Mending the Blur (a Forever & Always novel)

by Paige,Alyvia

  “Yeah, I know–perks of the family business, right,” Braxton laughs into the phone. “Oh yes, and economy bystanders waiting. Thanks, Tab, I’ll see the crew in a bit.”

  “Get your own,” I snip at Braxton as he makes a move to steal the last slice of bacon from the plate. I don’t care if I have eaten nearly the entire package of fifteen strips or not. I wasn’t finished, my shoes just weren’t going to put themselves on my feet.

  “Okay, Miss Crabby Pants. I figured you’d be a bit happier today since I saw Bray closing your bedroom door last night.” Braxton’s teasing snicker elicits an overly dramatic eye roll from me and a giggle from Madi sitting to my left. “Also, would one of you drop us all off at the airport? I know Brenton and Madi fly out at two o’clock this afternoon and my flight to West Palm Beach is set to depart at three thirty.”

  “I’ll drop you off as long as you give us the scoop, you know, since we probably won’t see you for a few months now.” Braydon offers his taxi-cab services and swipes the last piece of bacon, shoving it into his stupid mouth before I can object.

  “Nothing too much to explain. I’m flying south. I’m going to look at a few places, initiate a conversation with the lawyer, and hopefully get to know my son… without too many issues,” he explains. “Oh, and I need to check into Maxwell-Bennett.” Braxton snaps his fingers, and a mischievous grin ghosts across his lips.

  “Oh hell, Zach Braxton Adams!” I begin to reprimand my best friend, realizing that he’s planning a visit to the all-service marketing and communications that his grandfather’s business resides in. The same corporation that employs his son’s uncle, Chase Timmons. “You need to be smart,” I scold as his face splits into a grin. “Don’t do something that will be counter-productive for your relationship with Isaac. I mean, you’ve just seen him and spent less than a day with him, don’t fuck that up.”

  “I know, Addy, and I promise I won’t jeopardize anything. But I need to get some business and life straightened out.”

  “Okay,” I concede. “I have to get to work. Text or call me,” I request and shake my phone at Braxton, Brenton, and Madi. “I’ll miss you,” I pout and hug my friends goodbye. “I’ll see you soon?” I whisper into Braydon’s chest when he pulls me close, memorizing his scent. Going for so long on only a memory has only driven the desire to rememorize everything.

  “I’ll bring breakfast.” Braydon pulls away, kissing my temple.

  Once in the safety of my car, my brain doesn’t shut off, my heart banging furiously against my chest. I convinced myself it was best to let him go, yet I know I never believed my heart would follow through. My heart cannot take another separation from him; I don’t want to lose him in any capacity again… I’ve got to figure this out.

  Braydon

  “ALRIGHT, YOU GUYS REMEMBER to keep in touch,” I chuckle as I hug Madi goodbye.

  “Yes, Mom!” Brenton groans.

  “You got it. Let me know how it goes with Addy. She loves you, but she also has some major decisions to make, and you need to encourage her to make them, with or without you.” Braxton levels me with a stare until I acknowledge that his words have sunk in.

  “I know, man, we are talking tonight, well, tomorrow when she gets home. I’m not letting her go or allowing her to walk away this time. She’s mine. I’m keeping her.”

  “She’s not a possession, caveman,” Madi deadpans before laughing as Brenton tosses her over his shoulder moving away from Braxton and me.

  “Well, I’m off to enjoy first class. I’m sure Tweedledee and Tweedledumb will keep me out of too much trouble while we wait. Maybe I’ll get lucky and that lil’ firecracker will sit next to me.” With a waggle of his brows he pivots and heads toward the airport’s main doors.

  PUTTING THE LAST OF the groceries onto the conveyor belt, I look up to see the cashier raking her eyes up and down my body. It’s what happens when you work out daily.

  “Good afternoon, did you find everything alright?” the cashier purrs while ringing up the last of my dry ingredient purchases.

  “Sure did, thanks,” I respond back as I pull my debit card from my wallet, swiping it through the machine.

