Текст книги "Taking Chances"

Автор книги: Molly McAdams

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 26 (всего у книги 27 страниц)

“Bye.” I shut the door behind him with a tired sigh and went about shutting off the lights. When I turned toward the hall, Brandon was leaning against the wall in nothing but a pair of dark boxer briefs. Dear Lord my husband is sexy.

“Once again, I have to give him credit, the guy has got serious balls for bashing me in my own house.” His smile was wide as he pulled me into his arms.

“He’s ridiculous. Sorry if we were too loud, I didn’t know who was at the door and when I saw it was him I figured I’d let you keep sleeping.”

“You didn’t wake me up, my stomach did. I haven’t eaten since you left.”

“Brandon!”

“I couldn’t. I couldn’t do anything Harper. All I could do or think about was finding you and hating myself for pushing you away.”

“I was being rash,” I whispered into his chest, “I shouldn’t have left, it was immature and hateful. I just thought if you would put yourself in a position where we could lose you, I wanted you to know what it felt like to have us gone.”

His breath caught in his throat and his arms tightened around me.

“I’m so sorry baby, but I also needed you to have time to figure out if you would rather have a life without us. Because that’s what it felt like you wanted when you made your mind up. And so, of course, I made it worse by trying to hurt you back, instead of talking it out with you.”

“Don’t apologize. Don’t leave me again, but don’t apologize.”

“I’m –”

“Nope.” He pressed his lips against my own, and spoke around our kiss, “No more sorrys.”

I grumbled but leaned up onto the balls of my feet to deepen the kiss until his stomach growled, “Okay. Food. What do you want?”

“Uh –” He raised his hands above his head to stretch and my eyes hungrily raked over his long toned body, “you if you keep looking at me like that.”

Grinning, I placed a soft kiss right below his chest, but pulled away before I got lost in his body, “You need actual food first, how does Chinese sound?”

His stomach growled again in response and he led me into the kitchen to find the take out menu. I scowled at Brandon when he sat me back on the counter, but ordered our food and handed him the phone when I was done.

“They’ll be here within thirty minutes.”

“Half an hour?” He mused and his eyes heated as he scooted me forward so my bottom was barely on the edge of the counter. My breaths came quicker when he pressed himself against me and moved the collar of his shirt I was wearing to nibble his way from my neck to shoulder. Catching the band of his boxer briefs with my toe, I pushed down and a sound that warmed my body escaped his chest, “That should be enough time.”

22

“Did you get that?” I asked Aubrey as Liam smashed his cake onto his face.

“Oh yeah.” She brought her expensive camera back to her face and leaned her body back as she continued to take shots of him.

Aubrey really was amazing with that camera. Brandon, Liam and I had visited his mom yesterday and Aubrey had been over for dinner. She showed me a lot of her pictures and when I sent a couple dozen to Bree she called and begged Aubrey to shoot her wedding. It was the first time she was going to get paid for what she loved to do, and with all her shyness she just blushed fiercely with a huge smile on her face. When I’d gotten a minute alone with her, I asked if she would take pregnancy photos when I got big again and she looked like I’d just offered her the moon. She is so sweet, and I hope she and Jeremy stay together. They’re absolutely perfect for each other.

Brandon wrapped his arm around me and discreetly brushed his hand over my stomach. I was only twelve weeks and I was already showing enough to know my bump was a baby…not a big meal. Hell, it wasn’t even a bump, my whole stomach was already rounding. We’d seen Dr. Lowdry yesterday, and she said it was normal to show quickly after your first pregnancy. Apparently something about your body already knowing what was going to happen, so it responded quicker. All that did was make me frown, I’d been massive by the time Liam was born, if I already had a ridiculously defined baby bump that decided to pop up out of nowhere this last Thursday, I could only imagine what I would look like by the time I delivered this one. So I’d worn a loose shirt last night and today since the parents were still in the dark. We could have told them Monday, but everyone’s emotions were so all over the place with Brandon’s fight and my disappearing act, that we decided it was best to continue with our plan to wait until today.

“Girl.” He whispered softly in my ear as he caressed my belly again.

I turned to plant a kiss on his cheek and whispered back, “Boy.”

