Brooke’s father started laughing. “It isn’t California, Bee,” he said to Brooke.
Brooke’s head snapped up. When she was small, both of her parents had called her Bee. She has not heard her father use the term of endearment since she was a child.
“That’s what Mom tells her all the time. ‘We don’t live in Florida or California, put some shoes on before you get sick.’”
“I never get sick,” Brooke said.
“Oh, I remember a few times when you were sick,” Brad said.
“I don’t get sick,” Brooke repeated. “Ever.”
“It’s true,” Dani looked back at the older man. “Mom calls Brooke the Hulk.”
“Dani…”
“She does! ‘Cause you eat all the green stuff. She says that’s why you never get sick.”
Brooke finally laughed. “Thanks for telling all of our family secrets, Dani.”
“He’s family,” Dani said as a matter of fact.
Brooke nodded, looked at her father and then back at Dani. “Yes, he is. You need to go get ready for bed.”
“Aw, come on,” Dani pleaded. “Just a little longer?”
Brooke shook her head and pursed her lips. “Busy day tomorrow,” she reminded Dani.
Dani huffed and then turned back to Brooke’s father. “She was more fun before she became our mom.”
“I’m plenty of fun!” Brooke argued.
“Yeah, but you don’t let us stay up late like when you first met mom.”
Brooke nodded. “No, I don’t.”
Dani smirked. “’Cause you’d be in trouble again,” she observed playfully.
Oh, she is determined to try and goad me tonight. “What makes you think your mom is never in trouble?”
“She’s Mom.”
Brad hid his face in his hands to quell his laughter.
“Oh, you’re a big help,” Brooke said to her father. “Say goodnight to my father, Dani.”
“Goodnight Dr. Campbell.”
“That’s kind of formal, isn’t it?” he said.
“Mom and Brooke say we should always respect our elders. Miss, Ms., Mr. or Mrs. Unless they’re a doctor.”
Brad nodded. “You don’t call Brooke’s mother Mrs. Campbell or Dr. Campbell, do you?”
“Nah, she’s Grammy C.”
“Well, let’s find something better for you to call me. Dr. Campbell makes me feel like I should examine you, and I don’t travel with a stethoscope. Maybe Brooke has one I could borrow…”
Dani giggled. “Nah. I know! How about Grandpa Doc?”
Brooke’s uneasiness grew. Oh, please be nice, Dad. Please.
“Grandpa Doc?”
“Well, yeah. Brooke’s our mom, well sort of, and you’re her dad, plus you are a doctor like Brooke—Grandpa Doc!”
“I’m not sure I can argue with that logic,” he said. “I’m not a politician. If that’s what you like, that will be fine.”
“Cool. Night, Grandpa D.”
“I thought it was Doc?” he replied.
“Well, yeah, but that’s too long to say! Grammy is Grammy Campbell, but that would take way too long.”
Brooke’s father pretended to consider Dani’s explanation. “Whatever you think best,” he said.
Is this the Twilight Zone? Where is Rod Serling? Brooke felt as if she were in a dream. She recognized her father’s voice speaking the words, but she would never have expected his reaction to Dani.
“Hello?” Dani waved a hand in front of Brooke’s face.
Brooke snapped to attention. “What?”
“I said, goodnight,” Dani repeated herself.
“Oh. Goodnight, Dani. I’ll be up in a bit.”
“You don’t have to,” Dani said.
“I will be.”
“’Kay,” Dani said. She turned and waved to Brooke’s father.
“In bed, Dani,” Brooke called after her.
“I know!”
“That doesn’t mean a game or a book.”
“I know!”
“I mean it.”
“I know!” Dani called back.
“She certainly is a force to be reckoned with,” Brad observed affectionately.
“Wait until you get to know her mother,” Brooke replied.
Brad took a deep breath and nodded. He watched his fingers as the encircled the beer bottle in his hand.
