I took Brady’s hand and looked into those beautiful blue eyes so I could gauge his reaction. “He said I reminded him of a girl he used to know.”
“Really? I wonder who?”
I nervously and without thinking began to twirl my hair with my free hand.
Brady noticed. “What, darlin’?”
“It’s just … I know who he was talking about and why I remind him of her.”
He kind of laughed and shook his head at me. “How could you know?”
“Brady, that song your daddy had me play and sing tonight has meaning.”
“What are you talking about? He’s played that song for years. He told me once it reminded him of better days. That’s all.”
I squeezed his hand and smiled at him. “I’m sure you’re right.” I didn’t think he wanted to hear what I had to say, and I didn’t lie. I think that song did remind him of better days. Brady looked confused, but he didn’t say anything, so I tried to bring him back to where we left off. “Is there anything else I’m good at?”
“No,” he said without thinking, but he quickly realized his mistake. “Yes, lots.” He was distracted, and I couldn’t blame him.
I reached up and touched his cheek. “Are you ok, Brady?”
He placed his hand over mine on his cheek. “It was your aunt, wasn’t it?”
I shook my head yes. He sat back against the couch and put his hands behind his head and let out a deep breath. I leaned back too and turned toward him and began running my fingers through his hair.
He closed his eyes. “You said that song had meaning, what did you mean by that?”
I hesitated a moment, and he opened his eyes and looked at me.
I kept on stroking his hair as I contemplated what to say. “My aunt sang that song for their high school talent show. She said it was the first night your daddy really noticed her. He told her she was beautiful. She also sang it in the talent portion of The Miss Alabama pageant. Your daddy was in the audience that night. He asked my aunt to marry him again after that pageant.”
“Again?”
“He had asked her right after she graduated from high school, but she said no the first time.”
Brady closed his eyes again. I could tell he was bothered.
I leaned over and kissed his forehead. “I love you.”
At least he smiled and opened his eyes, but I could tell this was still eating at him. “Do you know, I’ve never heard my parents say they love each other? I figured they were just private about that sort of thing, but I’m beginning to think they may have never loved each other.”
“Brady, I’m sure that’s not true, they’ve been married for well over forty years.”
“Ellie, I saw the way my daddy looked at you tonight. I didn’t recognize it because it didn’t make sense at the time, but now it makes perfect sense.” He sounded upset.
“What makes perfect sense?”
“He looked at you like I look at you. He looked like a man in love. I don’t think he ever stopped loving your aunt. That’s why he and my momma hate you so much. You remind them of her.”
I leaned back against the couch, too, because I couldn’t bear to see the pain this revelation was causing him. And it was entirely my fault.
“Do you hate me now too?”
He turned toward me and looked directly in my eyes. “Darlin’, how could you think such a thing? It’s just a lot to take in. I’ve known for a long time my parents didn’t have the best marriage, but this … this is …”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
He looked at me so lovingly as he wiped my tears. He smiled at me—that smile I loved so much.
“It feels like we’re in one of those ridiculous soap operas my aunt watches,” I said. “I just hope no one tells us we’re brother and sister.”
He laughed somewhat loudly. I loved to hear him laugh.
He pulled me onto his lap, “Believe me, darlin’, the feelings I have for you have nothing to do with brotherly affection.”
I leaned against his chest and laughed too. But seriously, this was so “Days of Our Lives.”
We spent the rest of the night discussing the seemingly sordid circumstances surrounding our parents’ lives. It was so odd to think that his daddy and my aunt had feelings for one another all this time. Obviously, Brady was upset by it. I didn’t blame him, I would be upset if I’d had a daddy and he was in love with someone besides my momma. Obviously, my biological parents could have had their own soap opera, but thankfully my aunt spared me their drama, and to be honest, I rarely thought of them. Our current drama was the story of our lives, now it was just unfolding another episode. Brady and I were now the stars, and our parents were the supporting characters. I was type-casting his momma as the villain. I was just hoping Brady and I got to ride off into the sunset and that our drama would be rewritten as a romantic comedy.
Brady said he could guarantee a happy ending, I still wasn’t so sure. I mean, look at our parents; I’m sure they thought their love was going to be forever, but yet they’d spent most of their lives hating each other. Heck, I’d spent the last ten years hating Brady. That thought alone reminded me there were no guarantees when it came to love. Ten years ago, I would have never imagined that Brady would leave me—I thought we were forever. And maybe we would be. Brady sure seemed to think so; I wished I had his confidence.
I knew he was sorry for walking away the first time, and I even understood why he did it, but it had left scars. Then there was the fact I felt like we were living out some Greek tragedy. Even after Brady took me home, I couldn’t stop thinking about our predicament. Brady kept telling me this wasn’t a predicament and that we shouldn’t let our families get in the way of our relationship, but I knew he was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that his daddy had some pretty deep feelings for someone other than his momma and that person just happened to be my momma, for all intents and purposes. Oh, and I kind of look like that person. And for years people had told me we sound very similar when we perform. I felt like Brady would resent my aunt, and how in the world could we ever have a wedding with all of them in attendance? Could you imagine?
