Mending the Blur (a Forever & Always novel)

by Paige,Alyvia

  My new friends, Hannah and Carter, leave the office with a smile, but sadness shone in their eyes. Minimal activity–meaning bedrest unless she moves to a chair or the couch, remain as stress-free as possible, and no travel is in Hannah’s future until she has her little one. It sucks for them of course, but it is better to follow the rules than endanger momma or baby.

  THE REST OF THE week has flown by; I have managed to pack everything except my day-to-day essentials. Although, the more I dwell on it, the more stressed I become. I don’t have a place to live, the bungalow is currently being rented out, so it’s not like I can just move in there. So, I’m doing as Braydon suggested— taking deep breaths and having patience.

  Well, I’m trying.

  Pulling into the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis, a rush of anxiety rushes through me. My palms dampen with sweat, my heart races so quickly, my breath seems cut short. A man dressed in a dark gray suit approaches my door to assist me in exiting my car.

  “Good Afternoon, I’m Chad. I’ll be taking care of your vehicle as part of our complimentary valet service here at the Four Seasons. If you take this tag with you, once you’re ready to depart we will fetch your vehicle for you.”

  “Oh, but I’m not a guest, I’m just here for a meeting,” I contest.

  “No worries, Miss.” Chad offers me a gentle smile before taking my car away to the parking garage I passed by on the way toward the hotel entryway. I would have parked the car myself except the gates were closed, which to me indicated there was no parking available. I had only hoped to gain a voucher in exchange for payment to park.

  Stepping into the Four Seasons, a chill ghosts over my skin. It’s not particularly warm outside for spring so the inside temperature isn’t that varied, but the anticipation of a new journey washes through my veins. I’m finally excited. I’m chasing my dreams. I’m choosing me. I’m also choosing him. I’m choosing us.

  I spot a woman of approximately the same age as I am, but she’s layered in clothing. “You must be Erin,” I declare when I’m a few feet from her.

  “I am. I’m sure I look like a fish outta water, huh?” Her southern drawl makes me miss home.

  “No fear, I looked the same way through winter. It’s fairly warm out today, though.” I laugh as she stands to shake my hand and directs us in the path leading toward the hotel restaurant, Ceilo. The hostess ushers us to a table that overlooks the Gateway Arch and leaves us with menus.

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you, and I know Dr. Seigle is very excited to be working with you. Let’s get the paperwork out of the way first, and then we’ll dine on the hospital.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  Braydon

  “HEY, BRO, HOW’S LIFE?” Jake greets me as I approach his desk.

  “Hey, man. It’s good. Do you know if Coach Christensen is in yet?” I ask while wringing my hands together.

  “Yeah, I saw him pull in just before me. You okay?” he asks me skeptically.

  I contemplate just coming out with everything. My marriage. My soon to be resignation from a job that I love. My quickly approaching move. The stress on whether our relationship will withstand whatever the future may throw at us. Nevertheless, I have a professional obligation to discuss my situation with my employer, and then my co-workers.

  “Nah, but I will be. Will you get my crew going on laps? I’ll be out in a few.”

  “Sure,” he calls at my back as I make my way to Coach’s office just down the hall.

  “Get in here, Gibson,” Coach yells into the hallway. Freaking ears of an elephant would be jealous of this dude’s impeccable hearing.

  “Good morning, sir. We need to chat, gotta minute?”

  “Well you’re either pregnant or leaving… so out with it,” he grumbles.

  “Well,” I chuckle rubbing my nonexistent swollen abdomen. “I’m not pregnant. However, I do need to put in my resignation. I know I’m under contract, but I also know I have two weeks of unused time off.”

  “Correct on both accounts. Can I ask why the sudden change?” he inquires, and to be honest I’m not surprised. I expected him to ask. What catches me off guard is the cocky smile that sits on his face as he rests his balding head on his wrinkly, steepled fingers.

  “Well, my wife has been selected by Alabama Memorial in Tuscaloosa to be a NICU nurse. So, I’ll be moving to support her and eventually start a family.” A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I say family. I know we won’t be popping out babies tomorrow, but I can’t help but envision the future.

