Return to Me

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Bree began stacking meat and slices of cheese on a piece of bread. For a moment she paused, watching as lightning forked across the sky.

  She reached for a bottle of mustard, looked up again and saw a black SUV slowly approaching the house.

  Her stomach churned with nervousness.

  How could Austin have found them so quickly? She hadn’t even told Jordin where she was going.

  Bree picked up the plate sitting on the counter and brought it over to the table. “Here you are, sweetie. When you finish, I want you to go back to your room. Okay? You can watch the Smurfs movie. I’ve already put it in.”

  “’Kay...”

  She took a deep breath and headed to the front door. Bree wanted to avoid a confrontation, especially in front of Emery.

  Austin got out of his SUV when she stepped outside on the porch.

  Tension radiated between them like heat from a fire.

  Bree felt an instant’s squeezing hurt when her eyes met his. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

  “Sweetheart, why did you leave town without a word to anyone? We were all worried about you.” His words contained a strong suggestion of censure.

  “I guess we both know the answers to these questions,” Bree stated, staring at him with burning, reproachful eyes. “You’re Emery’s biological father and you want to take him away from me.”

  “I don’t deny that I want to be a part of my son’s life, but you have it all wrong. Just let me explain...”

  “Why not be honest from the beginning?” Her tone had become chilly.

  “I should’ve been straight with you, but Bree, I was afraid you would panic.” He paused a moment before adding, “As it turns out, I had every reason to be worried.”

  “Are you really trying to turn this on me?” Bree showed her disbelief in the tone of her voice.

  “And for your information, I didn’t run away. I came here because I needed some time to think.”

  “That’s not what I was saying.”

  Arms folded across her chest, she asked, “Then what are you saying to me, Austin?” Bree threw the words at him like stones.

  “I was going to tell you the truth, but that’s when I couldn’t reach you.”

  “Aren’t you just a little bit curious as to how I found out?”

  He nodded. “How?”

  “I came to the law firm to see if you wanted to have lunch with me. I’d stopped by Jordin’s office just to say hello and I heard you talking with her. How could you two betray me like this?”

  “Don’t blame Jordin,” Austin responded. “She’s not the one at fault. I am.”

  “She knew about this, but she never said anything to me. I guess blood is thicker than water. You’re her brother and I’m just a friend.”

  “Bree, can we just sit and talk? I’ll tell you everything.”

  “We’re talking now.”

  Austin let out a long, audible breath. “Please...”

  She sat down in one of the rocking chairs. “I’m listening.” Her anger abated somewhat under his expression.

  He sat down in the chair beside her. “Jasmine Reynolds and I had been together for almost three years. Our relationship was tumultuous at best, but I thought I was in love, and so I stayed with her until I couldn’t take any more. When we broke up, she left town and never told me about the baby.”

  “How did you find out about Emery?”

  “She moved to Vegas with a friend. They had a falling out and Cheryl moved back home. I guess she had an attack of conscience or she wanted to hurt Jasmine—I’m not sure which, but she told me everything.”

  “How do you know she was telling the truth?”

  “When I went home to visit my mother, I ran into Jasmine and she confirmed Cheryl’s story.”

  “Why wouldn’t she just contact you?”

  “I’ve asked that same question repeatedly,” Austin stated. “The only answer I can come up with is that she wanted to hurt me. We had a bad breakup.”

  “I was told that the father died before the child was born,” Bree said.

  “That’s obviously not true. I’m willing to take a paternity test to prove it.”

  She bit her lip until it throbbed like her pulse. “I love Emery.”

  “I know that, Bree. I love him, too, and I want to be a part of my son’s life. I’ve already missed out on so much.”

  Her spirits sank even lower. “Tell me the truth. Were you planning to have the adoption reversed?”

  “I did,” he confessed. “Bree, you are his mother. I want you in his life...please believe me.”

  “What I believe is that your interest in me was only because you wanted Emery. And like you said, you were willing to do whatever you had to do to make that happen.” Bree shook her head. “I just wish you’d been honest with me from the beginning.”

  “I admit Emery was the reason I wanted to meet you, but the time we spent together...”

  She rose to her feet. “No, don’t...”

  “What I feel for you is real, Bree.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “You know in your heart that I’m in love with you. I came all the way here to prove it, sweetheart.”

  Bree peered into his eyes and felt her knees wobble a little at the intensity of Austin’s stare.

  He cupped her cheek in one hand, and the heat of his skin seeped into hers, causing a flush of warmth that slid through her like syrup.

  She ducked her head and slapped his hand away. “Austin, I’m going to be honest with you. There’s no way I’m just going to hand over my son to you without a fight. Now, I need you to leave.”

  “Au’tin,” Emery said from the doorway.

  Bree had no idea how long he had been standing there. She’d left him in the kitchen eating before coming out to the porch to talk to Austin.

  “Hey, buddy,” he murmured.

