“He misses her so much. He doesn’t even have a picture of her. He never had a camera to take any, and she wasn’t even old enough to start school yet. I don’t think that helps, because he’s scared he’ll forget her, so he lives the whole thing over and over, just fighting to keep a part of her with him.”
I understood that, because I didn't have a picture of my parents either. All of their belongings were lost, despite Kade’s attempts to track them down. The house had been cleared out by the bank after my Dad died, and everything was sold on, donated or destroyed, since there had been no other family living. I knew how hard it was to remember someone you hadn't seen for so long and would never see again. I knew the fear of forgetting their faces.
I had found my own solution to that problem though, and I started trying to think of a way I could make it work for Ky too. I had to try and do something to try and ease his pain. I stored the thoughts for later, and turned back to Keira.
“Thank you, for telling me.”
“I just hope it helps. I want this relationship to work for the five of you. It’s clear to see you all belong together.”
“I love them. That’s a good start right?” I asked nervously. It was weird to be talking to her about my relationship with her four sons.
“That is all you will ever need, Olivia. Love conquers all.” She sighed, in only the way a woman who had found her soulmate in life, could. “Now, go and round up the others, I have a surprise. I need to grab Evie from her friend’s house, and then I will be back to reveal all.”
“Sounds exciting.” I laughed as she stood and grabbed her car keys.
“Oh, it is. Get the guys and wait for me. I’ll be back in ten.” With that she rushed from the room in a blur, and I was left in the silence of the kitchen, reeling from all she had told me. I desperately wanted Kyle, to just hold him and assure him I was there and I loved him, but I guessed calling when he was working was a bad idea. I’d just freak him out, making him think something was wrong.
Instead I pulled my cell from my pocket and hit Kade’s contact. That idea to get Kyle a picture was burning inside me to be actioned.
“Olivia? Is everything ok?” Kade answered on the second ring. I sighed, wishing one day my guys would just answer the phone with a simple ‘hello’ instead of always worrying.
“Everything’s good. Are you busy? Is this a bad time?” I asked hesitantly.
“I’m never too busy for you, Love, what’s up?”
“Well, I need your help.”
“Go on.”
“I got talking to Keira just now, and she kind of told me about Kyle…..and Reece.”
“Oh. Are you alright? That’s not an easy story to hear.”
“No, it’s not, and if Kyle were here I’d be hugging the shit out of him and scaring him, but I’m ok. I just…..Keira said he doesn’t even have a photo of his sister and I hate that.”
“I know, It’s crappy, but there just isn't anything we can do. No photos were ever taken. We’ve all looked into it before, a few times.”
“No, I know. It’s the same with my Mom and Dad, but you know I can draw, and last week I drew a sketch of them, as I remembered them. I keep it in the drawer by the bed and it helps, just to see their faces on paper, even if it’s not a photo. I want to do that for Kyle.”
“That’s a great idea Love, but none of us ever saw Reece. You’d have to get the details from the man himself.”
“I want it to be a surprise for him Kade, for Christmas. Keira said there was a neighbour who looked after Reece, that she was attacked when Reece was taken. I was wondering if you could find her name for me, in the old police report?”
“I see,” Kade went quiet, and I worried he was going to say no. “She likely still lives in that bad neighbourhood Livy. I don’t want you going there.”
“Keira said she was kind. She won’t hurt me Kade. I have to do this for him, I have to try and help somehow.” I pleaded.
“I’ll look into it, but if I do locate her, I am going with you Livy, no arguments. You are not to run off trying to do this without me, understand?” He said firmly.
“Yep, fine,” I agreed. “But don’t mention this to the others. They can’t keep a secret and I really want this to be a surprise for him.”
“Ok Love. I’ll see what I can do. Leave it with me, yeah?”
“Thank you.” I sighed, relieved.
“What are you up to?”
“Keira told me to round up the others, and wait for her. She went to get Evie, then she has some big, exciting surprise.”
“Oh I know what that is!” He laughed.
“What?”
“Not telling. You’ll just have to wait and see, but I’m gonna wrap things up to get home as soon as I can. I don’t want to miss the fun.”
“Good. I miss you. I haven’t seen you since yesterday lunch.”
“I won’t be long, promise. And I’m staying home tonight so we can cuddle up together.”
“That sounds good.” I agreed.
“It does. See you soon. Love you.”
“Love you more.” I hung up, pocketed my cell and hurried to get Cole and Matt before Keira returned. I knew I would never be able to fix what had happened to Kyle, no one could, but I was determined to do all I could to help him move forward from it and to make sure he never had to lose anyone he cared about for a long time to come.
***
“BOYS! Come help me, would ya?” Keira bellowed as the front door
