Handle With Care (Special Delivery Book 3)

by J. A. Armstrong

  “You look a little flushed,” Brad observed. “You feeling okay?”

  Brooke nodded and took a sip of her coffee.

  “Not very convincing,” her father said. “Nervous?”

  “Maybe a little,” Brooke admitted. “Mostly, that I will screw something up—like my vows or that Tess won’t like something.”

  “I don’t know her well, but that doesn’t appear to me to be something you need to concern yourself with—Tess not liking something, that is.”

  “She wouldn’t tell me if she didn’t,” Brooke said.

  Brad nodded. “Like your mom,” he commented. “She will if it is something that matters. She probably won’t say a word unless it is something that she really thinks matters—if I had to guess. She reminds me of your mother.”

  “Well, they do say you always marry a woman like your mother,” Brooke joked without thinking. She was surprised when her statement was met with genuine laughter.

  “You could do a lot worse,” her father said honestly.

  “You like Tess?”

  “Seems like she keeps you in line,” Brad said. “That’s no easy feat.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Brooke’s father chuckled. “Ask your mother,” he said lightly.

  “You’re in a good mood,” Brooke observed. Has he been drinking?

  “Hi Grandpa,” Dani greeted the older man as she skipped into the kitchen. “Brooke? Are we having breakfast?”

  “I could go for some pancakes,” Brad said.

  Dani shook her head. “No. You don’t want Brooke to make pancakes. That’s Mom’s job.”

  “Hey! I can make pancakes. That happened once.”

  “Twice,” Dani reminded Brooke.

  Brooke’s mouth flew open. Her father laughed.

  “Actually, Dani, I am a master at making pancakes,” Brad declared proudly.

  “You?” Brooke asked skeptically. “Since when do you cook?” The only pancakes we ever had were at IHOP or those rubbery ones at McDonald’s.

  “You’d be surprised the things that you learn in retirement,” he said.

  “Cooking?” Brooke asked.

  “If you can handle a scalpel, you can handle a knife, Bee.”

  “That’s what Mom tells Brooke,” Dani offered. Brad looked at his daughter.

  “I give up,” Brooke threw her hands up in the air. “I’m going to go call Mom. Dani can help you find whatever you two chefs need. I’m sure she’ll let you in on all my secrets too.”

  “No, I won’t,” Dani said. “It’s not a secret that Mom cooks.” Brooke rolled her eyes. “I’ll help you, Grandpa.”

  “I appreciate that, Dani.”

  “I can so make pancakes,” Brooke muttered as she left the room.

  ***

  “Hi, Mom,” Brooke said.

  “How are you doing, Bee?”

  “Well, other than the fact that I think Dad is possessed, I am fine.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, he is in the kitchen making pancakes with Dani.”

  “Unsupervised?” Rebecca asked.

  “I have no idea which one of them is supervising, Dad or Dani.”

  “So, he is behaving?”

  “I guess. Last night got a little wonky. “

  “What happened?” Rebecca asked Brooke.

  “Oh, you know, somehow my not playing piano anymore led to his disappointment that I am not a surgeon by trade. At least, he hasn’t called Tess my ‘friend’ yet.”

  Rebecca sighed. “Bee, did he actually tell you he was disappointed?”

  “He didn’t have to.”

  Rebecca rubbed her forehead in thought. Tess looked at her in concern and mouthed the words “Is she okay?” Rebecca smiled and nodded.

  “He’s not disappointed in you.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter even if he is. At least, he loves Tess and the kids,” Brooke said. “He seems to love Dani calling him Grandpa.”

  Rebecca smiled. “I’m not surprised.”

  “And, he thinks I am marrying a woman like my mother.”

  “He said that?”

  “In so many words, yes,” Brooke said. “Said Tess could keep me in line and you would understand what that meant. What does that mean?”

  Rebecca chuckled. She does keep you in line. “He used to say that about me,” she told Brooke. “You can be a bit like him at times, you know?”

  “Oh, great. You two think this is a rerun of your marriage. No way,” Brooke said flatly.

