by TL Reeve
“You mean it?”
“I mean it. I love you.” She smiled up at him then brought his face down to her and kissed him.
He pulled back and sighed. “What a thing to say to me now.”
She laughed. “I got to thinking while we were trying to free all those people, life’s too short. You know?”
“Yeah, I catch your meaning.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her one more time then let her go.
“You know, I have a place in Austin we can stay at until your house gets cleaned up,” she called out as he walked away.
“Why Miss Hart, are you propositioning a paramedic?”
She shrugged. “Depends, is it working?”
He flashed her a brilliant smile then continued on his way. Brittney shook her head and smacked her gloves on her thigh before heading in the other direction. The cleanup would take weeks if not months before Tarpley looked like it originally did, and it wasn't going to get done by standing around looking like an idiot. Plus, there was a hungry mob of reporters looking for information. She glanced down the sidewalk to where one of the vans had been parked. Whoever the reporter was, brought donuts and coffee for everyone—or well, those fortunate enough to grab something.
Then she noticed it. The reporters weren't the only ones who brought food. Warmth filled her as a group of people walked into town carrying food and drinks. One thing about small-town living, everyone knew everyone, and everyone took care of everyone. Brittney went to the corner store to find Rai, then set out to make her round to the media. Rai might not have been able to catch the storm, but he could video the press conferences. She knew if he didn't get some of it, he'd be pissed at her for sure.
“Ready to do this?” she asked, glancing at her son.
“Yep. You and dad work everything out?” He cocked a brow.
“Pretty much,” she replied. “We’re going home as a family.”
Rai grinned. “I’d like that.”
“Yeah, me too,” she agreed.
“Miss Hart, are you ready?” the reporter asked.
“As I’ll ever be,” she said. “Let’s do this.”
The reporter turned to the cameraman as he gave a five-second countdown. “Thanks, Dan. I'm standing here in the middle of Tarpley, Texas with Meteorologist Brittney Hart after a devastating tornado ripped through Tarpley. Miss Hart, can you tell us how you knew this would be the area where the storm would hit?”
Brittney stared at the camera. “Sure, but Tarpley wasn't the only one hit by these tornadoes. Bandera, Dallas, Waco, Tarpley, Austin, and from what I am understanding this morning, even Shreveport has been hit.” No matter what happened, she'd make sure all of the surrounding areas received the same amount of attention, they would need it as well in the weeks to come. Everyone, in the aftermath of the storm, would be cleaning up and now was the time to help.
“Yes, I’m glad you mentioned those communities. It seems these tornadoes were long-tracking tornadoes, seemingly pushing through the area.”
She nodded. “They did. It’s why being prepared is the key to saving lives. It’s what I am so proud this morning. We saved lives here. It’s always been my number one priority everywhere I go.” And, that was the truth, no matter where Brittney went or what she did, she held onto the memory of what happened in Moore as her motivation. To see so many people out and about hours after the devastation was a testament to her cause. Pride filled her. Yes, this was the reason she became a storm chaser and why she’d continue to do her job.
“Can you tell us about the recovery efforts going on right now?” the reporter asked.
Brittney nodded. “As of right now, everyone has been recovered from Randy’s. They’re all safe and those injured are being tended to. There are still several people trapped, but the information being passed around leans toward them being okay.”
The reported nodded. “What’s your biggest take away after this storm? Did you learn anything?”
Brittney grinned. “Yes. I did. I learned never to trust the data even if it's right.” She laughed. “This storm came on us fast and hard. I also learned, a small community will come together in tragedy and help one another out.” It was also a metaphor for her life. When she least expected it, Dexter showed up and change it for the better. “Now, it's time to clean up and rebuild.”
Epilogue
Seven months later...
Brittney stared at the small rambling style house and grinned. Since the tornado in Tarpley, she’d been living with Dexter. Like he’d said, it’d only taken a few days to clean up his home and they were able to move back in as a family. It seemed so long ago, even if the scars remained.
