Coming Alive: Welcome to Carson, Book One

by Renee Harless

  “The next day I felt like complete trash and came straight home to Amy. We talked and I told her everything that had happened. I explained how overwhelmed I felt with all of the changes in our life, but as always, Amy surprised the hell out of me, welcoming me home with open arms and she forgave me for every sin I committed.

  “Until we received the letter four years later, we never thought twice about my indiscretion, but I always knew in the back of my mind that it would catch up to me. Amy was knowingly upset when she learned I had fathered another child and I feared every day that she would pack up the kids and leave me. But again she surprised me. I came home from work one day, just glad to see her car in the driveway and her standing on the porch waiting for me. To say I was petrified is an understatement, but when I looked at her… man, I remember like it was yesterday… she poured out her love for me. It was in her eyes, the way she smiled, the way she held me close as I wrapped her in my arms. And she told me...she said ‘Here’s a list of every adoption agency in the country. Let’s find our little girl.’” Tears sparkle in the corner of his eyes, and he dabs them away quickly. “I cried. She took an ugly situation, turned it around and embraced it. We had absolutely nothing to go on but your birthday, which we know she could have changed when she turned you in. But we never suspected that she had lied, though in hindsight we should have.”

  “So, Amy, you forgave him? You just turned a blind eye?”

  “I did. I had to, there was no other way. I love Joseph with all of my heart and we were separated, there is no question in my mind that had we not been, he wouldn’t have strayed. He isn’t wired that way. And I understood where he was coming from. Our kids are all two years apart and that’s a lot to handle for a man that was hesitant to become a father to begin with. But he truly is the best father to our kids,” she says, smiling at her husband with love pouring from her face.

  “Wow, I’m just...I don’t know what to say. How many kids do you have?”

  Joseph replies excitedly, “We have six amazing kids. Everleigh is a few months older than you at twenty-five, Joseph Jr. is the oldest at twenty-nine, Cassidy is next at twenty-seven, then Sydney just turned twenty-three, and our twins Ryker and Jameson are the youngest at twenty-one. And now you, sweet-girl. Welcome to our family.”

  Avery’s eyes well with more tears at their instant love and envelopment into their family.

  Before she can even hug her newfound parents, her phone rings and she apologizes profusely before stepping away when she see Nikki’s name flash across the screen.

  “Hey, Nikki. How are things? Are you doing okay?” She asks, wiping away the wetness on her cheeks.

  She hears a distinct sniffle across the line and Avery waits with baited breath for her response.

  “Nikki?”

  “I’m pregnant,” she whispers.

  “What? Oh my gosh, Nikki! Is that why you left?”

  “I had a feeling, but I just went to the doctor and they confirmed. I’m eight weeks.”

  “Oh, Nikki. What can I do?”

  “Just keep it to yourself, please? I don’t want Austin to find out.”

  “I’ll do whatever you ask, but don’t you think you should talk with him? He should know if he’s going to be a father.”

  “I know, and I will; I’m just not ready yet. I’m thinking of moving back here with Melanie. She offered to help me with the baby. Austin just doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that would embrace fatherhood.”

  “I don’t know him very well, but I think he may surprise you.”

  “I’ll be back soon. I’m just really messed up right now. And the morning sickness is killing me.”

  “I wish there was something I could do for you, Nikki. And I hope you feel better soon. I’m here if you need me.”

  “Thank you, Avery. We’ll talk soon. Bye.”

  “Bye, Nik.”

  Avery returns to the porch, having taken her call out onto their immaculate lawn.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yes, everything is fine. My friend is having a rough time right now. She found out she’s expecting, but she doesn’t think the father will step up. I’m really hoping he proves her wrong.”

  “Me too, dear. Family is important,” Amy reminds.

  Joseph stands from the table and Amy follows suit.

  “We have a meeting at the community center for the Christmas program, but I wish we could catch up some more.”

  “Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude on your day.”

  “Please don’t apologize! We are thrilled you found us and we can’t wait to find out more about each other,” Amy exclaims, pulling Avery close.

  Joseph places his hands on Avery’s shoulders and stares at her lovingly.

  “Our family gets together every Sunday night for dinner, except for today since we had the meeting scheduled. No pressure, but we’d love for you to join us next Sunday. We planned to meet at Angie’s around six. It would be a good opportunity to introduce you to your siblings. We won’t tell them anything in case you decide against this. It’s a lot to take in and we completely understand.”

  “I don’t want to impose on your family.”

  “You’re a part of this family now too, Avery.”

  “Do you think they’ll like me? Will they think I’m lying?”

  Amy looks at her and grins, “Darling, they only need to look at you. You look just like your father. Just like our other children.”

  “If you’re sure…I’d love to meet everyone. Do you think I could bring my boyfriend?”

  “Sure. We’d love to meet him.”

  Joseph pulls Avery close and hugs her tightly, like a father that openly expresses his love for his children.

  “I love you, Avery. I can’t express how incredibly grateful I am that you’ve found us.”

  “Me too.”

  She follows them out of their house and directs herself towards her vehicle, stopping to wave to them as Joseph helps Amy into their car.

