Seven

by Susan Renee

  “Bryant…” I warn. “I’m going to…”

  “It’s okay, Baby. Come with me,” he says, accelerating his pace ever so much more. Realizing that my body is wrapped in all the love he has to give in this one moment, I turn my head and cover my mouth with my pillow to keep from screaming as we reach our climax in tandem.

  Chapter 34

  Bryant

  These past eight weeks have been some of the best weeks of my life, yet the worst at the same time. Having Savannah here in my house, with Ivy and me, has been like a dream come true for me. Both of the girls I love under the same roof, day in and day out. There’s nothing I want more than for it to stay that way, but all good things come to an end, I suppose. Savannah’s elbow cast has already been removed and she gets her leg cast off today. She probably feels like it’s been the longest, most unbearable summer and who could blame her? Two broken bones, three if you count her nose, and a pregnancy that’s putting her body through hell – I’m in awe of her strength. She’s been the best patient for me, and getting to play doctor for her has its perks in more ways than one. I’ve kept up with the rent on her apartment for her since she hasn’t been able to work, but I imagine once the cast is off and she’s okay, she’ll want her privacy again. I wish that weren’t the case, but I’m not positive there’s anything I can do about it right now. She’s definitely been eager to fly the nest, itching to be outside. In just a week or so, Ivy’s off to her first day of preschool. I’ll be alone, and fuck if that doesn’t piss me off.

  I left Savannah and Ivy at home for just a little while before Savannah’s appointment. I told her I had a few things to check in on at the bar, but really I just needed to get away for a while so Savannah couldn’t read my feelings. Instead of taking my sour mood out on her or Ivy, I’m taking it out on the glassware at the bar. I hate doing dishes. I pay someone to do the dishes here, but when I’m pissed, I clean. My mother would be proud, though I have half a notion to take one of these glasses and throw it against the damn wall just to watch it shatter.

  “Hey man. How’s it going?” Sloan asks.

  I grunt in response because I just have nothing nice to say. My thoughts are stuck on my problems. I don’t want to deal with anyone else’s shit.

  “Dude, who pissed in your beer, man?

  “Shut up,” I say.

  “Don’t think so Bry. I’ve known you too long. When your hands are in the soapy water, someone’s about to get a new asshole, ‘cause the Bryant Wood that I know hates to do dishes.” He waits a minute to see if I’m going to react to his pushing of my buttons, but I don’t.

  “Your silence is deafening. You want to talk about it or do you want to just…maybe throw that glass against the wall?” he asks a little calmer but with a shit-eating grin.

  I glance in his direction from the corner of my eye. “Actually, I have given that some thought.” I run my towel over the glass one last time before setting it down and stepping back with my hands still holding tightly to the counter in front of me. With a deep breath I decide maybe it’s not such a bad thing to talk this out. I can’t talk to Savannah about it and Sloan’s the only guy who gets me and doesn’t give me too hard of a time.

  “Seven’s getting her cast off today.”

  Sloan’s eyes shoot up in surprise. “Yeah? That’s fantastic. I bet she’s ready to be free of that shit.”

  The corner of mouth twists as I mutter, “That’s just the problem.”

  “Come again?” Sloan says. “I don’t see the problem here. What’s the matter, you don’t want to have to put away your kinky doctor costume or what?”

  “More like I don’t want her to give up the doctor’s office.” I try not to make eye contact with Sloan, afraid that I’ll be an open book for him to read aloud.

  “Ah, I see. You’re afraid she’ll go home.”

  Silence falls between us. I don’t know what to say because he’s right.

  “Why does it bother me so much that she might want to go home? It’s not like I won’t still see her.”

  Sloan laughs and when I finally make eye contact he exaggeratingly rolls his eyes.

  “What?” I ask “What’s so funny?” Sometimes he pisses me off too.

  “You are, you sad fuck. Don’t you see it?”

  “See what? What are you talking about?”

