by Elisa Leigh
Not seeing my sister or Ford I walk down to baggage claim knowing my sister wouldn’t knowingly leave me at the airport. I’ll just grab an Uber back to her house and figure things out from there. It’s not like I haven’t been living on my own for over three years. I can do this. I tell myself. While I’m waiting for my bags at baggage claim, I try my sister yet again. When she doesn’t answer, I’m not surprised, but I’m left feeling frustrated.
After waiting impatiently for over ten minutes, I see my first bag come through on the conveyor belt I move to grab it, but someone steps in front of me at the last second and beats me to it.
“I’ve got it.” He mumbles in a gravelly voice.
I’m about to tell him what he’s got is the wrong bag when I inadvertently breathe him in and I melt inside. Dear Jesus, he smells delicious. I’m stuck in a fog as I watch this very tall and muscular man take my suitcase off and then turn to set it down in front of me. I finally catch sight of his face, and I freeze. It’s Theobald, Ford’s quiet and secretive, but incredibly hot younger brother. The last time I saw him was at my high school graduation party his parents threw for me before I left for my first semester of college. Damn, the years have been good to him, not that he looked bad before.
“It’s you!” I croak
He quirks his brow at me. “It’s me. Is that a problem?”
I shake my head back and forth quickly. “No, no. Jesus, sorry. I mean what are you doing here? Is Jasmine okay? Did something happen? What about the baby?”
“Ellie, slow down and take a deep breath baby,” he says placing his hands on my shoulders. He eyes me speculatively and waits for me to take a breath. “Now another.” He demands. I roll my eyes and his grip on my shoulders tighten in warning letting me know he’s serious. Nothing about this intense man makes me believe he would ever hurt a woman, but he does expect to be listened to. Why is that turning me on right now? Thinking of what else he’d command me to do has me breathing heavily again. “Slow down Hummingbird, or you’re going to make yourself pass out.” He growls low, so only I can hear. Grasping the back of my head, he pulls me to his chest. He gently massages my head, then my neck, just under my hair.
I close my eyes and breathe him in, his cologne is messing with my body in the most delicious ways. I stand there a while pressed to his front with my arms hanging loosely at my sides, because like an idiot I don’t know what to do with them. Eventually, I pull away, embarrassed by how I’m acting right now.
“Thank you, Theobald. It’s been a long day, and I’d just like to make sure they’re alright.”
His concerned expression softens. “Of course you do. Her water broke this morning, and it was a rush to get her to the hospital. She asked me to come and pick you up right when I dropped her off with Ford at the hospital.”
I nod. I look around baggage claim trying to find where my luggage is since the conveyor belt has stopped moving. I spot them with a couple of other bags hanging out next to a counter. Before I can tell Theobald, I found my luggage he's already guiding me to the counter with his hand pressed against my lower back, his other carrying my bag. My skin tingles where his hand presses against me. Where are all these feelings coming from? All I wanted to do was come home for Christmas to see my sister, but instead, I'm stuck for the time being with a man who's doing funny things to my insides.
Before we get to the baggage counter, I spot the woman standing there. I instantly feel inferior to her beauty and begin comparing us. She's tall to my short and thin to my thick curves, even her makeup is flawless. Hell, I'm not even wearing any. I feel like a complete and utter mess next to this woman. To be fair I was planning on spending the day in an airport and then being picked up by my sister who doesn’t care what I look like, so I threw on my comfiest pair of skinny jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. There's no way in hell Theobald could ever be interested in a girl like me when women like her will always be around. I look over at him and see that he's not wearing a fancy suit like I would have imagined him wearing since he works for the family company now.
“How can I help you today? Have you lost your luggage?”
Even though she's being completely lovely, I want to strangle her where she stands for even thinking of smiling at him. Does he think she's beautiful? What am I saying of course he does, she's the walking embodiment of today's beauty standards. What is wrong with me? “I need to get my bags please,” I say, pointing to the bags on the floor.
“Of course. I'll just need to see your ID.”
