Jessica shook her head, and Abby could see tears filling her eyes. “I understand that you think I’m rushing into marriage, but I’m not. I’m making the right decision. I know I am. I love Justin. He’s everything to me. More than I have ever felt for someone before. As we reminisce over old childhood memories, makes me think of Mum and Dad and how I wish they could be here to see me on my wedding day. I hope they would have liked Justin.”
Neither Abby nor Steven knew how to address their sister without breaking down themselves. Jessica’s words filled Abby’s whole heart, as she too yearned for her parents to come back to them. They’d died too soon. They were missing out on milestone moments in each of their children’s lives. They missed seeing Jessica finish high school, get into university and celebrate her twenty-first birthday.
They didn’t get to watch Steven graduate from the fire academy or Abby become a successful romance author. Now they wouldn’t be here to watch their youngest get married.
Abby didn’t know exactly what to say. She could only respond to her sister the way Jessica wanted her to. “I think mum and dad would have loved Justin.” Their mother tried to like everyone she met. She would see the good in people even if they did something wrong.
It was enough for a smile to spread on Jessica’s face. But the smile was tinged with sadness. “Thanks, guys,” Jessica murmured. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Crawl up into a hole and die? Get married anyway?” Steven rattled off a list of possibilities. It was Steven’s nature to ensure that they all laughed in times of struggles and sadness.
Jessica and Abby stifled laughter together. “You know just what to say to make me feel a whole lot better,” Jessica replied.
“Well, of course I do. I am your brother after all. I’m here to provide some comic relief and also to kick ass when your heart is breaking. But I hope I never have to follow through on that last part.”
“Trust me, I don’t reckon you will. At least I hope you won’t need to kick Justin’s ass.”
Steven shook his head. “Nah, I think we’re solid on that one, too. I’ve seen how he looks at you. He loves you a lot and as your brother, that’s all I want.”
“Steven, are you going soft on me?” Jessica teased.
Steven shook his finger. “I’m not soft. And if I am, it’s only with my sisters. So just so we’re clear, this conversation doesn’t leave this room. I can’t have my friends and mates at the firehouse knowing I’m just a big softie at heart. I do have a reputation to sustain.”
“We wouldn’t want that now,” Abby said. “We can’t have your reputation ruined, not when you’ve worked damn hard to achieve it.”
“Exactly.” Steven snapped his fingers together.
The siblings laughed together like old times.
And Abby realised even with their parents gone, at least they would have each other in their lives, married or not. Being home was nice.
The following day Jessica had arranged for Abby and Steven to meet Justin and his family for lunch. They were meeting at a quaint little café near the harbour.
Steven had to work but vowed to meet up with his sisters once his shift was over. The fire station wasn’t far from where the café was.
Jessica was driving to the restaurant, which was fifteen minutes away from home. Abby couldn’t help but notice her sister’s fingers were trembling on the steering wheel.
“Are you okay, Jess?”
Trying to keep her eyes on the road ahead, Jessica drew in a deep breath and nodded her head.
But Abby put her hand on Jessica’s thigh. “I’m sorry, Jess, but I don’t believe you. I’m your big sister. I can tell when you’re not entirely truthful with me.”
“Okay—” Jessica drew out after a little while. “—so maybe I’m kind of nervous to meet his family. What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t think I’m good enough for their son?”
“You have nothing to worry about. Well, maybe a little, but only because you’re getting married within a couple of months of knowing each other. Like me, I am sure they’ll have reservations about this wedding, too.”
Jessica glanced over at her with narrowed eyes, which prompted Abby to respond. “What? You know me. I’ll give you an open and honest response whether you need it or not. But deep down you know you want it, or you wouldn’t have told me how you were feeling. Besides, I’m sure you’re worrying about nothing. People like you, Jess. You’re likeable. And since when did you start worrying about what people will think of you and whether they will like you or not?”
Jessica shrugged one shoulder, turning on her indicator and moving into the far right lane ready to turn right.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Today is a big deal for me. They don’t have to love me because I will still want to marry Justin even if his family doesn’t like me, but I want them to at least tolerate me. They are about to be my in-laws. I would rather not have awkward and uncomfortable tension with his family.”
Once the traffic lights turned green, Jessica gripped onto the steering wheel. She turned the car in the right direction.
Abby understood where her sister was coming from. She and Justin hadn’t known each other long and were already planning a wedding.
“You’ll be fine,” Abby reassured Jessica, even though she wasn’t sure she was telling her the truth.
Jessica inhaled another deep breath. “You’re right,” she said as she pulled into the parking lot of the café. “I am lovable.”
Abby realised that deep down Jessica was more anxious than she was letting on. But that was typical Jessica. She often didn’t let on how she was feeling. Instead, she chose to keep it to herself, pushing it to the back of her mind and acting like she was all right.
Jessica parked the car, switched off the engine and took the key out of the ignition. She turned to Abby with a brave smile on her face. “Are you ready to meet my fiancé? I think you’re going to love him as much as I do. Well, maybe not as much as I do because I am the one marrying him, but I hope you’ll like him, too.”