  “You’ve in love with her, Bryant. She’s your world. She’s been your world since…I don’t know…fucking March and shit. You’ve been crazy about her since the day she walked in here. She’s lived with you for eight weeks and now you’re just going to let her walk right out the door?”

  “What the fuck am I supposed to do?” I yell, throwing my arms up in frustration. “I would propose to her if I could, but I’m not positive that she’s ready for that. We’ve only really been together about six months.”

  Sloan purses his lips and shakes his head. “Bullshit. That’s not the problem, Bry.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake Sloan.” I mutter as I step back to the counter and grab a glass. I shove it down in the warm dish water and run my rag through it roughly over and over again, scrubbing spots that aren’t really there just to keep my hands busy.

  “You’re scared,” Sloan states.

  “I’m NOT…scared.” My hands come to a halt and I drop the glass in the sink. Just like that I’m defeated. Sloan has called my bluff.

  “You’re not scared of losing her, Bry. You’re scared of winning her.”

  I watch him for a minute as he stares at me. I want to push him down to the floor and nut punch him until he cries, but he’s right. I’m scared.

  “You’re scared that the crush you had all those years ago has finally led to something bigger than yourself. You’re scared of actually settling down with the one person in this world that you were obviously meant to be with in one way or another. You’re scared of failing her after all she’s been through. You’re afraid you won’t be enough for her.”

  “Yeah well, what if I’m not enough for her? What if I do fail her?”

  “I don’t have all the answers, man. But I’m pretty sure the only way you can fail her is by giving up on her, and I’m pretty sure you don’t have it in you to do that. Look what you’ve done for this girl, after all she’s been through. And look what she’s done to you...how she’s changed you.”

  I scoff. “You mean how she’s put my balls in a box and turned me into a sentimental pussy?”

  Sloan laughs so hard he starts to cough. “Well, I guess so, but damn if you haven’t liked every minute of it.”

  I half smile. “Yeah. You’re right. So what do I do now? I feel like I’m going to lose my window if I don’t say something to her.”

  Sloan squints as he stands against the bar, thoughts running through his head. “Her cast comes off today?”

  “Yep.”

  “You planning on celebrating?”

  “Uhh…I really hadn’t thought…”

  Sloan interrupts me. “Let me say this again and not pose it as a question. You’re celebrating. Tonight. I have a plan.” He smirks.

  Chapter 35

  Savannah

  “How does that feel Savannah?” Doctor Thile asks. For the first time in eight weeks I’m looking at a bare naked leg. Well, almost bare naked. Damn, do I need to shave.

  “Wow! Lighter for sure. A little stiff but otherwise good,” I exclaim. “I can’t wait to walk myself to the bathroom! This pregnancy isn’t doing me any favors in that department.”

  “Yes, I imagine you’re right.” He laughs. “Stiffness will be normal for a while and you’ll feel a bit out of balance as you put your weight back onto it. Your physical therapist will help you through a lot of that and give you some tips on building the muscle tone back into your leg. Swimming would be a really good idea. All your scans are good though. The leg has healed nicely and I’m happy to say you’ve made a full recovery.”

  “I can walk up and down the stairs?” I ask him eagerly.

  “Well, only y
ou can know how the leg feels. It could take some time adjusting for a while. I have this cane for you to use…” As he holds it up I roll my eyes at the notion of using an old-person stick. “Yes, yes, I know. Canes are for old people, but I’m sure you’ll find a way to jazz this up a bit to suit you a little better,” he explains.

  “I know a little girl who would throw glitter at that thing in a heartbeat if given the chance.” Bryant whispers in my ear.

  I smile at the notion. A girl can never have too much bling. “Great idea! She can help me with it this afternoon!” I lean over and meet Bryant’s lips with my own.

  “Thank you, doctor,” we say together.

  “You’re most welcome, Savannah. Do give me a call if you have any questions or concerns in the coming weeks and like I said, be patient. Give it time, and before you know it, your leg will be back to normal.”