Already pissed with myself for having these crazy thoughts about my sister’s husband’s brother I react in kind. “I didn’t need ID to grab it off of the conveyor belt, why do I need to show it to you now?” I grump. Her perfect freaking smile that she keeps shining at Theobald, a man that I have absolutely no claim over, doesn’t falter and is pissing me off beyond measure.
“I’m sorry ma’am, it’s just the airline’s policy. That way I’m not giving luggage to someone it doesn’t belong to. It’s happened before, and it makes a complete mess.” She tries soothing my agitation, but only succeeds in irritating me more.
Theobald who has been standing behind me steps up close, so his body is almost flush with mine. He grips my neck and rubs soothing circles into me with his thumb. “Hummingbird, just show her your driver’s license so we can get out of here and go see your sister.” He says it low and calm, but the command is clear. Crazily enough, it calms me down and helps me think clearly.
“Sorry, it’s been a long day already, and it’s only noon.”
She laughs. “No worries. Trust me, I understand. If I had to be stuck on a plane traveling for hours with people I didn’t know, I’d be irritated too.”
Her friendly attitude puts me at ease, and I feel sorry for snapping at her a minute ago. I slide my driver’s license across the counter.
After checking it, she slides it back and walks around to where the bags are waiting to be claimed and finds the right ones. “Alright Ms. Ellie Richards, let’s get your luggage so you can get out of this crazy place and have a nice Christmas with your family.”
“Thank you. Merry Christmas!” I tell her, thankful to finally be on my way. Theobald grabs all of my bags, and I follow him out to the parking garage. He’s not very talkative, but neither am I. When he stops in front of his shiny black Jaguar, I’m reminded yet again that we’re from different worlds.
Dropping my bags in front of the trunk, he guides me to the passenger side of the car and opens the door for me. “Buckle up,” He says gruffly and waits for me to buckle my seat belt before closing the door. I feel completely taken care of and bossed around all at the same time. Within minutes he’s shutting the trunk and getting in the car and starting it up.
We’re driving for a few minutes when Good As You by Kane Brown starts playing on the radio. I’m a huge nerd when it comes to Kane Brown, and I know most of his songs by heart. I start humming along without thought, getting caught up in the music.
“You can turn it up, it won’t bother me.”
I reach my hand up to do precisely that, you don’t have to ask me twice, but then I fall short when I look at the dashboard and have no idea what to do. “How do I do that? This car is too smart for me.” I laugh.
He looks over at me and smirks. “Nah, you just need to learn how first. You’ll be an expert in no time. Here, push this, easy as pie.”
His quick, but calm response has me wondering what else he could teach me.
Four
Theobald
The airport is a good twenty minutes from the family estate, where my home was built just down the road from my parents and brother, but it’s only fifteen minutes from the hospital where Jasmine and Ford are. As much as I want to take her home, I know now isn’t the time. When I take her home she won’t be going to stay with Ford and her sister, nor will she be staying with my parents. The only home she’ll ever stay in is mine.
When I came home to make sure my brother wasn’t making a
huge mistake with his new bride I was captivated by the curvy, dark-haired girl who sat off to the side. I walked in the door, and it was as if my body was attuned to hers. My eyes zoned in on her, immediately taking in everything I could about her. She sat back and watched everyone else with a sense of fear and trepidation. I saw in her a fight that I’d only seen in the men I worked with, but for her, it was a will to survive in a world where she wasn’t wanted. I ached to make things better for her, to hold her and tell her I would never let anything hurt her again. Over the two days I was there I made sure I was around her as often as I could be learning everything about her. My military training helped me pick up on more than most people would, and I learned a hell of a lot. Jasmine figured it out as soon as she saw me looking at her sister and she was quick to let me know she was only seventeen.
