Lucky

by Kris Bryant

  “I love everything about it. I love the cat section the most. I mean, once it’s all put together, I’m sure it will all be amazing.”

  “Thanks. Come on. Let’s get out of here before L.B. has a coronary.” Serena took one last look around. It was coming together. Her big dream was finally shaping up. It was too bad that the one person who appreciated everything that went into it wasn’t here to see how happy she was with it. She just wasn’t sure whose fault that was anymore.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  “Look, everyone. It’s our long-lost daughter, Gabrielle.” Meredith made a big production when Gabrielle walked into the house.

  “I know, I know. It’s been a long time.” Gabrielle walked into her mother’s embrace and, much to her chagrin, started crying. She felt her mother wave her hands and heard the rest of her family scatter.

  “It’s okay.” Meredith stroked Gabrielle’s hair.

  “I don’t know why I’m crying.” She pulled back and let her mom wipe away her tears.

  “You have a lot going on with work and all the things in your heart.” Meredith tugged Gabrielle over to the kitchen and sat her in a chair. “The good news is that Arnest & Max will hopefully come to a decision soon. With all of your new projects, I can’t imagine you won’t get it, but I’m worried about you.”

  Gabrielle teared up again. “I’m just so sad.”

  “Love hurts. And I wish you weren’t going through this. I hope Serena gives you a second chance.”

  Gabrielle looked up at her mom after a few moments of resting her head on the kitchen table. “I wish she would, too.”

  “You know her upbringing was hard. She told you she knew how to shut down because her mother always left them. Is there anything you can do to let her know you care? Honey, have you even told her that you love her?” Meredith let go of Gabrielle’s hand long enough to pour them both a cup of coffee.

  “Thanks.” Gabrielle immediately wrapped her hands around the steaming mug. Home was comfort, and she needed comfort now more than anything. “And no, I never told her because I haven’t been in love in a long time. I barely know what it’s like.”

  Meredith reached over and cupped Gabrielle’s chin. “I always knew that once it happened to you, really sank in, it was either going to destroy you or complete you. I didn’t think it would do both.”

  “This is horrible, Mom. I’m so happy you found Dad so early in life and made it work.”

  Meredith laughed and leaned back in her chair. “Do you really think I’ve never had a broken heart?”

  “You married Dad when you were in college. How many guys did you date before him?”

  “You know what first loves are like. Your father wasn’t my first.”

  Gabrielle groaned and put her head back down on the table. “No. I can’t possibly hear this right now. It’s always been the fairy tale with you both. You met in Political Science 101 your freshman year and fell in love immediately. That’s the story.”

  “All of that is true, but my first love happened when I was a junior in high school. His name was Scott Mayfield. He was a tennis player and the perfect boyfriend. Very sweet, very smart. We were going to change the world together.” Meredith looked off in the distance.

  Gabrielle saw a flash of sadness and a frown that pinched the corners of her mother’s usually upturned mouth. She squeezed her mother’s hand. “What happened to him?”

  “He and his father died in a plane crash. A small twin engine plane. I always hated when they went up. His father wasn’t the best flyer. Did it as a hobby, but Scott wanted to learn and his father wanted him to be the best at everything.”

  “That is the worst story ever. I’m so sorry.” She sat there quietly giving her mother time to fall back into her memories.

  “It really destroyed me. He was the kind of guy who you just knew was going to be great. At everything,” Meredith said.

  “I’m sure he was great, Mom. You’ve always been an excellent judge of character.” She squeezed her mom’s hands. “I love Dad and the life you’ve given me, but I’m sorry you had so much pain so early in your life.”

  Meredith gave a slight shrug and looked at Gabrielle. “This is why you should never take any relationship for granted. Don’t let Serena forget you. You have to fight for her. Yes, she’s upset, and to a certain degree, deservedly so, but life is too precious and love is too scarce to just walk away from it. If Serena is who you’re meant to be with, then fight for her. With everything you have. And if she still rejects you, then know that you did everything possible. Then you make peace with her in your heart. You can’t make people love you, but you sure as hell can fight for it when there’s hope.”

