Live In My Memory Chapter Two
Humming along to the radio in the car I smile as I look in the backseat with the rearview mirror. We are on the one hour drive back to Tulsa today to my parents house. We had left a little late as Carrick let me sleep in which was something he shouldn't have done but he did it anyway.
I really wanted to be mad at him but the way he gave me a pout when he said I looked so good sleeping was enough for me to not be as mad at him as I should have been.
"Mommy?" Junia asks as she locks eyes with me via the mirror. "How much longer?"
I laugh at her impatience, my eyes moving over to Bree who is passed out in her car seat. Luckily for me she has been snoozing the whole drive almost. "Just a few more minutes babe," I tell her as I turn on a familiar street. "You excited to see Nana and Pawpaw?" I ask her as I pay attention to the road again.
"Yeah," Junia says her voice clearly showing excitement. "Do you think they have my presents yet?" she asks knowing there is going to be a party today at their house for her birthday.
Pulling into their drive way I cut the car off, "I guess we will find out," I smirk before getting out of the car. I'm barely out when I hear the door open and I see my mother coming down the drive way to my car. She has a grin on her face as she opens the door on the side of the car where Bree is.
"I was hoping Bree would be awake," she frowns but goes ahead and gets her out of her car seat. "How long has the princess been asleep?" she asks as she shoots me a look over the top of the car.
I laugh more, opening the door and undoing Junia's booster seat, getting her out. The moment I put her down on the asphalt she takes off to the other side of the car. I'm sure by now she is attached to my mother's leg. My mom has both girls spoiled.
"Not long after we left," I answer, walking over to where my mom and the girls are. Junia is smiling as she looks up at her. "Junebug was too excited to take a nap on the drive here. She knows she is getting a party today."
My mom smiles down at Junia as well. "Well her party was waiting on her to get here. Everyone is already inside," she informs me before heading towards the house. As she goes in with both of my daughters I just stand there frozen on the spot.
If everyone is here then that means Taylor is here too with Natalie. He hasn't seen Bree since the day I gave birth to her. I have deliberately avoided him because I'm still scared if he takes one look at her he will know. He will know she is his and that I have been keeping it a secret. I mean how could he not figure it out? She is becoming a spitting image of him.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself I follow behind my mother, hearing talking from the kitchen. Going towards it I smile when I see almost all of my family standing there. Spotting my mother at the kitchen counter I raise an eyebrow as she picks up the cake bringing it over to Junia. Bree is no longer in her arms.
Looking around the room for my seven month old I stop when I see her in Natalie's arms. Taylor's wife is fawning over her like she does any child. I swear that woman has a severe case of baby fever, then again she always gets one when her children reach a certain age. Wilhelmina is two now. I'm pretty sure that means she has reached the certain age which would make Natalie want another baby by Taylor.
I half wonder how she'd react if she knew the baby she held in her arms was Taylor's at least biologically. Legally she belongs to Carrick and I.
Hearing everyone start to sing Happy Birthday I come out of the trance I hadn't even realized I was in. Singing Happy Birthday as well I smile when I watch Junia blow out the candle on her cake. A part of me feeling a bit sad that Zac isn't here to see this.
Feeling a hand on my back, I jump slightly before turning to look at the person who has touched me. When I do I sigh at the pair of blue eyes staring back at me. The man with the same blue eyes as my youngest daughter. "Taylor," I nod trying to be nice.
Taylor offers me a smile, his hand staying on my back, "I wish he were here too to see this," he whispers. "Zac always loved birthday parties. Junia's first one was a big blow out," he smiles more obviously remembering it. I wish I could say I remember it too but it was one of the many things I had missed out on thanks to Kate and in some ways Taylor's own wife Natalie.
Frowning I run a hand through my hair, "He is here in spirit," I say as I force a smile. I do feel as if Zac is here.
Taylor nods like he understands but to be honest I doubt he does. "I think my wife has stolen your daughter," he says as he looks away from me and over to Natalie who is now sitting off at the end of the table with Bree. She is happily chatting away with her and I almost wonder if Natalie woke her up on purpose.
"Well she can't have her for good," I laugh my head shaking no. There is no way I am letting that woman raise my child. Not after her being part of the reason I left Junia behind.
"But it would save me from having to make another baby with here. She told me last night she wants another," Taylor sighs and I look back at him seeing a scowl on his face. "At least if we too Bree from you neither Natalie or I would have parental ties to her or be responsible if she grew up crazy."
When he mentions not having parental ties to Bree I have to keep myself from looking panicked. I have to remain calm. "Technically if you took her you'd be the only parents she ever knew so, yeah, you would have parental ties to her."
Before I can say anything else to Taylor I hear his phone vibrate in his pocket and he pulls it out. I look down barely even able to register the name on the screen but it almost looks familiar. "I need to take this outside," he informs me his voice sounding rushed. "I'm sorry," he whispers as he walks off and leaves me standing in the middle of the kitchen.