Liam screeched and spoke gibberish before shoving more cake in his mouth and hair. Everyone laughed with him and Brandon kissed my neck before going to pick Liam up out of his high chair and bring him over to the sink. That boy was covered in cake and frosting. I took his onesie off and rinsed it off in the sink so all the food was go down the drain instead of the washer, then helped Brandon attempt to wipe him down. We gave up not even two minutes later and Brandon rushed to give him a bath and put him in new clothes. I smiled at my guys when they walked back out, Brandon with a huge smile taking small steps behind Liam who was speed crawling back toward me.

“How’s my birthday boy?” I scrunched my nose at him when he did the same with his somewhat toothy grin.

“Not taking a nap anytime soon, that’s for sure.” Brandon grumbled, but with his dimpled smile and bright eyes I knew he was anything but frustrated. He’d let Liam get away with no naps if he could.

Liam turned and dipped all the way to the side as he reached for someone else, making me almost lose my hold on him and I rolled my eyes as I gave him over to Carter. Of course Liam would be in love with Carter. Since he’d shown up this afternoon, it was the only person he wanted to be with. If I had any doubt that Carter wouldn’t give Kate a chance, that was quickly demolished when they each saw the other hold Liam. Kate had swooned and an hour later Carter’s eyes had taken on a dazed heat when Kate had scooped him up and kissed Liam resulting in a fit of laughter from my son. It wasn’t ten minutes later that Carter asked if he could take Kate on a date this evening.

Opening presents was the cutest, and longest process of the day. Each present took about three minutes to open and then we’d go through the process of getting him to stop eating the wrapping and tissue paper so he could start on the next present. By the end I was exhausted but blissfully happy, and getting more excited by the second now that the extended family was starting to head out. We’d been picking up and cleaning as the party went, so thankfully we were ready to relax with our family by the time Carter and Kate left together.

“What’d he say?” I asked Brandon as I watched Liam play with a big dump truck.

“He asked if I would be okay with him dating my cousin.”

My eyes widened, “He asked you that?”

“Right? I told him it wasn’t my place to say whether or not he could and that she could make her own decisions. So he says, ‘I know, but I know you’re not my biggest fan. And I don’t want to piss you off more than I already have.’”

“Oh. That’s thoughtful, I guess. What’d you say?”

Brandon shrugged and laughed when Liam didn’t understand how the truck had gotten away from him, “I said as long as he treats her well, I didn’t have a problem with it.”

Huh. Brandon really is too nice and forgiving of people.

“I may have also said that if it kept him from going after you...” he trailed off.

I hugged his waist and smiled into his chest. “That sounds more like you, but that’s why I love you. I’m all grimy and covered in cake, I’m going to change really quick.”

“Put on a tight shirt.”

“Is that how you want to tell them? Just show them?”

He smiled and looked back to make sure no one was near us, “Just act like nothing’s different, see how long it takes them. I think it’d be fun Mrs. Taylor, don’t you?”

“I have to agree with you Mr. Taylor. I’ll be right back.”

Changing into a bright blue racer-back stretchy tank, and a clean pair of jeans, I made my way back to the living room and tried to wipe the smile off my face.

“You look amazing Harper.” Brandon pulled me into his arms again and kissed my neck softly. “I’m sorry, I know you get self-conscious, but you pregnant is a breathtaking sight.”

I grabbed each side of his face, and pulled him down to me as I stood on my toes, “Thank you.” I kissed him quickly twice, barely pulling away to look in his eyes, “I love you.”

“And I love you.” Our next kiss was anything but quick.

“Okay you two, get a room.” Dad called from one of the couches.

Blushing, I leaned around Brandon’s side and grinned through my embarrassment at our audience. Liam had crawled over to us and pulled himself up on my leg, gripping my pants with one hand and reaching relentlessly with the other. I pulled him up and settled him on my hip before making my way to a chair. Mom, Dad and Carrie were making fun of me and Brandon so they didn’t even notice when I walked by them. I frowned but sat down, knowing it wouldn’t be much longer before someone noticed.

I was wrong.

It took another hour and a half.

Brandon had even taken Liam from me so he wouldn’t be blocking my stomach, I had gotten up numerous times to get and refill drinks, as well as to go to the bathroom. It took Bree commenting on the color of my shirt for Carrie to gasp and Mom to jump up and literally squeal.

“Oh my God! Oh my God, are you pregnant?! Please tell us you’re pregnant!” Mom rushed over and placed her hands on my rounding stomach.

