Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found)

by Henrick, Ruthie

  He never bothered with holiday decorations. After all, there was usually nobody at his house to appreciate them. But this was a home. Soon it would be his home.

  Still calling out for Allie, Trey flew back through the living room. Jake caught up with him as he barged through the door of her bedroom. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, deathly pale. Was she ill?

  Trey rushed across the carpet and prepared to pounce. “Hey, Mom! You’re getting married! Con—

  Jake threw out his arm to block him. “Trey, no, don’t—

  Trey sailed through the air and landed in the middle of the bed.

  Unable to move fast enough to avoid the jarring bounce, Allie sprung from the bed and ran into the bathroom, knees hitting the tile with no time to spare.

  “—gratulations! Mom?” Trey yelled after her. “Hey, are you okay?”

  Jake was already in the bathroom, a mere moment behind Allie. He knelt beside her, holding her hair and rubbing her back. “Babe, you feel better now?”

  She scooted back, leaning her cheek against his chest. “No. Leave me alone.”

  “What can I do for you?”

  “Just let me die.”

  Jake chuckled at her dramatics.

  Trey crept around the corner. “Jake, is she okay?”

  “She’ll be fine, Trey. It’s probably something she ate.”

  “She spewed earlier this week, too.”

  Jake looked down at her, frowning with new concern. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re ill?

  “Just stomach flu. I’ll feel better soon.”

  “Trey, wet a washcloth for me, please.” He used it to wipe her face and neck. Her thready voice concerned him. “What did the doctor say?”

  “Um… nothing much.”

  “Allie.” His warning tone was well suited to a naughty-three-year old.

  Mutiny glared in her scowl. “All right; I haven’t been.”

  Jake stroked her shoulders as she lay against him. “Allie. Be sensible. I don’t have a bunch of fancy initials after my name, but this isn’t right.” Using his finger, he turned her to face him and tipped up her chin. “What if there’s something seriously wrong? Please, promise you’ll see the doctor soon?”

  She nodded agreement as he helped her to her feet.

  Allie leaned against the refrigerator, then tugged the door open and lifted out the ham she’d planned for dinner. Jake entered as she struggled to carry the heavy piece of meat, took it from her easily, and set it on the counter. “You still don’t look well, Allie. Go sit at the table and let me do this for you.”

  “You know how to cook a ham?” Build a twenty story office building? Sure, no sweat. But the Christmas ham? This she had to see.

  “You questioning me, woman?” He studied the vacuum sealed package, then glanced at her with a smug grin. “Ha! It says right here, ‘fully cooked.’ How hard can it be?” His gaze bounced from one cabinet to the next as if trying to divine what was hidden behind each closed door. Finally he halted with a heavy sigh and a roll of his eyes. “Okay, tell me where to find the roasting pan.”

  The aroma of ham baking warmed the house. Allie snapped green beans, tossing the ends and dropping the wet pods onto a pot. Trey peeled potatoes at the sink.

  He looked at his mom. “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”

  Her head came up with a snap. “Not possible, Trey.”

  “I think she’s pregnant.”

  “Wouldn’t that be something?” The doorbell chimed and drowned out Jake’s murmur. At least now he didn’t have to explain his last statement.

  “I’ll get it!” Trey dropped a half-peeled potato into the sink with a splash, ran to the door and swung it open. Right behind him, Jake gripped the door panel as a cold gust threatened to snatch it from Trey’s hand. “Gramps! Uncle Nick! Merry Christmas!”

  Bentley’s arms were full of wrapped gifts. Nick carried a bottle of wine in each hand. Trey hugged each man as they entered the room, then ran the wine into the kitchen and squatted to place the new presents under the tree.

  “Merry Christmas, Bentley.” Allie grinned as she entered the living room. “We’re glad you came today. We’ve missed you.”

  “Allie, as beautiful as ever, Merry Christmas!” Bentley grabbed Allie in a bear hug and placed a fatherly kiss on her cheek.

