by Izzy Cullen
I walked into the office as my dad was going over books. “Hey, dad, do you have a minute?” I walked over and sat in the chair next to the desk. My dad looked up and smiled, removing his glasses from his face.
“For you, always. Tell me, what’s on your mind? I wasn’t expecting you tonight.” I normally didn’t stop in on school nights and rarely saw my parents during the week unless they stopped by the house to see the girls.
“I needed to talk to Daryl, but after talking to him I thought we should talk too.” I was feeling bad. I was hoping me being gone would help, but I knew my dad would feel he needed to be here even more.
“Bri, is he quitting?” My dad looked nervous.
“No, no, nothing like that, but I guess I am. I mean me working here is making things worse. I didn’t realize my relationship with Alex would affect so many people and your business. After talking to Daryl, I’m facing the fact that it is getting out of hand.” I rested my elbow on my dad’s desk and placed my head in my palm. My dad reached over and grabbed my free hand.
“Bri, when I bought this place, I was hoping to turn it into a hopping bar where people would want to go and get rowdy, but instead it turned into a friendly neighborhood pub where locals want to come after a hard day. They just want to have a few drinks and a chance to chat with people they know. I would have been happy twenty years ago going this route, but I’m old now. I don’t need the money, and I’ve slowed down.” I looked up at him. I have never seen my parents as old, but looking at him now, he seemed worn out, exhausted, and aged. I felt the guilt starting to rise.
“I’m so sorry, I am. I always wanted to help you because you have done so much for me, but I’m not helping. I’m making it worse. I think the best thing for me to do is stay away. Word will get out that I’m not around anymore and people will stop coming.”
“No, people will still come. They will come to the town hoping to see Alex or you and feel the need to still stop in, because they will think it is possible you might just happen to pop in. So you working or not working will not change anything. That is why I’m going to sell the pub at the first of the year.” I gasped. I wanted to cry. I felt like I was losing my friend or family member. “Before you even try, I will not sell it to you. I will not let you buy this place. I know you love it, but you need to be home with those girls, and this place will only tie you down. You will miss a lot of their moments growing up. Remember how much I missed, or how many birthdays you celebrated here because I couldn’t or wouldn’t leave? You are just like me and you need to be in control. I know you could never turn this place over to someone to manage if you bought it, just like I can’t. Since I can’t allow someone else to manage, I’m selling it.” I knew there was no changing his mind, because he was stubborn like me.
“Fine, if that is what you want, I’ll support it. Now you can spend more time with us at the beach this summer.” I looked at him with a smile, even though deep down I was heartbroken.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” I nodded my head in agreement.
“That’s fine, but you need to change the schedule and put Linda and Emily on the schedule permanently for Friday nights.”
“Consider it done. Now tell me about this trip to LA. I talked to Alex today and he said you were leaving Thursday. Your mom is so excited to have the girls. She has some sort of craft planned for Saturday and she’s taking them bowling on Sunday.” I was glad that my parents loved taking the girls. I never felt bad asking because they always acted like it was an honor to be asked.
“Dad, I screwed up. I mean, I really screwed up.” I was nervous. I didn’t want to tell my dad I was a liar or that I allowed a guy to hit me and get away with it. I was preparing myself for the disappointment that I would be facing in a few short minutes. I sat there and told him what really happened in Portland. I explained that the bruise on my face wasn’t from me face planting into a tree, but from being backhanded by Johnny. My dad’s face hardened at times, and at others softened. I explained to him why I lied and now being forced to tell the truth.
“I understand where you were coming from. It was from a good place, but nothing good ever comes from lying, and I know I instilled that into you as a peanut, back when you were younger than the twins.” I got that one thing from my father. Never lie and never trust someone who can or could lie to your face. I was now that person who had lied right to someone’s face. I wasn’t sure it was possible to hate myself anymore at the moment. I placed my face into the palm of my hands and didn’t want to look at my dad anymore. I was ashamed of what I had done. “You will tell Alex the truth and you will fix it. He is a good man who will forgive you. He might be mad for a while, but he will get over it. Know this, that as far as Johnny is concerned, you owe him nothing. He has no right to ask you to go out there and you don’t need to or have to.” My dad sounded mad as he spoke about Johnny.
“I know, but this isn’t for him, it is for Alex. You instilled in me that lying is wrong, but you also taught me that family and close friends are what makes us who we are, and if we don’t have either then we aren’t someone anyone will want to be around. I should thank you for that, too, because who knows if I would of held on so tight to Lexi and Derek if you didn’t. Johnny is Alex’s Lexi, so I have to do this for him. Get what I’m saying?” I asked with a smile and a wink.
My dad let out a chuckle. “I get what you are saying. When are you getting home to those beauties of mine, or are you planning on sitting here with your old man all night?”
Crap, I had lost track of time and forgot to place the food order in the kitchen. I was really falling apart on the mom front. I quickly looked up at the clock and saw that was close to five. The girls were used to eating at five or shortly after. I grabbed my cell and texted Alex that I would be there soon. I had a change of plans and was now picking up Subway for dinner. I told him he would need to pull out some fruit for the girls to go along with it. I stood up and kissed my dad on the top of the head. I loved him so much.