  Avery sits down in her vehicle and takes a few deep breaths. She feels more content than she has in a long time. She’s astounded at how welcome and open they were to her arrival. It could have gone downhill if they weren’t so deeply in love – a love that she hopes she shares with Logan.

  After starting the car, Avery heads out of the neighborhood and towards Logan’s home.

  Maybe Logan and I will grow old together, loving each other more each day.

  Wow, talk about a complete one-eighty. At first Avery couldn’t handle more than friendship. Now all she can think of is introducing him to her father as the love of her life.

  LOGAN WAITS PATIENTLY FOR Avery to arrive back at his home. She texted him when she left telling him that all had gone well, but he knows he’ll be able to look in her eyes and see the truth. She’s entitled to have a family that offers her all the love she deserves.

  While Logan waits for her to pull into his driveway he answers a text from Austin.

  Austin: Hey man. Have you heard from Nikki?

  Me: Naw. What’s up?

  Austin: Let me know if you or Avery hear from her. I need to talk to her.

  Me: Will do. You ok?

  Austin: Yea, I just need to speak with her. I totally fucked things up.

  Me: Well I’ll send her your way if I hear from her.

  Austin: Thanks.

  Logan’s worries about him. Since Nikki left he’s been acting a bit off kilter, definitely a far cry from the womanizing man he met three years ago. Nikki is a pretty strong woman so he must have done something major to piss her off. Guess they’ll have to find a replacement for her at the office as well, Logan thinks in annoyance. He hadn’t taken her seriously when she said she was quitting.

  A sound in the driveway alerts Logan to Avery’s arrival. He jumps from the couch and races outside. As she exits the car, he wraps her in his arms and holds her close.

  “How did it go?”

  “It was...it was incredible, Logan. They we
re so much more welcoming than I could have ever imagined. I...I have a family,” she cried into his shoulder, the excitement of the day taking its toll.

  “I’m so happy for you, Avery. You deserve this and so much more. I knew they’d welcome you.”

  “Thank you, Logan.”

  He scoops her into his arms and carries her inside his house, resting her on the corner of his couch.

  “So, tell me everything. What happened?”

  “Oh, Logan, they were perfect. They’ve been searching for me for twenty years! Apparently my mother sent them a letter when I was four, telling them she had put me up for adoption. Of course that wasn’t true, but they’ve contacted every agency in the country looking for me. Can you imagine? Searching for a child you love with all your heart, but never met. And, Logan, there is so much love in that house.” Tears stream freely down her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with joy. “And I have siblings! I am so excited I can’t even think straight. Oh, they invited us to dinner next Sunday at Angie’s so I can meet everyone. Would you come with me? I’m afraid I may chicken out if I don’t have someone there.”

  Logan rests his hand on her thigh and smiles.

  “I’d love to meet your family, Avery.”

  His phone rings from its place on the kitchen counter and he rushes over to answer, noticing it is the general hospital in Charlotte. Logan volunteers there if they are short staffed when an emergency arises and this ringtone signifies an emergency.

  “Hello, this is Dr. Chamberlin.”

  “Yes, Doctor, would you be able to come in for the next week? We know you have your own practice, but we are out four emergency physicians that were part of a missionary trip, apparently the airport was targeted by a militia group and the U.S. won’t be able to evacuate them for a few days.”

  “Jesus Christ, of course I’ll help,” Logan says before turning to look at Avery, worry etched on her face. “I need to call my office and rearrange some appointments, but I can be there tomorrow morning.”

  “Thank you so much. We have an emergency pediatrician coming in from Raleigh so you will only need to work in general medicine. We really appreciate your help.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Logan ends the call and walks back over to the living room where Avery has curled up on the couch with a pillow squeezed in her lap.

  “So it seems I’m going to be gone most of this week, probably until Saturday.”

  “I heard. It sounds like they definitely need help.”

  “Stay with me tonight?”

  “You sure you don’t need to rest? You’re going to have a long week.”

  He yanks the pillow from her grasp and wraps his hands around her ankles, tugging her towards him on the couch. The quick movement causes her to recline her body along the cushions. Logan lays his body over her, using his arms to hover above her face.

  “Rest is overrated,” he whispers before he swoops in for a kiss.

  It doesn’t take long for Avery to respond and she quickly wraps her arms and legs around his body, anchoring him close to her.

  Logan breaks away momentarily and questions, “Are you sore?”

  She shakes her head and tilts her head forward to capture his lips again. Logan stands from the couch, placing his hands under her thighs and carries her to his bedroom, never giving her a chance to break their connection. He sets her on the bed and begins peeling away her clothes.

  “Get ready, sweetheart. We have one night for me to get a week's fill of you.”

  While Logan packs the next morning, Avery lies across his bed wearing only his t-shirt. It’s a vision so beautiful he instantly whips out his phone to take a picture.

  “Logan!”

  “Sorry, babe, but you looked all beautifully seductive lying like that. I needed to capture the moment. Plus, it gives me a visual for when I’m gone.”

  She feigns a frown and eye-roll when she says, “Great.”

  He finishes packing, zips up his duffle bag and joins her on his bed, bringing her into his embrace.