Beside them, Shiro came to a stop. He smiled and waved as he put his new SUV into park. The chaser they used had been totaled. Had Shiro tried to get it out of the ditch, the front end would have fallen off. It appeared, the small spin-up had done more damage than any of them had realized. Plus, what they thought would be a simple grab some meds and be sent home from the hospital for his shoulder, turned out to be pretty extensive. The reason why putting it back into place had hurt so much, had been due to the fact part of the joint had been broken in the socket.
The whole situation caused Brittney to take some downtime for the summer, which wasn't a bad thing. She couldn't remember a time when she'd taken a vacation without it having to do with storms or grants or whatever. It felt nice. She'd needed it, but more importantly, it gave her time to learn more about Dexter and his family, including his sister who still gave Brittney side-eyed glances when she didn't think Brittney was paying attention. She didn't blame Jackie. She understood where the other woman was coming from. Dexter was an integral piece of their family and due to extenuating circumstances, Brittney hurt all of them unintentionally.
“Are we going to sit here or go in?” Shiro said, getting out. “We don’t want to look like stalkers or anything.”
Brittney laughed. “We’re coming.”
“Do you know why they asked us to be here?” Wylder came around the front of the SUV with Spike by her side.
“Yeah,” Dexter said. “You’re Brittney’s family. So, my family is inviting her family to their house for Christmas.”
Brittney grinned. She liked the sound of that. “I guess we're hosting it next year then?”
Dexter nodded. “Now you’re getting it.”
As they walked up to the front porch, the door opened wide and Jackie was there, wrapping Rai in a giant hug. Like the dutiful aunt she was, Jackie asked Rai about all the important things. Was he eating enough? How was school going? Did he need her to trim his ends? Brittney chuckled to herself as she watched her son enter the house with his head held high and a smile on his face.
“Well, don’t just stand there, come in,” Cecilia said, motioning for them enter the house.
“Thank you for inviting all of us,” Brittney said, hugging Dexter’s mother.
“It’s my pleasure,” the woman said, rubbing Brittney’s back. “You’re all family now.”
Inside the house had been decorated beyond anything Brittney had ever seen. Her mother was a minimalist in every sense of the word. If they had a tree, it was trimmed with simple bulbs and ribbon. No lights. A wreath hung on their door to make their home seem inviting, but it was nothing more than a show. Cecilia and Jackie, Brittney suspected, went to town on their home. Garland was hung over every doorway. Ribbon crisscrossed the dining room and had Christmas cards from years past hanging on it. In the kitchen, multi-colored lights were carefully hung above the cabinets. On the counter was a Santa cookie jar along with a Christmas cookie recipe book on a bookstand. Outside the house, someone had run lights along the roof and set out inflatable decorations.
Brittney loved it. They'd made their home warm and inviting. However, when she stepped into the living room, she stopped dead in her tracks. It was like a winter wonderland in there. The room was almost set up exactly like Dexter's place, so it had little nooks to place things like knick-knacks
and books. All of the shelves were filled with little treats. On the coffee table was the book T'was The Night Before Christmas and beside it were two snow globes depicting Victorian-era New York. On the mantle over the fireplace was a small town on a bed of cotton. There were houses and stores along with trees and people. Sitting on the shelves built into the wall near the bay window overlooking the backyard were angels and elves. Each shelf had a different scene until the very top shelf was Santa on his sled loaded with toys for all the good girls and boys.
The tree was on the other side of the room out of the way of the television. She learned over the last few months Joseph loved sports and nothing came between the man and his games. A whistle blew and Brittney watched as a train went around on a track circling the beautifully decorated spruce.
