9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Brooke
I'm running around the house, making sure everything is in place when my brother steps in my path and pulls me in for a hug.
"It's going to be okay. Everyone here is on your side, so she won't dare try anything tonight," he says.
I broke down and told my brother everything, including that Gabbie doesn't like me and our run-ins so far. He knows what this dinner means to me, and I know he’ll do everything he can to make it a success.
"This has to work. If I can't win her over, I will lose Luke, and I'm too far down that road to be able to accept that," I say what I mean without saying the words, but thankfully, my brother gets it.
When the doorbell rings, I know there’s no turning back. So, I open the door to find Luke smiling at me and Gabbie just staring. She isn't glaring or looking pissed off, so I take it as a win.
"Hey, guys. Come on in. Oh, and drink whatever my grandma hands you at your own risk. The stuff she makes could be used to remove tar," I warn them.
Luke chuckles and leans in to kiss me on the cheek.
Guiding them into the living room, I introduce them, “This is my brother, David, and his wife, Jill. Their kids are running around somewhere, and their names are Clark and Cassie. This is my grandma..." I say but get interrupted.
"You can call me Betty. Want a drink?" Grandma says.
"Ahhh, no. Can't have any with the medicine I'm on," Luke says.
Grandma looks at him with a twinkle in her eye and says, "Damn, doctors are always putting you on something.”
"I'm driving, so I'll pass," Gabbie says.
"Plus, she isn't old enough," Luke adds.
"Oh, posh," Grandma says.
"Anyway, this is Luke and his sister, Gabbie," I say as we sit on the couch.
Everyone starts talking and laughing as the kids play card games on the floor, dragging in anyone who will play with them. I watch Gabbie, and she’s on her best behavior. While I have yet to see a smile grace her face, she’s polite and talks to anyone who speaks to her, and she watches everyone, especially the kids.
When we all sit down to eat, food gets passed, conversation flows, and Luke finds little reasons to touch me, and the smile seems to never leave his face. After dinner, while we are cleaning up, I see Gabbie slip out onto the back porch.
"Hey, I'm going to go talk to her," I say to Jill, who practically pushes me out of the door.
"Hey, you okay?" I ask Gabbie as I slip onto the back porch.
She’s leaning up against the railing, looking up at the night sky filled with stars.
"You were right. I do want him to be happy," she says.
I say nothing but go stand beside her.
"I haven't seen him this happy since before Mom and Dad died. He's smiling and fits right in. I enjoyed myself, and if my brother is happy and starts a family, I can see myself slipping into the same role you did. I won't get in your guy’s way again."
"Thank you, Gabbie. He’s pretty happy in there, huh? I’m surprised he and my brother get along so well," I say.
"Yeah?"
"Well, the last guy I dated, my brother, showed up to my house with a shotgun over his shoulder, talking all about hunting and what a great shot he is. How nothing can run from him, and the entire time, I’m staring at the guy. I didn't hear from him after that."
Gabbie laughs. "Well, I can say I haven’t gone that far."
"Just know, when Luke sees you starting to date, it will be the same thing. He’ll be protective and will be both the big brother and the father figure. He’ll take on the role of giving the guys the dad speech. My brother is probably giving it to Luke right now," I say.
We are quiet for a moment longer.
"This doesn't mean we are best friends or anything," she says.
"Nope, but I do hope you know you can talk to me about anything. When Luke gets overbearing, or when you start dating, I'm the perfect one to put him in his place." I tell her, and that earns me a smirk.
"I should probably get going." She says, and we turn to face the house.
Through the glass French door, we can see Luke playing cards with my brother, niece, and nephew.
"Why don't you let me take him back to Oakside? Let him play a bit more."
"Okay," she agrees with a shrug.
Several hands of cards later, everyone is gone, and so are all the Christmas cookies my grandma brought over, and it's just Luke and me.
"I can't believe you won Gabbie over," he says.
"It was only a matter of time," I smirk.
"No one has tried before, not like that." He takes my hand. "Thank you."
Then, he pulls me in for a kiss. It's soft, gentle, and sweet, but it still sends a tingle down between my thighs. When I try to take things further, he pulls back from the kiss and looks me in the eyes.
He gazes at me like he’s searching for something as if he’s looking straight into my soul.
"I love you, Brooke." His words take my breath away.
It hasn't been that long, but what we have between us is so intense and strong. While I don't doubt what I feel, the only thing that has been holding me back is how we can make it work. With Gabbie now on board, I have no doubt that we can go forward and make plans.
"I love you too, Luke."
More sweet kisses turn into more hot kisses that I don't want to stop, but I have, too.
"We have to get you back to Oakside," I say.
