by Savana Jade
“The way that you two look at each other is the same way your father would look at me. It’s a deep kind of love, one that hits immediately, and no matter how hard you try to push it away, it only comes back just as strong. I never doubted that you would find true love, not just for Jenna, but for all of you. I always knew Jenna would fall first though. Sweetheart, do you remember that day outside in the back yard?” I swallow back a choking sound. The dream. “You know, when you brought me a butterfly? Do you remember what I told you that day? I said I wanted you to always remember how beautiful you are. And princess, you make me so happy. You are the light that shines so bright that even with your smile, you can brighten up anyone’s day. You my sweet, sweet girl truly do have a heart of gold. I never doubted that, with the help from your brother, you would live with no regrets. I told you not to fall for the first guy you met and you would meet the man of your dreams. Do you remember?”
“I told you to keep Brennan close to you always, because you will need him in the end and he will need you.” She sobs. “I am so proud of you for doing just that. I remember asking you not to fight with him, but if you did, always kiss and make up. I know you two have had your fair share of arguments.” She nods. “Yes, Aunt Patty would always keep me informed, but you did always make up and find a medium in the end, didn’t you? Thank you for never giving up on each other. I take pride in knowing I have two of the strongest children ever. You two have done something I never could have imagined possible. You survived, even with the horrible things your father and I did to you, you made it through. You made your own family.”
“But even handpicked families get broken up sometimes too don’t they?” She looks down and reaches for something. “Brennan, Jenna, I am so sorry for William. I know how close he was to you two. I can’t thank him enough for saving you that night Jenna.” She wipes a tear, and dad wraps his arm around her. She rests her head on his shoulder and regains herself again.
I take dad’s hand and pull him toward the couch. Ashley gets up so Brennan can shift over and we sit between him and Gabe. Brennan places an arm around dad’s shoulders and we all begin to cry silently.
“I don’t know what I would have done if we would have lost you that night Jenna. I wanted to go see you, but I was having a bad spell, and couldn’t. Plus I thought things wouldn’t have turned out so well at the time. I assure you, your father has made it a point to know that the other driver will never see the light of day again in the free world. This is something he feels very passionate about and if you know us Munson’s, once we get an idea in our heads, there’s no stopping us.” She smiles. “Life is so unpredictable isn’t it?” Her face turns again. “In the long run, we never know how long we have with one another, do we?” She takes a deep breath before continuing.
“Paisley, my dear Paisley. You have been my little thorn haven’t you?” She laughs. God her laugh is so much like mine, it scares me. “Do me a favor sweetie, don’t hate Brennan and Jenna. I know you think you’ve had a hard life, but I really think that if you listen to them, and understand how they have lived through this, you will understand how good you have it. You have so much of them in you. It’s like you are half of them in one. I know you hate it when I compare you to them, but if you are in the room now, take a look at them. I mean really look at them Pai. You resemble Brennan the most, but your spunk and hardheadedness, well, that’s all Jenna. Paisley, you must understand, you had something that they didn’t. You had me by your side your entire life. They didn’t get that opportunity.”
“We were going to lose the house. Your dad was having a hard time finding work, and we were struggling to make ends meet. I didn’t have a good relationship with my parents at the time.” She laughs. “I actually had no relationship with them. They pretty much disowned me when they found out that I chose your father over them and their money. Doing what I did, you must understand how hard it was to write them asking for help. I was desperate. I wanted nothing more than to keep you in the same house for your childhood. It was something your father and I both agreed on since he grew up jumping around from school to school. So, I sent them a letter asking for some help. I was hoping they would let me have my inheritance back that they took from me when we married.”
“They refused. They said that the only way they would help me out was if I came home. Alone.” She’s given up wiping her tears by now, so they fall freely down her face. “They agreed to pay off the house in full to allow you to have a stable life, but in return, I had to leave your father. Brennan, I’m not sure if you remember me asking you to take Jenna to the park a few days before I left.” I look at Brennan, he nods quickly with tearful eyes.