“Well it’d sure be awkward right now if I weren’t.” I laughed and accepted her numerous hugs and kisses on the cheeks, only to be replaced by the same from Carrie and Dad. At least Dad was more controlled with only one gentle hug and kiss for me, and a big man hug for Brandon.

“You’re already so big!” Carrie was crying happily as she kissed her son and turned back to my stomach, “How far along are you?”

“I’m twelve weeks, and trust me, I had the smallest of bumps until Thursday morning, and then all of a sudden this was here.”

“Twelve weeks! Oh my goodness, congratulations! Jeremy Allen Taylor, get your butt over here and congratulate them.”

“Mom,” Jeremy huffed a laugh and pulled Aubrey closer to his side, “already beat you to it. You guys are a little behind on the news.”

That, of course, got me a couple glares and Brandon a smack on the back of his head, but soon we were all sitting down arguing over whether I was having a girl or boy. Brandon shifted Liam back onto my lap and excused himself when he got a phone call. When he came back five minutes later with a nervous expression, I was worried about who that had been, but tried to keep shut until he was ready to tell me. It didn’t help that he continued to check his phone every few minutes, and my patience soon ran out.

Hugging Liam close to me, I leaned into Brandon and waited until he looked directly at me before speaking low, “Was that Scarecrow?”

“What?”

“On the phone. Was that him?”

His eyes softened and he kissed my temple, “No. I told Crow on Sunday to delete my number and that I was done with the Underground.”

“You did?” I couldn’t stop the smile that crossed my face.

“Of course. I know I messed up, I’m not about to do it again. Him calling would just be a temptation that I don’t need.”

I took a deep, relieving breath and thanked God again for giving me a man like Brandon. “Well then who called, you look nervous.”

He opened his mouth, shut it, and quirked the corner of his mouth up, “Is it okay if we talk about it later?”

Maybe my thanks had come too soon. “Uh, should I be worried?”

Brandon checked his phone again and searched my face, “No, I don’t think so.”

My heart dropped, “Babe that doesn’t exactly help!” I hissed between clenched teeth.

“I’m sorry. Don’t be worried, it’ll be fine.” He leaned forward to kiss me, but when the doorbell rang he paused and blew out a deep breath. Mumbling something, he put a hand on my shoulder and said he would get the door.

“Are you expecting someone baby girl?”

“No Dad…we aren’t.” I turned to look at the door, but Brandon had stepped outside, the door barely cracked and all I could see was his back blocking whoever was out there. Standing up, I repositioned Liam on my hip and turned just as Brandon stepped back into the house, followed by a fit older man with salt and pepper hair and a stern, weathered face. All the air left my body with a loud whoosh and my hand covered my mouth.

Brandon watched me with worried eyes before stepping around the chair to stand by my side and grasp my hand. “Harper?”

What was he doing here? How did he even know where I was? The stiff-postured man holding a faded olive-drab colored seabag in his right hand stared at me silently, and I seemed to only be able to do the same. I vaguely registered Brandon taking Liam and passing him off to a family member behind us so he could pull me close to his body.

“Sweetheart, please say something.” When my voice continued to fail me, he leaned closer and spoke in my ear, “If you don’t want him here, just tell me.”

Brandon knew about this, I realized. This is who called him, why he was so nervous. Why wouldn’t he tell me? I mentally thought about the way I looked, trying to figure out if anything was unacceptable. My make-up was light, but probably still a drastic change, and thank God I’d taken my Monroe piercing out when Liam continued to grab at, or head butt it. Was my tank top too revealing? What is he thinking and why isn’t he saying anything?

“Brandon,” Dad cleared his throat and stepped up to my other side, “who is that?”

“Th-that –” I paused for a moment to collect myself, determined to not start crying. With my hormones all over the place already, it’s safe to say I was having a difficult time, “That’s Sir. That’s my father.”

The room fell quiet for about three whole seconds. “And may I ask what makes you think you’re welcome here?”

My jaw dropped and Dad audibly inhaled. You just didn’t talk to Sir that way.

“Please forgive my wife.” Dad started and shifted a fraction closer to me, “I’m Robert Grayson, that is my wife Claire,” he gestured over to Bree, “my daughter Breanna and her fiancé Konrad.”

Sir nodded and cleared his throat, “The ones that called and e-mailed.” He stated. “I appreciate what you’ve done for Harper.”

Brandon left my side to take Sir’s bag and set it down in the hallway, “You can sit, can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

“No thank you, I’m fine.” With an outstretched hand he closed the distance between us, “Harper. You look well.”