  “Mom, I don’t know if there’s even hope.”

  “Gabrielle Samantha Barnes. You’re not a quitter, and I’ve never seen you fold so quickly. Relationships take effort. What can you do to make Serena believe you? What is the one thing that you have with her that will make her believe in you again?”

  Shaking her head, she finally looked up at Meredith. “I don’t know. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to reach her. Her walls are fortified with steel rebar and barbed wire.”

  “You got through before. I have a feeling your relationship isn’t over. You just need to find one another again.”

  Gabrielle never felt so alone before. Throwing herself into work only made her feel worse. When everyone left for the day, she was alone with her thoughts. Ninety-nine percent of them were about Serena. The one percent was over the partnership. How ridiculous it all seemed. Working so hard for a job that she didn’t love. The design work she enjoyed, but the politics that went on behind closed doors wasn’t who she really was. Did she really want to schmooze, wine and dine, and flirt to get business? Before she would have considered that part of the job, but now she just wanted a life. The life where she still worked too much, but freed up her weekends and spent time with a beautiful and smart and loving woman who looked at her like she was her everything. She sat up straight. “I have an idea. Thank you for this talk. It really helped.”

  Meredith sat up straighter, too. “Well now you have to tell me.”

  “I will, but let me work out some things first. I’ll let you know if it works.”

  “That’s my girl.” She leaned over and kissed her temple. “Now that we have that solved, are we ready to plan Thanksgiving? Because I’m sure the people huddled downstairs are waiting to get started.”

  “Can you give me a minute? I need to regain some composure.”

  “Let’s finish our coffee. I rarely get alone time with you.”

  Gabrielle smiled for the first time in weeks. “Too many sons.”

  “I love you all equally, but my fondness and love for my daughter is different.”

  “I’m thankful we’re close. You get me. I’m just sad not everybody has a relationship like we do.” She gave her mother a long hug before yelling down that it was safe. Everyone cautiously entered the living room, giving Gabrielle a wide berth. “Stop it. I’m fine. I’m sorry I lost it back there. Let’s talk about Thanksgiving.”

  Gabrielle stayed at her parents’ house until after the evening news. She missed hanging out and being a part of something bigger than herself. She missed her family. After knowing Serena and Faith’s struggles, she’d tried a little harder. Well, not in the last month. Staying busy was the way to survive. She was tired of her family and friends asking about Serena and having to explain what happened. She wasn’t proud that she’d slept with Serena’s lawyer, but she wasn’t going to lie about it either. Rosie took the news the hardest. She told Gabrielle everything she needed to hear and things she didn’t want to. Hopefully, her idea to win Serena back would erase the last few weeks of Rosie’s attitude and the tension between them, as well as her own sadness that only one woman could erase.

  * * *

  “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, I’m all for it, but you need to make sure because that kind of co
mmitment is forever, and I know how you are,” Rosie said.

  “Can you just be excited for me? Support me like a true best friend?” Gabrielle needed Rosie now more than anything. She didn’t need scolding or reminding that her decisions in the past weren’t always the best.

  “Definitely. Of course. I’ll even drive you there and help you pick it out. You want to make sure you get something that fits. Something she’s going to love.”

  Gabrielle took a deep breath. “I’m finally ready to do this. I never thought I would be.”

  Rosie grabbed Gabrielle’s hands. “I know you’re ready.”

  “Without a doubt. Let’s do this.”

  Rosie squeezed Gabrielle’s hands and grabbed her keys. “I’m driving, though.”

  “Oh, fuck. Go slow. I’m already nauseous.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  The stillness after a fresh snowfall was when Serena was at peace with herself and the world. It was Sunday morning and traffic around Vail was minimal. Sleep was fleeting, and after tossing and turning in bed for an hour, she finally gave up, showered, and decided to check on the progress of the Pet Posh Inn. Jake Trust gave her weekly updates and said the loft was done, the stairs were up, and the windows were finally in. May first was five and a half months away, but from the outside, the structure looked almost complete.