“I remember.” He answers her.
“Your father and I fought so much that night. I was certain we had frightened you. I had told him about the plan, and he wanted no part of it.” She looks up to him on the screen. He’s had his head down for some time. “He said if he lost me, then he would lose his soul.” She reaches up and wipes away a tear from his face. She looks at him with so much love and compassion, it’s painful to see. “He swore he would find a way to make it work. I had to do what I thought was best for everyone.” She sobs. “So, I left.” She chokes.
“Oh God, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I think,” she chokes. “I think I lived in a state outside my body for those few days. When you two were at school, I ran to the bank and paid the house completely off, and set your father up with enough money to last you some time without worry. Then I had lunch with Patty and Viv. I told them both what was going on. They weren’t very supportive of me, of course, but they didn’t get much of a choice. Either way, they both agreed to take you two under their wings. I kept tabs with them often. They would send me recent photos of you both. That day was the hardest day of my life. That’s when I had a little chat with Jenna. And told her about the future I wished for her.” She stops and sobs. After she takes a few moments to compose herself, she picks up where she left off.
“The next ten years was pure torture for me. Yes I had Paisley to keep my mind off of things, but she looked so much like you both. It was too hard for me to see her and not see one of you two in her. That’s probably why she has so much anger inside her. Once my mother passed and we had my father in a nice home, I wrote to your father. He met me a week later. As much as I loved having him back in my arms, I have to admit, he was different. He missed you two so much…” She looks up at him. “It truly killed him to be away from you. I think I was losing more and more of him each day. He tried to be a father to Paisley, but she wouldn’t have it at first. Then when she realized she could have her way with him, she would use him.”
Paisley sobs from her chair listening to the ugly truth about her life. “She took advantage that he was hurting. Eventually, he had enough and snapped, but by that time, it was too late for her. She resented him for not being around, she hated me for always comparing her to you two. Brennan, Jenna, I’m sure you’ve heard this from your father probably a dozen times, if not more but… I am so sorry. So very sorry for everything we did to you. I wish that with my death, you can reunite with your father and try to make up for lost time. Please love each other. Try to push past the negative. Despite everything that’s happened to you three, I can proudly say that I have three of the most beautiful and caring children in the world. They are strong, smart and have so much love to give, they don’t know what to do with it. My children have so much to give to the world, but unfortunately I won’t be able to see what more they have to offer.”
She sits up and stares right into the camera. “Brennan and Jenna, inside your boxes are your own personal videos and letters written to you from before I left those years ago. It’s up to you whether or not you want to open them. Paisley already received hers. Robert, I have left instructions with Todd as to where your box is. Now don’t get angry with me, I know I said I wouldn’t make one for you, but you know I had to.” She wipes her face and smiles secretly, I look
at Brennan and we both smile. I have that exact same look when I get what I want. “I know you promised me already, but I want you to promise me in front of our kids that you will do everything in your power to take care of them. Love them unconditionally, and never stop fighting for what’s right. I love you. Forever and always.” She glances up at to whoever is behind the camera and nods. Suddenly the screen goes black. We remain silent for some time.
“Paisley?” Brennan’s voice is shaky. “I’m fairly certain that she had no idea that you had any involvement the night we were in the accident. Jenna and I have a lot to deal with right now, but I want you to know that as of right now, I don’t trust you for as far as I can throw you. However, I do understand that you are hurting just as much as my sister and I am. So for now, I think we should take this one day at a time. Not just for your sake, but for dad’s sake as well.”
“I don’t, I don’t know what to say.” She sniffles.
“Well, for starters, how about saying sorry.”
“I said it yesterday on the plane.” She answers.
“Not to Jenna or me.” He snaps. “How about saying sorry to dad. If what mom said was true, and you were hard on him, then you need to apologize to him for everything you’ve done wrong. And don’t just say it because I’m telling you to. Say it because you mean it.”
She stands and kneels at our feet. She rests her hands on dads knees. Her eyes meet his and she begins to cry. “Daddy, I’m so sorry for being so cruel to you. I didn’t realize how much it was hurting you.” She sobs. He places his hands on hers.