  “So I was thinking….maybe you could stay here while I was away?”

  Avery moves her head from the spot she had claimed on his chest and gazes down at him.

  “Why?”

  “Um...peace of mind?”

  “That seems silly, Logan. I don’t have any of my stuff over here.”

  “Well, maybe you should move in. Would you want to move in with me?”

  She sits up and looks at him intently.

  “That’s a big step, Logan.”

  “I know, and it may seem a bit sudden, but I love you and I want to be with you all the time.”

  Her eyes narrow, absorbing his words and contemplating her decision. By the look on her face, he starts bracing himself for a certain disappointment.

  “Okay, Logan.”

  “What? Really?” Logan inquires, shocked by her answer.

  “I want to be with you all the time, too. I’ll bring a few things over this week and you can help me with the big stuff when you get back.”

  Logan reaches forward, his hands framing her face and he kisses her senseless.

  “I love you so much, Avery.”

  “I love you too, Logan.”

  LOGAN HAS SPENT FOUR straight days at the hospital working in the emergency department and he is beyond exhausted. He’s also missing Avery like crazy. They finally have a lull in the crowd and when he sees the pediatric emergency physician, Brooks, he asks him if he wants to grab some lunch in the cafeteria.

  “That sounds great, man. I feel like I haven’t sat down in days. It’s like the entire city of Charlotte was either sick or in an accident.”

  As they wait for the elevator, Logan replies, “Tell me about it. I miss my practice in my small town, with regular hours I might add. I forgot what the craziness can be like in the ER.”

  They step into the elevator car and rise to the fourth floor, where they exit and head to the cafeteria. They both grab sandwiches before they sit themselves by the window.

  A gaggle of nurses sit at the table across from them and continuously wink and smile in their direction. Brooks eats it up; Logan just ignores them, familiar with the game.

  “Hey, Logan, that’s some fine pickin’ over there. You sure you’re not interested?”

  “No way, man. Been there, done that. Plus, I have someone back home.”

  As if summoned subconsciously, Logan’s phone starts to ring and he curses when he thinks it’s a call from the emergency room, but his smile broadens when he sees Avery’s name flash across the screen.

  “Hey, babe,” Logan says enthusiastically.

  He’s missed her these past four days and he keeps his fingers crossed that he’ll be able to go home earlier than expected.

  “Hi, Logan. I miss you.”

  “I miss you too. Everything going okay?”

  “Yea, I made some room in your closet for my clothes. Was that okay?”

  “Definitely, but you seem a little off. Work good?”

  “Yea, I’m sorry, I just got off the phone with Nikki and she has me all out of sorts. She’s told me some things that I’m supposed to keep private, but I need to talk them through with you when you get home.”

  “Okay, we can do that.”

  “Oh...and the office may have found out about us.”

  Logan sits back in his seat and gazes out the window. He’s strangely relieved that the office knows. It means no more hiding their relationship.

  “Are you mad, Logan? I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine, Avery. I’m not mad. How’d they find out?”

  “I’m not really sure. I just think maybe we weren’t as good at hiding it as we thought we were. Dr. Fields asked me at the meeting this morning if I had heard from you and I just sort of froze. They all smiled at me like they had a secret and kept on with the meeting, but when we were leaving Dr. Fields asked me in front of everyone when the wedding was taking place. I don’t think I’ve ever
been so embarrassed.”

  Logan chuckles, thinking about how Al must have put her on the spot.

  “I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I can address it when I get back, but I won’t lie, I’m glad they know now. I don’t want to hide you.”

  “I love you. When do you think you’ll be back? Soon?”

  “I don’t know, sweetheart,” he murmurs devastatingly. “Hey, I’ve got to run but I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  He ends the call and faces Brooks who has a cheesy “all-knowing” grin on his face.

  “Man, you are such a goner. Is that the lovely girl from back home?”

  “Yep,” he replies, turning his phone around to show Brooks the picture Logan took of them at the fall festival last weekend.

  “Jesus Christ! How the hell did you snag her? Are all the women in Carson as hot as that?”

  “I won’t lie, there are a few, mostly my best friend’s sisters, but don’t tell him I said that. And yeah, this one here is the love of my life, so back off.”

  Logan’s angry tone ignites a chuckle from Brooks. Logan ignores him and stands to dump his tray and head back to the ER. Brooks follows suit, laughing the entire way.

  When Logan arrives downstairs the ER director pulls him into her office and tells him that they only need him to pull a half shift tomorrow and then he could go home.

  Hell yea!

  Logan finishes seeing the triaged patients before tucking himself away into a spare room set aside for him to sleep. He changes out of his scrubs and calls Brooks to head across the street to grab something to eat.

  They meet at a sports bar, intent on watching the football game, and order some beer and food. Logan tells Brooks all about Carson and when he asks about Logan’s family, he gives him his back story. Logan doesn’t know why he opened up to a stranger like this, but Brooks proves to be a good listener. He tells Logan that he intended on playing professional baseball in college, had even been scouted by the Braves, but he tore his shoulder and it ended his career. Logan can tell the shoulder bothers him still; he noticed Brooks wincing while lifting weights at the gym this morning.