Chapter Twenty-Six
Brianne
“I can’t believe the babies are six weeks old already!” Livie says with a smile on her face; she loves cuddles with them, she’s been to visit every day. It's become our new thing, she’ll come during her lunch break, and we’ll have lunch and have a catch-up.
“I know, I’m just glad they’re home.” They only came home last week, Phoenix had trouble keeping his temperature up, and Phoebe is a little behind with her development, but they are both doing so much better now, and both are healthy and thankfully piling on the pounds.
“So, are you breastfeeding?” Trust Livie to be so damn nosey.
“Yeah, when they were in NICU, it was better for them to get my milk and I’ve been feeding them ever since.” I look at her, and I know that face, she’s got something to say, “Why?”
“Is it weird? I love when a man sucks on mine, I mean Cars… Umm, yeah umm, let’s just say that I’d feel weird having a baby suck on them when I know how much I love when a man sucks on them.” She starts blushing whereas I want to gag, that’s way too much for me to know about my brother. “Does it feel weird?”
“At first it did but now I really like it as it’s making me bond with them, I like that I have that time with them. What the hell is going on with you and my brother?” I’m curious, Jaxon and I both know they’re together we’re waiting to see which one cracks first. We have a bet; I think it’s going to be Carson. He’s more sensitive than Livie is.
“Eww, nothing. We’re friends. So, does Jaxon bond with them? Seems as you hog them all the time.” She swiftly changes the subject, and I let her, I don’t want to lose my bet, and if I push her, she’ll spill everything.
“I don’t hog them, they need to be fed, and at the moment I’m the only one that can do it. Jaxon does, he bathes them.” I may hog them especially when Carson’s around because I know what he's like and I'm afraid he may accidentally drop them or something.
“So, your mom said that the police finally caught up with Sabrina. What I don't understand is why they didn't arrest her in the beginning!” Livie’s still so angry as are we, but Livie was arrested for assault, and thankfully the charges were dropped.
Sabrina went into hiding after the fight; her parents rented her a house in Santa Barbara. So, by the time, I had finally spoken to an officer that wasn't thinking with his dick, and they put out a warrant for her arrest she was long gone. A huge investigation is ongoing, and it seems like Mayor Ashwood paid off a few Officers, so they wouldn't arrest Sabrina.
Of course, the Ashwood’s are trying to get Sabrina off the charges by saying she's mentally ill. She might be, and if she truly is, I hope she gets the help she needs. I don't think I can ever forgive her for that day, because of her I could have lost my babies. We won't know what will happen until the trial which is in a few months.
“Other than being a human milk dispenser, how are you?” Livie’s been really worried about me since I came home from the hospital.
“Tired, so damn tired. No-one tells expectant mothers about how tired you're going to be. Thank God for Jaxon is all I'm saying. He's there no matter what especially when it comes to changing their diaper explosions.” Thinking about yesterday brings a smile to my face, Jaxon shooed me into the bathroom telling me to relax for a bit, so I ran a bath and did just that. I could hear gagging noises coming from him, turns out that the babies did simultaneous diaper explosions.
“But you’re all healed now?” She’s acting weird.
“Yeah, I got the all-clear two days ago.” I see the sweet smile on her face, and I know she’s up to something, “Why?”
Her smile turns from sweet to cheeky in a matter of seconds, “So have you and Jaxon done the deed?”
I roll my eyes; I should have known that’s where her mind was going, “It’s none of your business.”
“It is my business. It’s a vital piece of information that I have to know.” Damn, she’s like a dog with a bone, she’s not going to shut the hell up about it unless I tell her. “So?”
“No, we haven’t had the time, we’re so busy with the twins and then when we finally get around to go to bed we’re so tired that we fall asleep.” I’m a liar, well kind of. We have done the deed, but most of the time we fall asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.
“That’s a sin! What the hell you need to get back on that horse and ride the hell out of it.”
“Who’s going horse riding?” Oh great, my mom’s here, I don’t turn around to see her because I’m looking at Livie whose face has just lit up.
“I’m trying to get Bri, to get back on the horse,” Livie says with that cheeky grin of hers, and I want the ground to open up and swallow me.
“Back on what horse?” Oh my God! My dad’s here too! Kill me now.
“Bri had her six weeks check-up, and she and Jaxon still haven’t had any alone time yet, so I’m encouraging her to get back on the horse, it’s like riding a bike.” She winks at me, and I really want to cry, why does she not have a filter?
“Olivia do you have to be so crass?” Mom asks her, and she sounds as horrified as I feel. “Where’s my grandbabies?”
“Hi to you to mom, it’s nice to see you,” I say sarcastically, Jaxon and I hardly exist anymore, all they want is to see the twins.
“Oh, hush you.” Mom shushes me with a wave of her hand, “Where are they?”
