"Can I get you a beer or something?" I inquire, remembering my manners.
"I could use a bottle of whisky right about now, but yeah, a beer sounds great."
"Look. I’m sorry. I know this is weird. Leo just really wanted to talk to Jesse. This has been overwhelming for us. I’m sorry to bother y’all. I’m sure this was definitely not how you wanted to spend your Friday night. You didn’t have to come," I rush out uncomfortably.
"It’s fine. Happy to help," he says shortly.
"It’s just… She’s only a little girl, and she’s just lost her mom. I really want to make this a smooth transition, and…quite honestly, we have no idea what the hell we are doing," I ramble, completely unsure why I’m still talking. Brett must feel the same way because he quirks his eyebrow. "Anyway, yeah. Beer."
"I figured you’d have this on lockdown," Brett speaks up. "I mean, you’ve been in her shoes. You know firsthand how it feels to lose someone. Let’s just hope she handles it a hell of a lot better than you did." He throws the verbal blow and it lands hard in my gut.
"I’m sorry," I choke out as tears spring to my eyes.
"Shit. I’m sorry," he mumbles. "I shouldn’t have said that." He runs a hand through his hair in frustration.
"No. I deserved it." I walk into the kitchen to retrieve his beer. As I pull open the fridge door, I burst into tears.
Brett suddenly appears behind me. "I know I shouldn’t have come here tonight, but I didn’t like the idea of her being around you without me."
"I get it. I really do. I can’t blame you one bit." I wipe my eyes and grab a beer before turning to face him.
"I didn’t mean to upset you. It was a low blow."
"Really, it’s fine." I pull the cookie dough out to keep my hands busy so he hopefully won’t notice that they’re trembling.
"She pregnant," he blurts out before picking up the beer I placed on the counter.
My head snaps up. "Really? That’s great," I respond sincerely. Brett always wanted kids. It actually surprises me that they don’t already have a litter.
"God, if you thought I was a overprotective before… I’ve taken it to a whole new level since we found out. We fought for two full hours before coming over here. She even cursed." He laughs at the memory.
"I’m sorry," I once again apologize, regretting having asked Jesse to come in the first place.
"It’s not your fault. She was thrilled to be able to help tonight. That’s who she is. It makes me insane, but as you can tell, I have zero ability to change her mind once she sets it on something."
"She’s a great person."
"Yeah. I won’t argue with you there." He shoves a hand in his pocket and looks down at his shoes. "Listen, I’m gonna go wait outside. I shouldn’t have come. I'm sure this is a tough time for you guys right now. I’m just making it harder." He turns to walk away.
"You don’t have to do that. Brett, wait," I call out as he heads for the door.
"Just tell her I’m in the car. No rush." He pulls open the door but pauses, not even turning to face me. "For what it’s worth, I’m really happy to see you doing so well."
As he leaves, he closes the door behind himself, but surprisingly enough, it’s not the only closure I feel.
I take a deep breath and look around the room. I’ve been here for hours, but suddenly, the air seems lighter. I walk to Liv’s bedroom but stop just before entering. She’s sitting on the floor, reading a book to Jesse with Leo, complete with a boa around his neck, sitting beside her. I lean on the doorjamb and just watch, reveling in the life I never thought I would have. Leo’s eyes immediately jump to mine as if he can sense my presence.
He gives me a suspicious look as tears fill my eyes. Immediately standing, he heads over to pull me into a warm Leo James hug.
"Are you okay?" he whispers.
"Yeah. I really think I am," I choke out, and never have words been truer.
Three months later…
"I DO," Sarah says through a mixture of laughter and tears.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," the minister announces.
I quickly follow his direction, pulling Sarah in for a kiss. She keeps her mouth closed and denies my tongue entry, laughing as I try to force it on her.
She leans away, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand, and asks the minister, "Is it too late to return him?"
"I’m afraid so," he replies.
"You hear that? You are stuck." I laugh, dragging her in for another quick kiss.
Liv giggles from beside her.
"Oh you think that’s funny?" I say to Liv, who is all but glowing in a pale-purple dress that’s tied at the waist with a bow. I scoop her up into my arms and blow a raspberry on her cheek. "Now that’s funny." I begin to tickle her.
"Daddy, stop!" she calls out.
Even though she’s been calling me Daddy for several weeks now, it still gets me every time.
"Okay. Okay." I put her back on her feet.