  “Neither of us think that, Bee,” Rebecca assured Brooke. Brooke sighed. “Now, why did you call me?”

  “How’s Tess?”

  “She’s fine,” Rebecca said. She smiled at Tess. Tess smiled back.

  “Can I talk to her?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “She’s getting her hair done.”

  “So?”

  “You’ll see her in a few hours,” Rebecca said. She heard Brooke groan and laughed. “Bee, you really are pathetic.”

  “Very funny, Mom.”

  “I won’t let her run off with the cute hairdresser. Don’t worry.”

  “What cute hairdresser?”

  Rebecca laughed harder. “Bee, honestly.”

  “Mom?”

  “Yes?”

  “If I ask Dad, I mean…”

  “I think that would be lovely, Bee. Your father would love to walk with you.”

  “I don’t know. He thinks Tess is my friend.”

  Rebecca sighed. “Brooke. I want you to listen to me for a minute. I don’t expect you to believe me, but I want you to hear what I am saying. Are you listening?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Your father loves you. You know that. He might not show it the way you want him to, but he does. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be there right now making pancakes in your kitchen with Dani.”

  “I know,” Brooke admitted. “He’s just so…The same and different. Is he okay? I mean, he’s not slipping is he?”

  Oh, Bee, you are priceless. “Slipping? No,” Rebecca said. “Softening, maybe. That happens with age.”

  “Mom, I really want…”

  “It would make me happy to see you on your father’s arm with Dani.”

  “Really?”

  “I promise,” Rebecca said. “I’ve imagined it many times, Bee.” It was true. It was a dream that every mother had of her daughter. Rebecca had thought for many years that it might never come to pass.

  “What if he says no?”

  “He won’t.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I know.”

  “How?” Brooke asked again.

  “I know him.”

  Brooke let out a lengthy sigh. “Okay. Is Tess done yet?”

  “No, Bee.”

  “Well…”

  “Goodbye, Bee.”

  “Mom…”

  “See you in a couple of hours,” Rebecca said as she disconnected the call. She looked at Tess, shook her head and laughed.

  “She okay?” Tess asked.

  Rebecca smiled and winked. “Better than okay, Tess.”

  ***

  “Holy shit!” Rachel commented when she walked into the room.

  “What?” Tess jumped.

  “You look, well, if I wasn’t straight, married, and you weren’t marrying my best friend,” Rachel began.

  “Oh, ha-ha,” Tess laughed. “But, thanks. How did you slip away?”

  “I have my ways,” Rachel wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Thanks. You think you can put it where she will find it? I want her to get it before the ceremony.”

  “Not a problem,” Rachel promised.

  “Thanks.”

  “You okay?” Rachel asked.

  “I think that my butterflies may have given birth to belugas.”

  Rachel laughed. “Can’t say I have heard of that particular complication. And, I have had some strange deliveries.”

 
“You almost ready to get dressed?” Rebecca poked her head in the room. Tess nodded. “You okay?” she asked Tess.

  “She has belugas,” Rachel explained.

  “I don’t want to know,” Rebecca replied.

  “I’ll make sure she gets it. See you in an hour,” Rachel said. “Can’t believe I forgot it earlier.”

  “Rach?” Tess stopped Rachel.

  “Yeah?”

  “Just…Tell her I…”

  Rachel nodded. “Tell those butterflies to keep those belugas in check. I’m not on call today.”

  ***

  Brooke came out of the bathroom and Davey whistled. “Wow,” he said.

  “Is that a good thing?” Brooke asked.

  “You look like a movie star,” he said honestly.

  Brooke smiled at him. “You are looking pretty handsome yourself.”

  Davey moved over to the bed and went to plop down on it. “Hey, Brooke?”

  Brooke was getting her shoes on.

  “There’s a present on your bed,” Davey said.

  “What is it?”

  “I dunno,” he shrugged. “Looks like Mom’s writing.”

  Brooke made her way over and looked at the small box sitting in the center of the bed. The envelope next to it had clearly been addressed by Tess. Brooke stared at it.