“Asleep, Bri only put them to bed twenty minutes ago,” Livie tells her as dad helps himself to the cookies on the kitchen counter.
I watch as mom gets that weird look on her face, one that I have come to know so well the past week, “No! No, no, no, you are not going to look in on them, you can wait until they wake up.” I’ve had enough of mom waking the twins, so she can hold them.
“But…”
“No buts mom, please can you do as I ask? Let the twins sleep; you can hog them when they wake up.”
“I won’t wake them up, I just want to look at them, I’ll be ever so quiet.” Why? Why won’t she listen to me?
“Claire, Bri said no, she’s their mom. Remember when my mom tried to do that with Carson?” Dad says, and I watch mom’s face completely change, damn, I wonder what happened. “How are you, Princess?” Both mom and dad take a seat next to Livie and me at the breakfast bar.
“I’m okay dad; I thought you were taking mom for lunch today?”
“We were until I got a call from Pastor Lonnergan, he found out about Jaxon and wants to talk.” Dad looks mad, and I know that he thinks of Jaxon as his son and Jaxon’s been through enough and he doesn’t want any more stress in our lives.
“Have you spoken to Jaxon?” I hope so, I don’t want to tell him, but I will go along with whatever he wants to do. The last thing we need right now is for another Ben in his life.
“Yeah, I called him before I told your mom he’s the one that told us to come over here. He and Carson are on their way home.” Dad takes another cookie, and I’m glad that I learnt how to cook them as both Jaxon and dad would devour them all in one sitting.
“I swear Bri, you and Jaxon have more drama than an episode of Maury!” Not only does Livie laugh but so does my dad, his chuckle is so deep that he manages to wake the twins. Their piercing screams have both mom and I up of our seats, as we walk into my room I smile as I see their beautiful faces. I’m so lucky, they are the best things in my life, and I love them with every inch of my heart.
“They’re probably hungry, have you started to express yet?” mom asks as she picks up Phoebe.
“No, I haven’t, why?” I pick up Phoenix and cradle him against my chest.
“Don’t you think you should? You fed them while they were sick but they’re home now.” Mom says not realizing how much she’s making me angry.
“No, I don’t think I should, yes I fed them while they were small and in need of my milk, but what? Because they’re home, I should just stop?” I’m so mad, and I know that the twins feel it as they both start to fuss in our arms.
“Well, it would mean that I could feed them, and they could stay with me.”
What? “Mom, they are my babies, not yours. They don’t need to stay with you at all. I can’t believe you mom; I’m doing what I feel is right for my babies. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem. Now if you don’t mind I need to feed my babies.” I keep saying my babies, so she understands that she has overstepped the mark, I’m a lot more sensitive since the twins have arrived and I cry at the drop of a hat.
“Bri,” She gasps, “I never meant to imply you don’t do what’s right. I’m sorry, I just want to help.” Great now mom looks like he’s about to cry.
“I know mom, but there’s helping, and there’s overstepping. I’m going to feed the twins, why don’t you wait with dad and Livie for Jaxon and Carson.” I take Phoebe out of her hands and turn my back on her, a twin in each of my arms. I walk over to the amazing nursing chair Jaxon bought for me and settled us all in. I don’t hear my mom move, but I also don’t look up at her as I start to get the babies latched on.
“You ready for this?” I ask Jaxon, and I’m wondering who’s more nervous about this, him or I?
“Not really, but I’d rather get it over and done with.” He sighs before giving me a chaste kiss on the lips. “Here goes nothing.” He goes to the front door to let in the Pastor. He agreed to a meeting, but he had a stipulation, we do it here in our house and only Jaxon, and I be in attendance.
I nervously bite my nails as I wait for Jaxon to come back into the kitchen, I try and listen, but all I can hear is muffled voices. I don’t know if I should wait here for them to come in or busy myself with putting the final touches on the table and getting the food ready to be plated? I decide to busy myself; it’s better than the torture of waiting.
As I finish setting the table I can hear their voices get louder until I can hear what they are saying, they must be outside the kitchen door, “I apologize that Mary-Sue isn’t here tonight it’s a difficult time for her.” Pastor explains why his wife didn’t come and I completely forgot about her, the poor woman, finding out her husband not only cheated on her but fathered a child too.
“It’s okay. Bri has cooked dinner for us all.” Jaxon lies to the Pastor, what the hell is wrong with him? None of us cooked, we got takeout that we’re keeping warm.
They come into the kitchen, and I have no idea what to say, this man is our pastor, I’ve known him my whole life, but he’s also my babies grandfather. I feel awkward. “Hilo,” I say as the Pastor smiles at me, I was between saying hi and hello and it came out as Hilo.