  “Wife? Shit, kid, you move fast!” His voice booms through the office, and I hear Jamey and Jake laughing in the hallway.

  Rubbing the back of my neck, I chuckle and look up toward the ceiling. “Well, we’ve been married since college–drunken Vegas night apparently. Cliché, I know.”

  “Alright, Braydon. So, your contract is up May thirty-first. I was planning to bribe you with a pay increase to sign for another year, but I know there’s no snowball chance in hell that’s gonna happen now. If you need to use your vacation time to get things settled, just make sure Jake and Jamey are up to speed with everything.”

  “Okay, well, I will touch base with Adalyn, and then make a plan. I know I’ll use some time at the first of April. I’ll want to get her settled, then I’ll finish out my term.” I stand and stretch my hand toward the man who has taught me so much in the last few years.

  “I’m proud of you, son,” Coach says as he grips my hand. “Now, get to work.”

  Once I’m on the field flanking my counterparts, I crack my knuckles and jump into the commanding of start and stop drills.

  “So, moving back to Bama?” Jamey inquires. “Jessica, if you don’t pick up your damn knees, I’m gonna make you do these drills until sunset!”

  “Yep. Adalyn starts April first. I’ll drive the U-Haul and her things and car down in a few weeks.”

  “You look like a love-struck sap, dude.”

  “Hey, Jakey,” one of the girls shouts as she bounces by us.

  “Rebekah, fall in line,” Jamey shouts, waving on the busty blonde. “Bray, Jake is right. You do look love-struck. It’s a good look on you, though.”

  “Aww thanks, Tweedledee and Tweedledumb. Your approval means the world to me. Now, I’ll be gone to help move and then probably again mid-April and early May. Coach said to let you know and make sure shit’s good. So, good?”

  “Ten-four.” Jake salutes as Jamey interrupts him with a flat toned, “No.”

  “What do you mean, no?” I balk.

  “I mean, no. I need a negotiation. If you promise I can come visit on vacation, I’ll say yes.”

  Pulling her into a bear hug, I lift her off the ground and spin her in a circle. “You are always welcome, James, always.”

  ADALYN’S FINAL TWO WEEKS here in Columbia fly by so quickly, I’m shocked we’ve managed to spend any quality time together between her working and packing. A part of me is shocked how little she brought with her, but that’s Adalyn. No need for the fuss until you’re completely committed. After the last box is loaded into the U-Haul, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her back to my front, and suckle on her neck until she squeals and giggles.

  “I love that sound,” I murmur into the crook of her neck.

  “Thank you for doing all the heavy lifting, babe.”

  “Babe? I like it. And the heavy lifting was my pleasure.” I sweep an arm to the back of her knees and lift her against my chest. “Let’s shower, eat, and go to bed. Five in the morning is going to be here in no time.”

  “Let’s eat, shower, and then go to bed,” she suggests as the delivery guy pulls into the driveway and begins unloading an absurd amount of takeout.

  “Ads, what all did you order?” I ask as I tip the pimpled-face kid in front of me as she flounces toward the house with her arms loaded with food.

  “Pizza, salad, wings, dessert, um garlic cheese bread…” she sings waiting for me to open the door. “Hurry up!” Her laugh
ter fills the air and my heart.

  “I cannot believe you ordered all this, we can’t take it with us, smart kid.”

  “Oh, I’m eating it all!” She groans and begins opening all the containers.

  Adalyn

  IF YOU EVER WANT to determine if your relationship is strong enough to last, opt for a nine to ten hour road trip… in a single-cab moving vehicle. We are currently approaching hour two of our dreadfully long road trip, and I am ready to pull my hair straight out of my damn head. I may love Braydon, but I do not like him and his grumpy ass morning attitude. Yes, it’s just now 5:30 in the morning. Yes, I’m sure he is tired. But seriously, dude, grow a dick and suck it up.

  “Why do you have that look?” Braydon grumbles from the driver’s seat.

  “Watch the road, Grumpy McGrumpsalot. I have no look,” I taunt.

  “Whatever.”

  “What kind of response is ‘whatever’?” I ask before yawning loudly.