  It had been several years since he’d last seen Ben’s father. It was amazing how regret and worry could age a person, but the Tate dimples still emerged when he grinned and his grip was still firm as Jake shook his hand. “Merry Christmas, Bentley.”

  “Jake, good to see you, son. You look well also. Merry Christmas. And will you look at Trey. I swear he’s grown two inches since I saw him last.”

  “Aw, Gramps.” Everyone laughed at Bentley’s predictable exaggeration. “You say that every time I see you.”

  “Glad you could make it, Nick.” Allie leaned into his warm hug and turned her cheek up for a chaste kiss. “Jake tells me you’ve been gone quite a bit lately. He wondered if you had some lady friend stashed away.”

  Jake laughed. The wheels were obviously turning and a scary gleam shone in her eye as Allie kidded him.

  Nick’s gaze shot to him with a scowling sigh. “Thanks a bunch, boss. Now she’ll never leave me alone.”

  Crap, he could already see he’d have to cover for Nick if he wanted any peace at either home or work. But Nick was what? Thirty-six or thirty-seven already and hadn’t had a serious relationship since that dancer chick in high school. Yeah, the story sounded kind of familiar.

  Nick stuck his hand out for him to shake. “Merry Christmas, anyway. Glad to see you here.”

  He glanced around the room and grinned as he took a seat beside Allie. “Yes, well, I expect you’ll be seeing a lot more of me here from now on.”

  Nick looked confused, but Bentley wasn’t a lawyer for nothing. His shrewd gaze panned the smiling faces lined up on the couch—Jake’s, Trey’s, Allie’s—before landing on Allie’s hand. His face lit up brighter than the decorated tree standing steadfast in the corner. “I’m glad you two finally came to your senses.”

  Nick popped up from his chair, beaming. He stepped forward and again embraced his sister-in-law. “I’m thrilled for you Allie. You deserve to be happy again.” He then shook Jake’s hand. “And you too, Jake; congratulations!”

  Allie passed the beans while conversation rose and fell around the table. “The wedding will be Friday. You’ll come, won’t you Gramps, Uncle Nick? I get to be best man.” She could only shake her head. Trey hadn’t even given her a chance to issue an invitation.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Bentley’s acknowledgement was cheerful. “Friday you say?”

  “Yes, Friday.” Even Jake wasn’t leaving her an opportunity. “And of course you’re invited. It will be at the courthouse. Just family and very close friends.”

  “So.” She patted her mouth with her napkin. “Have you heard from Gavin lately?”

  But at the mention of his youngest son Bentley’s mouth went tight and the laughter in his eyes died. Apparently that was a no. Her heart landed in her lap. “I’m sorry.

  Nick patted her hand from his seat beside her. “Not your fault, doll. The prick hasn’t been home in years, and evidently a damn phone call or card at Christmas was just too much to ask.”

  If anyone knew what caused Gavin to give up a full ride and leave town, they weren’t talking. But the day following his high school graduation he took off without a word. Three weeks later he called and announced he’d shipped out for Army basic training. They’d gotten a few short notes from him since, seen him sporadically over the years, the last time at Ben’s funeral.

  And she’d totally ruined Christmas dinner. With effort she brought up the wedding again. Thankfully that brought a spark back to the conversation. And finally, as everyone finished up their meal, Trey just couldn’t hold it in any longer.

  “I think she’s pregnant.”

  Allie started as her for
k clattered against her plate.

  “Why do you think that, Trey?” Bentley asked after swallowing his bite of potatoes.

  “She’s puked twice, and she’s tired all the time. And she keeps falling asleep on the couch.”

  Nick looked across the table at her. “Allie, you’re not feeling well?”

  “It’s nothing. Just had a little flu.”

  Jake zeroed in on Trey. “What do you know about being pregnant?”

  Trey puffed out his chest. “I hear things. Besides, four girls in my school got pregnant last year.” He turned to Allie. “You remember Angie Muldoon?”

  “Sure. She was that cute little redhead you had a crush on in middle school.”

  Trey nodded sagely, eyebrows quirked upward, lips twisted to the side.