Jaxon tries to hide his laughter, who would have thought that I would be the nervous one. “Hello Brianne, congratulations on the birth of your twins.” The pastor tells me with a warm smile.
“Thank you, please take a seat,” I point to the kitchen table and wait for them both to take a seat before I start to serve the dinner.
It's a quiet dinner, mainly just small talk but I know that Jaxon has so many questions he wants to ask. So, I kick him under the table, and as my foot connects with his shin, I nod my head towards the Pastor. Only Jaxon doesn't make a movement; he sits there eating his dinner, so I kick his shin again. “Oww.” Pastor Lonnergan cries.
Oh shit, I kicked the wrong person! “I'm so sorry.” He waves me off and pretends like it doesn't hurt, I know it does as I put a lot of power in that kick, “Umm maybe you two should talk?” I say quietly but look at my dinner plate. I won't make eye contact with Jaxon as he’ll probably want to kill me right now.
“We should. Jaxon, I'm sorry if I had known about you I’d have done…” Pastor Lonnergan says but can't seem to find the right words to finish his sentence.
“Done what?” Jaxon’s on the defensive right now.
“How has Mary-Sue taken the news?” I ask trying to steer the conversation into a different direction.
“She's devastated. Not because of who you are Jaxon but...umm.” He looks around the room almost as if he's searching for guidance. “I cheated on Mary-Sue, and I regret it dearly. We were going through a rough patch. I did the selfish thing I sought solace from someone else,” He looks really apologetic, his eyes full of sadness. “Mary-Sue had suffered multiple miscarriages, and we found out that she was unable to carry children. She was broken, she hid away from the world and from me.”
“Oh, finding out about Jaxon must have brought it all back to her.” My heart goes out to her; I couldn’t imagine what she went through.
“Yes, but Mary-Sue is strong, and she has forgiven me for my sins. She will welcome Jaxon with open arms into our family if that’s what you’d like.” Pastor tells us, and I don’t say anything, this isn’t up to me. This is solely Jaxon’s decision, one that may take a while to make.
The awkward silence that ensues is making me anxious, knowing me I’m going to say something stupid again like Hilo! Thankfully, Jaxon starts talking. “I like you, Pastor; I have a family, one that has been with me through thick and thin. I have no doubt that you and your wife would open your home to me and Bri and our kids. I need time; I need to adjust to this,” He points between himself and the Pastor, “And Bri and I will discuss things.” Wow, he’s being so mature, I don’t think I’d ever been able to be so rational if I were in his situation.
“That is understandable, I won’t push you, but I will tell you that I’d love to get to know you both better and of course those babies of yours. Thank you for a lovely dinner and even better company.” The Pastor stands and shakes Jaxon’s hand “Thank you.” I offer him a smile, he’s so polite, and I feel bad for him. “Bye Brianne.” Jaxon walks him out as I start to clear away the dishes. I’d love for Jaxon to embrace the olive branch that Pastor Lonnergan has offered, but I’m also hesitant, what if Mary-Sue isn’t okay with it, what if she can’t deal with it? Then what? Will Jaxon be pushed to the side?
“What are you in such deep thought about?” Jaxon’s voice scares me causing me to drop the plates on the floor, smashing them. “Sorry, Bri. I never meant to scare you.” He comes over and helps me pick up the broken pieces scattered on the floor. “Are you okay Baby?”
I laugh, “You’re asking me if I’m okay? You’ve just finished dinner with your dad, how are you feeling?”
“Conflicted but I know what I want, and I want to get to know him more. Before all that, I want Mary-Sue to be okay with it. First, I wouldn’t put her in a position where she either has to choose between her husband or her happiness. That woman has been through enough.” I blink back the tears, when did Jaxon grow up and become so mature and thoughtful?
“I agree, how about we leave it a week or two and then we can go to church and get a feel for how things are?”
“Sounds good baby, it will give us a chance to show off the twins too. Let me get the brush, and I’ll sweep this up, and then we can go to bed.” He winks at me before going to the utility room, “Go to bed, and I’ll meet you there, the twins will want to feed soon.” He shouts, and he’s right it's been about three hours since they last fed.
I do as he says and go to our bedroom, I strip down and put on my nursing nightie and settle in bed as I wait for Jaxon to come. Of course, as soon as my head hits the pillow I start to fall asleep, no matter how hard I try and fight it. I don’t know how long I’m asleep, but I’m not in my deep sleep yet as I feel Jaxon getting into bed beside me and place a kiss on my head. “I love you Bri, you are my dream girl, and I’m so fucking lucky that I found you on the beach that night. That’s all it took, one night and my entire world became so much clearer.” He throws his arm around me, and we both fall asleep, it won’t be long until the twins will wake up wanting a feed.
One night and I found the love of my life, one night and the twins were conceived, one night and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.