Brady looked between his brothers and their wives. “Are y’all staying for Sunday School?”
They all replied they were going home with his parents. Inwardly I breathed a sigh of relief. We said our goodbyes, and then I lied in church when I said it was nice to meet them all. They all looked like they didn’t know what to say to me. His momma stood up. She was ready for me to leave. As I walked toward the Promised Land, as it were, Brady’s daddy reached up and touched my arm to stop us from moving forward. I was flabbergasted by the gesture, but not as much as by what came out of his mouth.
He looked up and toward his son. “Brady, bring this young lady to Christmas Eve dinner.”
Chapter Twenty One
As we walked to Sunday School, the only term that came to mind was, “Never in a million a years.” We were both too dazed to speak. Neither of us expected that invitation, and by the stunned reactions of the rest of the family, neither did they. But I’m glad he asked in church, in fact I think he did it that way on purpose. He knew it would mute the reaction of his family, especially that of his wife. Believe me, she was more than livid, but she also had a reputation to maintain. Brady and I cleared out of there quickly, though, just in case she decided to blow; she looked like she might do just that. I could only imagine the car ride home with those two.
I just couldn’t believe that he asked me to come. Christmas Eve dinner was like the holy grail of family gatherings for the Jacksons. We walked into Sunday School and found Benjamin and Kendra. Brady sat next to Benjamin as he quietly told him what had just gone down in the chapel. I could see Benjamin’s mouth upturn as Brady recounted the story. He looked quite pleased, and so did Kendra after Benjamin filled her in.
Dave came in and sat on my other side. I noticed Brady’s arm tighten around me. Like Dave was real competition. Brady never had any competition where I was concerned, but it still made me smile.
“Still together, huh?” Dave commented.
“We picked out bedroom furniture together yesterday,” Brady said loudly and proudly.
That sounded so bad. I couldn’t believe he said that and in church of all places. I looked at him with my eyebrows raised. He just smiled like it was no big deal, but in this town, it was a big deal, and I could only imagine the phone calls my aunt was going to get. First, I sat in enemy territory and now this.
“So much for you protecting my reputation, Brady Jackson,” I whispered.
He looked a little repentant. “Sorry, Ellie, I just wanted to make it clear you’re all mine.”
“I think you made your point.”
In response to my obvious annoyance, he clarified to Dave it was for after we were married.
“You’re already engaged!” Dave exclaimed.
Which of course made us yet again the center of attention. I was so ready to go home. How do you explain to people you’re not technically engaged, even though you’re planning on getting married? It even sounded dumb in my head.
I just shook my head at Brady. He whispered sorry in my ear, but he didn’t sound very sorry. He sounded amused. As soon as Sunday School was over, I jumped up. I was more than ready to go after the morning I’d just had. We quickly said goodbye to Kendra and Benjamin; I told Kendra I would call her later. I knew she would want to dish on the Christmas Eve dinner invite. I wished Dave a Merry Christmas and walked out as fast as I could gracefully.
When we made it to his truck, I went to the passenger side, not the driver’s side, per my usual. He laughed at my obvious attempt to put a little distance between us. I tried to open the door, but he placed his hand against it. I turned and scowled at him.
He smiled. “Ellie, I’m sorry I got carried away, ok. It’s just, I know Dave has always had a thing for you, and it gets under my skin.”
“So you thought the best way to go was letting him and everyone around us think we’re living together and engaged? My aunt is probably going into cardiac arrest now between that and me sitting with your family.”
He touched my cheek softly. “Ellie …”
“Brady, I know I shouldn’t care what other people think, but you have no idea how hard today was for me, but I did it because I love you. I’m not used to all of this. It’s why I moved away in the first place.”
He took me in his arms. “Ellie, I love you and I’m sorry. You’re right, I should have guarded your reputation. I’ll talk to your aunt.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Maybe not, but I need to.”