  *****

  Bryant and the girls from the salon insisted on going out tonight to celebrate the freedom of my limbs. I’ve loved every minute of living with Bryant and Ivy, but I wasn’t about to say no to stepping out for a good time. I missed the entire summer and am eager to feel like a normal human being for the first time in a long time.

  I’m dressed in my long pink strapless maxi dress that’s belted right above my baby bump and covered with a denim jacket. I’m constantly hot but I also know that Bryant keeps the air conditioning up during the hot months…something about comfortable customers, equals heavily paying customers. Bryant comes down the hall in his jeans and a t-shirt that I’ve never seen before. It’s a navy blue shirt, fitting tightly around his arms, as they all do, but it’s the saying on the front that makes me grin like a giddy school girl. In big white letters it says DON’T ASK, I’M TAKEN.

  I laugh when he steps towards me and picks me up in his arms to swing me around. “That’s a nice shirt you got there, Mr. Wood.”

  “Yeah? You like it? I picked it out just for you.” He teases.

  “I love it…because it’s true. And you’re not only taken, you’re mine.” I kiss his lips softly at first but give him just enough more to let him know where my thoughts lie. It’s a fantastic feeling to be able to lay claim to Bryant Wood. To know that he no longer feels the need to even look at another woman because of me is humbling and sexy all at the same time. I love him and if I have my way, I hope I’ll have the pleasure of making him happy for years and years to come.

  “Mmm keep that up Sev, and we may just need to stay right here tonight.”

  “No way!” I giggle. “I need to be out of this house and anywhere that isn’t a medical office of any kind!”

  Bryant’s face falters a bit and I wonder if I said something I shouldn’t have. He quickly recovers though and before I can ask he says, “Hey, before we go, I have something for you.”

  “Okay. What is it?”

  Bryant dips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a square little box. Confused as to what it could possibly be, I take it from him and shake it in my hand. It rattles enough for me to know there’s something inside but I can’t tell what it is.

  “What did you do?” I ask, graciously smiling.

  Bryant shrugs. “It’s not much, just something I thought you might like.”

  I open the lid of the box and gasp at the beauty of what sits inside. Delicately, I pull out the gold bangle charm bracelet, turning it over in my hands to see every detail. There’s a sun and a small round gold charm that says “You are my sunshine”, but it’s the other charms on the bracelet that bring me to tears. A gold charm with the letter P engraved on it followed by a small ruby birthstone, Peyton’s birthstone. Another gold charm is engraved with the letter I, and sits next to a beautiful opal stone, Ivy’s birthstone. The last round gold charm is blank. When I look at Bryant he answers my unasked question.

  “We’ll engrave it when we pick a name,” he says softly.

  My fingers touch the very last charm, a stunning diamond hangs next to the blank charm, the birthstone of our newest family member.

  “Bryant…” I sigh. “This is…”

  “Too much? I can take it back…” He says cautiously.

  “Like hell you’ll take it back.” I clutch it to my chest. “I love it. Please don’t take my sunshine away.” I smirk.

  “Sev, I would give you the whole damn sun if I could. You deserve at least that. Can I help you put it on?”

  “Please.” I say holding the bracelet out for him and turning my hand over. He slides the bracelet over my hand and when he does, I shake it so the charms all jingle together. It’s a glorious sound.

  “Thank you,” I whisper.

  He kisses me on the cheek before resting his forehead on mine. “You’re most welcome. You look beautiful tonight. Now let’s go have some fun shall we?”

  *****

  I don’t even mind that I can’t partake in the alcoholic beverages tonight. Just being out in the open, surrounded by several of my favorite people, it’s all I could’ve asked for and then some. Bourbon Creek has been playing for past hour or so and they’re on fire tonight! Bryant has been waiting on me hand and foot to make sure I’m comfortable and, most of all, protected.

  “Do you want something other than water? I’ve got orange juice or iced tea, lemonade…”

  “Chocolate milk?”

  He chuckles at my question. “You want chocolate milk?”