She noticed a theme staring at the tree. All of the ornaments were done in whites and blue to depict snow and ice. It was done in the most imaginative ways too. Some branches had stars and others had snowflakes while others had ornaments made of tinsel, replicating falling snow. The blue and white lights circling it were also on, blinking to an unheard song, which also made it appear as if snow was falling on the tree. At the top, sat a beautiful angel. As she stepped closer, she realized the whole piece had been made of fine-bone china. The wings were spread wide and painted in shades of opal and white with an iridescent lacquer coating it. The face was also delicately painted. The angel’s docile features gave Brittney such a peaceful feeling.
“Well, what do you think, girl?” Joseph said coming up beside her.
“Joseph Walsh, don’t you go bothering Brittney,” Cecilia called out from the kitchen.
Brittney laughed. “It's beautiful. I love it.”
“She said she loves it, so there,” Joseph shouted then muttered, “Woman got all up in my ass about the place not looking presentable. I showed her presentable.”
Brittney shook her head. “It truly is a sight.”
“Can you cook?” Jackie stuck her head into the living room.
“Yeah...” Brittney eyed Dexter who stood behind his sister.
“Good, then you're in here with us.” She pushed her brother then Lars, Oz, and Shiro out of the kitchen. “Wylder, you can put Spike outside, because you're helping too.”
Wylder’s eyes went wide as she passed Brittney. “Okay, but I’m not very good.”
“It’s okay,” Cecilia said. “We’ll teach you.”
“So, what’s for dinner?” Brittney washed her hands then dried them.
“Ham,” Jackie said. “Greens, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, and my momma's favorite yeast rolls she will never give us the recipe for—so don't even think about asking her. We also have a pecan pie we pulled out before you got here, no-bake cookies to finish, fudge and, of course, apple pie.”
Wow, the idea of making so much food overwhelmed Brittney. She noticed the stark contrasts between her upbringing and Dexter’s from the very beginning, but when they did a holiday meal, they didn’t mess around. They made a feast. “Where should I start?”
Jackie handed her an apron. “Can you peel and core apples?”
Brittney nodded. “I can.”
“Then we’ll start there. Momma has the greens on already and I’m going to start the casserole.” When Wylder joined them, Jackie sent her to the sink to wash up then gave her an apron too. “You’re on mac and cheese duty.”
“Oh... Oh, I don't know. I can burn ramen.” Wylder's finger trembled as tied the apron on around her waist.
“I’ll trade you,” Brittney said. “Core and peel the apples, okay?”
“Thank you.” Wylder took the corer from Brittney. “You're a lifesaver.”
Jackie shook her head. “How are you going to get a man if you can’t cook?”
Wylder blinked. “Uh... What, uh, if I don’t want a husband?”
Jackie stared at her for a moment. “Okay, so how are you going to get a woman if you can’t cook?”
Wylder blushed. “My dazzling charm?”
Jackie cackled. “I like you a lot. Stick with me and I’ll teach you everything.”
Wylder relaxed into her chair and began tackling the bowl filled with apples in front of her. “I’d like that. Thanks.”
“No problem,” Jackie replied as she handed Brittney a card. “Here this is how we make the mac and cheese.”
“Got it.” Brittney stared at the writing and grinned to herself. This is what a family was supposed to be. This, besides Dexter and Rai, had been what she craved her whole life.
While the men watched basketball games, Brittney, Wylder, Jackie, and Cecilia toiled away in the kitchen creating a meal no one would be able to leave the table after eating. The kitchen smelled divine. The scent of cloves from the ham mixed with the cinnamon and nutmeg of the apples baking in the oven. In the secondary ovens, Jackie placed the casserole and macaroni and cheese. All they had left to make was the fudge and the no-bake cookies.
By the time the ham was finished baking, all of the dishes and desserts were ready. The timer dinged again, and Cecilia pulled the sheet of yeast rolls from the oven then tossed them into a wicker basket with a towel in it to cover them. Jackie then went into the living room and announced it was dinner time and for everyone to get their butts in the dining room.
They took their seats and before they passed around the food, Brittney spoke up. “Your house is amazing. As we’ve been cooking and baking, I feel like I am seeing more details in your decorating. It’s as if each room is a unique Rockwell painting.”
