Red (A Brett MacLean Duet)

by J. M. Walker

  “I don’t know,” I finally said. “Maybe I did but it wasn’t the way I love you. I cared about her. I don’t wish any harm on her but I’m thankful she’s stayed away all this time. If she’s anything like she was, I wouldn’t want our kids meeting her.”

  Evvie nodded. “Somehow I don’t think she is the same. You know? I feel like she’s changed. I don’t know why I feel that way but…” She shrugged.

  Maybe she was right.

  Ten minutes later and we pulled up to The Walkem Center. My stomach tumbled. My heart picked up speed.

  “You ready?” Evvie asked, giving my hand a squeeze.

  No . “What the hell did I ever do to deserve you?”

  Her cheeks reddened. “Well…I…um…” she stuttered, the slight blush in her face darkening even more.

  In a quick move, I cupped her face and crushed her mouth to mine. Slipping my hands into her hair, I held her head and deepened the kiss.

  I swallowed her gasp of surprise that was quickly replaced with a moan.

  Before I could take it further, I broke the kiss and placed a soft peck on her forehead. “Thank you. For everything. I don’t deserve it half the time but I just want you to know that I appreciate you. I appreciate you so fucking much and I thank God every damn second that He’s given me you.”

  “Brett.” She stared up at me. “We’re in this as one. I told you that in the beginning and on the day I married you. And every day after that. We are one. We are a team.”

  “God, I love you.” I kissed her mouth again and pulled myself out of the vehicle before I did what I really wanted to do. But somehow, just kissing my wife made me feel better. It gave me the strength. It gave me the drive to move forward. It gave me what I needed to defend a little girl who clearly had no one.

  “Let’s do this,” I told Evvie and grabbed her hand as soon as she stepped up beside me.

  “We got this.” She patted my arm and walked with me to see the woman who possibly kept my child from me after all of this time.

  ***

  (Evvie)

  Brett pretended to be strong when I knew he was a pile of nerves on the inside. He was fidgeting, waiting for the doctor to come see us and take us to Claire. Apparently, she didn’t like to hang out in the recreational center which was where the guests would meet the respective patient. She kept to herself a lot and that made my heart ache for her.

  “Mr. and Mrs. MacLean?”

  I turned at the sound of our name and saw a man, probably not much older than us, coming our way.

  “I’m Dr. Petray.” He pulled a pen out of the pocket inside his white jacket and wrote something on a clipboard before handing it off to a nurse. “I’m so sorry that it’s taken this long for you to come here and see Claire.”

  “It’s fine,” Brett said, tugging me closer to his side. “We’re here now.”

  “You are.” Dr. Petray stood a little taller. “I’m happy that you’re here. She doesn’t get a lot of visitors besides her daughter. Although, I’m sure that’s the most important one to her.”

  “I would think so,” I said softly. “It would be for me.”

  “I happen to agree.” He smiled and clapped his hands together. “Alright, follow me.”

  We followed the doctor down a long hall. Hospital staff milled about. Patients came and went as they pleased. This place wasn’t what I had expected.

  “Dr. Petray.” I cleared my throat. “Can I ask a question?”

  “Of course.” He nodded to a nurse as she walked by him.

  “This is probably going to sound rude but how come…I mean, I’ve never been in a hospital like this before.”

  “You mean a psychiatric hospital?” The doctor winked.

  “I think what she’s trying to say is that this place isn’t like what you see in the movies,” Brett added for me.

  “Yes.” I smiled up at my husband. “I mean…” As we walked by each room that had a door open, you could see people inside either reading, playing video games or even doing yoga. “This isn’t technically a hospital, is it?”

  “No, it’s not. It’s a rehab center. But it still isn’t like the others, no.” Dr. Petray stopped in front of the room where a couple of patients were working out. “Every patient is here because they want to be. They know they need help. So, it’s all voluntary. They can come and go as they please. Some just choose to stay here full time. We’re working on expanding. We want to open up another center.”