  “Who’s that, L.B.?”

  Serena eyed a large black SUV that was parked just outside the chain link fence. She didn’t recognize it and cautiously looked around for the owner. “Okay, boy. You’re coming with me.” She grabbed her pepper spray from the glove box and slipped it into her coat pocket. L.B. was beyond excited when she opened the back door to let him out of the Jeep. This was his first time on the property since they’d started building. “Stay by me.” She unlocked the gate and slipped through, deciding to keep it unlocked in case she had to make a quick getaway. Two sets of footprints were in the fresh snow ahead of her. She smiled at the tiny prints she recognized as a dog. The other prints weren’t much larger than her own. She unlocked the front door with the key that Jake gave her and cleared her throat softly before calling out. “Hello? Is anyone here?”

  She didn’t expect a pudgy white puppy to race around the corner, slip, and crash into the wall before popping up and continuing its trek straight for her. Serena automatically knelt with her arms outstretched. “Come here, you. Where did you come from?” The puppy, a French bulldog mixed with maybe a corgi, bounced on her lap and licked her face and even gave a surprised L.B. a few hello licks, too.

  “Where’d you go, Dozer?” Loud footsteps echoed down the hall, and Serena looked up to find Gabrielle standing in the doorway.

  “Is this your puppy?”

  Gabrielle crossed her arms and leaned against the frame. “You say it like it’s a bad thing.” She smiled hesitantly at Serena.

  Serena stood with Dozer in her arms and leaned back from his incessant licking so she could talk. “No, no. It’s great and I’m amazed and I already love him.” She leaned down and let him kiss her until he was done. His tongue fell out and he panted, looking back at Gabrielle.

  “You’re getting a lot of attention, mister.” She took a few steps closer to them. “Hey, L.B. How are you?” She patted the side of her leg, and L.B. obediently went to her for ear scratches.

  Gabrielle’s relaxed body didn’t go unnoticed by Serena. “What are you doing here?” she asked and shook her head. “I don’t mean that in bad way. You have every right to be here.” It was an unexpected surprise that made her heart skip several beats and her breath hitch in her throat. Gabrielle looked beautiful. Her hair was down, her makeup light, and it was nice to see her relaxed in jeans and a form-fitting black sweater. The scarf was something they’d found at a shop a few months ago before the weather turned bitter. Serena missed her face, her touch, her lips, and the wonderful way she made her feel. Treasured. She took a deep breath and waited for Gabrielle to answer.

  “I wanted to make sure the project was progressing. Jake said he put in the windows, and usually that’s one of the last things they do before they start walling things in. I’m very pleased with the work his crew has done.” Gabrielle took a few steps closer. “I’m sorry I’m here. I didn’t expect to run into you.”

  Serena nervously waved her off. “It’s not a problem. This is your project. You deserve to see it, too.” She stood up and took a step closer to Gabrielle. “This whole thing has been amazing from start to finish.” Serena gently put Dozer on the floor, where he instantly jumped on L.B. and starting nipping at his lips and paws. Within seconds they were chasing one another around the room, barking and playing. “Great name. Dozer is very fitting.” They laughed as Dozer ducked his head and ran into L.B. when he couldn’t reach L.B.’s paws.

  “Obviously my dog doesn’t play fair.”

  “He’s adorable.” They watched the dogs until it became obvious that they either needed to talk or go their separate ways.

  “How are you?” Gabrielle turned to Serena and quickly looked her over from head to toe. “You look great.”