When I left to go back to work, I tried to keep my mind off of Ellie, but it was no use. No one was like her or ever would be. As guilty as I felt about our age difference, I couldn’t stop the way I felt about her or my growing obsession. I didn’t care who knew how I felt, I needed to know more. Mom kept an eye on Ellie for me and would give me updates throughout the week. Eventually, my emails with Ford became increasingly more about Ellie, and less about things going on with him or I. The only thing he ever said to me about it was I needed to wait until she was eighteen. That was a no-brainer, I wasn’t an asshole. It sucked to be away from her, but I knew better than that. I also had things I needed to take care of, like retiring from the Army.
Ever since I met her my life was turned upside down, and from that point forward I was a changed man. My purpose in life has become so apparent. It’s hers now, plain and simple. Everything I did was to ensure her happiness. She has no idea that I’ve been there in the background, doing everything I could to bring her back to me one day. How am I going to let her go back to school to finish her degree now that I’ve had her right where she needs to stay? I’ve lived without her for four years. Could I do another six months without her? Maybe she’d consider online classes.
“So how is school going? I bet you’re excited to graduate in the spring.” I ask gripping the steering wheel to keep from touching her.
“How do you know I’m graduating next semester?”
“Your sister is very proud of you. She talks about you all the time. It’s hard not to know. She’s already planning some huge family trip out there so we can all watch you graduate.”
Her get big and then she shakes her head. “That’s not necessary.”
I frown. “Why not?”
She shrugs her shoulders. “It’s no big deal. No reason to fly out there for only a couple of hours.”
I’m quiet for the rest of the drive wondering why she wouldn’t even want her sister there for her. Once I park Ellie grabs the handle to get out, but I lock the doors before she can open it. Her head snaps over to look at me.
“Your family wants to be there for you and celebrate your accomplishments. You have worked hard over the past four years. Aren’t you proud of that?”
“They aren’t my family Theobald. My sister is, and she’ll be busy with the new baby. Why would your parents want to come out for that?” She snaps at me.
She’s trying to be strong, trying to show she’s indifferent. She can’t hide it from me though. I’ve been watching her for years. When she lived at home on our estate, I felt better about her safety, knowing my father has the estate locked down and my brother has his house just as airtight. No one was getting in there to hurt her. The day she left for college, a team I hired in advance, followed her. They have been with her ever since, sending me daily updates. My Hummingbird is as stubborn as a mule and strong as steel. One day soon she’ll understand that we’re all family, especially when I give her my name. She’ll make me the perfect wife.
“You’re worth caring about Ellie. Don’t ever forget that.”
A rose tint covers her cheeks, and she looks down at where my hand has unconsciously grabbed hers. “Say it. Tell me you’re worth it.”
“Theobald-” Her voice cracks.
“To you, I am Theo, none of this full name bullshit. You call me Theo, do you understand Hummingbird?”
She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and nibbles on it then nods. Lifting her chin with my finger, I look into her beautiful brown eyes. “Now tell me.”
“I am worth it.” She says, but I can tell she doesn’t believe it. We’ll need to work on that, but for now, it’s enough.
I trace her bottom lip with my thumb. “Damn right you are.” Only letting my hand linger for a moment, I drop it swiftly knowing If I don’t pull back now, I’ll do something stupid like kiss her. Once my lips are on hers, there will be no stopping me. “Let’s go meet our little niece or nephew. Sit tight, I’ll get your door.” I hop out so she can’t argue with me and quickly make my way to her door.
I lead her towards the entrance with my hand at her back. We walk silently for a few minutes as we weave our way through the hospital. “I can’t believe they wouldn’t tell anyone the sex of the baby,” she grumbles making me laugh.
“I know. My mom has been going crazy. All she wants to do is buy things for the baby, and she doesn't know what to get.”
“I know how she feels. I'm not the most patient person in the world. Not knowing anything has been killing me. After all, they have been through, and as long as it has taken for them to have this baby, I guess they deserve to keep it to themselves a while longer. We’ll know soon enough. I just can't wait to hold the baby in my arms.”
“I bet you'll be the best aunt. Do you want to have kids one day?”
She blushes then shrugs and avoids the question. If I know my girl like I think I do she probably believes she doesn't deserve to have kids or would make a terrible mother. I could kill her mother for all the doubt she's placed in her daughter. We make it to the maternity ward and check in at the front desk where they tell us Jasmine's room number. My parents are waiting outside their room when they see us walk up huge smiles cover their face.