  “So, Claire chooses to stay here even though she doesn’t have to?” I asked in awe.

  “She does but we also have highly trained medical staff who discuss their mental health with them. As much as they can leave, we highly recommend they don’t until they pass their full examination. But our center is not as strict as some. We don’t have people lining up to get their meds. You don’t see orderlies dragging patients down the hall to the room with the padded walls. We don’t even have a room like that.” He chuckled at his own joke. “We want our patients to be happy and healthy. Not feel like they’re forced to stay here against their will. Now we obviously have bad days just like anyone but for the most part, our center is quite peaceful.” He continued walking down the hall. “Claire likes to spend her time in the library.” He pushed open a set of double doors.

  We stepped into the room behind him, the scent of paper wafting into my nose. My heart fluttered. Libraries always made me feel at home.

  “Oh.” The doctor stopped suddenly. “I didn’t realize you had a visitor.”

  I peered around him, finding Storm sitting at a large table with someone who looked nothing like the Claire I had met so many years ago. This woman’s hair was no longer the vibrant red it used to be but brown instead. It was long and pulled back into a tight ponytail. Her cheeks were sunken in, making her lips look even fuller. She had lost weight. But what I noticed most was the bright green of her eyes. Something twinkled in them. She looked…

  Happy.

  Brett

  WHEN THE DOCTOR left Evvie and I alone with Claire and Storm, I thought for sure Claire would start spouting off hateful words or accusing me of shit I didn’t do. But instead, she just smiled at us.

  “Thank you for coming to see me,” she said, her voice gentle and soft. Not loud and in your face like before.

  “It’s good to see you again, Storm,” Evvie told the young girl and sat beside her.

  “It’s nice to see you too, Mrs…Evvie,” Storm corrected herself.

  “How are you doing, Claire?” Evvie asked her, making small talk with the woman who had done so much damage back in the beginning.

  I didn’t know what to say so I watched the exchange instead. But I was on edge and waiting for shit to go down.

  “I’m getting there.” Claire tugged at the hem of her sweater. “Just taking it one day at a time I guess.”

  Evvie nodded in understanding. “I’m glad you’re getting the help you need.”

  Claire’s head popped up, her brows narrowing in the center. “You are?”

  “I am.” Evvie grabbed my hand under the table. “I know in the beginning it was…difficult…but I don’t wish you any harm.”

  Claire’s eyes welled. “Storm, will you give us a moment alone please?”

  “Of course, Mama.” She stood from the table and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I need to find some new books to read anyway.”

  Once Storm was out of earshot, Evvie continued. “I’m sure you’ve heard about what’s been going on.”

  “Yeah.” Claire looked at me that time. “I am so sorry. I didn’t know my mother would stoop that low.”

  “You have to tell us who Storm’s father is,” I finally said.

  “What? Why?” She frowned. “Wait…” She looked between Evvie and I. “Do you think Storm is yours?”

  “That’s what your mother implied.” I pulled the picture of Storm out of my pocket and handed it to Claire. “She came to my club and showed me this. We’ve been trying to get a DNA test since t
hen, but everything is moving so damn slow.”

  “Brett.” Claire glanced from the picture to me. “Storm isn’t yours.”

  A breath of relief washed over me at her words. “She isn’t?”

  “No.” Claire shook her head. “She may look like she could pass for yours but that was because I…” Her cheeks reddened. “I fucked guys who looked like you. I’m ashamed to admit it now. I was in love with you. I wanted something that reminded me of what we had even though it was toxic. I know now that it was stupid. And I’m sorry for that. But Storm is not yours.”

  “I don’t mean to bring it up again but that first baby, you did have a miscarriage?” Evvie asked, her hand squeezing mine even harder at the revelation.