  Serena automatically reached up and smoothed down her hair. Even though it was fashionable and cute, her hat had a terrible way of collecting static. Oh, and why did she wear this sweater? Pink made her looked washed out, and she was sure there was a snag on the side where L.B.’s nail got caught as she’d dried off his paws that morning. “I’m a mess at the moment, but thank you. You look great, too.” So much so that Serena felt her heart clench and beat faster than normal. Gabrielle looked fantastic. There was something different about her, something Serena couldn’t identify. Maybe it was because she hadn’t seen her in over a month and she was starting to forget the softness of her skin and how graceful she was. She watched Gabrielle reach down and rub Dozer’s belly. The look on her face was pure. Gabrielle was at peace. And she had a dog now. The cutest puppy ever, if she was being truthful.

  “When did you get him?”

  “He’s been with me for almost a month now. Rosie and I went to the animal shelter, and when I saw him, I knew it was meant to be.”

  “How old is he?” Serena lightly clapped her fingers until Dozer scrambled up and raced over to her. “He has only one speed.” She laughed as he bowled her over to lick her face.

  “He’s about four months old. I love him, but he has flaws.”

  “He’s perfect. What could this perfect cuddly puppy do that’s so bad?”

  Gabrielle snorted and squatted on the other side of him. “Well, let’s see. He’s chewed up three pairs of my favorite shoes. He ate the rug in the kitchen, chewed up the legs of my bed, and we’ve been to the vet almost once a week because of small items that suddenly disappeared.”

  Serena smiled. “You’re not very good at doggie-proofing a house. You need help.” She looked at Gabrielle and was overcome with emotions she thought she had tamped down, locked up, and walked away from. Without her consent, without any regard to her heart, they flooded every part of her. She felt heavy, as if the weight of every emotional decision she’d ever made came crashing down at that moment. She looked away from Gabrielle and tried hard not to make a sound. Why now? Please not now. The first sob was lost in the sounds of Dozer snorting and playing. By the second sob, Gabrielle had her arms around her and was holding her tightly. By the third sob, her arms were around Gabrielle’s neck. She stopped holding back and gave in. She was tired of fighting it.

  “Hey, hey. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.” Gabrielle stroked her head softly. Serena missed Gabrielle’s strength and the way she made her feel safe.

  “I’m so tired of fighting my feelings.” She wasn’t sure if she yelled it or whispered it, if Gabrielle even heard it.

  “Then don’t. Come back to me. I miss you so much,” Gabrielle said.

  Serena felt Gabrielle’s warmth and couldn’t let go. Wouldn’t let go. She clutched her tightly and finally, agonizingly opened up. “I’ve missed you, too.”

 
“I’m so sorry I hurt you. I never meant to hurt you. I promise never to do it again.”

  Serena loosened her grip, took a half a step back, and wiped her tears with the pink sleeve of her sweater. Crying was a weakness she didn’t allow herself. “I was being stupid and then I didn’t know how to get back to you. I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never been in love before and I don’t know what the rules are or anything.”

  Gabrielle reached out and pulled her back into her arms. “You’re in love with me?”

  Serena looked at her boots. A whirlwind of emotions blew through her mind. Why did she tell her that? Why did it slip from her mouth? She had never told another woman she loved her. Except for Faith. She might have told her mother at one time, but she didn’t remember because it would have happened when she was very young. The word didn’t flow out of her mouth freely. Not in the true sense of the word. The way the word was intended to be used. With heart. For a split second, she thought about backpedaling and denying the whole thing, but when she looked at Gabrielle, she saw nothing but hope and happiness. She nodded.

  Gabrielle’s fingers lifted Serena’s chin up so their eyes met. “This is a very good thing. Look, I know you haven’t had it easy. At all. I know that love has been very hard to come by, but I want you to know that it’s here. Right in front of you. I love you, and I’m not going to let you slip away again.” She wiped away more tears that spilled down Serena’s cheeks.

  Serena’s chin trembled when a wave of new tears threatened to spill. “You love me.” She pointed to Dozer. “And you got a dog for me.”

  Gabrielle laughed and pulled her into her arms. “Technically, he’s still a puppy, and I got him for me, but I got him because I see how much you love L.B. and how much he means to you. Rosie and I have been working with Muppet and decided a smaller dog would feel less threatening to me.” She put her arm around Serena and they watched their boys play.