Shaking my head I walk towards the table coming to stop beside Kate. I knew she would be here I had let mom invite her. It was something Junia would have wanted. Junia still loved the woman like a mother too.
"He's been weird for the past month now," Kate whispers to me.
I turn my head looking at her confused, "Who?" I ask clearly confused.
Kate just smiles as if she thinks I am playing her for a fool. "Taylor," she tells me so plainly. "I saw how he just left you standing there after the phone call came through. He has been doing the same to Natalie now for a month. Taking calls outside on the porch, leaving the house for hours on end after those calls. Having private meetings he won't tell her about.
I nod as she confides in me. I'm not sure why she is telling me this or why it matters to me. Hell I don't even know why she was watching Taylor and I so intently. It's not like my life or Taylor's or anyone else in this families is her business. Yes her son is a part of our family but since Zac's death she isn't family anymore.
"I'm sure it's nothing," I shrug being nicer than I want to be.
Kate just rolls her eyes as if she doubts me saying it's nothing. Of course she would doubt my word. She is good at second guessing everything.
After my talk with Kate the rest of the party seems to fly by and before I know it everyone is gone and I am upstairs getting both of my girls ready for bed.
Standing in the guest room I can hear Junia down the hall complaining as she brushes her teeth. I laugh before finishing putting the rest of the clothes I packed in the drawers.
"Avie," my mom's voice speaks from the doorway.
I turn to look at her, "Yeah?" I ask wondering what she wants. I though she had went to bed over an hour ago.
My mom walks into the room, holding a manila package in her hand, "This was sent to the house addressed to you. I'm not sure why or if someone doesn't know you moved to Oklahoma City," she shrugs.
I take the package from her, raising an eyebrow curiously. Watching as mom leaves the room I go to sit on the bed, opening the package. Seeing a couple of pictures in them I take them out getting even more curious when I see pictures of Bree with Carrick on random outings in the package.
Seeing writing on the back of one I turn it over my face I am sure turning to confusion as I see written in black ink All Lies Come Out Eventually.
Turning the picture over I put it back in the envelope wondering what kind of sick joke this is. No one else knows about Brennan but Carrick and I. How could anyone else know? Had someone heard us at the hospital? Had Taylor had a big mouth and told anyone about our one night stand, anyone that could have done the math anyway.
"Fuck," I whisper harshly as I take the envelope and put it in the drawer under the clothes I had put away. It is going to stay there for the time being and tomorrow I am going to call Carrick. He needs to know about this. He needs to know that someone else may knows our secret.
Humming along to the radio in the car I smile as I look in the backseat with the rearview mirror. We are on the one hour drive back to Tulsa today to my parents house. We had left a little late as Carrick let me sleep in which was something he shouldn't have done but he did it anyway.
I really wanted to be mad at him but the way he gave me a pout when he said I looked so good sleeping was enough for me to not be as mad at him as I should have been.
"Mommy?" Junia asks as she locks eyes with me via the mirror. "How much longer?"
I laugh at her impatience, my eyes moving over to Bree who is passed out in her car seat. Luckily for me she has been snoozing the whole drive almost. "Just a few more minutes babe," I tell her as I turn on a familiar street. "You excited to see Nana and Pawpaw?" I ask her as I pay attention to the road again.
"Yeah," Junia says her voice clearly showing excitement. "Do you think they have my presents yet?" she asks knowing there is going to be a party today at their house for her birthday.
Pulling into their drive way I cut the car off, "I guess we will find out," I smirk before getting out of the car. I'm barely out when I hear the door open and I see my mother coming down the drive way to my car. She has a grin on her face as she opens the door on the side of the car where Bree is.
"I was hoping Bree would be awake," she frowns but goes ahead and gets her out of her car seat. "How long has the princess been asleep?" she asks as she shoots me a look over the top of the car.
I laugh more, opening the door and undoing Junia's booster seat, getting her out. The moment I put her down on the asphalt she takes off to the other side of the car. I'm sure by now she is attached to my mother's leg. My mom has both girls spoiled.
"Not long after we left," I answer, walking over to where my mom and the girls are. Junia is smiling as she looks up at her. "Junebug was too excited to take a nap on the drive here. She knows she is getting a party today."
My mom smiles down at Junia as well. "Well her party was waiting on her to get here. Everyone is already inside," she informs me before heading towards the house. As she goes in with both of my daughters I just stand there frozen on the spot.
If everyone is here then that means Taylor is here too with Natalie. He hasn't seen Bree since the day I gave birth to her. I have deliberately avoided him because I'm still scared if he takes one look at her he will know. He will know she is his and that I have been keeping it a secret. I mean how could he not figure it out? She is becoming a spitting image of him.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself I follow behind my mother, hearing talking from the kitchen. Going towards it I smile when I see almost all of my family standing there. Spotting my mother at the kitchen counter I raise an eyebrow as she picks up the cake bringing it over to Junia. Bree is no longer in her arms.