Mom rises to her feet and immediately engulfs Ellie in a motherly hug making my heart happy. I watch the two most important women in my life hug and share a few words too quiet for my ears. My father claps me on the shoulder as I look at my mom and woman. “Glad you're here son. Jasmine didn't want to have the baby without Ellie by her side.”
When we enter Jasmine's room, Ford and Jasmine are in what looks like a serious discussion. “Should we leave?” Ellie whispers to me, but not quietly enough because Jasmine looks over and a huge smile covers her face. “Ellie! Thank God you're here. I wasn't going to have this baby without you. Ford get the doctor, I'm ready now. Thank you for being here, but can you all give us a minute?” Jasmine asks looking at the rest of us.
We all leave the room giving the sisters time. Ford looks a little worse for wear, but I know once Jasmine has their baby everything will be right in his world. This has been a long time coming for them. He was always a great big brother, so I know without a doubt he'll make an excellent father.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask him as we walk to the nurse's desk.
“More than anything I am ready to be a father and to start the family that Jasmine and I have always wanted. Jasmine can be so damn stubborn sometimes. She was refusing to have the baby without Ellie, kept begging me for a few more minutes, but I was about ready to tell the doctor to make it happen even if you two didn’t get here in time.”
“It was a pleasure,” I say with a smirk on my face.
He cocks his eyebrow. “I’d say thanks, but you were working under purely selfish reasons. Did everything go okay with you two?”
“She’s still as stubborn as ever, but over time things will work themselves out.”
He smirks and arches his brow. “How much time you going to give her little brother?”
He knows me too well. I’m not a very patient man, and I’ve been waiting years.
We stop in front of the desk ending our
conversation, and the nurse looks up hopefully.
“Can you tell Dr. Steward we’re ready now?”
“Oh thank God. Dr. Steward is great, but he was getting worried about your wife and the baby.”
Ford nods, “I was too.”
We get back to the room and go in and see that the girls are hugging and crying while laughing. My first instinct is to find out what’s wrong and make it better, but Ford holds back and gives them their moment. I have to remember they are sisters and best friends. I don’t know if I’ll ever understand women, but as long as I understand my Hummingbird, I’ll be fine.
“Are we ready now Jasmine?” A doctor walks in and asks with a stern smile on his face.
Jasmine smiles wide and nods. “Let’s have a baby.”
Five
Ellie
Once the doctor walked in it only took about forty-five minutes, and Jasmine and Ford's baby girl was born. Jasmine asked me to be in the delivery room with her and Ford, letting me be one of the first people to meet little Ava. Being a part of her birth was beautiful, but intense. While she pushed, Ford and I both helped hold her legs up. As soon as Ava was out, the doctor placed her in Ford’s arms, and he began to cry. He cuddled in close with Jasmine so she could touch and kiss on their baby girl too. Their love overpowered the room, and I stepped out to give them their moment.
Leaving their room, I wonder what it would be like to hold my own child in my arms. Would I love it just as much as Jasmine loves Ava already? Or will I be like my mother? I can’t imagine holding my child and not loving it more than anything in this world. I thought I was passed all of this, that I had forgiven my mother for walking out on us, but familiar feelings of frustration and hurt well up inside me.
I walk down the hall and find Georgia and Hanford, Ford’s parents, sitting together in the waiting room. Hanford has his arm slung around his wife’s shoulder while she reads on her Kindle and he watches the nightly news. These two have been nothing but kind to me over the years, always sending me birthday and Christmas presents, never making me feel like I’m unwanted. Georgia even sends me a care package once a month which I’m grateful for, more than she probably realizes. They’ve been more like parents to me in the past few years than my mother ever was. I always send a text to thank them for thinking of me, but I’ve never told her thank you. I’ve never expressed my gratitude for all that they’ve done for my sister and me. I have a feeling that conversation will be happening before I leave to go back to Colorado.