  “My pleasure. I’ve gotta say, breakfast is my favorite kind of meal too.” Her voice just above a husky whisper. This chick has no shame.

  “Yeah, it’s my wife’s favorite too, Kammy,” I respond, my voice going flat as I read the name on her nametag aloud.

  “Oh, well you have a good night, sir,” she grumps before thrusting the receipt of my purchased goods into my waiting hand.

  A quick drive across town brings me to Adalyn’s place, and I let myself in with the hid-a-key. Seriously, anyone could break in, or let himself or herself in rather. She keeps the damn thing under the welcome mat. Woman makes me crazy. After the groceries are in their respective places, I head back out to get a few hours of training in with my students.

  MY ALARM BUZZES FOR a few minutes before I am able to locate my cell phone. I guess that’s one way to ensure I wake up, lose annoying cell phone in the sofa cushions. I begin stretching out the kink in my neck as I shuffle my feet toward the guest bathroom for a quick shower. I have twenty minutes before Adalyn’s shift is over.

  “Holy balls, it smells amazing in here,” Adalyn sings as she makes her way through the door and into the kitchen.

  “Hey, beautiful, go take a shower, this should be finished when you’re done.” Her tired eyes find mine, and she smiles.

  “Okay, thanks.” She yawns backing away and out of sight.

  Bacon, pancakes, eggs, hash browns, and fresh squeezed orange juice greet my sleepy girl at the table, and she makes quick work at filling her plate.

  “How was work?” I ask as a segue into the inevitable conversation regarding her job opportunity in Alabama.

  “It was slow, thankfully.” A slow smile ghosts across her lips before she bites into a strip of bacon. “I typically hate slow shifts, but damn I was beat from the wedding and get-togethers.”

  “Tell me about this NICU job, about Alabama, about all of it.”

  “Well, I’ve been accepted for the position. I’d interviewed a while back, and a space became available. All that’s left is for me to decide if I want the job or not. I have a bag packed to sign the employment paperwork, but I haven’t accepted the job officially yet.” A gush of breath flows out between her lips, and at that moment, I know she has to take it. She’s scared and excited. Even her tired eyes tell me that.

  “So why haven’t you accepted yet?” I ask slightly confused.

  “You.”

  That’s it, that’s the answer? Me.

  “What about me?”

  “I tried letting you go before, I told my heart it was time. And then I see you and everything, all the feelings, I feel it all full force, and I don’t want to lose that again.” The small sniffle catches my attention, and I see the tear roll down her cheek.

  “Don’t cry, Ads. You aren’t losing me. I’m not letting you go again. Never again,” I say trying to reassure her.

  “But you need to finish out your year if not more due to your contract. I mean, I don’t even know if you have a contract… do you have one?” Her rambling causes my heart to ache.

  “Addy, baby, stop,” I plead, leaving my seat and kneeling before her. “The year is nearly over, even if you start tomorrow, we can make it work until June. I can drive, take the train, or fly down when you have off time.”

  “Two and a half months…” she whispers.

  “Two and a half short months, it’ll be a cakewalk compared to the years we’ve been apart,” I encourage.

  “I’m tired of being apart. I’m not going.” Her voice resolute, and her body resigned.

  “Are you finished with breakfast or dinner, whichever you call it?” I ask to turn the topic in a different direction. Perhaps once she’s rested we can have a more productive conversation. No one applies for a job that rarely has vacancies and then turns it down.

  “
Yeah, do you have to go to work?”

  “Not until this afternoon.” Following her to the back bedroom, I pull the covers back, and she sinks into the mattress. I move around to the opposite side of the bed and pull her back against my chest. “We’ll talk more later. I want you to take the job, we’ll figure everything out.”

  “Okay.” Her whispered answer fades as her ass rubs against my stiff shaft.

  “Addy, I don’t have much restraint left in me,” I warn her, my hand slowly gliding beneath her shirt grazing her silky smooth skin.

  “Hmm,” she hums, shimmying against me.

  I remove my hand from under her shirt and slowly push her panties down over her hips then lower and kick my pajama pants off. Her body starts to turn into me, but I hold her still, keeping her on her side.

