like something to drink, Kelly?”

“Oh, Vaughan, the stuff is in the car. Some wine and soda and juice. Can you grab it?” Kelly asked him.

He ran out quickly to retrieve the stuff, not wanting to leave them unsupervised for very long.

But when he came back inside, Kelly was offering to help with dinner, an offer his mother declined, but it was a friendly response.

Ten minutes down. They could do this.

* * *

MICHAEL CAME IN, a child under each arm. He wore a big grin and was clearly happy to see Maddie and Kensey. This softened Kelly’s heart toward the Hurleys every time.

They loved her girls. Even when they hadn’t loved her, there had been a place for Maddie and Kensey. Kelly hadn’t seen her grandparents since she was younger than Kensey was. But their daughters were surrounded by people who loved them and counted them as one of their own.

If Kelly screwed up everything else in her life, that would be something she’d be proud of still.

They sat and it was pretty clear Sharon was trying. Which was enough right at the moment.

It wasn’t fixed immediately. It would take some time to get it back on track, but Kelly didn’t feel like they watched her as if she were from another planet. Or worse, watched her as if she was planning on kicking a kitten or two after she’d harmed their precious baby boy.

Sharon clearly had wanted to say something privately a few times but it had been impossible with the girls and everyone else around.

The ham was all it had been cracked up to be; the rest was also delicious. Vaughan and his dad had looked a little nervous a few times, but Sharon and Kelly had gone out of their way to be pleasant. And the kids were there in any case. Even when Sharon had been at her absolute worst, she’d never exposed the kids to any negativity.

After dinner, they washed up. Sharon even let Kelly help. It was a little tense because everyone was trying so hard to be nice, but by the time everyone was ready to head down to the gallery opening, Kelly was glad they’d done it and survived and ready to see her friend’s fantastic debut on their way back home.