“I’m heading home now.”
“Bri, I love you.”
“A bushel and a peck,” I finished our saying before I turned to walk out. When I got to the door I looked back at him. He was putting his glasses back on, and I realized how lucky I was to have him as a father, and how I always took him and my mother for granted. I quietly closed the door, walked out the side exit, and around to my car.
I managed to pick up our dinner and get home a little before five thirty. The girls were already sitting at the table that was set. Alex met me at the door and took the bags. He told me to have a seat with the girls. The girls and I talked, and Lily told me they were able to get all of her homework done. Alex passed out the plates.
“Wait, Alex, I think you screwed up. I got strawberries instead of chips.” Josie looked from her plate to mine and then up at Alex. Alex knelt down and talked to Josie.
“I thought these would be healthier, and if you have chips now, we can’t have popcorn when we watch the movie later. Popcorn is our favorite, and I’d be sad if I couldn’t have any.” He kissed her on the head as he stood. He looked over at me and I shot him a small smile as a thank you. If Josie knew I wanted them to eat fruit over chips, it would have been a small argument, but Alex seemed to understand, and she was fine with his explanation.
It wasn’t a great family dinner, but it was a family dinner. We all sat around the table and the girls shared about their day. We explained to them what would happen the next few days since we would be gone, and the girls seemed excited to stay with my parents. When we were done, we each cleaned off our plates and put them in the dishwasher. Alex and the girls went to put the movie in and I went to put on sweatpants and a hoodie. It felt good to get out of the dress clothes.
When I got downstairs, Josie and Jasmine were already curled up with Alex on the couch, and Lily was waiting for me on the love seat. She patted the spot next to her. I quickly stretched out next to her and she melted into my side. I put
my arm around her and my chin on her head. I was comfortable and wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it through the movie. The lack of sleep from the night before was starting to catch up to me.
I woke up feeling slightly panicked. The screen was blue, everyone was asleep on couches, and Jasmine was on the floor with a blanket. I carefully removed myself from Lily and got up to look at the clock. When I went into the kitchen, I let out a small sigh of relief, as the clock said it was only quarter to six.
I walked up the stairs and jumped in the shower. I was glad it wasn’t going to be a rushed morning. As I was in the shower, I realized I still haven’t had the talk with Alex that I needed, and now I had to do it tonight in hopes he would still be willing to go tomorrow. I was trying to map out the day and plan a time to talk. The girls still needed to get everything packed and ready and I hadn’t started packing yet either.
I climbed out of the shower and did my morning routine. When I opened the door, Alex was leaning against the wall across from the bathroom. “Morning,” he said as he stood and walked over to me. He didn’t look as put together as he normally did in the mornings. His shirt and jeans were wrinkled and his hair was disheveled.
“Morning,” I said as I met him halfway, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I have to say you may have made my morning. You usually look like you come out of a magazine in the morning. It is good to know you are human.” Even when he spent the night, he never looked disheveled. His hair usually looked perfect and he never had morning breath, unlike me. I knew my breath was atrocious in the morning.
Alex chuckled and kissed my head. “I’ll go make some coffee.” He pushed me to arm’s length as he was talking. “You know, I think last night is one of my favorite nights ever.” He pulled me in for one more hug.
“Really? I know my dinner was impressive, but one of your favorite nights?” I didn’t understand why. We ate take out and fell asleep watching movies.
We separated again and he leaned back up against the wall. I stood in the middle of the hallway with my arms crossed over my robe. “Yep. When you don’t grow up with a family like this, you learn to appreciate the small family things that most take for granted.” I didn’t feel I took these things for granted, but never really appreciated them for what they were. We are all together, happy, and content.
I put my arms around his waist. “You are right, it was perfect. I know I rarely say it, but we are lucky to have you.” I looked up at him and into his eyes. “I love you, and I know the girls love you.”
Alex kissed me on my forehead. “Well, apparently they haven’t loved my breakfasts every morning.” I must have looked surprised, because the girls always ate whatever he cooked and thanked him. “Lily requested cereal when I got up this morning. Apparently she misses what her mom usually serves for breakfast. I now have even more time on my hands since I won’t be making eggs or pancakes anymore.” He pouted at me.
“I told you I was an exceptional cook, and apparently it has been missed.” We both started to laugh. “So the girls are up then? I’ll get dressed and help them get ready.”
“Yeah, they are eating cereal and watching Frozen since nobody seemed to finish it last night.” I gave him a look. “What? If I can’t win them with my cooking, then I will win them by letting them break a few rules. Now go get ready.” Alex turned me towards my door and swatted me on my ass. I wasn’t expecting it, so I let out a startled yelp and then laughed. I quickly got ready and forgot all about the talk that I needed to have with him.
I tried getting Alex to let me take the girls, but he wanted to let them watch a little bit more of the movie before taking them to school.
My day was busy, and after school the girls went to my parent’s house on the bus. I had to wrap up some sub plans and planning for Monday so I wouldn’t be stressed when I returned Sunday night. I was not feeling ready for this trip.
