“Until then I was strong. I refused to give up. I fought, and I wasn’t going down without a fight. But when he betrayed me, I gave up. I no longer had anything to fight for. I didn’t care. I had nothing to live for, and I never wanted my family to see me so weak and shattered.”
“Oh, honey,” her brother said in an aching voice muffled by her hair. “I’m so sorry for all you went through. Are still going through,” he amended. He kissed the top of her head and simply held her for several long moments, allowing silence to descend as her sobbing quieted. He gave the swing a gentle push with his foot every now and again, soothing her. Not pressuring her to say more than she was willing. Just waiting for her to talk to him in her own time. Though secretly he wanted to track down the damn Marine that had returned Honor and grill him about this Hancock guy. In particular, where Brad could find him. And then he wanted to exact some old school justice that would forever ban him from a law enforcement career.
It would be worth it.
He sighed as he stroked her back. “I know this is a shock. And I know you’ve been through the unthinkable. But you have options, honey. If having this baby hurts you, is a constant reminder of pain and betrayal, you can terminate the pregnancy. You can give it up for adoption. You can do whatever is best for you. Do you understand that? For once, think of yourself. There’s no crime in that. Especially with all you’ve endured. No one would blame you. No one would condemn you.”
“No!” she said fiercely. “This child is innocent. This baby did nothing wrong and I refuse to be so selfish as to refuse to have it because it brings back painful memories. This child—my child—deserves life and I won’t give it up. I’ll go away. I don’t want to shame you and the rest of my family. None of you deserve that.”
“The hell you will,” Brad said savagely. “You need your family now more than ever, and if you think for one moment that we will allow you to leave because you don’t want to shame us, then you’re out of your goddamn mind. Never has there been a more courageous, giving woman than you, and I’ll be damned if you bear this alone. Your family will be with you every step of the way. I will be with you every step of the way. Shame us? Never has a family had more reason to be proud of a daughter and sister than we do. And I don’t give a damn what others think or say. I’ll stand behind you and my niece or nephew all the way and fuck anyone who has anything to say about it.”
“Your brother is right,” her father said from behind them.
Honor turned and bowed her head when she realized the entire family had followed Brad to the back porch and had heard every damning word.
“You will not bow your head as though you have something to be ashamed of,” her mother said fiercely. “You were a victim. This is not your fault. This is not your doing. And by God, we will all be with you every step of the way.”
Honor lifted her gaze to see the same determination in every family member’s eyes. And she burst into tears all over again.
Mandie walked forward, taking the only other seat on the other side of Honor so that Honor was sandwiched between her and Brad.
“Will you tell us about it now, Honor? We’ve known that you’ve been holding back. That something hurt you terribly, but you’ve refused to speak of it. You can only go so long before you break.”
“I’m already broken,” Honor said bleakly.