He walked me around to his side and helped me in. We were pretty quiet once again. We had a lot to take in. When he pulled through my drive and parked in the back, he turned to me. “Ellie, I know today wasn’t easy for you, and I’m sorry I made it more difficult.” He kissed me once. “I’ll try to keep my covetous feelings for you under control from now on.”
I smiled and rolled my eyes.
“Ellie, I love you. And thank you for today.”
“Speaking of today, why do think your daddy invited me over?”
“I think it’s his way of trying to make up for the past. You will come won’t you?”
“Yes. I mean, how could it be worse than the last time, right?”
He lightly laughed and kissed me. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay like that all day. We had to go in and face the music.
My aunt was all propped up on the couch with her phone in hand when we walked back. I was wondering how many calls she’d had. By the look on her face, I was guessing quite a few. I left Brady’s side and sat next to my aunt on the couch. I kissed her cheek and said hello. She didn’t say anything.
“So … how many people have me pregnant?” I asked.
Brady laughed and my aunt looked up at him and gave him the eye before turning back to me.
“Would it make you feel any better if I said we planned to name it after you if it’s a girl?”
“Do not sass me, Ella Lu.”
Brady braved approaching us on the couch. The look my aunt gave him should have warned him to proceed with great caution, but he ignored it. He sat on her other side and took her hands in his. She turned toward him. I wish I could see her face, but Brady’s showed determination.
“Luanne, I think it’s time we had it out once and for all. So here it is. I love Ellie and I want to marry her. In fact, I’ve wanted to marry her since I was sixteen years old. I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and you have good reasons not to like me or my family. You don’t know how sorry I am for those mistakes, but I’ve already lost ten years and I don’t intend to lose any more. We don’t need anyone’s permission or blessing, but it’s important to Ellie that she have yours, so I’ve been doing what I can to secure that. I want to be part of your family, Luanne, and more than anything I want to make Ellie happy, so what do you say we let the past be just that, the past?”
Whoa. When Brady said he needed to talk to my Aunt, I had no idea this was what he meant. My eyes were locked on the two of them. Brady looked at her kindly, but he wasn’t flinching. He meant business. I was holding my breath, waiting for my aunt to answer him or maybe smack him, but she just sat there for a moment with her hands in his.
Before she spoke, she sat up taller and poised herself. “Well, Brady Jackson, that was quite the speech.”
I couldn’t believe it, she said his name! Brady and I both smiled at each other for a brief moment, but he immediately turned back to my aunt.
“I hope my trust will not be misplaced in you. You know the kind of money I have, and believe me when I say, I’m not afraid to use it,” she warned.
He kissed her cheek. “I would expect nothing less of you. Thank you, Luanne. Or should I just call you mom now?”
“Don’t push your luck.” She turned to look at my now tear-stained face.
“I love you, Aunt Lu.”
“I love you more than air, Ella Lu.”
Chapter Twenty Two
Well, after all that, I kept waiting for Brady to propose properly, b
ut he didn’t. Sure, he still wanted to get married, he was pushing me to set a date, but call me old fashioned, I was waiting for a ring and for him to ask me. He didn’t even need to get down on one knee. Heck, I would even forgo the ring. I just wanted him to say the words, “Ellie, will you marry me?” I kept hinting that he should ask, but he wasn’t getting it. Maybe I shouldn’t have bought him bedroom furniture. I guess nothing says we’re getting married like buying a bed you plan to sleep in together. Oh well.
No matter, my aunt had me looking at bridal magazines and Pinterest boards during the day while Brady wasn’t around. She, too, felt like he should ask properly, so we didn’t do any planning in front of him. I can say, though, that she seemed very happy to be planning a wedding. She thought we should get married in the spring and have the reception in her gardens. I liked the sound of that, but I didn’t know if Brady would want to wait that long. I don’t think men knew how long it takes to plan a wedding, or at least the kind of wedding my aunt was envisioning.