“Can I get you anything else?” Brooke asked. Brad shook his head. Brooke watched him thoughtfully. “I hope that Dani didn’t make you feel uncomfortable.”
Brad looked up. “Not at all,” he said. Brooke nodded. “Bee? How come you don’t have a piano? I would have though now that you have a house…”
“I told you, I haven’t played in years.”
“You know, it’s good exercise for a surgeon…”
“I’m not a surgeon,” Brooke cut off his thought abruptly.
“No, but you perform surgery, quite well from what your friend told me.”
“You mean Rachel or do you mean Tess?” Brooke asked.
Brad looked perplexed. Brooke tried to steady her anger and hurt. When she had visited her father in January, he had repeatedly insisted on referring to Tess as Brooke’s “friend.” Brooke had made a point of calling Tess her fiancé whenever she spoke of Tess and the kids. Her father's repeated insistence on ignoring the reference had hurt Brooke deeply.
“I was talking to Dr. Cantrell about your practice,” Brad clarified. “Sounds like you have built quite the reputation for yourself.”
Brooke shrugged. “We each have our strengths. That’s why the practice has done so well. Rachel’s is fertility, mine is gynecological surgery. We have another doctor who moved from pediatrics to obstetrics. He’s an expert in neonatal care. It’s a good balance of resources and expertise. It gives the patients confidence.”
“And, you enjoy it? It’s enough of a challenge for you?” he asked.
“Dad, we’ve had this discussion a million times. Yes.”
“I’m not judging you.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No. You were always involved in so many things. I just assumed you would need that diversity in your specialty.”
“And, trauma would have provided that,” Brooke said flatly.
“You never know what to expect.”
“Never know what to expect when you walk into a delivery room either.”
“Well, of course, I just meant that…”
“You just meant that trauma is more challenging and more rewarding, and more highly regarded.”
“Bee…”
“You know what, Dad, just don’t explain yourself this time, okay? I chose medicine. I’m sorry that wasn’t good enough for you.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
Brooke’s emotions were riding high. She was becoming increasingly nervous about the wedding. The last thing she needed was her father making her feel as if she could not measure up. “It doesn’t matter,” she said softly. Brooke put her hands on the arms of the chair and lifted herself up. “I’m tired. I need to make sure Dani is actually in bed and I need to work on my vows. Everything is all set in the room. I’ll be up early, but I will try to be quiet.”
“Bee…”
Brooke painted a smile on her face. “It’s fine, Dad. I’m just tired.”
Brad nodded. “Well then, get some rest.”
“Yeah, you too,” Brooke said as she headed toward the stairs. Why can’t he just accept things for what they are?
Brad Campbell watched his daughter as she climbed the stairs. Why does she always walk away from me?
***
Tess rolled over and grabbed her phone. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
“Still awake, huh?” Tess asked Brooke.
“Yeah. I woke you up, didn’t I?”
“No, I was just lying here.”
“I’m sorry if I did.”
“You didn’t,” Tess promised. “What’s wrong? Did Dani gi
ve you a hard time?”
Brooke laughed. “Not unless you consider her telling my dad that I get in trouble with you all the time, giving me a hard time.”
“She did not.”
“So did,” Brooke replied.
“Oh Lord. I’m not sure I want to know what else she revealed.”
“Well, he knows I play hooky at lunch sometimes.”
“What?” Tess sat up in bed.
“Yep. Relax, Dani doesn’t get the details. She heard you tell Rach that I still like recess.”
“Oh, God,” Tess covered her face.
Brooke chuckled. “Oh, and she has deemed my father Grandpa Doc or Grandpa D. for short.”
“Oh, boy. How’d that go over?”
“Fine, actually.”
“Okay? So, then what is wrong?” Tess asked. She waited. “Brooke?”
“No, it was all great until Dani went to bed and he decided to ask why I don’t own a piano.”
Tess closed her eyes. That is really a sore spot for you, isn’t it, love? “Want to talk about it?”