On the way, Luke doesn't let go of my hand. When I park at Oakside, I turn to him.
"On Christmas Eve, Oakside is doing a big thing for the patients, but my family is doing Christmas dinner at my brothers' house. Why don't you and Gabbie join us? The kids will demand you put together their new toys, and I will wrap Gabbie’s gifts and put them under the tree. There will be cookie decorating, and it will be fun."
"We will be there," he says.
Luke
Before I even open my eyes, I can tell Brooke is in my room, as it smells just like her.
"Why are you up so early? It's a holiday," I groan.
She laughs, "I volunteered to work, so anyone who wanted the day off could have it. Plus, that means I get to spend the day with you. I promise once Gabbie gets here, I’ll make myself scarce so you can have family time. Just don't forget about tomorrow."
"Dinner at your brother's. I won't forget." I smile as I sit up in bed.
"Now, let's get your exercises done. No rest just because it's a holiday," she says.
I don't need help anymore with getting ready or doing the daily exercises PT gives me. We both know that, but I like her around, and I like her hand on me, so we are always finding little ways for her to help. After my exercises, I shower and get ready, and she moves on to her other patients.
Sitting down in the dining room for brunch, I’m waiting on Gabbie. But instead, Noah joins me with a big smile on his face.
"You did it," he says.
"I did what?" I’m not awake enough to read between the lines.
"You got the job. As soon as PT clears you, it's yours." Noah slams my shoulder from across the table, and I sit there stunned.
"You're serious?" I have to be sure.
Noah laughs, "Yes! I told you that many places love hiring veterans, and having Oakside behind you is a huge boost. I talked to your doctor, and he really thinks you will be released before New Year’s if you don't mess up between now and then. You will need to still keep seeing your therapist for the enclosed spaces issue, but that isn't a reason to keep you here."
"Oh, and this came for you." He hands me a package, and I smile.
"I was worried it wouldn't be here in time. This is Brooke's Christmas gift." I tell him.
"Brooke is a special woman. She was there for me and supported Lexi through everything and has become a really good friend to Lexi and me. You treat her right, and after you get released, we will set up dinner at our place for the four of us."
"I'd like that," I tell him, just as I see Gabbie walk into the dining room.
She walks over hesitantly and smiles.
"Am I interrupting?" She asks, almost shyly.
"Nope,” Noah says. “Just wishing Luke here a Merry Christmas and giving him some good news. He's all yours." Noah stands up and starts talking to other people scattered in the dining room.
"What good news did he have for you?" Gabbie asks as she puts her small purse over the back of her chair and sits down.
"You will have to wait until tomorrow to find out. Speaking of Brooke, she invited us over to dinner at her brother’s. I plan to go, and I hope you will join me."
Gabbie eyes me, and I know she won't pass up a chance to spend time with me, especially outside of Oakside, but I know she isn't happy that I didn't give her much of a choice.
"That sounds good. I liked her grandma. She’s snappy," she giggles.
"There’s one more thing I want to talk to you about, and I'm not sure you're going to like it," I tell her.
She settles her hands on the table and sits up straight. "Let me have it."
"I love Brooke. She’s it for me. I feel it in my bones. I'd like to ask her to marry me." I watch her reaction.
She does very well at keeping her emotions under control, but she runs her eyes over my face like she’s waiting to see if I'm joking. She bites the side of her cheek before she speaks.
"Brooke and I talked the other night at her house. Watching you interact with her family, I finally got it. You two together? I wasn't losing you, but I was gaining a family. I would be getting a brother, sister, grandma, niece, and nephew all to spoil." She smiles, "When do you plan on asking her?"
"I'm not sure, honestly," I tell her.
We spend the next hour eating brunch and talking about different ideas. Together, we look online and find everything from extravagant to the simple. But I know the idea, and when I see it, Gabbie agrees.
We decide to exchange gifts tomorrow, since Brooke says the adults will do a gift exchange, once we get there. Then, we head back to my room with some hot chocolate and watch some Christmas movies, and it reminds me a lot of the days, before I left for boot camp, and how easy going things used to be.
"Savannah has some good schools," I tell Gabbie as she’s getting ready to leave.
"I had a feeling you were going to stay in the area, so I already put in a transfer for next year. I have to finish this year out, though."
I hug her. "We will make it work. Come down for spring break, and I will go up for weekends here and there."
"Yes, we’ll make it work," she repeats.
"Now, go get some sleep and be here tomorrow at seven a.m.," I tell her.
"It's a holiday! Don't people sleep in anymore?" She grumbles as she heads out the door.
Tomorrow is going to be a day for the books. Brooke and Gabbie are getting along, and there is some big news. I can’t wait to see the look on Gabbie's face when she opens her gift.