While I wasn’t planning my wedding to my unofficial fiancé, I was worrying about Christmas Eve. My aunt wasn’t pleased I would be spending that evening at the Jackson’s, but we promised her all of Christmas day. I knew it was hard, but this was the reality of melding two families together. Of course, this wasn’t a normal melding. This particular union had lots of extenuating circumstances. We were all just going to have to learn to at least grin and bear it. I had to say, my aunt was really trying with Brady. I think she had just been waiting for him to man up, for lack of a better term. I think she respected him for being forthright. Now if she could just get the man to propose.
I also made my way back to the shopping center with Kendra to purchase gifts for Brady’s family. Apparently they opened gifts on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t believe I was buying gifts for people that hated my very existence, but I was grinning and bearing it. I was never going to let them say that I hadn’t tried. At least Kendra and I had a great time together. I was glad she came with the package, and of course Benjamin and Caroline.
Christmas Eve dawned cloudy and rainy. It rains in the south in the winter, and sometimes a lot. This was one of those days. I woke up with mixed emotions. On one hand, I was so happy that I was finally getting my Christmas with Brady, but on the other, I just wished we didn’t have to share it with his whole family. Oh, well. Grin and bear it, I thought. It was a few hours of my life, I could deal with it. I didn’t know if it was the weather or my misgivings about some of his family, but I just had this unsettled feeling as the day progressed. I tried to shake it off. I even spent an hour at the piano playing Christmas music to my heart’s content, but unfortunately it didn’t act as the antidote to my ill feelings. My aunt didn’t help either. She was still making it known how unhappy she was about where I would be. I never told her who had invited me.
As evening approached, I went upstairs to change. I dressed more conservatively this time. I chose a plaid pencil skirt and black tight sweater, with black high-heeled boots. I let my hair down and put loose curls in it. The whole time I was getting ready, I kept feeling like maybe I shouldn’t go. I worried about my aunt being by herself. I knew it was just for a few hours, but I hadn’t left her alone yet. Of course she brushed off that concern, but I also just hated thinking about her alone on Christmas Eve, period. Normally we would be somewhere sunny and warm and drinking virgin margaritas.
When Brady showed up, he looked so happy, I knew I couldn’t disappoint him. My aunt stayed in her room. She wouldn’t even come out and see Brady. It was her way of saying she wasn’t happy about where he was taking me. I kept thinking we would make up for it tomorrow.
Brady walked me out to the truck first, with the umbrella protecting me, then he went back in for the bags of gifts.
“Merry Christmas, darlin’,” he said once he was settled by my side in the truck.
“Merry Christmas, Brady.”
He tugged on my hair. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I don’t like leaving my aunt, and I’m nervous about going to your parents’.”
He took my face in his hands. “Ellie, your aunt will be just fine, and there’s nothing to be nervous about, in fact I promise this will be a night we’ll always remember. Our first Christmas Eve together.”
“Yeah, it’ll be great.”
He still looked concerned, and I still felt concerned, but he kissed me once before we took off. The weather was horrible. The rain was coming down in sheets, and at times it was hard to see. Brady had to concentrate on the road, so we didn’t talk much on the way over. I just tried to relax. Breathe in, breathe out. It took a little longer than normal, but we made it safely to the lit up Jackson mansion. I really didn’t want to go in.
Brady looked over to me. “I think I failed to mention how beautiful you look tonight.”
“Thanks, Brady.”
“Darlin’, I can’t have you unhappy on Christmas.”
“I’m not unhappy.”
He raised his eyebrow at me.
“I’m happy we’re together.” I said in response to his scrutiny.
He leaned toward me so our foreheads met and he placed his hands behind my head. “Ellie, I love you and I promise I won’t leave your side tonight. I already warned my momma that if she even looks at you the wrong way, we’re leaving. And my daddy has told everyone that he expects you to be treated with kindness and respect.”
“I love you, Brady.”