“Not sure there is much to say. That led to surgery. Everything leads to that it seems.”
Tess could hear the painful disappointment in Brooke’s voice. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It really is. I just didn’t need that tonight.”
“I understand,” Tess said.
“How’s Davey?”
“Asleep for hours. I think he wore himself out in that pool,” Tess told Brooke.
“I’ll bet he did,” Brooke chuckled. “I miss you guys.”
Tess inhaled a deep breath. “I miss you too.”
“You do?”
“Of course, I do.”
Brooke laid back in the bed and let her eyes fall shut. She did miss Tess. Right now, even more than her lover, Brooke missed her best friend. Tess would always be that more than anyone else ever could be. She understood Brooke. She listened to Brooke. She made Brooke laugh. Brooke felt safe with Tess, safer than she ever had in her life, even when she was scared to death—like now.
“Brooke? Did you fall asleep on me?”
“No. Did you finish your vows?”
“No,” Tess replied.
“Really?”
“Stop worrying.”
“I’m trying,” Brooke replied. “Did my mom say anything to you?”
“About what?” Tess wondered.
“She thinks I should ask my dad to walk with Dani and me.”
“She might have made mention of it,” Tess admitted. “You don’t have to, you know? She just wants you to know that you can.”
“I’m closer to Mom. I mean, she’s like the kids’ grandmother. I just…”
“She is the kids’ grandmother, Brooke. And, she will understand whatever you decide. What do you want?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Then don’t try and decide. Sleep on it. If you can’t decide in the morning do what you did before,” Tess suggested.
“What did I do before?”
“Flip a coin.”
Brooke laughed. “You say I am crazy?”
“You are, but I still love you,” Tess responded.
“I should let you get some sleep.”
“Only if you are okay. I’m here as long as you need me.”
“Yeah, for life after tomorrow,” Brooke reminded Tess.
“I’m serious. If you need to talk, I’m here. If you can’t sleep, call me.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“I mean it,” Tess said.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“I am not old enough to be Ma'am. Try and get some sleep.”
“I will. See you tomorrow?”
Tess giggled at the slight hint of insecurity in Brooke’s voice. Oh, Brooke, you are too much. “What time am I supposed to be there again?” Tess joked.
“Funny, Diana.”
“I know, Dr. Banner. Now, go to sleep. I don’t want to find some giant green beast in ripped clothing waiting with Grace for me tomorrow.”
“Cute,” Brooke said.
“Goodnight, love.”
“Night, Tess.” Brooke placed the phone beside her and groaned. I am never going to get any sleep.
Chapter Seven
“Hey, sis,” Gary called into the bedroom of the hotel suite.
“Is she here?” Tess asked apprehensively.
Gary closed the door to the room and nodded. “She’s talking to Rebecca,” he said. Tess groaned. “Don’t worry so much,” Gary tried to reassure his sister.
“You and I both know that she will just be looking for a chance to say something,” Tess said.
Gary didn’t want to agree with his sister’s concerns, he wanted to alleviate them. Unfortunately, he knew their mother all too well. “Dad will ground her or put her in a retirement home if she doesn’t behave,” he said. “And, I will help him do it.”
Tess laughed. She was grateful for her little brother. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. Which reminds me,” he said, holding up a finger.
Tess watched her brother leave the room, wondering what he could possibly be up to. He returned in what seemed like an instant, closing the door behind him again. Gary smiled at his sister and handed her a small box wrapped in blue paper.
“What’s this?” Tess asked.
Gary shrugged and nodded to the box, silently directing Tess to open it.
Tess tore the paper carefully and opened the lid of the small box. She stole a momentary glance at her brother before lifting the contents to inspect them. Tess traced the etching on the gold heart. “A locket?” she asked softly. She opened the small heart-shaped locket and lost her breath instantly. The front was adorned with an engraving of the letter ‘D’ in an elegant script. She had expected to find Dani and Davey’s pictures inside. Tess stared at the face looking back at her. “David,” she whispered reverently.