  Bree held back her anger, her throat raw with unuttered shouts and protests. The last thing she wanted was Austin hanging around longer, but he had a right to see Emery. She would give him a few minutes with the little boy.

  She felt guilty and selfish.

  Austin picked up his son. “What are you up to?”

  “Playin’...”

  Bree didn’t say anything, just sat back down while Austin talked with his son. She closed her eyes, her heart aching with pain.

  He’d shaken her more than she’d thought he would. Just being near him again had awakened feelings and emotions she was trying to ignore. She had walked into it with her heart wide open.

  “I need you to leave, Austin.”

  “We need to talk this through.”

  “I can’t right now. This is why I left town. I needed some space to think about everything.”

  “I’m not giving up on us,” he said. “I know that you’re angry right now, but we have to have a conversation.”

  “I know,” she responded. “I just can’t do it today.”

  “I’d like to spend some time with Emery.”

  Bree shook her head.

  “I’m not going to snatch him up and run away. I’m not that kind of man. Besides, you don’t need the distraction of Emery while you’re trying to make sense of what’s going on.” He looked her in the eye. “You can trust me, Bree. He’s my son and I will always put his needs first.”

  “Please have him back by five for dinner.”

  A lone tear slipped from her eye.

  “Sweetheart... I’ll bring him back to you. I promise.” Austin wiped away the tear. “I’m sorry for the way I handled this.”

  “Just bring him back.”

  Chapter 17

  Bree stepped aside to let Austin through the front door. She was weak with relief that her son was back. “Mommy missed you so much,”
she murmured, pulling him into her embrace. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

  “I had fun with Au’tin.”

  She pasted on a smile. “I’m glad. Little boys are supposed to have lots of fun.”

  “I want to go watch TV.”

  “Go ahead, sweetie.”

  “Thank you for letting me spend time with him,” Austin said when they were alone in the living room.

  Her gaze became troubled, but she said nothing more, although the small creases stayed between her brows.

  “I hate all this tension between us.”

  No response.

  Austin reached for her, but she stepped away. “I can’t do this with you.”

  “Despite what you may think about me, I want you to know that my feelings for you are real.”

  “The only thing we need to discuss is Emery,” Bree said in a choked voice. “Nothing else matters.”

  “Babe, you know that’s not true.”

  Biting her lip, Bree looked away. She refused to get swept up in the tenderness of his gaze.

  The pain of Austin’s betrayal still stung. “I need to cook. I wanted to have everything ready, but I couldn’t...” She’d spent the time pacing and fearful that Emery might not return.

  “Why don’t you and Emery have dinner with me tonight?”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Bree responded. “We’re not some big happy family.”

  “You have to eat.”

  “I don’t have to eat with you, Austin.”

  “I understand why you’re upset with me and you have every right to be, but I’m trying to work things out between us.”

  “I’m just not sure that’s possible.”

  “Bree, what do you want me to do? You know I’m not just going to walk away from my son. We can’t just ignore this situation.”

  “I can’t do this right now. I’m sorry, Austin.” Her eyes filled with tears. “You can’t possibly understand what this is doing to me.”

  “You’re wrong, Bree,” he interjected. “I understand more than you know. I was never told about my own child and when I am—I find that he’s been adopted.”

  She silently considered his words and the anguish in his voice. After a brief pause, Bree stated, “I’ve been selfish. I’ve been only thinking of myself. I’m sorry that this happened to you, Austin, but I don’t regret adopting Emery.”

  “We both want what’s best for him.”

  “And what is that?” she asked. “To be ripped from my arms?”

  He shook his head. “I love you, Bree. I want a life with you and Emery.”

  “I wish I could believe you, but I’m sorry. I don’t.”

  Deep down she wanted to believe that Austin was being sincere about his love for her, but it was difficult. Difficult because she knew he would do and say just about anything to be in his son’s life. She loved him, but without trust...a relationship between them would not work.

  “Please don’t shut me out, Bree.”

  “I do understand how you’re feeling. What happened wasn’t fair to you,” she stated. “What I can’t understand is why you kept this from me all this time. You had to know how this would play out. Austin, you knew what this would do to me.”

  “Why can’t you see this as a good thing? We love each other.”

  “That’s why you should have come to me, Austin.”

  “I had planned to tell you...it was the same day that you let me meet Emery. I was afraid if I’d told you then—you would’ve changed your mind.”

  “I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done,” she confessed.

  “Bree, please understand. I wanted so badly to see him.”

  “Austin, I really need some time to deal with this. Can you please give me that?”

  “Are you okay?” he asked without preamble.

  Her hand pressed to her stomach, Bree eyed him. “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine.”

  “It’s a monthly problem.”

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  He wanted to reach across and pull her into his arms and just hold her.

  Bree shook her head. “It’s something I’ve had to deal with for a long time.”

  “Is it like this every month?”