He kissed me hard, but briefly. He gave me that country boy smile. “Let’s go, girl.”
I let him lead me out into the protection of his large umbrella. We hurriedly ran to the cover of the porch. I waited there while Brady went and retrieved our bags. There was no way I was going in without him. As I watched him come toward me, I couldn’t help but admire him. He was the whole package. Kind, loving, considerate, gentlemanly, handsome, smart … the list could go on and on. I smiled as he approached. He set his umbrella and the bags down and pulled me to him.
“There’s the smile I’ve been waiting for.”
He kissed me and, in the midst of our kiss, the door opened. It was Caroline.
“They’re here and they’re kissing,” she yelled.
We both laughed. Brady let me go, and I walked in and picked up Caroline. “Merry Christmas, sugar.”
She squeezed my cheeks. “I’m so excited.”
“You are?”
“Yes, silly, Santa’s coming tonight!”
“That is very exciting.”
“I hope he brings me a puppy.”
I smiled at her, but I was pretty sure she wasn’t getting a puppy. I hoped she wasn’t going to be too disappointed.
I let her down so Brady could have his turn hugging her. We all walked back to the family room and set out the gifts we had brought. I had never seen so many gifts in my life. It was just me and Aunt Lu growing up, and though she always bought me very nice gifts, she never went crazy. Aunt Lu was more about quality than quantity, but this was fun too.
Caroline led us to the dining room where everyone was already gathered. It looked the same as the last time I was here, but it felt warmer as it was much more populated. When we walked in, everyone hushed and turned our way. Caroline broke the ice. “I found them. They were kissing on the porch.” She had to make sure that bit of information was known.
She got a few laughs. I think some of them weren’t sure if they should. Like it would mean they were giving their approval of me and I was sure some of them weren’t ready for that yet.
No matter, Brady kissed me quickly on the lips. “Guilty as charged.”
“How touching, now get in here so we can eat,” Benjamin said.
There were a few more laughs. I snuck a glance at his momma, she sat where she had last time. I could tell she was having difficulties remaining emotionless. I even noticed Beau squeeze her hand. I just hoped she could keep it together for the night. I didn’t need her kind of crazy on Christmas, or ever. Thankfully Brady an
d I had chairs together near his daddy and across from Benjamin and Kendra. It was like we were divided into separate camps. I think there was some neutral territory in the middle with the teenage kids. From what Kendra and Brady had told me, they were leaning toward liking me; I guess they thought it was pretty cool that I was a little famous, and the girls approved of my fashion sense. I could work with it.
Dinner was already on the table, and it smelled delicious. There was prime rib, herb roasted potatoes, rolls, salads, and fruit trays; it all looked wonderful. Brady placed me next to his daddy’s side. I didn’t even bother looking at his momma, I knew that wasn’t going to win me any points with her. Once we sat down, Isaac blessed the food. I could tell he was having a hard time catching his breath. He didn’t sound good at all, but it was a sweet prayer. He thanked God for his children and grandchildren and for new additions to his family. Brady reached over and gently touched me when his daddy said that. I was touched, but confused. All my life I thought this man hated me, and to be honest, I harbored very ill feelings for him. Not only had he kept me away from Brady, but he had hurt my aunt, yet I found myself wanting to like him and get to know him. I mean, he was going to be my father-in-law after all. I had always wondered what it would be like to have a father, but I felt guilty about it, like I was betraying my Aunt Lu by having such feelings about Isaac Jackson.
When the blessing was over, Isaac looked over his family as they began to fill their plates. Then he looked at me and touched my hand where it lay on the table. “Thank you for coming tonight,” he said.
I just smiled. “Merry Christmas.”
“I think it will be,” he replied.
I tried to relax enough to eat. Kendra teasingly asked if I wanted any apple slices off the fruit tray. We both laughed at our inside joke. Benjamin and Brady obviously didn’t get it, and we weren’t explaining, at least not there.
House Divided Page 23