  “Aren’t you gonna open it?” he asked.

  Brooke looked at Davey and smiled. She sat on the bed and opened the card. It was a simple white note card with a quote printed on it:

  “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ~ Lao Tzu

  Brooke’s hand slowly opened the card.

  Brooke,

  I’ve thought about what I could give you for our wedding. When I saw this card the other day, it immediately reminded me of you. It’s true, you know. You give me strength more than you will ever know. And, letting myself love you, that did take courage. I find that loving you has given me the courage to do many things, to believe in myself in ways I had once thought were impossible.

  You’ve given me everything. You always want to give me more, but there is nothing more you could give me, love. You’ve given me so much more than you will ever understand just by loving me. You will never truly understand what it was like for me to hear Dani ask if she could walk with you today. Do me a favor and open the box before you read the rest of this. Please?

  Brooke took a deep breath. She could feel tears pooling in her eyes. Davey sat silently watching her. Brooke picked up the box, fought for a breath and gently opened the paper, then lifted the lid. She stared at the ring in the box in disbelief. This had to cost her a fortune. Tess….Brooke returned her attention to Tess’s note.

  I hope you like it. One thing is great about twins, it’s fewer birthstones. I was looking at the ring you gave me, your grandmother’s. I don’t have anything like that to give you, no part of my family history. I thought I would give you something that represents our family’s future. When I looked at the ring this morning, I realized that the sapphire matches your eyes. Fitting that it is your birthstone. It sits in the center because you are the center of my life. And, you are Brooke. The two diamonds, those are the brightest parts of my life. And, they sit beside you because you are all a part of me and now, a part of one another.

  I love you. I can’t wait to stand with you and promise you that I will love you forever. Thank you for loving me. I will see you soon.

  Always in my heart,

  Tess

  Brooke wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

  “Brooke?” Davey put his hand on Brooke’s arm. “Are you sad?”

  “No,” Brooke told him as she lifted the ring from the box. She looked at Davey. “I’m happy, D.”

  “How come you are crying?”

  Brooke smiled. “Because I know how lucky I am,” she told Davey.

  “Why? Did you win something?”

  Brooke chuckled. “The jackpot, D. The jackpot.”

  Chapter Eight

  Brooke was standing just inside the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard.

  “Everyone is here,” Rebecca told her. Brooke nodded silently. “Bee, are you all right?”

  Brooke nodded again. “Where is Tess?”

  Rebecca smiled warmly at her daughter. “She’s in the other room,” she told Brooke. Brooke nodded nervously. “Bee, everything will be perfect,” she promised. “I’m going to go check in on Tess and tell them we are ready, okay?”

  Brooke nodded again. She looked out the door and felt her stomach begin a series of somersaults.

  “Hey, Brooke!” Dani skipped up beside Brooke.

  Brooke looked down at Dani and smiled. “Where have you been?”

  “With Mom,” Dani said. “Wait ‘til you see her,” Dani beamed.

  “She’s not kidding,” Rachel said from behind Brooke. Brooke spun to face her best friend. “You might need to take a recess before you get through your vows,” Rachel laughed.

  “Not helping, Rach,” Brooke said.

  Rachel patted Brooke’s arm. “She’s going to think the same thing when she sees you,” Rachel said.

  “I don’t know,” Brooke said apprehensively.

  “You look beautiful,” Dani told Brooke.

  Brooke smiled. “Thanks, Dani.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Good luck. Not that you need it,” Rachel told Brooke. She leaned into Brooke’s ear. “I love you, you big doofus. She’s lucky to have you.”

  “I’m the lucky one,” Brooke said honestly.

  “That you are,” Rachel agreed. She looked down at the black lab next to her feet. “Come on, Murph. You’re sitting with me and Eli.”

  Murphy looked up at his owner and Brooke bent down and scratched him behind the ears. “You look handsome too, Murph,” Brooke told the dog. “Just stay with Auntie Rach.” Dani bent over and hugged Murphy.

  “Come on, Murph,” Rachel directed the lab. He trotted off after her through the door.

  “Puppy!” Eli yelled in delight.