  “Yes. I did.” Claire wiped a tear that had fallen down her cheek. “That baby was yours. But after you broke up with Evvie and I came over that night, we didn’t have sex. Even though you were drunk, you pushed me away. That was when I knew that it was over and that your love for her won out.” She paused. “I got that. And I still get it. So, all this time you thought Storm was yours?”

  “For the past several months, yes,” I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck.

  “I am so sorry.” Claire looked over her shoulder at where Storm was sitting on a leather chair, reading a book. “As much as I would love to say that she is yours, she isn’t. I don’t know who the father is.”

  “Does she know that I’m not her father?” I asked Claire, cupping Evvie’s hand resting on my knee.

  “She does. I told her a couple of days ago. I didn’t put two and two together and question why she would want to know. I was having an off day that day.” Claire smiled softly. “As helpful as these meds are, sometimes they get to me.”

  “Your mother said that you’re out of it for most of the time, and that was why we couldn’t meet up with you. She also said that she had full custody of Storm but wouldn’t sign over for me to get a DNA test.” I sat forward. “And she tried selling your daughter to us. Did you know about that?”

  Claire let out a soft sigh. “Yeah. I did. I want to have her charged but then I don’t want anything to happen to Storm. She’ll get put in foster care.”

  “She can stay with us,” Evvie suggested.

  “Really?” Claire’s eyes widened. “You would do that? After everything I’ve done?”

  Evvie and I had talked about it but it still surprised me that she would do that. She was a wonderful human being and I fell in love with her a little more in that very moment.

  “What happened years ago is not your daughter’s fault.” Evvie looked at me that time. “Are you okay with that?”

  “Yes.” I cupped her cheek. “I want what’s best for her.”

  Claire sniffed, wiping under her eyes. “I don’t deserve this.” She reached across the table and grabbed Evvie’s hand. “Thank you. For everything. Even after what I did, you’re still here offering to help my daughter. I can’t thank you enough for this.”

  “I…” Evvie’s breath hitched. “What happened years ago is done. Like I said, that has nothing to do with Storm. I’ve also learned that it’s so much easier to forgive and move on, than dwell on what happened. Yes, you tried hurting us and I hated you for it. But now, knowing that you’re getting the help you need, I respect you.”

  A sob escaped Claire. “Thank you for helping me give my baby a better home. And I’m sorry. For everything that I’ve done.”

  “Like my wife said. What’s done is done. We’re moving on.” And I felt lighter because of it.

  She nodded. “What do I have to do to make this happen?”

  ***

  (Evvie)

  “You surprise me every day,” Brett told me later that night in bed.

  “I do?” I rolled over onto my stomach, stretching my arms out beneath the pillow.

  “You do.” He kissed my nose, brushing my hair off my forehead. “We signed papers today to bring a child into our home whose mother tried to ruin us. And it was your idea.”

  “It’s not Storm’s fault,” I said softly. “I don’t want her living with Roxane and if she does get charged like Claire wants to do, Storm would be put in a foster home. I wouldn’t want that for any child.”

  “I know.” Brett rested his head on his arm, staring up at the ceiling.

  “What is it?” I asked a moment later.

  “I’m happy.” He met my gaze. “I have my wife back. We’re taking in another child tomorrow and giving her a better home. Our son is talking again. And…” He flexed his hand that had been burnt from the car accident. “And my injuries are healing.”

  I brushed my fingers over the scars on his side. “Do these hurt still?”

  “Not really.” He cupped my cheek. “My hand hurts more.”

  “Do you think we can do this?” I asked him. “Take in another child?”

  “I do. I really do.”

  “I hope our kids get along with her. She needs it.”

  “I think they will.” Brett kissed my forehead and then my nose.

  I couldn’t believe after everything that this was where we were. It felt like just yesterday that Brett told me he possibly had a child with another woman.

  There was a point during all of this that I thought we wouldn’t make it. But our love won out. It truly conquered all.

  Evvie

  MY NERVES WERE shot.