  “No, but I’ve had a couple of severe bouts of endometriosis over the last few months.”

  She suddenly bent over, groaning in agony.

  Austin was instantly by her side, holding her close as she trembled from the pain. “Baby, I’m so sorry you have to suffer like this.”

  Bree continued to moan.

  “Lie down, sweetheart,” Austin told her as he escorted her to her bedroom. “Is there something you can take for the pain?”

  She gave a slight nod.

  He helped her get settled in bed. “I’ll get you something to drink.”

  Austin left and returned with a glass of water.

  “Thank you,” she murmured weakly.

  “Let me make dinner for you and Emery before I go,” Austin offered. “I promise I’ll leave right after.”

  “That’s fine,” she said after a moment. “I don’t have the strength to argue.”

  * * *

  Austin hated seeing the intense pain etched in her expression. He hated more that he was the one responsible for hurting her, which no doubt factored in the agony she was now experiencing.

  As much as he wanted to try and repair the damage, Austin knew he had to give her the space she needed right now. However, he wasn’t going to give up on them.

  His mother was arriving in the morning. Hopefully, she would be able to get through to Bree. Maybe she could make her understand what he could not.

  He retrieved a package of chicken out of the refrigerator. Emery loved fried chicken. It was also something he was skilled in cooking.

  When dinner was ready, Austin walked down the hall and knocked on Bree’s bedroom door.

  “Come in,” she murmured.

  “Dinner’s ready,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

  “My body hurts, but it’s not as bad as before.” She eased out of bed. “I really appreciate you going out of your way like this.”

  “It’s the least I can do.”

  Bree stood up. A wave of dizziness overtook her.

  “Sweetheart...”

  She swayed.

  Strong arms swept her up and laid her back in bed.

  Bree doubled over in pain.

  “I think we need to get you to the hospital,” Austin said.

  “Emery...”

  “He’ll be with me.”

  She was in too much pain to contest. “I feel like my pelvis is full of razor blades. It hasn’t been this bad in a long time.”

  Tears filled her eyes.

  He hugged her. “It’s going to be okay, babe.”

  She leaned into him as another wave of pain ripped through her, causing her to cry out.

  After a moment Bree uttered, “I’m ready to go. This doesn’t feel right.”

  Austin pulled into Roseville Memorial Hospital parking lot fifteen minutes later. He signaled for someone to bring a wheelchair to the car.

  “Mommy okay?” Emery asked.

  “She’s going to be just fine, but she needs to see the doctor.”

  “Mommy tummy hurt.”

  “Yes, sweetie. My tummy hurts, but I’ll be okay.”

  * * *

  After the doctor informed them that Bree would need to have surgery, Austin made a phone call.

  “Mom, I really need your help,” he stated as soon as Irene answered the phone. “I need you to come to Georgia instead of Charleston.”

  “Georgia? Why?”

  “Bree’s in the hospital and has to have surgery. I’ll explain
when you get here. I’m going to book a ticket for you. I’ll pick you up in Atlanta and bring you to Roseville.”

  “I’ll start packing, then. I’ll see you soon, son.”

  Chapter 18

  “Who’s that?” Emery asked when they stopped in front of baggage claim at the airport in Atlanta.

  “That’s my mom.”

  “You have a mommy?”

  Austin chuckled. “Yes, I do.”

  “You don’t look like you slept well,” Irene said when she entered the vehicle.

  “I didn’t.”

  “How is Bree?”

  “She’s still in surgery,” he said in a low voice. “They found a melon-size cyst on her ovary. I asked you to come because I don’t want to leave her side and I need someone to watch Emery. I thought it would be a good way for you to get to know him.” He would have called Jordin, but with everything coming out about Emery being Austin’s biological son, he was worried that would make things worse.

  Irene nodded in understanding. “This thing with Bree is really bothering you.”

  He glanced over at his mother. “I love her.”

  “I can see that.”

  Austin took her luggage to his car and drove back to the hospital. The three of them sat in the waiting room for news on Bree, with Irene trying to keep Emery occupied with a coloring book.

  Thirty or so minutes passed before he was called to meet with the doctor.

  “The surgery went fine,” he told Austin. “She’s in recovery now. You’ll be able to see her as soon as she’s awake.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Praise the good Lord,” Irene murmured when Austin relayed the news from the doctor.

  “Mom, the way she suffered... I’ve never seen anything like it. She was in so much pain.”

  “That disease is a terrible one.”

  “I hope that this surgery helps her.”

  Irene covered his hand with her own. “She’ll be fine.”

  “When Bree’s feeling better, I’d like for you to talk to her. Maybe you can reach her mother to mother.”

  “I don’t know what I can tell this woman, Austin. You have a legal right to your son. I’m sure she knows this.”

  “Bree feels like I manipulated her.”

  “Well, you did make a mess of this whole thing,” Irene uttered. “You didn’t do this the right way, Austin.”