  “Relax,” I breathe against the bare skin at the nape of her neck. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

  Positioning myself at her entrance, I rub my engorged cock through her wet, slick folds. “Fuck you’re wet for me. Condoms? Please tell me you have condoms?” I plea.

  “On the pill, clean.” She moans rubbing herself against me as she removes her t-shirt. Pushing into her bare is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never gone bare, and this is why. She is mine, made for me, and I never wanted to experience this with anyone else.

  “Holy shit, sweetheart, you are exquisite,” I murmur into her ear, my arm moving around her and cupping her breast as my other hand moves down her belly until I reach her clit, rubbing measured circles bringing her to her climax.

  “Oh, oh, Bray! Braydon, don’t stop!” Adalyn exclaims as her pussy spasms around my cock, as I continue the slow deliberate pace drawing out her pleasure until my own release spills into her.

  “I’m never letting you go. Never,” I whisper into her ear, still buried inside her. “I love you, Adalyn Charleigh.”

  “Hmm, good.” She mumbles, “I love you too.”

  Adalyn

  “GOOD AFTERNOON, THANK YOU for calling Dr. Seigle’s office. This is Erin, how may I assist you?”

  “Yes. Hello, Erin–this is Adalyn Miller. I’m calling in regards to my acceptance letter for the open position in the NICU.” I draw in a deep breath, holding my cell phone between my ear and shoulder; I shake my hands out and nervously pace the living room in Braydon’s apartment. It’s a small fucking space.

  “Oh, we’ve been awaiting your call. Let me just page Dr. Seigle.”

  “Thank you,” I croak, clearing my throat once the hold music begins to play.

  “Addy, sweetheart, calm down. You’ve got the job, you just have to formally accept and determine the date for signing your paperwork.” Braydon smiles brightly at me before going back to the paperwork before him on the coffee table.

  “What are you doing anyway?” I ask covering the speaker of the phone even though I’m still on hold.

  “Just going through paperwork.” His answer is short and not very forthcoming. I contemplate digging further until a deep southern voice rings into my ear.

  “Ms. Miller, I have been waiting to hear from you. I hope this is a great news kind of call.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I want to formally accept the position and set up a date to sign paperwork and begin working with you and your team.” Confidence found me as soon as I heard her hopeful voice in the receiver.

  “Well, actually, Erin is making a trip to St. Louis arriving Monday. If you could travel the two hours to take care of everything, she can bring it back to the office at the end of the week. I’ll send out your official offer letter as we discussed during your last interview in January, unless you need to renegotiate.”

  “Oh, um wow, okay no, I was content with the terms. Could you remind me of the shift I’ll have once I begin again?” I couldn’t remember that important tidbit from my interview and acceptance haze.

  “Of course, upon your start date you will work full-time first shift, six to four Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and alternating Saturdays and Sundays. Is that still within reason for your acceptance?”

  I write out the schedule and push it into Braydon’s face; his warm smile isn’t a confirmation but encouragement. “Yes, yes that is perfect!” I confirm jumping in place a few times.

  “Wonderful. Let’s have you start the first of April. If you have any questions in the meantime, you know how to reach me. I will have Erin email you the details for Monday. Welcome to the team, Adalyn.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Seigle. I’ll see you the first of April.” I end the call and launch myself into Braydon’s arms.

  “See, you feel better, right?” he asks and buries his head in the crook of my neck.

  “I do, so what are you working on? Can I help?”

  “Nope, I’m finished now,” he sighs into my neck. “When do you leave for work?”

  “Um, ten minutes.” I smile even though he can’t see my face.

  “Let’s go pack your lunch then,” he laughs pulling me into his lap, my legs wrapping around his waist. He stands up; hands secure on my thighs to hold me up, and lugs me into his kitchen.

  “HEY, JENNIFER,” I GREET my boss with a bounce in my step just outside her office. “Do you have a minute?”

  “Yes, ma’am, come on in.”

