Invisible Strings

Chapter Twenty-Two

"How did I not know that you two were that close?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. I guess you didn't know just like I didn't know that you are friends with Amanda. The universe didn't want us to connect until the moment that it wanted us to. Which is crazy when you think about it because I was at the hospital the day after Gannon was born, same with Maisie. Both kids were mere hours old the first time I held them."

I played with my ponytail as I looked at him, remembering the days that followed Gannon and Maisie's births. I'd spent every moment possible with Amanda at the hospital but with Colton and Chloe being so young and wanting to get into everything, I'd stayed a little while and left before coming back sporadically throughout her stay. I knew that there had to be some higher power intervening between me and Brnatley, not wanting us to run into one another until it saw fit.

But then, a memory washed over me, one where Gannon had mentioned his 'Uncle B'. Gannon had been young and just starting to talk clearly. Since he'd spent so much time with Layla and Ryan and most people referred to Ryan by his last name, I'd assumed he was talking about him. Never would I have guessed that he was talking about Brantley.

"Well, I guess if things move forward with us, there won't be any awkward introductions between you and my closest friends then, huh?" I said after a few moments.

"No," he laughed. "It won't be awkward.

"Well, that's a good thing because if you know Amanda, then I don't have to tell you how she is."

Brantley laughed again. "No, you don't. I know that she's a damn spitfire. And honestly, I'm surprised she hasn't shown up at my door ready to kick my ass over what happened between you and I."

"Oh, she wanted to. Believe me. But, since she's pregnant, Chase has her on a pretty short leash."

"Chase called and told me the good news a few days ago." Said Brantley. "Makes me a little envious that they are getting to experience the joy that comes with a newborn baby again, if I'm being honest."

"Would you want more kids one day?" I asked.

"Well that had always been the plan. But then life happened." he said, the tiniest bit of sadness in his voice. Hearing it made me regret asking the question. But then Brantley added "But to answer your question, if I found the right woman, then yes, I would want more kids."

All I could do was nod my head at his answer.

"What about you? Would you want more kids one day?" he asked.

I sat for a moment, thinking about how to answer that. After the twins were born, I'd worn that I was done. With me teaching and Alex being on the road with William, I was struggling with raising two kids and I knew that it would be more work to have more. When Alex and I had talked about trying for another kid, he'd shot down the idea, saying that two were enough since we'd gotten lucky with the twins, one being a boy and one being a girl. He claimed he didn't want to disrupt that balance by adding another kid. After that, I'd pushed the possibility out of my mind, choosing to appease my baby-fever by spoiling Gannon, Maisie, and Rayna every chance I got.

But now that Brantley was asking the question, the possibility of feeling a child growing inside, to get to experience being pregnant again, I knew that there was only one answer. I knew without a doubt that if I ever found someone that I was serious enough with to get to the topic of having kids with, that the answer to that question would be the only one thing.

"Yes." I whispered, locking eyes with him as I did so.

As I said the word, I saw something dance over his eyes. I wasn't sure what it was, but it sure looked a whole lot like desire. And damn, it did something to me. It made me want to throw caution to the wind, to straddle his lap, and get right down to it, to see how fast we could make a baby. But the lingering effects of that night in the barn, the two weeks of hell, and the promise to myself that if he and I ever worked things out that I would take this slow and wait for him to make the next move kept me from acting on my wants. That and the fact that I didn't know if I was ready to see if what happened last time would happen again.

"Well, I hope you get everything you want and then some one day." There was a hopefulness in his tone, one that made me wonder if he hoped that he would be the one that made my dreams come true.

"I do too, B."

Our eyes stayed locked for a while, each of us quiet as we both processed one another's wishes. But it was Brantley that broke the silence finally, asking what I had planned for the rest of the day.

"Nothing really. I told the kids we could watch a movie and eat popcorn later."

"How about I set you the projection screen in the backyard, you bring the kids over, and you, me, and all the kids can watch something under the stars?"

"That sounds nice actually. Chloe and Colton have been begging to come over."

"Barrett and Bray have been asking about them too," he replied. "And you as well."

Knowing that his kids were asking about me made my heart flutter. They were amazing kids, kids that had been through something that would impact them forever. But knowing that they were asking about me told me that they were closed off to the idea of another woman being in their fathers life that wasn't their mother; not that they knew the logistics of it all or anything. It just showed how resealant they are and how open they are to change.

"Brantley, I– I don't know what to say."

"Just say you will bring the kids, that we can all watch a movie together, and maybe, when the movie is over or the kids aren't paying attention, I can cuddle can steal a goodnight kiss." He said, his voice growing deeper as he spoke, telling me that the thought of kissing me was turning him on.

"I can do that." I smiled gently. "You just have to carry me home so I can go get the kids."

"Easy enough."

We sat there chatting for a few more moments before Brantley and I headed out to his truck so that he could carry me home. I had hoped we'd take the motorcycle since it had been so fun to ride but when I'd asked why were taking the truck, Brantley had said it was because I was in shorts and flip flops and that even though he was confident in his skills, he didn't want to put at risk of getting hurt. And that just made me fall a little more for him.

"So we're falling for him now?"

There goes that voice again, the same one that had been fueling the doubts I had over Brantley really liking me and not the fact that I reminded him of Amber. As it was, I was struggling with it enough on my own. Add in that harpy bitch's voice, and well, it was enough to make you think you were going crazy.

But for the first time since that night two weeks ago, I was willing to admit that yes, yes I am falling for Brantley...