  “Whatever is a word that is used to emphasize a lack of restriction in referring to anything.”

  “Smart ass!” I laugh.

  “You asked, sweetheart.”

  “Let’s play a game!” I suggest excitedly while bouncing in my seat.

  “The quiet game? The game where you suck me off as I drive down the road? Both games combined?” Braydon’s voice is laced with humor; he glances over at me and licks his lower lip.

  “Hmm, no. I’ll do that later. How about twenty questions-ish.”

  “Nothing I say or ask can or will be used against me?” he questions with a sly smirk.

  “Whatever,” I retort then start the game. “Did you ever even consider that we got hitched in Vegas? Before I told you that is.”

  “Nope, but I know we consummated the fuck out of it.”

  “I don’t recall that,” I mumble. He squeezes my thigh and then looks out the window.

  “I’m pretty certain you did and do remember. Why’d you turn on the read receipt for your iPhone?”

  “So you knew I didn’t give up. Because I couldn’t let you go.” My simplistic answer earns me an earnest smile. “How many girls did you date after me?”

  “Zero, you?”

  “A couple. Just dinners or coffee. None of them went anywhere.” I grab his hand as he goes to pull it from my lap. “I could have lied,” I remind him.

  “You’re being skipped. Tell me, why didn’t you take out your nipple rings?”

  “Why? Those fucking things hurt like a bitch; I didn’t want to chance having them re-pierced.” I laugh through a shudder.

  “I almost passed out watching you get those done!” Braydon laughs loudly.

  “You were white as a damn ghost. Oh um, babe, can I interrupt the game… I need to pee.”

  “Seriously? We just stopped an hour ago!”

  “I’m drinking coffee and water… just pull over at the next ramp. Good Lord, like it’s a travesty to allow me to urinate!”

  “ADDY, SWEETHEART, WAKE UP,” Braydon whispers in my ear. I slowly open my eyes, closing them quickly to block out the blinding sun.

  “Damn it’s bright.” I yawn trying to acclimate to the change since falling asleep. After 7 a.m. hit, I was out like a light. I blink rapidly a few more times and wipe my eyes of sleeping goop, before seeing the time on the dash: 3:15 p.m. “Well, apparently I was exhausted.”

  “Apparently, you snored so loud the radio had to compete with the saw.” A smile tugging at the corner of his mouth is this man’s redeeming quality. He’s just too damn pretty to be mad at.

  “I–uh–um called your momma. She had some choice words for me, but I explained myself, so I’m fairly certain she won’t shoot when we walk in. Buuuut maybe you should walk inside first. I mean, it’s only fair.”

  “Aww, babe. You’re scared of the Millers… that’s just adorable,” I tease.

  “Yeah, yeah, you would be too if you were in my position. Also, Braxton texted and there is a real estate agent coming by in a few hours with some places in the area for sale and rent with our requirements.”

  “I told you my requirements?” I ask confused.

  “Yes, freshman year in college – three-bedroom minimum, two full baths, a dining room, full and large kitchen, and a family/living room. Did any of that change?”

  “Uh…” I stumble on my words, tears pricking my eyes that he even remembers those details. It was freshman year. I’d just ended my relationship with a douchebag, and Braydon held me after I drank too much. “Wow, and no, that’s still my requirements. But what are yours?”

  “You. You are my only requirement. In a box, hotel, apartment, house, under the bridge… as long as I have you, I’m happy.”

  I fling my body toward his and squeeze him tightly. “I love you!”

  “Good, now don’t let your mother or father shoot me. Let’s go.”

  The front door is open, and my parents are just standing there staring into the cab of the moving truck. I wonder how long they’ve been there, just watching. Huh, that could’ve been bad, what if… nope not even going there. Giving Braydon a quick chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth, I pull back and jump out of the truck.

  “Momma! Daddy!” I squeal and run into their arms. It’s hard to tell how much you physically miss someone until you see them after a long period of time. I learned that the hard way with Braydon. My parents though… it’s only been a few months.

  “It sure didn’t take you long to move back, Charleigh Girl.” My dad rarely calls me Adalyn, well unless I’m in trouble. Then I know to run, or take it… mostly run to Momma for protection.