  Brooke laughed and shook her head. “Oh, boy.”

  ***

  “You ready?” Rebecca asked as she entered the small office. Tess smiled and nodded. Rebecca winked. “See you in a few minutes,” she said.

  Mary Sinclair stepped up in front of her daughter. Tess, Gary, and Chris Sinclair simultaneously held their breath. Tess waited for her mother to speak. Mary gazed silently at Tess for what seemed like forever before taking a deep breath and offering Tess a smile.

  “You look gorgeous, Tess.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Mary took Tess’s hands. “Brooke is a lovely woman,” she said. Tess stared at her mother in shock. Mary closed her eyes, gathered her thoughts and continued. “I can see how much you love her.”

  “I do.”

  “I know you do,” Mary said. “I can see that she loves you a great deal too.”

  “She does.”

  “Then, take care of each other. You never know what is around the corner,” Mary said candidly. “Sometimes it’s wonderful. Sometimes it is painful.”

  “I know, Mom.”

  “I know you do,” Mary admitted. “Just remember to remember the wonderful when it gets painful,” she advised her daughter.

  “I will.”

  “And, don’t be afraid to remind her to do the same. Sometimes, you won’t want to. A lifetime is a long time.”

  Tess leaned in and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thank you, Mom,”

  Mary sucked in a deep breath, straightened her posture and nodded. “I love you, you know?”

  “I know,” Tess said with a smile. “I love you too.”

  “Come on, Mom,” Gary reached out for his mother. “Time for me to escort you to your seat,” he said, leading her from the room.

  Davey looked up at Tess. “What’s the matter?” Tess asked her son, noting the worry on his face.

  “Grammy,” he said simply
. He shook his head and held up his finger to his mother. “I’ll be right back!” he promised.

  ***

  Brooke felt a slight bump on her back. “Ooops! Sorry, Brooke,” Davey apologized.

  “D.? What’s wrong?” Brooke immediately began to panic. “Why aren’t you with Mom?”

  Davey scooted past her and tugged the back of Rebecca’s dress before she could walk through the door. “Grammy?” he stopped her.

  Rebecca turned and looked down at him. “Davey, why aren’t you with your mother?”

  “Somebody has to walk you to your seat,” he said as he puffed out his chest proudly. “That somebody is me,” he declared his intention, pointing to his chest. He looked ahead to where his grandmother was walking on his uncle’s arm and held out his arm to his Grammy.

  Rebecca looked briefly at Brooke. Brooke smiled broadly. She felt a tremendous sense of pride in Davey. Her mother’s eyes were glistening with appreciation and happiness. Everything happens like it is supposed to.

  “I’d be honored,” Rebecca said. She leaned down and whispered into Davey’s ear. “I have the most handsome grandson.”

  Davey puffed up even more and started to lead Rebecca forward.

  “They are great kids,” Brooke’s father observed.

  “Yeah, they are. Look at their mom,” Brooke said happily.

  ***

  Chris Sinclair led Tess into the living room. Davey came running in. “All set!” he told them. Tess giggled. “Wait’ll you see Brooke!” he said. Tess blew out a nervous breath. “Mom? Are you scared?”

  “No,” Tess answered honestly. “I just want to see her,” she said softly.

  “Let’s get this show on the road then,” Chris said. Tess accepted the arm of her father on the right and her son on the left. “Ready?” Chris asked his daughter.

  “Beyond ready.”

  ***

  Brooke reached the end of the short, makeshift aisle. She accepted a kiss from her father. “I’m so proud of you, Bee,” he said emotionally. Brooke’s eyes immediately began to tear. “Be happy, Bee.”

  Brooke couldn’t find any words, so she just nodded. Brad bent over and kissed Dani on the cheek. “You keep an eye on her too,” he instructed her.

  “I will, Grandpa,” Dani promised.

  Brooke exchanged a glance with her mother as her father took his seat. Rebecca winked. Brooke nodded. She stepped closer to Tess’s friend, Grace, who had agreed to perform their ceremony. She looked at Grace and smiled.