Chapter 4 - Camille's Last RequestDesmond started reading aloud.

"Dear Desmond, if you are reading this before I found the courage to explain everything myself, then once again, I waited too long. Serena was my sister. I learned about her only after Mom passed away. By the time I located Serena, she was already gone. Then I found Beckett. I kept telling myself I needed more evidence before involving you. Then I convinced myself I needed Beckett's trust. The truth is simpler. I was afraid. I was afraid Beckett would think I entered his life because I felt sorry for him. I was afraid you would feel hurt because I kept something important from you. Most of all, I was afraid of offering a young man a family before knowing whether he wanted us."

Desmond paused. Beckett looked away. He kept reading.

"Beckett does not need saving. Please remember that. He needs choices. If he wants us in his life, let him decide how much and how quickly. And please let him know Ivy. There are parts of me our daughter will never get the chance to ask about. Beckett knows some of those parts. I wanted them to know one another. I thought we had more time. I am sorry."

Desmond lowered the letter. Beckett gently touched Ivy's tiny hand. Her fingers curled around his.

"My cousin," he said, swallowing.

"Your cousin," Desmond confirmed.

Corinne cleared her throat. "There's something else." She placed a thick legal folder on the table. Camille had known Beckett's grandmother was in declining health. Together, she and Camille had drawn up a backup plan for Beckett's education and living arrangements — nothing submitted, nothing binding. But under the words Proposed Guardian was a typed name.

Desmond Wren.

Beckett stared at it, his expression turning guarded. "She chose you without asking me?"

"No one is deciding anything today," Desmond said immediately.

"Your name is already written there."

Desmond picked up the draft. Then he tore the signature page in two.

Corinne looked startled. "Mr. Wren, that's an official legal draft."

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"Then print another one if he ever asks for it." Desmond set the pieces back on the table. "Until Beckett makes that choice freely, my name doesn't belong on that line."

For the first time since they'd met, Beckett looked at him without suspicion. Not trust yet. But maybe the first hint of it.