by H. J. Bellus
The doctors thought it would be best for me to wear my walking boot for six weeks after I told them I would not be staying home for six to eight weeks, especially with the season being in full swing and the team looking to get into the playoffs. And, they did, too. We came in second in our division.
Only to lose to Detroit. A team we slaughtered earlier in the season. None of it mattered because Liam, my man, stood by my side and the rest of the team gave it all they had. It’s a hard pill to swallow because I’ve always wanted to be the best of the best. But in my eyes, we were and are. A brand-new team coming into the arena of professionals and making it to the playoffs minus the rest of the bullshit is a goddamn trophy in my eyes.
It wasn’t easy maneuvering around in the ugly-ass walking boot, but I managed with the help of Liam and our mothers. It was even harder for me to see my dad banged up with his broken arm and collarbone and several cuts on his face that required stitches. It was hell on our families for long, tortured weeks. The thing about our two families is, we came together, like a band of brothers with one destiny in mind.
He felt guilty; I felt guilty. Truthfully, we all did, and even the worry we all had for Alex being the one who pulled the trigger had smoothed over until a few weeks before my daughter was born.
Our sweet little girl came on her due date. May fourth. She weighed seven pounds, four ounces. I’ll never forget the panic racing through Liam’s gaze when I woke him up at ten at night. Even though the pain was tearing through me like no other, you’d think it was Liam experiencing it all. It’s one of those moments I could look back on and laugh at. We eventually made it to the hospital with both of our families waiting but only the two of us in the room.
Rayden Tami came screaming into the world right at eleven fifty in the morning. Looking back, I know it’s because she has a little bit of her mom and dad in her. I’ll never forget the moment in time when my world stopped spinning. I truly thought it was when Liam kissed me for the first time, but I was so very wrong. It was when the man I loved more than anything placed a screaming raven-haired baby on my chest. As soon as her chubby cheek hit the skin of my chest, she nuzzled around, and her cries silenced. Best memory ever.
“I’m worried about Alex.” I reach back, gathering the short train of my wedding dress.
“Baby, he was here before the ceremony.” Liam cups my chin, distracting our gaze from our daughter. “He’s here. I saw him before you walked down the aisle.”
“I know.” I nibble on my bottom lip. “I’m just worried about him.”
“I know, baby.” Liam clutches my face a bit tighter while growling out his words. “He’s out in the backyard ready for pictures.”
He’s here. That’s all I remind myself of. That and the Elvis song I walked down the aisle to. The same song my parents sing to each other. Everything will be just okay. The thing is, when I finally get to hug Alex who saved my life, everything is off. I knew it before I hugged him. The smell of his breath was the final indicator for me. Alex is off his rails. It hurts me. Kills me.
It’s all because of me. He saved my life, and in order to do that he had to take another. His sin is haunting him each second of the day.
“There’s my beautiful cousin.” Alex saunters up to me.
Anyone else would think he is as sober as they come. I know different. Liam cradles Rayden to his chest as Alex leans down, kissing the top of her head. I see everything in that simple action, the rising and setting of the sun. It slays me. Liam lets Alex have his time. We all know the only reason she is here is because of Alex. And now he’s suffering.
Liam and I watch as Alex runs his pointer finger down Rayden’s chubby cheek. It’s as if he’s soaking in everything great about life. The pain in his eyes, I feel it in my heart. Yet I have nothing to say to him.
He finally glances up to us. “Congratulations.”
And that’s the one thing I’ll remember about my wedding day. The scent of vodka on his breath. He’s suffering, and my happily ever after will not be until Alex is in his right frame of mind. He sacrificed himself to save me and my baby girl, and it will be my family who gives him life back. No matter how much he pushes back. Alex will find his way, one way or the other.
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments-
Writing is always a wild ride! Bringing two of our novels together has been surreal. Your excitement and encouragement always pushes us. It’s you, the reader that makes us. A simple thank you never seems to be enough. But seriously thank you for continuing to support us! It means the absolute world.
We are off to many more Crossover Novels. We hope you join us on the crazy ride.
Love,
HJB & Kathy