“I’m sure I will,” Abby said. For Jessica’s sake, she hoped the assurance that filled her voice was enough of a confidence boost for her. Jessica was never one to need a confidence boost. She always had loads to give, but today was different for her. Abby could feel it. Lunch today was a big deal for her, and it had to go well. If it didn’t then she didn’t know how her marriage to Justin would work or if it would even get as far as the altar at the chapel.
Abby followed her sister out of the car. Their arms were linked together as they made their way towards the front entrance of the little café, eager to meet her fiancé’s family.
Abby pushed open the double glass doors, allowing access to the picturesque waterside café. They visited this café all the time for the excellent coffee and serene view of the harbour.
Somebody approached them from behind.
“I’m here. Am I late?” Abby and Jessica both turned at the sound of the familiar voice.
Jessica half-relaxed at the sight of her big brother. Abby smiled, knowing his appearance meant the world to Jessica.
“Steven. You made it and you’re not late,” she said before turning her focus to the inside of the cafe as she scanned the place looking for her fiancé.
She found him standing beside an older man and a lady who were most likely his parents. He was almost a carbon copy of his father, though much younger, of course. Abby watched her sister’s eyes widen and a smile grew on her face, then she followed Jessica’s gaze and saw for the first time the man who wanted to make an honest woman out of her little sister.
Abby had to give Jessica credit. Justin was hot!
Justin met Jessica’s gaze and they rushed together, falling into an embrace and giving each other a quick kiss on the cheek.
As Justin looked at Abby and Steven, Jessica looked at Justin’s parents; They stood tall, a bit stiffly like they were already judging her before exchanging
a word.
“Um, hello,” Jessica said, taking one step closer to her future in-laws. Despite all her nerves, she managed to show them a dazzling smile.
Justin stepped forward. “Mom, Dad, this is my fiancée Jessica. Jessica, this is my mother and father.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Jessica replied, exchanging a brief handshake between his parents.
Justin’s mom was the first to make a statement, showing her a warm smile. “Likewise, my dear,” she said.
Jess turned toward her siblings, wrapping an arm around her fiancé’s waist. “You’ve already met Steven, but this is my older sister, Abby. Abby, this is Justin.”
“It’s nice to meet you finally, Abby,” Justin said with a grin. “From what your sister has told me, I feel like I already know you.”
Abby chuckled. “I hope it’s all good things.” She wished Jessica had clued her in about him. Abby knew nothing about the man her sister was going to marry in September.
“Of course,” Justin said as he stepped around to shake Steven’s hand while muttering “Good to see you again, man.”
“Please do sit down.” Justin’s father motioned to a nearby table.
“It’s so sweet to put a face to your name,” Justin’s mother said. She embraced her soon-to-be daughter-in-law like she was already welcoming her into their family. “Our son has told us so much about you. It’s nice to finally meet you,” she drew out in her American accent.
“I think so too, Mrs Collins,” Jessica returned. She allowed her future mother-in-law to take her by the hand. She led her to a chair, across from Abby’s. Steven also sat down at the table.
“You don’t need to call me by my last name. It sounds so formal. While I do dress for style instead of comfort, Mrs Collins is my mother-in-law,” Mrs Collins asserted. She ran her fingers through her bob of blonde hair. “Call me Andrea.” Jessica shared a laugh with Andrea.
Abby watched as Steven exchanged small talk with Justin and Jessica struck up a conversation with her future in-laws. Abby finally picked up a menu from the table and studied it, searching for something to keep her occupied since she didn’t want to look like a fool sitting there without saying a word. She wasn’t the conversationalist Jessica was. She didn’t know what to say to people she had just met other than “hello.”
“Where’s your brother?” Abby heard Jessica ask Justin as he sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“He’s here,” Andrea cut in and explained. “He’s just sending an urgent e-mail to his work.” She played with the many rings displayed on her fingers. “He should be back soon and then we can order some lunch. So my son tells me you’re studying to be a teacher, Jessica?”
Jessica nodded. She brushed her almost-black hair over one shoulder. “I am. It’s something I’ve always been passionate about. It’s kind of like the way my sister Abby is about writing and Steven is about being a firefighter.”
“Your parents must be so proud of you,” Justin’s father Gordon stated.
“Um, Dad. I thought Mom would have told you. Jessica’s parents passed away,” Justin explained while his arm tightened reassuringly around Jessica.
The colour drained from Gordon’s face. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. I hope what I said didn’t hit a raw nerve with you.”
Andrea placed one hand on her husband’s arm. “I should have told you, honey, but I didn’t want to feel like I was talking about our future daughter-in-law behind her back before we even met her.” Andrea aimed her words at Jessica and was able to show her a small smile.
“It’s okay,” Steven spoke up for his sisters. He was protective of both Abby and Jessica even though they were more than able to look out for themselves. “We understand. Our parents died five years ago and it does get easier as time goes on. I think it will always be hard because they are not here anymore.”