I knew I was worrying Brady, and I felt terrible about it. For him, it was so cut and dry, black and white. I wanted to feel the same way. There was no question that I loved him, and I wanted to be his wife, but I had so many unanswered questions plaguing me. Like if Brady’s daddy still loved my aunt, then why did he push her out of his life, and why did he end up with Elizabeth? Did Elizabeth know how he felt? Was Brady right, was that why they hated me? If that was true, how could I ever be a part of their family? I hated seeing Brady argue with his momma over me. I never realized how very much that woman hated me. She didn’t even want her husband talking to me, which led me to believe Brady was right.
Though it was late, I found myself in the music room and, once again, at the piano. I got my old Christmas sheet music out and played to my heart’s content. I had always loved Christmas music. I was one of those annoying people that played it well before Thanksgiving. There’s just something so happy about Christmas music, and I needed a little merriment after that disastrous dinner.
After a couple of hours of playing, I went to bed hoping I would wake up in the morning to a Christmas miracle.
Chapter Eighteen
I didn’t know if I would get my miracle when I woke up, but at least I had my aunt coming home that afternoon to look forward to. Something I wasn’t looking forward to, though, was church. I didn’t want to see Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, but I knew it would disappoint my aunt if I didn’t go. At least Brady would be there. I wasn’t sure how much I would see him today, though. I was hesitant to invite him over, and I couldn’t and wouldn’t leave my aunt alone at home. She would have to be carefully monitored for the next couple of weeks, and I just wanted to be at home and shut out the rest of the world. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted Brady there with me, but I didn’t know how my aunt would feel about that, and in
light of what Brady suspected, I wasn’t sure if he would want to be around my aunt.
I begrudgingly got up and got ready. I had bought a couple of new dresses the day before, so at least I had something to wear that I didn’t wear last week. New clothes usually made me feel better, but not today. I decided to straighten my hair, and then I applied my make-up. I kept staring in the mirror, wondering what I should do and if there was any way for Brady and me to be together without making our families miserable, or ourselves, in the process. As I sat there contemplating, I heard the doorbell. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and it was early.
I was surprised to see Brady at the door, even though I shouldn’t have been. He was decked out in a suit and tie, but he wore cowboy boots. He looked gorgeous as usual.
“Hi handsome, what’s the occasion?”
He walked right in and kissed my cheek and hugged me tight. “I just wanted to take my girl to church.”
Aww. I hugged him tighter. I really did love him.
“And I was worried about you and us,” he said.
I reveled in just being in his arms. I craved the comfort they offered. “I know, and I’m sorry.”
“Ellie, please quit apologizing to me. I’m the one that’s sorry.”
“What do you have to be sorry for?”
“Because I should have been man enough to stand up to my family ten years ago, then I wouldn’t be picking you up for church today. I’d be at home helping you get our kids ready, or at the very least having breakfast with you at our table.”
All lovely, lovely thoughts.
I led him to the drawing room and sat on the couch with him so I could see his face. “Brady, you were a kid. You did what you thought was best at the time.”
He touched my cheek gently. “No, I did what my family thought was best.”
I tried to convey my love for him with my smile. I don’t know if it worked, but at least he smiled back briefly.
“Ellie, I know what I did hurt you and that you don’t completely trust me.”
“Brady, I trust you.”
He gave me a knowing look. “Not the way you used to, and I don’t blame you. I know I have a lot to make up for, and that the road ahead of us may not be as smooth as we would like it to be, but I promise you that it will be worth it and that I’m in it for the long haul. I know if we’re together, we can overcome anything that comes our way.” He pulled me into his arms. “Please don’t give up on us.”
I settled into him so naturally. It was a perfect fit. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I heard him and felt him release a huge breath of air. “I love you,” he said.
“I love you, Brady Jackson.”
He kissed the top of my head. “By the way, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
I sat up and looked at him. “Are you hungry?”
He grinned. “Are you offering to make me breakfast?”
“I hope that cake didn’t give you any grand ideas.”
He followed me back to the kitchen. He sat at the counter, and I went to the refrigerator and pulled out fruit, yogurt, milk and a couple more items out of the freezer. I retrieved the blender. Brady smiled at me the whole time while I made blueberry pomegranate smoothies. Thankfully Doris had left some homemade blueberry muffins that I could offer him as well.
I set a smoothie in front of him. “Drink up, cowboy.”
He looked at the glass warily. “Is this what you eat in the city?”
“Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.”
“Do I get kisses for trying it?”
“Do I really have to bribe you?”
He pulled me to him and kissed me deeply. “Nope. I just wanted to kiss you,” he said as soon as he released me. He picked up the smoothie and took a large gulp. He set it down and smiled at me. “Not bad, darlin’.”