I took a step away from him and looked at my husband, “You knew about this?”

His face was tense but his eyes were full of worry. Before he could answer, Sir did it for him.

“He’s been writing me at least once a month for over a year now. The last one he sent with an airline ticket.”

I couldn’t hold back anymore, I was about to finish what Mom had just started, “So that’s the only reason you would come see me or talk to me? Because my husband bought you a ticket here? What makes you think I wanted to see you? You disowned me!” My voice was shaky but raising, “You cut me out of your life, you wanted nothing to do with me or Liam.” He took a step toward me and again I took one back, “You’ve never wanted anything to do with me!”

“That’s not true.” Sir’s voice wavered and it stopped me where I stood.

Had the world just stopped turning? Had hell frozen over? The Sir I knew was emotionless. The man in front of me looked pained and his chin was quivering slightly.

“Do you know that in the last two years I’ve felt more love from this family” I pointed toward where everyone was sitting behind me, “than I ever felt from you?”

“Mom.” Brandon said softly and gave her a look.

“Oh. Right, we’ll be outside.” She said and everyone started standing.

Turning, I saw Bree holding Liam and reached my arms out. “Please Bree.” I needed to hold my son, I needed that comfort of having him in my arms. Bree gladly handed him over and was the last one to walk into the back yard.

“Babe, do you want me to go out too?”

I grabbed Brandon’s hand and gripped tight, “Don’t you dare leave me right now.” Looking directly into his eyes, I shook my head, “I can’t believe you would do this without telling me.”

“Harper I – even with everything that’s happened, I know you wish you had a different relationship with him. You were devastated when there was no response from him again last summer, I couldn’t just stop trying to reach him yet. There was never any word from him and I sent him an open ended ticket over a month ago, with the last letter I was going to send him, and I told him that. He called me a week and a half ago, we talked for a bit and he decided he would come.” He cupped one cheek and brought his other arm around both Liam and me, “I know this is hard for you, and Robert is a great Dad Harper, but you need Sir in your life too. Please understand why I continued to try to reach him.”

Oh Brandon. Of course I understood. I just wish he would have given me some warning. I pressed my lips to his for a few seconds and gave him a small smile, “Thank you. You’re right, thank you so much.” Brandon’s relief was palpable and it helped ease the tension in the room. Turning to Sir, I gestured behind him, “You’re more than welcome to sit, Sir. We can talk.”

He offered a smile much like the one I had just given Brandon and sat down in the chair closest to him. Brandon and I sat on the couch facing him, and I kept a tight grip on Liam as I tried to figure out what would make Sir want to be in my life suddenly.

“He sure looks a lot like you.” Sir said after a few awkward minutes of silence. His gaze was fixed on Liam and…was that a smile?

Clearing my throat, I instinctively hugged Liam closer. I’d never seen baby photos of myself, but my son definitely didn’t look anything like his father. Other than his eyes, there wasn’t a trace of Chase in him. And even those were different, Chase’s had been a darker electric blue, Liam’s were such a pale blue that people did a double take and then were completely mesmerized by them. They looked like a Siberian husky’s eyes.

“I know I’m late, but congratulations on the wedding and him…it’s Liam, right?”

I nodded, “Liam Chase Taylor.”

“Brandon told me the significance of his name, that’s a great way of honoring their lives.”

“And what else did Brandon tell you?” I asked through clenched teeth. This man wanted nothing to do with my life, and he thinks he can comment on why we named him Liam Chase?

“Sweetheart.” Brandon said softly.

“No, I want to know what all you’ve told him.” Looking back over to Sir, I continued, “And I want to know why you’re here. This is the longest conversation we’ve had in years, I haven’t heard back from you in over a year and a half, then all of a sudden you’re in our home!”

“I’ve told him everything,” Brandon pulled me closer to his side, “Chase, my fighting, Liam’s birth, our wedding, the gym…other than what’s happened in the last month, he knows everything.”

“Well then, let me fill you in.” I seethed, I couldn’t seem to control my anger right now, “Brandon and I are having another baby, Brandon fought again, and I disappeared for a day.”

Sir’s eyes dropped to my stomach and Brandon looked like he was regretting not telling me about this. As he should.

“Oh!” I started again, “And Jason Carter came back into our lives and told me how you helped him come here so he could be with me. Thanks for that by the way, it’s nice to know you two tried to plan out my life without asking me first.”