  Whoa. What? “But those girls were only seventeen.” And how naïve did that sound? Jake leaned forward in his seat. “I thought you guys got a safe sex lecture at school.”

  “Sure, Jake. Every year since seventh grade.” Trey’s dramatic eye roll spoke volumes about the efficacy of the program.

  Bentley and Nick were silent, probably in shock. Allie’s face fell. Jesus, Christmas or otherwise, this was definitely not dinner conversation. “It’s time to clear the table, Trey.” Jake stood, carrying a load of plates to the sink. “Allie, honey, you all go into the living room and sit. We’ll be out soon.” The murmur of voices rose and fell as they settled in the living room, the television turned on to a holiday variety show.

  Jake placed the last glass in the dishwasher and stacked the pans to soak in the sink. Drying his hands on the dishtowel, he took a breath—a deep, bolstering breath—and turned. “Trey, what do you know about menopause?”

  Trey looked confused for a moment. “Isn’t it that Jewish candle, the one with lots of lights on it?” He used his hands to demonstrate. “Are you Jewish?”

  At sea, he thought a minute, then chuckled. “No, knucklehead, that’s a menorah. Menopause is something women go through.”

  The light dawned on Trey’s face. “Oh yeah, I saw an article about that in my mom’s Cosmo. It’s for old ladies. Why?”

  The whole Trey reading Cosmo discussion could wait. And since his face was already heating, he needed to make this as simple as possible, for both their sakes. “When your mom says she’s not pregnant, she means it, Trey. She says she’s already started going through menopause, which means, among other things, that she can’t have babies anymore.” He jammed his hands into his pockets. How much of this should he—or could he—discuss with Allie’s son? “She does seem a little young, but I guess they go through it at different times.”

  “Well isn’t that good? It means you don’t have to worry about condoms.”

  Ah, just found the limit. “Just do me a favor, kid. Drop the subject of babies around your mom, okay?”

  Confusion was still written all over his face, but it was Christmas and there was a gift with Trey’s name on it so Jake was off the hook.

  “Sure, whatever. We done here? Gramps has presents for us.”

  Jake gave a final glance around the kitchen. Everything was clean except the pans in the sink. “Yeah, we’re done enough for now.”

  Together they walked into the living room, where Christmas music poured from the television. Trey stopped in the middle of the room, pointing. “See, what did I tell you?”

  Jake followed his finger and spotted the sleeping Allie, slumped down in the corner of the sofa, wrapped around a throw pillow. His brow furrowed at the dark smudges under her eyes. He hadn’t been doing a very good job of taking care of her lately, but that was over now. It was time to wrap this party up. He crouched beside her and shook her gently. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

  Allie peeked her eyes open, stretching and sitting up. She snuggled into him as he sat beside her, draping his arm around her and rubbing her shoulder.

  “Mmm.” She dimpled up at him. “Prince Charming, I presume?”

  Jake crowded into the doorway with Allie and Trey, waving farewell as Bentley and Nick braced against the icy wind on their way toward Nick’s SUV. Shouts of goodbye and Merry Christmas rode a gust back toward the house.

  With his arm across her sagging shoulders, he led a yawning Allie back into the littered house. Gift wrap and empty boxes were scattered across the living room floor, the kitchen table held the remnants of dessert—china plates scraped clean of apple pie and empty glasses filmed with egg nog.

  The contentment he’d known briefly and then lost returned as blinding serenity. His throat worked as he pulled Allie to him and the comfort of her arms surrounded him. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t be anywhere else. This was it for him. His home. His family. His reason to care.

  Trey pushed the door closed and was gone, shot as if from a cannon down the hallway to the seclusion of his room. Allie followed him with her eyes, her smile bemused as his door slammed shut. “He really likes that laptop Bentley got him. Maybe you can—”

  He tipped up her chin and cut her off. Regret sat like a stone in his chest but she was pale again. “Time for me to leave now, too. It’s been a long day.”

  He caught the finger she ran down his shirt before it reached his belt. The kiss she breathed across his lips nearly stopped his heart. “Stay.”

