Brooklyn still has a pesky cough that they say could stay with her for awhile. She’ll also be on a portable Nebulizer machine that Maddox picked up from the local medical supply store. He even went to the pharmacy and filled the prescriptions for her medications. Even though he has to work tomorrow, I’m hoping he’ll stay at my place tonight. We have yet to steal any alone time together since Brooklyn’s hospitalization. Every time we’d find a corner somewhere, one of my brothers or a nurse would interrupt. I’m pretty sure my brothers did it on purpose, though.
“Do you want me to drop you off at your house so you can get your Jeep?”
“No thanks, Dad. Maddox is driving his truck out, and we’ll just go with him when it’s time to leave.” Dad keeps his eyes on the road, but I could tell he was itching to say something. “Just say it, Dad.”
“Does Maddox make you happy?” He looks over at me for a moment before returning his eyes to the road.
“More than anything.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear. He’s a good boy, and he’ll take good care of you and Brooklyn.”
“We’ll take care of each other, Dad.” I lean over and kiss is scruffy cheek. “Thanks for being the best example and best Dad possible. I love you.”
He smiles and looks my way again. “I love you, too, Avery.”
We arrive at my parent’s house with strict orders for Brooklyn to take it easy. Will is already there so he takes her into the living room and settles her on the couch. He pulls out a gift bag, saying it’s because she was such a good girl while in the hospital. He filled it with crayons and coloring books, a doll with doll clothes, a princess movie, and new mermaid bath toys.
“Tank you, Uncle Will!” she says with a slight wheeze and cough at the end.
“Oh, you are so welcome, Bean. Who’s your favorite Uncle?”
Brooklyn giggles and says, “You are,” before throwing her arms around his neck. Will settles on the couch with her to watch the new movie while I head into the kitchen to help my mom.
“What can I do?” I ask as I step in the kitchen, senses on overload from all the delicious aromas.
“Why don’t you cut up the sweet potatoes and put them in that pan.”
“You got it.” As I set out to wash the sweet potatoes, grab the cutting board and a sharp knife, I can’t help but hum along to the song on the radio.
“You seem to be in a good mood lately.”
A huge smile crosses my face. “I am.”
“So I take it you and Maddox have worked out your differences?”
“We’re trying. We both have some stuff to work through, but we both want to try. I have to learn to trust him completely which I’ve been struggling with. I know in my heart that he would never do anything to intentionally hurt me. I have to believe in his love and lean on it when things get tough.”
My mom is silent so I look up to see if she’s even paying attention. There’s a peaceful smile across her face. “I knew the first day I met that boy when he tore through this house like a tornado with Jake and Nate that he was special. When he got older and out of school, he was a bit of a tomcat.” I blushed at my mom’s analogy. “Oh, stop it, girl. You know it was true. That boy bounced around from girl to girl without a glance back. Just like your brother. It drives me crazy. But my point is that no matter what he was up to, when he was here, I could see a different look in his eyes when he was around you. The way he looked at you, even when you were in high school and he was just out of the military, showed me that he looked at you as more than a little sister. He looked at you like you were the one that he would change everything for.”
My eyes fill up with tears as I listen to my mom talk. “Of course, he’s a stubborn man so it took him awhile to realize it and stop fighting it. But, I’m so glad he finally did. He’s the perfect complement to you, Avery. You guys will be just fine.” And with that, the tears stream down my cheeks. I walk over to my mom, one of my best friends, and hug her tightly around the neck.
“I love you, Mom.”
“And I love you, too, baby girl.” She takes a step back. “Now, this food won’t cook itself and there’s nothing worse than a house full of hungry, cranky men. So, let’s get this done and enjoy our holiday.”
“You got it.”
*****
At quarter after five, the final two trucks pull into the drive. Jake steps out first, quickly followed by Maddox. They’re both in their uniforms but carry bags with clothes to change into.
When they hit the front door, Jake hollers, “I’ve got the first shower.” He takes off up the stairs. I walk into the foyer and smile at the sight of this tall, dark, devastatingly handsome man, in uniform no less, that is all mine. He returns the smile and drops his bag, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me against him. His lips descend on mine a moment later.