“Paisley, I…” His voice shakes. “Thank you darling.” He pulls her up into his arms. Gabe has his arm over my shoulder. I look up at him and his eyes are glossy.
“Mr. Gonzales, is that a tear I see on your face?” I try to lighten the mood. He cups my face with his palm before leaning down and kissing me tenderly.
“So what if it is?” He murmurs against my lips. “Your mother was a beautiful woman. I’m blessed to know that my wife will be drop dead gorgeous when she grows old with me.”
I smile and bring my hand to his face in return. “The feeling is mutual. Your dad is quite a handsome man.”
He smirks, “Has the future Mrs. Gonzales been checking out her future father in law?” he winks.
“I couldn’t help it. The Gonzales gene is strong.” I kiss him softly. “Thank you Gabe. For everything. I love you.”
“Ditto baby.”
We spend the remainder of the hour chatting about mom. Dad has seemed to relax a little. When something special would get brought up, a new series of tears would fall. Dad asks me about the final message she gave me, so I explain my dream with everyone. Her memory was almost an exact duplicate of my dream. I explain how the next day, I thought I had done something wrong. I share the feelings I had as a little girl and then as a teenager when dad left us as well. Brennan broke down a few times while I shared those feelings. He stayed quiet most of the time, but chimed in when he felt necessary.
Paisley shared with us her thoughts and feelings about how she was always compared to us. Apparently it hurt her more than imaginable. She always felt that she would never live up to their expectations. After hearing her share her memories, I can relate more to her now than I ever imagined I would. Dad apologized more times than worth counting. There was one thing we all could agree on. That the past was to remain in the past and even though it was a hard, long road ahead of us, our future is what we had to focus on. Brennan and I signed the documents that were needed and with Ashley by his side, and Gabe holding me, we left his office feeling a little better about the situation.
Once we make it to our wing, we hear Danika laughing. As we near the couch, there she is on the floor with Matt and Willow.
“What the?” Brennan asks looking at Willow. “How’d she get here?” Gabe and I hug ourselves and smile. Matt laughs while Willow blushes.
“Ask your sister, bro.” Matt stands and walks toward us. “Apparently, Willow sent Gabe here a text asking to pick her up, but since he was occupied with you and Jenna, he sent Drew instead.” He pulls Gabe into a “man hug” then lifts me up in his arms in one of his traditional Matt style hugs. “Thanks guys for doing that. You could have told me though, Dani and I would have gone to get her ourselves.”
“Nah, she wanted to keep it a secret. I wouldn’t even have told Jems but she uh, kinda attacked my phone this morning.” I smack him on the chest and he chuckles
“I didn’t attack anything.” I argue as Gabe winks. “And you’re welcome.” I kiss his cheek. “Hey Wilz, how was your flight?” I make my way to their little play area.
“It was good. Thanks.” She smiles and we hug quickly. “Oh hey, I hear there’s a wedding in the works, yeah?” She looks down at my hand. “Ooh, let me see.” She takes my hand and inspects my engagement ring. “Damn Gabe, you picked it out yourself?”
“Yep. I know, I know. I have an eye for beautiful things.” He laughs when Brennan pushes him.
“Shut up man. God, you’re so stupid sometimes.” He laughs. “Hey Wilz, what’s up?” He says wrapping his arm around Ashley’s shoulder. “Willow, this is Ashley, Gabe’s sister. Ashley, this is Willow, uh Matt’s…” He pauses quickly. “Danika’s mother.” He corrects himself not to offend anyone.
Ashley laughs and steps forward offering her hand to Willow. “Hello, it’s very nice to meet you. Your daughter is beautiful and so much fun to be with.”
“You should have seen her during her early teething days.” Willow laughs, shaking Ashley’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
The rest of the day is spent poolside with the family. Paisley took Justin, Stephen and Alex out to show them around her hometown, but she said she would be back. Dealing with her is one thing, but having the other three present is a whole new can of worms. But for the sake of my father, I promised I would try.