  “Well, it’s with a bittersweet heart, I’m handing you this,” I say confidently as I hand over my letter of resignation. “I accepted the position this morning!” I exclaim excitedly.

  “Oh, Addy, I am so happy for you. You’ll be amazing in the NICU. I’m beyond proud.” Dr. Watret beams in my direction, sincerity in her eyes. “How long am I able to keep you?”

  “Well, I am to start the first of next month, and since March is thankfully a five-week month, I’d like to work until my two weeks are complete. The pay will help me during the transition,” I confirm quickly.

  “Well, how about you finish out this week. You can take three on-call shifts, and I’ll ensure your vacation payout is provided.”

  “Oh, no, I should work, I owe you that,” I decline.

  “No, you have given me the best work I’ve had in decades. When do you complete your paperwork? Do you have to fly down to take care of it? I’m sure I could arrange something with Dr. Seigle.”

  “Actually, I already had Monday as my off day, so I’ll be driving to St. Louis to sign paperwork. Erin will be bringing it with her.”

  “Perfect, well let’s get to work!” Her smile soothes me, and I know more than anything she’s proud to have developed me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss this, miss her. She’s who brought me here. Essentially, she brought me back to Braydon.

  “Thank you, for so much; even more than you know or realize,” I whisper as she embraces me before heading out to the first patient.

  “You’re welcome. Is that husband of yours going with you?” she asks, her smile bright and knowing.

  “How’d you?”

  “I’m a brilliant woman. Also, you have a gift that arrived just before you did.”

  “Gah, he’s such a turd,” I laugh loudly, skipping to the nurses’ station to see what’s been delivered. Before I even reach the countertop, I see the mylar balloon rotate just slightly, the words “Marry Me” and just below the graphic in black sharpie reads “again.”

  My heart just melted.

  I pull my cell phone from my front scrub pocket to text Braydon, but a message is already awaiting me.

  Braydon – So…

  Me – Sooo… maybe?

  Braydon – Try again, sweetheart.

  Me – Umm… possibly?

  Braydon – One more try…

  Me – Only if we’re sober!

  Braydon – I can make that a reality. Have fun at work, I’m going to take care of some business around here.

  Me – K.

  Me – I love you, Braydon Richard Gibson.

  Braydon – I love you too, Mrs. Gibson. Go work or something.

  I pocket my phone and continue shooting the shit with my co-
workers, in light of recent event’s news… I’m married. I chuckle as I make my way toward the next room, Patient: Mrs. Hannah Jacobs, that’s odd, she isn’t due in for another month.

  “Good afternoon, Hannah. How are you?” I ask, making my way toward the exam table to do the general vitals and measurements.

  “Well, I’m not feeling so great, so Dr. Watret suggested I come in. I’m glad you’re here, that it’s you. I’m a mess!” Hannah cries and coughs on a sob as Carter slowly rubs her back.

  “Well, let’s get you calmed down, being worked up isn’t going to help you. Tell me how it’s been being married to this stud of yours.” After successfully reading her blood pressure levels, measuring her belly, and chit chatting about Carter, she finally relaxes.

  “So, married life is essentially the exact same. How about you and Braydon?” she asks casually.

  “Hannah,” Carter reprimands sternly. Although Hannah’s doe eyes cause him to chuckle and let go of her meddling.

  Seriously, does everyone know we’re married? Wait, maybe she means in general. Ugh, does it even matter, Adalyn. Gosh!

  “Braydon and I are good. Thank you again for inviting me to the wedding. I had a great time with not only you two but also your friends.”

  “Oh, we were so happy you came. We’ve been trying to fix Braydon up for a while. The man is by far the fussiest male on the planet. He said no to every suggestion. Impossible.”

  “Well, hopefully I’ll fit the bill,” I laugh.

  “I’d hope, Brie mentioned y’all were married.” Hannah’s snort laugh causes me to giggle until I see the pain flash through on her face and she cries out.

  “Alright, let me grab Dr. Watret. I’m going to leave this door cracked; you two holler if that pain gets worse. I’ll be right outside.”

  “Thanks, Adalyn.”