  “But you’re tired. And ill. And Trey—”

  Again she quieted him. “You’re home. Stay.”

  He pulled her back into his arms. Yeah, he was home.

  She woke with Jake warm and hard and wrapped around her, dark morning scruff shrouding the firmness of his square jaw, creases that typically etched the corners of his eyes smoothed out in sleep. She rubbed a thumb against the barely visible grooves. When he smiled they’d be back. She hooked the sheet and lowered it, exposing an impressive amount of muscle for a guy his age—well, for any guy, actually—and grinned as he blinked awake.

  He raised himself onto an elbow. “What you got in mind, babe?”

  She continued to pull, a grin tugging at her lips. “I got myself a pretty great Christmas gift here. Just wanted to take a look.”

  His eyes flared, and weren’t the only part of him that blazed awake. Goosebumps chased across her skin as he lowered her to the bed, looming over her. Warm hands caressed her as he nuzzled her throat, growling as he tugged the straps of her nightgown. “You’re right, babe. This is the way to unwrap a present.”

  Allie pulled fresh undergarments from her dresser. Then laughed at the unconcealed interest in Jake’s eyes as they followed her movements. “Now I know why you want to marry me.” She laughed again as he snatched his hand to his chest before she closed the drawer on his fingers. “Here I thought the reason was my charming personality, but all along it was really just me in my panties.”

  He finished tugging his T-shirt down and over his abdomen. Barefoot, he backed toward the doorway, pausing to brace his palms against the jamb. “And you’d be wrong, babe. It’s really you out of your panties.”

  Allie let Jake lead her to his truck, waving one last farewell to her family as she climbed in and buckled. Sinking into the chilly leather of the bucket seat, she tightened her coat around her and covered her mouth as it stretched open in a yawn. It had been a truly exceptional day—the excitement on Trey’s face as he opened his gifts, the horror and then delight on Jake’s as he unwrapped the box containing all her favorite soppy love stories, late morning church services and then dinner with her parents and brother. But the best part was definitely when Jake raised his glass and announced their engagement. Evidently, he’d already chatted privately with her dad because they both fairly beamed with happiness. She reached for his hand across the console.

  “Merry Christmas, sweetheart. I love you.”

  “Not nearly as much as I love you. Five more days until you’re my wife.” She grinned. The countdown was a daily ritual. “Seems like a lifetime.” So was the grumbling.

  “Big baby. It will be here before you know it.” She kissed him lightly to take any sting
out of her words.

  Yes, the day had been nearly perfect, marred only by the heartbreaking sadness on her brother’s face.

  “I don’t like seeing Ryan so unhappy. It would be nice if he and Tess worked things out.”

  Ryan’s wife of only five years had been gone for several months now, taking their twin sons to live in her former hometown. It was really too bad. They appeared to be so happy in the beginning.

  Jake put the truck in gear, sparing her a glance as he pulled away from her parents’ curb. “I talked to him tonight about coming to work with me and Nick.”

  She straightened in her seat. “Oh, yeah?”

  He nodded. “Sure. We could use an in-house architect; it would speed up some of our projects.”

  And give Ryan the chance to be home more often. “Jake, that’s great. Think he’ll do it?”

  He shrugged. “Can’t say, but I hope so. It’s hard to tell what’s going on with him and Tess, though.”

  She shifted back and laid her head against the headrest. Rain poured down the windows in streaming rivulets. Heated air blew in from the air vents, warming the interior. Her son was on the back seat. The man she loved was beside her. She reached for Jake’s hand again and closed her eyes. She’d forgotten what it was like, how comforting, to have someone to share her life with. How gratifying it was to have a complete family once again.

  The truck door slammed, and she fluttered her eyes open. Trey was running across the yard and into the house, shaking moisture from his hair like a mutt as he crossed the threshold. Jake was still, intent on the wipers swishing against the windshield. Abruptly he killed the engine. His hand covered hers, stopping her before she opened her door.

  “I’ll say goodnight here. With this weather I’ll to need to start work early and I don’t have clothes here.”