When I finally left the school, I pulled out my phone so I could let my mom know I was on my way. When I looked at it, I saw a text from Sam, and I did not want to open it at that moment.
Obviously you didn’t tell him, because I talked to him today. What is the plan now, genius?
I felt that was a little harsh, but true. My first instinct was to inform her I fell asleep and that it wasn’t avoidance, but really, at this point, it no longer mattered. I was screwed.
When I pulled into my parent’s house to pick up the girls, Alex’s Jeep was already in the driveway. I sat in the car an extra few seconds and let out a loud sigh. I knew I had to head inside. I was just glad my dad wasn’t there to add pressure on the truth front.
I walked in and nobody seemed to notice me. Alex was playing cards with the twins and my mother was showing Lily how to knit. I stood there and watched everyone for a minute before I heard Jasmine call Josie a cheater. I was starting to head over to handle it when Alex calmly talked to her and got the twins settled again.
That is when my mother noticed me and set the knitting down. We all set the table and had a nice dinner together. My dad was missing because he couldn’t get away from the pub. In the past, he was always able to sneak away for a short period to have dinner with us, but my mother said they needed the extra hands tonight. Inside I felt awful, and realized maybe it was time for my parents to sell.
When the girls were loading themselves into the car, Alex stood on the porch with me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I sank into his side. “Would you be upset if I stayed at my place tonight? I have a ton to do and I got nothing packed or ready today. I was on the phone with Eric setting up meetings with possible artists while we are out in LA. I should have talked to you first, but thought it would be easier to get it done in a day rather then fly a bunch of people here over for a week or two.”
“No, it’s fine. I still have to pack and get the girls packed. With you at the studio during the day, it gives me time to spend with Sam.” I didn’t mind, but if he wasn’t around, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to talk to him about Portland. I was starting to feel the stress of this lie, and it was starting to lay heavier on my shoulders.
“Well, lucky for you that I love you, and before I went home today I packed the girl’s bags.” I was surprised and happy, yet scared, because the last few days with him getting the girls ready showed that the twin’s outfits were mismatched and many were popular in the 80’s. Alex immediately spoke up, probably sensing a little bit of my concern. “Don’t worry, I took an outfit out of their closets that were hung together for school, and the sweet puma track outfits for Saturday and jeans with a tee for Sunday. Your mom said she has underwear, pajamas and toothbrushes here.” I was amazed that he covered all his bases, and everything sounded legit to me. “The bags are already here as well, so you can go ahead and kiss me now.”
I turned towards him and got on my tiptoes to kiss him. “I don’t know how I have managed without you in my life. You are pretty freaking amazing.” I gave him little pecks between my words.
“Well you can show me just how amazing you think I am this weekend.” I was forgetting we were going to have a whole three nights alone together. Lately we were lucky to steal a few hours. We did get every Friday, but most of the time I was so exhausted from teaching all day and then running like crazy at the pub that I came home and crashed. I wasn’t very exciting.
“I better get going. I have to pack, and it is a shower night for the girls, plus bedtime is in less than two hours.” I was starting to feel the rush of the night’s start. I gave Alex one final quick kiss before heading to the car.
“I’ll see you in the morning!” Alex yelled out as he was walking over to his jeep. Before he climbed in, Josie grabbed him from behind. Alex picked her up, gave her a hug, and kissed her on her cheek. Those two had a bond, and at times I was jealous of it. Josie was my quiet child, and it was hard to get her to come out of her shell and even share what she was thinking or feeling.
~6~
Like clockwork, Alex was outside the bathroom
door when I exited the morning we were to fly to LA. He was holding my coffee and had a smile on his face. He looked amused, and I wasn’t sure what could be so funny so early in the morning. “What is your problem?” I spat out at him.
“Nothing.” He handed me my coffee. “I definitely don’t have a problem. If anything, I feel like it is Christmas.” I gave him a puzzled look, because I was clueless at what he was getting at. “I get three whole nights with you and you have to show me how amazing you think I am.” He had a smirk on his face.
The thought of it was already making me feel tingly inside, and I needed to get out of the perimeter he was standing in. I was excited about being alone with him. After I got dressed, I grabbed my bag and headed down the steps. I quickly went over everything that I thought I would need in my head. I figured if I forgot anything, Sam was there and I could borrow from her. That was the one convenience of having her in the same house as Alex out there. I had been so busy the night before packing, and with the girls the confession of the lie slipped my mind.
I set my bag by the entryway and walked into the kitchen where Lily and Jasmine were asking Alex question after question about LA. Josie sat on the counter next to Alex, holding his arm.
“Do you see famous people every day? I mean, like really famous, not like you famous.” I was about to correct Lily on her rudeness when Alex started to laugh.
“Well, it depends. How famous do you think I am? I mean on a scale from one to ten, with ten being One Direction.” Alex was looking at Lily, and Lily was really concentrating on the answer.
“I think it depends. I mean, before you moved here I saw you on the magazines a lot, so I would say a seven, maybe an eight, but now since you live here and nobody asks for your autograph, I think you are a solid four.” She pursed her lips and started to bob her head up and down, as if she was telling us that was her final number and she wasn’t budging.