Looking around the room for my seven month old I stop when I see her in Natalie's arms. Taylor's wife is fawning over her like she does any child. I swear that woman has a severe case of baby fever, then again she always gets one when her children reach a certain age. Wilhelmina is two now. I'm pretty sure that means she has reached the certain age which would make Natalie want another baby by Taylor.
I half wonder how she'd react if she knew the baby she held in her arms was Taylor's at least biologically. Legally she belongs to Carrick and I.
Hearing everyone start to sing Happy Birthday I come out of the trance I hadn't even realized I was in. Singing Happy Birthday as well I smile when I watch Junia blow out the candle on her cake. A part of me feeling a bit sad that Zac isn't here to see this.
Feeling a hand on my back, I jump slightly before turning to look at the person who has touched me. When I do I sigh at the pair of blue eyes staring back at me. The man with the same blue eyes as my youngest daughter. "Taylor," I nod trying to be nice.
Taylor offers me a smile, his hand staying on my back, "I wish he were here too to see this," he whispers. "Zac always loved birthday parties. Junia's first one was a big blow out," he smiles more obviously remembering it. I wish I could say I remember it too but it was one of the many things I had missed out on thanks to Kate and in some ways Taylor's own wife Natalie.
Frowning I run a hand through my hair, "He is here in spirit," I say as I force a smile. I do feel as if Zac is here.
Taylor nods like he understands but to be honest I doubt he does. "I think my wife has stolen your daughter," he says as he looks away from me and over to Natalie who is now sitting off at the end of the table with Bree. She is happily chatting away with her and I almost wonder if Natalie woke her up on purpose.
"Well she can't have her for good," I laugh my head shaking no. There is no way I am letting that woman raise my child. Not after her being part of the reason I left Junia behind.
"But it would save me from having to make another baby with here. She told me last night she wants another," Taylor sighs and I look back at him seeing a scowl on his face. "At least if we too Bree from you neither Natalie or I would have parental ties to her or be responsible if she grew up crazy."
When he mentions not having parental ties to Bree I have to keep myself from looking panicked. I have to remain calm. "Technically if you took her you'd be the only parents she ever knew so, yeah, you would have parental ties to her."
Before I can say anything else to Taylor I hear his phone vibrate in his pocket and he pulls it out. I look down barely even able to register the name on the screen but it almost looks familiar. "I need to take this outside," he informs me his voice sounding rushed. "I'm sorry," he whispers as he walks off and leaves me standing in the middle of the kitchen.
Shaking my head I walk towards the table coming to stop beside Kate. I knew she would be here I had let mom invite her. It was something Junia would have wanted. Junia still loved the woman like a mother too.
"He's been weird for the past month now," Kate whispers to me.
I turn my head looking at her confused, "Who?" I ask clearly confused.
Kate just smiles as if she thinks I am playing her for a fool. "Taylor," she tells me so plainly. "I saw how he just left you standing there after the phone call came through. He has been doing the same to Natalie now for a month. Taking calls outside on the porch, leaving the house for hours on end after those calls. Having private meetings he won't tell her about.
I nod as she confides in me. I'm not sure why she is telling me this or why it matters to me. Hell I don't even know why she was watching Taylor and I so intently. It's not like my life or Taylor's or anyone else in this families is her business. Yes her son is a part of our family but since Zac's death she isn't family anymore.
"I'm sure it's nothing," I shrug being nicer than I want to be.
Kate just rolls her eyes as if she doubts me saying it's nothing. Of course she would doubt my word. She is good at second guessing everything.
After my talk with Kate the rest of the party seems to fly by and before I know it everyone is gone and I am upstairs getting both of my girls ready for bed.
Standing in the guest room I can hear Junia down the hall complaining as she brushes her teeth. I laugh before finishing putting the rest of the clothes I packed in the drawers.
"Avie," my mom's voice speaks from the doorway.
I turn to look at her, "Yeah?" I ask wondering what she wants. I though she had went to bed over an hour ago.
My mom walks into the room, holding a manila package in her hand, "This was sent to the house addressed to you. I'm not sure why or if someone doesn't know you moved to Oklahoma City," she shrugs.
I take the package from her, raising an eyebrow curiously. Watching as mom leaves the room I go to sit on the bed, opening the package. Seeing a couple of pictures in them I take them out getting even more curious when I see pictures of Bree with Carrick on random outings in the package.
Seeing writing on the back of one I turn it over my face I am sure turning to confusion as I see written in black ink All Lies Come Out Eventually.
Turning the picture over I put it back in the envelope wondering what kind of sick joke this is. No one else knows about Brennan but Carrick and I. How could anyone else know? Had someone heard us at the hospital? Had Taylor had a big mouth and told anyone about our one night stand, anyone that could have done the math anyway.
"Fuck," I whisper harshly as I take the envelope and put it in the drawer under the clothes I had put away. It is going to stay there for the time being and tomorrow I am going to call Carrick. He needs to know about this. He needs to know that someone else may knows our secret.