Cecilia blushed and a shit-eating grin crossed Joseph's face while his chest puffed up in pride. They were the parents every kid wished they had, including her. It made her a bit wistful. The older woman dabbed her eyes then held her hand out. Brittney took it and she held her hand out to Rai. When they were all holding hands, Joseph said the prayer.
“Lord, we’re gathered here to celebrate your birth and Christmas. Please bless this food. May it nourish us. Please bless our family and extended family so they may have a prosperous new year. And, please bless the Knicks so they’ll win tonight.”
Brittney giggled as she said amen and opened her eyes. As the food was passed around, she was grateful to be with people she cared about and finally found where she was meant to be. It might have taken a little longer than she intended, but she also wouldn't change it for anything in the world.
After the last of the dinner dishes were washed and put away, Dexter, Marcus, and Rai joined everyone in the living room to open presents. The majority of them were for Rai because his parents enjoyed spoiling their grandson. But, Dexter had a special one for Brittney. He only hoped she accepted it.
As they went around the room gathering their presents, he sat beside Brittney trying to calm the nervous tremble in his hand. They’d been through a lot in a short amount of time, but it also forced them to realize their feelings were true and to also understand they didn’t want to wait another sixteen years to get together.
Rai ripped the paper off of one of his presents and whistled. Someone had bought him a special edition sneaker and if Dexter had to guess, it was Marcus, the flashy asshole. Two weeks after the tornado came through Tarpley, Marcus paid back his parents and launched his new app. Already it had almost a million downloads and was being advertised as one of the best apps to have during a severe weather outbreak—only second to a weather radio. His brother had made good on his promise, and then some.
“Thanks, Uncle Marcus,” Rai said. “These are amazing.”
“No doubt,” Marcus replied. “Now you’ll catch them girls.”
Rai rolled his eyes and torn into another present. This time it was games for his Switch and a card to go with it. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.” She took a sip of her coffee as their son continued to open presents.
“Is this really the first Christmas you’ve had since, you know, everything?” Jackie asked.
“Like this?” Brittney nodded. “We did s
pecial things for Rai and of course my team always came over for dinner when we were together. But, nothing like this, I guess, ever.”
“Not even with your parents?” Cecilia sat forward in disbelief.
“No,” she answered. “I didn’t have the type of parents who... Cared about trivial things. My mom was a socialite when she saw fit and my father worked all the time, I think, to keep himself apart from her, even though he loved her to death. When it came to me, I was an acquisition. Something my mom could mold into the second coming of her. To my father, I was his child and he loved me, but couldn’t show me because of my mother.”
“Dog shit,” Joseph snapped. “They needed their asses whooped. That’d set them straight.”
Brittney’s bottom lip trembled. “Anyway, it’s not here or there anymore. My mom hasn’t talked to me since that day and I’d rather be with all of you.”
“Speaking of which,” Dexter said, standing. “This is something that’s been in the making for the last sixteen years.”
Brittney tilted her head. “What...” She licked her bottom lip. “What are you doing?”
He grinned and pulled the small box from his pocket before getting down on one knee in front of her. “Seventeen years ago, all of this could have been different if I’d been thinking and asked you for your number. Unfortunately, it took seeing you a celebration to realize just how much I missed. I don’t want to spend another day apart from you.” Dexter opened the box. Inside lay the princess cut diamond ring. “Brittney Hart, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her eyes went wide as tears brimmed there. Her breath hitched and the look of shock her face was adorable. He knew the first day he saw her, he was meant to be her husband and he wasn’t going to waste another day.
“Mom, you going to answer?” Rai prodded her when she didn’t answer right away.
She shook her head and swallowed hard. “Sorry. Yes, the answer is yes.”
Dexter placed the ring on her finger then wrapped her in his arms. “I love you, Brittney. Always have. Always will.”