“Family is a huge part of my life, so getting married without my siblings by my side just wasn’t going to happen for me. I think that’s why I put so much pressure on myself to meet you today, too,” Jessica added.
“Did you think we wouldn’t like you?” Andrea asked.
Abby watched her sister’s eyes dart from the ground to Justin, and then to Andrea. “I don’t know what I thought, but part of me was worried that maybe you wouldn’t think I was good enough to be with your son.”
“That’s absurd!” Gordon stated. “When we heard from Justin that he was getting married in a month, we did have our reservations about how well you both know each other. We wondered what your intentions for marrying were.”
“We’re are just concerned that you’re rushing into marriage before getting to know each other. I think that’s what my husband is trying to say. He tends to come across the wrong way sometimes. I’m sure Abby and Steven are feeling the same way,” Andrea added. “There’s no rush to get married.”
Abby placed the menu in her lap. “I agree with Andrea,” she said. “If you waited to get married then you wouldn’t need to rush around trying to plan the wedding, making sure everything gets done. You would be able just to take your time with the whole process.”
Jessica and Justin looked at each other for a moment. Their eyes not once leaving one another, and Abby could see in that instant just how much her little sister adored this man. She hadn’t seen her look at anyone else that way before.
“We know that we don’t have to rush into marriage, but we also don’t want to be one of those couples who is planning a wedding forever,” Justin said. He peeled his dark hazel eyes away from his fiancée.
“He’s my soul mate, and when you find someone like that, there’s no point to drag it out any longer than necessary. Besides, we don’t want to be away from each other,” Jessica said, entwining her hand with Justin’s.
Justin’s father positioned himself in his chair so he was sitting straighter.
“What do you mean by ‘torn apart’?” His father asked the all-important question that everyone one was wondering about. They were all eager to know the answer.
“I would have preferred to tell you my news in private,” Justin replied, “but I guess I’m going to have to say it now. I’ve decided to stay in Sydney.”
“You mean you’re staying a little longer on your vacation? Well, that is understandable. You will both want to have a mini-honeymoon.” His mother tried to keep a calm reaction to her son’s news.
Justin shook his head. “No, I mean I will be living in Australia—with my wife.”
“You’re what? Son, I know that you love this girl and when you want something, you strive for it, but you’re making a terrible mistake.”
Abby could see how troubled Justin’s father was about his son’s news. Frown lines were showing on his forehead as he rose to a standing position. She didn’t like the idea of Jessica getting married any more than they did. Abby looked over at Steven who shrugged his shoulder without saying a word as though this was the first he heard about it.
Justin raised his hands in the air in an attempt to calm down his father. “Please! I do not want to do this here, Dad. This is the reason why I wanted to tell you when we were alone. I knew you would overreact about my decision, but it’s not a big deal. And you’re wrong. This is not a mistake. I know what I’m doing. I do have a plan.”
“Well, let’s hear your plan then?” his mother interjected over her husband, touching his arm in a calming manner.
“I can still become an attorney,” Justin pressed on. “I just wouldn’t be attending Harvard. Not going to Harvard does not stop the world. There are a lot of great universities in Sydney that will enrol me and permit me to continue my studies of law. While I still want to be an attorney, law is not my only love, and now that Jessica and I have found one another, I can’t imagine my life without her.”
“And you’re sure about all this—living in another country and getting married?” his mother asked him.
His father grunted as he took his place in his cha
ir again.
Justin took a deep breath. “I’ve never been more sure about anything else in my life than I am now.”
Abby sighed inwardly. It appeared Justin and Jessica were getting married within a month, whether their families liked it or not.
“Sorry about that. The e-mail took longer than—” Sam approached the table where his family was already seated. He looked at their facial expressions and raised his eyebrows. “What did I miss?”
“Your brother has just now informed us of his plans to live in Sydney for the foreseeable future,” his father stated. His voice was gruff. He stood up, adjusting the belt strapped around the top of his standard dress pants. “I’m going to get some air,” he proclaimed.
Andrea rose from her chair. “I think I will join you,” she said as they made their way around the table and chairs towards the doors leading outside.
Sam watched the way Justin leaned in toward Jessica, whispering something into her ear.
Uh-oh! Was Justin serious? Had falling in love gone to his younger brother’s head or was his pretty fiancée the reason he was choosing to live here? He knew incredible sex could alter a man’s perspective sometimes. But Sam didn’t think his brother would jeopardise his budding career as an attorney. He had just enrolled into Harvard Law School.
Sam watched his parents walk outside before he said anything to his younger brother. “For fuck’s sake, Justin, you cannot do that.” He hadn’t meant to let the f-word slip out of his mouth. He was in the company of people he didn’t know. Not a great way to make a first impression. For the first time, he looked at the rest of the group gathered around the table.
His eyes widened. The woman from the plane was here—sitting with his family no less! What was her name? He racked his brain trying to recall her name. Ashley. Allie. Amanda. It started with an A... Oh, yes!
Back to Me without you (Sibling Love Book 1) Page 3