Sir shook his head, his eyes narrowing slightly, “That was never my intention, from my conversations with Sergeant Carter, it was implied that you shared his feelings, I was simply helping.”

“Helping? Nice.” I had barely found out that Carter had been ranked Sergeant when his service ended. How did Sir know that? Were they still in touch?

“Harper,” Brandon whispered close to my ear, “baby try to calm down. He wants to talk to you.”

“Then talk.” I directed at Sir.

Brandon sighed and ran a hand over his face, keeping it there for a moment. Sir shifted forward in his chair just watching me until my anger slowly started to subside.

“I know I wasn’t the best father, and I know there are a lot of things I should have handled differently since you moved here.” He stopped to clear his throat, “But I always wanted you Harper, you were the only thing that kept me going when Janet di – when she died.”

His eyes watering finished off my almost non-existent anger. My chest ached watching the strongest – emotionally – man I knew slowly start to break down.

“If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how I would have continued my life, but I didn’t know what to do with a baby, especially a girl. Her family hadn’t approved of our relationship, and I’d run away from mine when I joined the military. Your life wasn’t ideal for you, I’m sure, but that’s all I thought I could do for you. You being there was what made me get up every day, and I know I wasn’t around much, but you look and act so much like your mother it killed me to be around you. Not that that constitutes as an excuse, nothing excuses my behavior. It wasn’t your fault you reminded me of her, and I should have embraced it rather than pull away from you.

“When you left for school, I had a hard time adjusting, and hearing your voice over the phone made it harder. I started working more, staying on base longer, and only communicated with you via e-mail. I thought distancing myself further would help me cope with you leaving.”

My head was swimming, I couldn’t believe everything he was telling me. I hadn’t known anything different until I moved here, so I hadn’t hated my life growing up until I started hanging around with the Graysons. I started hating Sir for how distant he’d been, and though I’d always figured it was because of my mother, I had no idea how much her death still affected him to this day. Hearing his words made it difficult to continue hating this man at all. My arms were twitching, wanting to wrap around Sir for the first time in my life, but he didn’t usually say this much to me during one month of living together, and I was afraid if I moved or said anything, it would all stop.

“I will never forgive myself for the way I responded to the e-mail you sent when you found out you were pregnant.” Sir whispered, his tear-filled eyes never leaving mine, “It was the exact same thing Janet’s parents told her when we found out she was pregnant with you. They hated that she was with someone in the military, hated me even though I’d never spoken to, or seen them. We hadn’t been together long, but I knew I wanted to marry her, and the only thing that stopped us was her parents. When they disowned her for not aborting you, we married that next weekend and I’d never been happier. We were so young, she was barely eighteen and I was nineteen, but we were on top of the world and I couldn’t wait for you to come along.

“I was terrified for you when I read that e-mail, and I stupidly thought I could keep you safe if I could stop you from going down the same path your mother and I had been on. As soon as I sent the e-mail, I wanted to die. I couldn’t believe I’d done that, I knew you would never do something so heartless, and that you would probably never forgive me either. Claire Grayson called me that day, and to put it mildly, she didn’t hold anything back. I was glad you had a family that loved you the way I’d never shown you, and figured you not forgiving me would be for the best. So that’s why I stayed silent, even after you all tried to reach me before Liam was born and for your wedding. I thought staying away would be the best thing for you and your new family. Brandon’s letters helped me with that; I was able to know more than I probably would have if we’d continued talking the way we always have. But when he said he wasn’t going to continue writing me, I panicked. I thought I was helping you, but I know all I’ve done was hurt you. I do love you Harper, I’ve always loved you.”

My jaw dropped. That was the first time he’d ever said that to me.

“I’m proud of the woman you’ve become. You have handled everything life has thrown at you in a way not many could, and I’m thankful you didn’t let certain things ruin your life the way I let them do mine. You have a great family, I couldn’t be happier with your choice in Brandon. It’s obvious how much he loves you and Liam, and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here now.” He looked over at Brandon, “Thank you son, for everything.”

Brandon simply nodded and continued making lazy circles on my upper arm. Shifting Liam over to Brandon’s lap, I shakily stood up and walked toward Sir. He stood and stiffened momentarily when I wrapped my arms around his waist, before awkwardly placing his own around me.

“I love you too.” I said through the lump in my throat.