Rumors
Gabe
“Let’s see.” I slide into bed. “I began the day with a very, and I mean very impressive treat,” Jenna giggles shifting to my side. She rests her head on my chest. Immediately, I begin to play with her hair. “Then I got to see what my beautiful,” I kiss the top of her head. “Funny, talented and kind hearted fiancé will look like when we are old and married and hopefully enjoying grandchildren or great grandchildren of our own. We got to see just a glimpse of what Paisley’s true colors are.”
She rests her chin on my chest looking up to me with her beautiful blue eyes. “And we got to see Matty and Willow together. Did you see the way they were looking at each other?” Her smile alone brightens my soul.
“I wasn’t paying any attention.” I admit.
“I’m serious.” She smacks my chest. “They love one another.”
“They do. I always knew they did. If they didn’t, I wouldn’t have bothered picking her up from the airport. Sometimes it takes a few hurdles to get to where you truly belong.” I tap her button nose with my finger. “Don’t you agree?”
“Yes. But I always knew I belonged with you.” She cuddles to my side again. She sits up immediately. “Oh, I almost forgot.”
“What?” I ask as she slides off the bed and grabs her laptop from the table and comes back to sit beside me.
“Matt said something about the website and it exploding with rumors about us.”
“What about us now?” Now, I’m curious.
“Some were saying they saw us in Vegas. Some say there’s no way we would get hitched. Some said they saw Justin getting on the same plane as we did, so they think something’s going on. I was thinking of doing a little video and posting it to clear it up.” She finally gets the laptop up and running and as she begins to open the web page she asks. “Do you think it would be okay?”
“Whatever you want Angel.” I rest my head on the headboard and wait for her to do her thing. She gets the program set up and after a few hits and misses, I can’t help but chuckle. “Jenna, don’t worry about making mistakes. Just be yourse
lf, and say whatever you want.” She huffs and rolls her eyes at me before pushing record again. She is a perfectionist if not anything else. Once the light begins to flash on her laptop, she sits back so she’s in the center of the screen.
“Hey guys, Jenna here. Uh, I guess I just wanted to send this out to all of you to clear some things up before stuff got out of hand.” She seems nervous. “Um… Okay, so where do I start. One, just a little shout out to Miss Emily Gonzales for making us this wonderful fan page. We got a chance to really look at it a few weeks ago, and it is awesome! So Thanks Em.” She waves at the screen and smiles.
I decide to poke my head in so the camera show’s my head to say, “Thanks sis.”
Jenna looks at me with a goofy grin before turning back to the camera. “Anyway, let’s begin with the real dirt. Yes, the Live Today crew is in Florida. Yes, there was a death in the family and since we are all considered family members, we do things together. Some of you mentioned that you saw Drew and me in Tennessee.” She nods. “That’s true too, we actually left a few days before the rest of the guys did to get a jump start. But no, there’s nothing going on with Drew and me. I can promise you that. He’s my best friend. That’s all.” She tucks some hair behind her ear and continues.
“So that leads me to the rest of the news. Now, I know there are some pictures out there with Gabe and I, and there are controversial rumors about us being married or us not being together at all and the band is going to fall apart.” Now this I find as a complete shock to my system.
“What? Are you kidding me?” I whisper. She sets her hand on my thigh and her eyes turn to my direction, warning me to be quiet. I decide to pay close attention to how she’s going to respond.
“Someone just now jumped on the rumor bandwagon.” She laughs. Not funny Jenna. “I just want to get one thing straight. Live Today is just as strong as we have ever been. Yes we’ve been silent for a few months, because we have been busy making a new album and mourning the death of our brother William. So yes, I admit, we have been utilizing some downtime since the accident. For those of you who saw us in Kansas, thanks for coming out. Gabe’s family was so nice to ask us to fill in last minute. We were more than happy to help.” I can’t help but stare at her beautiful face in the screen. That smile is mesmerizing.