  Storm was moving in and meeting our kids for the first time today. We clearly didn’t plan this out properly but after what we learned about Roxane, we wanted Storm out of that toxic environment as quickly as possible.

  Baxter had met us at the center and Claire signed the paperwork right away. There was no argument. No fighting at all from her. I was surprised but thankful all at the same time.

  “Do you think they’ll get along?” I asked Brett that morning over breakfast.

  He looked up from his phone and placed it on the table in front of him. “I think the boys will have no problem getting along with Storm. Miracle on the other hand, may be a different case but I know she’ll grow to like her.”

  I nodded. “I hope so.”

  “Miracle wants you happy.” He reached for my hand, curling his fingers between mine. “After everything, she’s cautious.”

  As if she knew she was being talked about, Miracle came into the kitchen. “What’s wrong?”

  I laughed, shaking my head. “You are too much like me.” I stood from the table and pulled her into a hug.

  “No, seriously.” She leaned back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing is wrong.” I cupped her cheek. “I promise. But there are going to be some changes around here.”

  “What kind of changes?” She frowned.

  “Boys?” Brett called out. “Come in here please.”

  “Sit.” I nudged Miracle forward.

  “You’re really starting to scare me.” She sat at the table. “Should we be worried?”

  “No, baby girl.” Brett kissed her head. “Nothing is wrong. Your mom and I are working through everything.”

  “Really?” she asked, her eyes shining.

  “Yes.” I smiled. “No more fighting. No more staying at Aunt Anna and Uncle Evan’s place for days on end.”

  “I don’t mind staying there.” Miracle shrugged. “I just don’t like staying there because you guys are fighting.”

  “I know,” I said softly as the boys came barreling into the room. “Sit,” I told them. “Your dad and I want to talk to you three.”

  Brett stood behind me, cupping my shoulders. “We’re going to be having someone stay with us for a while. We don’t know for how long. But her mom is sick and she has no other place to go.”

  “She’s your age, Miracle,” I said, looking at our daughter. “Her name is Storm. Her mom is in a hospital and will be there for quite some time.”

  “So, she needs us,” Miracle added.

  “Yes, baby,” I said softly. “She does.”

  “It’ll be like having another big s
ister,” Eddie grumbled. “Great. She better not beat me up like Miracle does.”

  “Miracle does not beat you up.” I laughed. “She plays with you.”

  “Yeah by beating me up,” Eddie exclaimed.

  “Oh, grow a pair,” Patrick told him.

  We all laughed.

  “Listen.” Brett sat beside me. “We love you. We love you so much but we want to help this girl and give her some of our love as well. I know you have love to share and I think you three will like her.”

  “I’ve always wanted a sister,” Miracle whispered.

  My eyes burned. “I know. I wish we could have given you one a long time ago.”

  She shrugged, a slow grin spreading on her face. “Better late than never.”

  ***

  (Brett)

  Our kids amazed me sometimes.

  It was like they understood when most adults wouldn’t.

  But as much as I wanted to revel over how wonderful they were, a knock sounded on the door shortly after we sat down to talk.

  Evvie looked my way, chewing her bottom lip.

  “I’ll answer it.” I kissed her head and then leaned down to her ear. “Don’t worry, beautiful girl. We got this.”

  She nodded, blowing out a slow breath.

  Heading to the front door, I opened it, finding myself staring at Storm and an older woman I had never met.

  “Hi there.” She stuck out her hand. “You must be Brett. I’m Olivia Plummer, Storm’s caseworker.”

  “Oh yes.” We had chatted on the phone briefly last night, after Claire had signed the papers. “Please come in.”

  She shook her head. “Won’t be necessary.” She smiled. “I just wanted to be sure that Storm was being placed in a good home. I won’t need any more reassurance.”

  At that point, Storm threw herself around me.

  “Hi, little one.” I returned the hug. “Are you sure you don’t want to come in for a coffee?”