“Oh Harper,” his own voice was gruff with emotion, “will you ever forgive me?”

A laugh that sounded more like a sob escaped my throat and I stepped back, “This family is all about second chances, you don’t even have to ask.”

He hesitated a bit, but wrapped his arms around me again and hugged me tight, “I have missed you so much. Nothing was the same after you left.”

I had no idea what to say. This conversation has been so unlike anything I’ve ever had with Sir, and it changes everything that’s happened over the last twenty years, especially the last two. I couldn’t miss my life with the old Sir, but if the man that just explained his actions throughout my life were to leave, I would miss him greatly. We stepped away from each other after minutes of holding each other, “Would you, uh, would you like to meet your grandson?”

Sir’s eyes filled with tears again as Brandon brought Liam over to us.

“This is your grandpa, little man.” Brandon said as he held Liam’s squirming body to his chest. “Can you say ‘hi’ to Grandpa?”

“Go bye bye!” Liam said with a toothy, scrunched-up nose grin. Didn’t matter if we were saying hello or goodbye, it was always go bye bye with him.

Sir didn’t respond, his jaw was slack and the corners of his mouth were twitching up.

Liam looked at me and patted Sir’s chest. I nodded and said “Grandpa” again.

Looking back at Sir, Liam patted his chest again and said, “Go bye bye Grapa!”

“He’s waiting for you to say ‘hi’ back to him.” I explained.

“Oh!” Sir huffed, “Hi Liam. It’s good to finally meet you.”

“He wants you to hold him,” Brandon said awkwardly, “is that okay with you?”

“Of course, uh –” he held his arms like he was going to cradle him and I laughed.

“Sir, you can hold him differently, he’s not an infant anymore, just hold him like this.” I demonstrated without actually taking Liam.

Sir carefully took him from Brandon and a large smile crossed his face when Liam started talking non-sense a mile a minute and looking at Sir like he was speaking English and carrying on a well thought out conversation. My heart warmed and squeezed watching Sir hold him. I never thought I would see this, never thought I would introduce Liam to my cold, distant father, and definitely never thought I’d see Sir act like this. I didn’t know he even had the capability of smiling, hugging or crying. And now all of the above had happened within twenty minutes. I couldn’t be more dumb-founded, or happier.

Figuring Mom was more annoyed than I had been that Brandon went behind our backs, I left the three men in the house and went out back to explain everything that had just been said inside. Like I knew they would, because my family was just amazing like that, everyone agreed happily to make Sir feel like he was welcome. As the people I loved started heading back inside, I grabbed Dad’s arm and made him stay back for a second. When we were alone I hugged him tight and didn’t let go.

“You will always be my dad. You may not have raised me, but then again neither did Sir. You and Mom have shown me love like I never knew, and took me in as another daughter without question. Because of that, you are my dad.”

“Oh baby girl.” He laughed once and kissed the top of my head, “You really are precious to us. I love you.”

“Love you too.” I squeezed him once more and let go to walk back inside.

“Was my jealousy that obvious?” He mock whispered. “That why you’re giving your old man some peace of mind?”

I winked at him, “Not at all.” Yes it was. “Just wanted you to know how I felt before you could start to have any doubts.”

***

“What a day.” I said with a sigh as I curled into Brandon’s side that night.

“I second that.”

Just throwing a birthday party for my little monster was hard work, but having Sir show up had taken me on an emotional ride that left me feeling drained yet strangely alive. The whole family stayed well past midnight and after hours of just talking with everyone, I think Sir was finally feeling a little more comfortable with them. His tense shoulders had shown his worry about their judgments of him, but holding and playing with Liam all night, and my family’s ability to love everyone, had him relaxing and laughing as the night wore on. He was sleeping in our guest room now, and we were going to talk in the morning about the possibility of him moving here. Apparently he had retired from the Marine Corps a few months ago after twenty two years of service, and with how the day had gone, wanted to be closer to us. I still couldn’t believe that this wasn’t a dream.

“Are you still mad at me?” Brandon pulled away slightly so he could face me on his side.

“No, I’m not. I’m glad you did what you did, I just couldn’t believe you’d kept something like that from me.”

“I know I should have told you about the letters and his coming, but I was afraid I would get your hopes up and he wouldn’t ever respond or show up. I thought it was better to deal with you angry for having not told you, than watch you be crushed if he let you down again.”

“You really are too good to me Brandon Taylor.”