  “Yeah, well,” I mutter and chuckle as Braydon talks over me. “When you’re the best, the demand is rather high and sought after.”

  “It’s good to see you, son.” My dad’s deep base voice reverberates through me.

  “You too, Michael. And it’s good to see you too, Charleigh.”

  “Oh Braydon, give me a damn hug. I missed ya so much!” Her voice shakes with emotion as she releases me and embraces him. He was worried to be shot; he may just get squeezed to death.

  “Well, let’s get your necessities inside and then you can help your mother with dinner.”

  “Yes, Daddy. But we have the realtor comin’ in a few hours.”

  “Ain’t said a word about later, Charleigh Girl. Let’s go. Give your momma a minute with that husband of yours.”

  “Daddy,” I warn.

  “Don’t you ‘Daddy’ me, little girl, if I’d known sooner, I would have rung his neck. Damn kids,” he groans.

  Braydon

  IT TOOK THREE LISTINGS before Adalyn’s eyes lit up and the most precious and perfect smile graced her face. The house is gorgeous–four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full finished basement. The basement… it’ll be my domain. She can have the rest of the house. Between the layout and current décor, we agreed that this place would take the least amount of work inside or outside for landscaping.

  “Regina, could we look at the place tomorrow?” Adalyn asks our realtor in a soft singsong voice.

  “Absolutely! I was there last week and it is move in ready, so that should help when you see it in person.”

  “So we could essentially sign the papers before I head back to Missouri?” I’m hopeful that this can work exactly how I want, but in reality little goes so smoothly. I’ve got the cash in my bank account for the entire purchase. Come to think of it, I should probably mention my financial state to Ads.

  “Babe, we don’t have to have it all done before you leave. We’ll figure it out. It’s going to be nearly three hundred thousand dollars with signing costs added to the listing price. That’s not just a drop in the bucket.” The inflection in her tone sends a slight panic to my calmness. She’s stressing and when that happens she either fights or becomes flighty. I’d rather a fight… the make-up session is entirely worth it.

  “Okay, we’ll talk later about it. So, Regina, let’s go look at the house tomorrow and go from there,” I confirm.


  Once Regina leaves, we tell Adalyn’s parents goodnight and begin to endure the hazing of who is sleeping where until Ad stomps her bare feet onto the wood floors and screams, “He’s my husband, dammit! We will sleep in the same fucking room!”

  “And I’m going to bed now,” I laugh and quickly back out of the room, briskly walking toward Adalyn’s childhood bedroom awaiting her to join me.

  “I swear to the good Lord above, they try to make me crazy!” Her words are muffled until she reaches the room. “Well, hello…” she whispers before leaping into my arms.

  “Hey, fancy meetin’ you here, sweetheart.”

  “So, I’m super excited about the house. I had looked at my savings before the harassment session began, I can make half the down payment, and my salary will cover a payment or the household bills.” Her smile appears confident, but her eyes show panic and worry.

  “We should talk,” I recommend and then kiss the tip of her nose.

  “What? Babe, if it’s too much, we can keep looking. I don’t have to have the first house I like.”

  “Adalyn Charleigh Miller, calm your tits. Christ almighty. We are going to the house tomorrow, if you love it as much as you loved the photos and description, we will purchase it. I mean that exactly how I said it. We will purchase it.” I search her eyes until she blinks away the uncertainty, the questions.

  “Braydon…”

  “Listen, Mom’s life insurance was left to me. My father didn’t fight or contest the policy or her will because he has his own money. He knew from their prenuptial agreement to their pending doomed marriage that this was what and how she wanted everything. So, just tell her thank you and move on.”

  “It’s approximately three hundred thousand dollars!?” she exclaims.

  “Do you love the house so far?” I ask and she nods timidly. “Do you want to live in Westchester Grove?” She nods again. “Then I don’t understand the problem. Is it that you want it to be ours? Because, Addy, sweetheart, what is mine is yours. Has been since you stole my heart. You can put money into whatever you want–stuff around the house, bills, future college funds for our kids, a new vehicle. We can do whatever you want.”