I raised my eyebrow at him. “Not bad?”
He laughed. “I meant, yum.”
I threw a muffin at him and he laughed harder. I sat next to him and drank his smoothie while he ate Doris’ muffins. I looked over to him enjoying the muffins I didn’t make. “Are those good?” I knew they were fabulous.
He just smiled and his eyes danced with amusement.
“You know I’m not going to be one of those sweet little wives that cooks and makes all sorts of cutesy crafts that can be donated at the church bazaar. And once a month I get a little grumpy and I’ll eat chocolate ice cream for dinner, and I don’t know how to garden or can or anything else that is very homemakerish.”
He just kept smiling at me.
“And I hate doing laundry.”
He inched closer and kissed me once and tugged on my hair. “Anything else, darlin’?”
“I’m not a big football fan either.” I knew that was a blasphemous statement considering where and how I grew up.
“So you’re trying to tell me that instead of watching football, I’ll have to make-out with my wife while the game is on, and I might not get a lot of home cooked meals, and I won’t have a garden to weed and I won’t have any handmade doilies to put my drink on and I’ll have to keep our freezer stocked with chocolate ice cream and I have to do the laundry?” He stroked my cheek. “Sounds perfect.”
“You’re such a liar, Brady Jackson.”
“As long as you’re the wife, it’ll be perfect.”
I just rolled my eyes at him.
Brady told me he would clean up while I finished getting ready. I didn’t have much left to do, but the whole time I was in my room, I kept thinking maybe I had been overthinking this whole thing. I loved Brady, and now that we were together, I couldn’t imagine being without him. No one made me laugh and smile like him, and I could be myself around him. I knew he didn’t care that I wasn’t Suzy Homemaker.
“I asked Doris to give me cooking lessons while I’m here,” I mentioned on our way to church.
He chuckled. “Seriously, Ellie, I don’t care if you can’t cook.”
“I know, but someday I’m going to be a mother, and I at least want to feel like I’m competent in the kitchen and that I can make something edible.”
He just smiled that smile I loved so much.
As soon we arrived at church and parked, Brady turned to me eagerly. “How many children do you want?”
I smiled coyly. “I don’t know. Two or three? How about you?”
He tugged on my hair. “I was thinking at least four or five?”
“At least?”
He inched closer and kissed me lightly on the lips. “I’m willing to negotiate.”
“Maybe we should have one and see how that goes before we get any big ideas.”
He rested his hand against my abdomen. “You don’t know how much I’m looking forward to you having my baby.”
I pulled on his tie to bring him closer. “Me too, and I’m thinking sooner rather than later.”
He grinned and then groaned. “Ellie, remember last night when I said you’re good at driving me crazy?”
“Uh, huh.”
“If you keep making comments like that, you may push me over the edge.”
I smiled wide.
“Darlin’, I think we better get into the church before I have any more thoughts that will require a cold shower.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. He, on the other hand, opened his door quickly and helped me out. As we walked across the parking lot, hand-in-hand, we were the main attraction once again. I’m pretty sure a few ladies ran in quickly, I’m sure in hopes of being able to spread the news. Brady noticed too, and he looked down at me and winked. I decided I was going to try and be more like Brady and find amusement in the situation rather than annoyance.
Well, our little ladies had done their job; it was like everyone was waiting for us to arrive when we entered the chapel. I reminded myself, amusement not annoyance, and I smiled. Brady loved the attention, and he made sure to pull me close and kiss my head. I’m sure my aunt was getting a call at that very moment.
Dave Mayfield saw us and walked in our direction. As soon as Brady saw him, he put his arm around me and pulled me closer. I couldn’t help but laugh a little.
When Dave approached us, he looked disappointed. “So, you really are back together.”
“I told you not to even think about it,” Brady answered.
“Elle, what do see in this loser, besides his good looks and money?” Dave asked.
I looked at Brady and winked. “Where do I even begin?”
Brady gave me that smile I loved so much, and he kissed me once gently on the lips.
“Ok. I get it,” Dave said as he sat down in front of us. More Jackson people on the Eaton side. It was like an epidemic.
Brady reached up and patted him on the shoulder. “Sorry, man.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I was flattered that he liked me, but he couldn’t hold a candle to the man next to me.
Next came in my favorite five-year-old. She looked cute as a button in her green plaid Christmas dress. She and her parents walked straight over to us and sat in the same row. Kendra and Benjamin gave me conspiratorial smiles as they walked past us to sit down. For some reason, I had a feeling this was another coordinated plan. I braved a peek at his momma, and I think I could see steam coming out of her ears. Her sons had just broken protocol and ranks. Their momma wasn’t the only one having a reaction to the turn of events. Mrs. Jackson’s friends seemed to be rallying around her, and there was a low buzz of whispers that could be heard, but one person seemed delighted, and that was the pastor. He came over and greeted us all kindly and gave us a wink. I liked him.
House Divided Page 19
