It’s Always Us (Abandoned Brothers #3)

Chapter 51

LEX

I roll to a stop in the school drop-off lane. “I’m picking you up today, so I’ll see you this afternoon.”

Rather than hopping out, Bree sits for a second. “Do you think Mark will be able to call tonight?” She sets her backpack in her lap. “He said . . . he’d help me figure out the rest of my comic strip that’s due tomorrow.”

The worry in her voice reminds me that she’s still learning to trust us, and our ever-changing world isn’t helping.

The vision of him dropping to his knees this morning as he left for the airport and her hugging him tight bolts through my mind. The two of them have become thick as thieves, which will only makes his absence harder.

“Yep. He said he’ll FaceTime, and you can show him what you get done today. Ok?” Thank goodness, because my ability to help with homework efficiently is seriously lacking.

She nods, a hint of a smile breaking the corner of her mouth. “He said he has a good idea for Captain Gooey.”

“Oh, I bet he does,” I laugh as my phone vibrates in the cup holder.

She giggles, popping open the door. “I’ll see you after school.”

The door slams as the social worker’s name appears. I press the answer button, waiting for the car in front of me to move forward. I listen as she relays the news I was certain we’d never get.

“Ok. Yes. Thank you.” I end the call, watching the brake lights in front of me blink off and then back on again. My eyes dart to the clock on the dash .

I glance back at the cars in the drop-off lane, needing them to move IMMEDIATELY. I have the urge to lay on the horn, but it won’t help.

My stomach has ached since kissing Mark goodbye this morning. Over these past months, my dreams have morphed into something brand-new. Something that resembles a house where Mark comes home every night, and I spend the weekend watching him like I’ve always wanted. A much smaller garage where I get to work on the rusty truck he bought me. I might’ve even allowed myself to think about a restoration business.

My skin prickles with heat and the need to get to the private airport. I crack the window to the let the fresh air in.

Mark didn’t sleep at all last night as he tossed, turned, huffed, and groaned. The worry in his eyes this morning told me exactly what was going through his mind, and I hate that my past choices put it there.

I want to erase his fears, putting a nail straight through any lingering doubt, and I want to swing the hammer face-to-face.

The cars inch forward, and I glance at the clock on the fancy display. If these freaking cars move, I might just make it.

With only a tad bit of speeding and carefully rolling through a few stop signs, it takes me ten minutes to dive into a parking spot at the tiny airport. Please still be here.

I push the door open and swing my legs out, using the ‘oh, shit’ bar to help slide my increasingly immobile self to the ground. I don’t care what anyone says. Those overhead handles were made for pregnant ladies.

I slam the door and hurry as much as a pregnant penguin can, swinging my arms, hoping it will propel me forward faster. As I near the entrance, I have to lose the arms and help support my belly.

If Mark is already gone, I’m going to hit my knees in tears and likely pee myself in the process.

Please be here. Please be here.

The doors slide open, and I can see the jet through the glass wall. I glance around the small space and there in the corner of the limited seating area is my husband. His elbows rest on his knees, his head in one hand, phone in the other.

I’m so out of breath that I need a second before I can speak. “Mark.”

His head pops up, and then he’s charging toward me. “What are you doing here? I was getting ready to have the car come back and get me. ”

I hold both my hands to my stomach as a damn contraction squeezes.

“Lex . . . are you ok? What’s wrong?”

I give it a second to ease. “I was wondering . . . if you might have time this week to do a little house hunting.” I wince as another takes hold. “Something near Shane and Maggie would be nice.”

He frowns, stepping closer. “What?”

“One that has an extra-large garage or space to build one.”

His large hands move to his hips. “Baby, I need you to be a little clearer on what’s going on here, or I’m taking you to the hospital for questioning or whatever the hell it is they do when pregnant women start talking crazy.”

I smile. There’s my man. “I got a call when I was dropping Bree off.” I step closer, sliding my arms through his and around his back, holding on. “Linda signed the papers.”

“What?” he exhales. “Giving up her rights?”

I nod, pulling him even closer, although it’s difficult with the twins between us.

“Seriously? I was sure she’d never do it.”

I raise and lower one shoulder. “Maybe she understood it was time to do the right thing again.”

He stares at me, and tears glisten as he finally wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. “I couldn’t do this without you again. I need us . . . every day.”

I hug him so tight. “Me, too. So, go join that team, play your ass off in camp, and find us a house in the mountains. After these babies are born and Bree is done with school and her recital, we’re moving.”

He chokes out a laugh. “Are you sure? What about help when I’m gone? What about Bree? Do you think she’ll be ok?”

I relax against him, my heart finally settling into a normal rhythm. “It’ll be another big change, but we’ll talk to her. She’s already missing you and worried you won’t have time for her.”

He stares at me like he’s trying to make sure this is real.

I push up as much as I can, pressing my lips to his. “What I can’t do is be without you.”

When I pull back, he still looks in shock. “Besides, if Slade buys Grandpa out, I bet the old man can be talked into fancy plane rides, games, and late-night feedings. And if we’re close to Shane, he’s got a gang of kids for Bree to hang out with. That’s something she’s never had.”

He hugs me hard, and I can’t breathe. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too. Now, go get us that house while I try not to evict Peyton and Eli from their cozy little den.”

He cups my face, kissing me again as a pilot swings open a door.

“Flight check is complete. We’re ready when you are.”

Mark doesn’t look at him but stares into my eyes. “I’m about ready.” His mouth spreads into a wide, boyish grin like he just won at the game of life. “How big of a garage?”