“He wouldn’t miss it either,” Gary said.
Tess looked back at her brother with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Gary, I…”
“Hey, I know. He was your best friend. I was a little, annoying kid.”
Tess shook her head. “He loved you, Gary. You just were too little to really remember.”
“Yeah, I know,” Gary replied. “But, I also know he would want to be here. For whatever it’s worth, Tess—I think he is.”
Tess could not seem to stop her tears from flowing. She was glad Gary had decided to give her his present early. She feared she would be sending him for Visine shortly. “You know, I’ve often had the thought that he brought Brooke to me.”
“He probably did,” Gary replied honestly.
“Think so?”
“Yeah,” Gary said. “I do.”
Tess moved to her brother and hugged him. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Yeah, I do. I know how much you miss him.”
“Yes, but the reason it means so much is that it came from you,” Tess told him. She could see her brother’s surprise and giggled. “Why does that surprise you?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t really know what to get you. And, then I was talking to Ginny and she asked who was getting you something old, something new, and something blue,” he explained.
Tess’s immediate inclination was to ask who Ginny was. Gary, do you have a girlfriend you are hiding? She kept her questions to herself and listened as he continued.
“So, then I thought, well, how’s that going to work if this is a surprise? Will Brooke’s mom do it? Will Mom do it? Dani wouldn’t know to do it and anyway, the kids weren’t supposed to know. So, I figured—something new, the locket. Something old, David’s picture. And, then I was stumped for blue. I tried to find a picture of him wearing blue. He must’ve hated the color because I couldn’t find any.”
Tess smiled. David did hate blue. It reminded him of the scrubs in the hospital.
“So, then I thought, what if I wrap it in blue?”
“Very clever,” Tess said. “I love it, and I love you.”
Gary shifted a bit uncomfortably.
Tess rolled her eyes. “You are worse than Davey and Dani. Get over it, I love you.”
Gary met his sister’s eyes. “I love you too, Tess. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks,” Tess said. Just as she was about to begin her next thought, the door opened.
“Gary! Don’t bother your sister,” Mary scolded her son.
Tess put her arm around her brother. “He’s not bothering me, Mom.”
“Are you crying?” Mary asked. “Why are you crying? Oh, no. Tess, if you are having any…”
“Stop, Mom,” Tess warned. “I’m not having any second thoughts, misgivings, or worries about getting married. I promise.”
“Why are you crying?”
Tess looked at Gary. “It’s a brother-sister thing,” she said.
“I see,” Mary replied.
Tess sighed heavily. Why can’t she just be happy for me? For God’s sake!
“I guess that is why you chose this day.”
Gary saw Tess close her eyes. “Mom, let it be,” Gary said flatly.
“What did I say now?”
Gary shook his head. He walked to his mother and took her by the arm. “Come on, let’s give Tess some peace for a few minutes before her day gets insane.”
“Tess, Rebecca and I will help you when you are ready,” Mary said.
Tess nodded. “Thanks, Mom,” she said politely.
Gary pushed his mother through the door gently. “Sorry,” he winced and whispered.
Tess smiled at him as he closed the door again. She looked back at the locket. I’m glad you are here.
***
“Hey, Dad,” Brooke walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see her father standing by the coffee maker.
“Thought you might need some coffee,” he said.
“Sorry, if I woke you up. Things being delivered, you know?”
“Something that I can help with?” he asked, handing Brooke a cup of coffee.
“Not really. I don’t think so,” Brooke said. She expected Rachel to arrive in about an hour with Davey and Gary in tow. She guessed that Rachel had been happy with Davey’s decision to stay with Tess. That gave Rachel an excuse to push her arrival time back to 9:30 a.m. “Rach and Gary will be here soon with Davey. The kids can help set up the chairs. It’ll keep them occupied.”
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