  “Mmmm I’ve been craving it all afternoon but we didn’t have any chocolate syrup at home,” I explain.

  “Well you should’ve told me. I would’ve run out to get you some.”

  “You’ve done enough. Besides, I know you have syrup here.”

  “I sure do. One tall chocolate milk coming up.” He kisses my cheek and hops over to the bar.

  “So how are you feeling Savannah?” Audrey asks. “It’s so good to see you out and about. We’ve all really missed you.”

  Smiling I answer, “I’ve missed you guys too. A ton! One or two game nights doesn’t cut it when I’m used to seeing you all every day, but I’m feeling much better. Elbow seems absolutely fine. Leg is stiff and will take a little while but the doctor says it has healed nicely so I should be back to my old self in no time.”

  “You mean your new self.” Rachel says, motioning toward my belly. “Cause girl, your leg might go back to normal but nothing else about you will be.”

  “Ooh touché.” I laugh, rubbing my belly out of habit. “You’re right though. Nothing about me is normal right now. Just ask Bryant. My hormones are all over the damn place and I can’t stop eating Trix cereal! And to think I gave him hell about even owning that shit six months ago.”

  Everyone at the table laughs as Bryant returns, tall chocolate milk in hand. “Here ya go, Baby.”

  “YES! Thank you!” I tip the glass to my lips and practically inhale the entire glass in less than ten seconds. Everyone at the table watches me in astonishment, mouths open, eyes wide.

  “What?” I shrug. “I’m drinking for two.” That earns me a round of laughter from the group.

  Another hour into the evening and I’m surprisingly not tired. My ankles started to swell a bit so Bryant made sure to prop my feet up on his lap so he could lightly massage them throughout the evening. Every time I make eye contact with Rachel across the table she winks knowingly at me. As Bourbon Creek takes their break following their first set, Sloan opens up the floor to karaoke. Several customers lend their voices, or lack thereof, to the over-played party songs like Piano Man, Love Shack, and YMCA, but when Rachel gets up and heads to the piano I snap to attention eager to hear her sing…until Audrey nonchalantly lays a travel pack of Kleenex in the middle of the table.

  WTF?

  “Um, hi, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Rachel. I’m here quite often and have performed during karaoke night many times. I guess I’m sort of a regular. Anyway, I wanted to perform tonight for someone who I’m pretty sure would do it herself if she could, but there’s no way in hell she would get through it, s
o that’s what I’m here for.” Rachel turns towards me. “Savannah, you’re my best friend and you’re one of the strongest people I know. You’ve been through more in one lifetime than I could ever imagine and I just thought you should hear this song. And um…yeah. Sorry, not sorry, for making you cry.”

  “What the hell?” I whisper to Bryant. He only looks at me and smiles lovingly. He shrugs like he has no idea what’s going on, which means he knows exactly what’s going on. Butterflies immediately start swimming around in my stomach, or maybe the baby is doing flips, but my emotions are creeping higher and higher as I anxiously await Rachel’s performance.

  I only have to hear the first six notes of the song’s introduction on the piano to know exactly what’s about to happen. My face falls into my hands and I sob quietly feeling Bryant’s hand rub gently up and down my back. Rachel, sounding eerily just like Martina McBride starts to sing “In My Daughter’s Eyes”. The melody, the lyrics, it’s all so overwhelming, but I know there’s a greater reason for Rachel wanting me to hear this song tonight than to just make me cry, so I sit there watching her through my now watery eyes letting the words sink into my soul.

  But the truth is plain to see, she was sent to rescue me…

  This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak…

  She’s right. I needed to hear these words tonight. I may be sobbing like a hormonal pregnant lady who is up too late, but my soul is somehow lighter. Peyton has indeed rescued me, given me strength when I was weak. She’s with me. In my heart always. Rachel’s performance ends and I’m immediately on my feet bounding over to her, blubbery mess and all, to hug the shit out of her.

  “I love you Rachel. Thank you so much for that.”