18. Brandon
CHAPTER 18
Istand on Anya’s porch, straightening my shirt and taking a deep breath. It’s our first meeting since I opened up to her yesterday, and I’m still a little embarrassed about it.
We’re having dinner with my family tonight. We’re telling them about Kira, and I’m nervously anticipating my brother’s reaction. It’ll be Kira’s first day meeting them as family, and I want nothing more than happy memories of tonight.
I ring the doorbell and wait, my heart beating a little faster than usual.
When the door opens, I'm stunned into silence. Anya stands there in a beige A-line dress that flows gracefully around her, the soft fabric shimmering subtly in the light. The dress hugs her figure in all the right places, accentuating her curves and giving her an air of effortless elegance. Her hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders, and the delicate silver earrings she’s wearing catch the light, highlighting her radiant smile. In her arms, Kira looks adorable in her tiny yellow dress, her big eyes dilating when they meet mine.
I can’t take my eyes off them. “Wow,” I finally manage to say, my voice coming out a bit rough. “Anya, you look amazing.”
Anya blushes a beautiful shade of pink, and she looks down for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “Thank you,” she replies, her voice soft. “You look great too.”
I chuckle. “I’m wearing just a pair of denim and a shirt. Nothing you haven’t seen before.”
She sighs and laughs too. “So I can’t flatter you?”
“Not a chance.”
She smiles up at me, and it feels like the world narrows down to just the three of us. “I couldn’t decide on what to wear. Gigi chose this dress. Do you like it?”
“Like it? It’s perfect,” I murmur, still mesmerized by her. She looks like she’s stepped out of a dream, and Kira’s tiny giggle adds to the magic of the moment. “Ready to go?”
“Ready,” she says, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze as she adjusts Kira in her arms.
At the car, I open the back door and double-check the straps and buckles of Kira’s baby seat, making sure everything is secure. “There we go, princess,” I say softly to Kira, who watches me with wide eyes, her tiny hands reaching out to grasp at the air.
I lift her gently from Anya’s arms and settle her into the car seat. Kira giggles, kicking her little feet as I fasten the straps around her. “All set, baby girl,” I say, brushing a kiss on her forehead. Her laughter is contagious, and I can’t help but smile.
I turn to Anya, who’s watching me with a tender expression. “You’re really good at this,” she says softly.
“Just want to make sure our little one’s safe,” I reply, closing the door carefully.
Kira drifts off to sleep during the car ride and Anya and I fall into a comfortable silence. We listen to country music playing on the radio, and Anya sings along. She's usually so full of energy, but I can sense her nerves as we head towards the restaurant.
After twenty minutes, I pull up to where we are meeting for dinner. I get out of the car and open Anya's door for her, then go around to the backseat and carefully lift Kira into my arms. She stirs briefly but doesn't fully wake up.
Anya looks at me with love in her eyes. The sight of her was mesmerizing, almost otherworldly in her ethereal beauty. It was as if a goddess had stepped straight out of the pages of a fashion magazine. “Are you nervous?”
She clenches her teeth and lets out a heavy sigh. "I know I'm nervous, but we can't keep avoiding this situation forever."
I gently caress her cheek and lean in, planting a tender kiss on her forehead. "We can face this together."
My family is seated at a small, cozy table tucked away in the far corner of the restaurant. Vibrant flowerpots adorn the windowsills and the walls are made entirely of glass, offering an unobstructed view of the bustling street outside. The soft glow of candlelight dances across their faces as they chat and laugh. The lighting is perfect for a good picture of Anya and Kira too.
My parents don’t look shocked at all as Anya and I sit on the only two chairs left, with Anya sitting next to Alessa and me beside Spencer. His forehead is creased, his lips pouting as if he has a million questions to ask and is barely holding back from doing so.
“Hi, Kira,” Alessa says with a giggle. She’s waving at Kira, whose big brown eyes are now wide open and sparkly. She’s taking in everyone’s faces.
“Hello, Mr. Jackson,” Anya says to my father. “You look stunning, Mrs. Jackon.”
My mother waves. “Well, thank you. You look gorgeous yourself,” she says. “Also, you can drop the formalities now. Just call me Camilla, and call my husband James.”
Anya nods. “Sure, Camilla.”
“Good girl.” My mother’s attention floats to Kira, who’s gawking at her. “Hello, little sleepyhead.”
My mother scrunches her face, and Kira giggles, flashing her three tiny milk teeth at her grandma.
Spencer exhales loudly next to me. “Can someone tell me why we’re having this family dinner tonight? And in a restaurant?” he looks at Anya and then me, he continues, “Why did you two come in together?”
My mom hisses. “Spencer, you’ll know why we’re here after we eat.”
A few moments after we ordered, the waiter returned with our food. The rich, savory smell wafted around us.
Alessa eagerly sits up. I chose this restaurant for dinner because of her love for seafood, and I hope to take her here again once everything is done. Kira will join us next time as well. “Daddy, can I eat all of this?” she asks as a plate is placed before her.
A wide grin splits my face. “Can you eat it all?”
She nods. “Yes! I can eat all of it.”
“Well, isn’t Daddy’s little soldier hungry?” I pull Kira back as she tries to reach for the tray of seafood in front of her.
Anya offers her help, putting on gloves and assisting Alessa with a lobster. Gratefully, Alessa accepts the lobster meat and devours it with relish. Anya watches her with a motherly smile, the same look she gives Kira. "Do you like it?" Anya asks warmly.
"I love it," Alessa replies, eagerly tearing into another piece of lobster and dancing happily with her hands as she eats.
My heart swells with joy at how well they get along. Anya seems to fill the void left by Alessa's absent mother. The love and adoration that Anya has for her can't be feigned; I can see it in the way she looks at her gently.
I put Kira in her stroller and join them, filling up Anya’s plate because she’s barely able to eat while making sure Alessa is well fed.
After we’re done eating and served dessert, I know it’s time to break the news. I reach for Anya’s hand to let her know I’m right here. “I called for this family dinner to—”
“Are we supposed to keep pretending Kira is not your daughter?” my father asks with a big smile. His voice is so loud that it turns heads in our direction.
Anya and I glance at each other, and then we gape at him.
My mother hisses, “Shut up, James.”
“What? It’s the truth, and it’s obvious. Surely everyone else knows by now?” my father goes on. He’s completely tactless, but he’s right. Kira is such a mini-me that anyone with eyes can see it.
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Dad, please.”
Alessa gasps, her eyes wide with shock. “Wait, is Kira my little sister?”
Anya smiles at her, but there's a slight tension in her demeanor. “Yes, sweetheart. Kira is your baby sister.”
Another gasp bursts from Allessa’s lips. She covers her mouth this time and stares at Kira as if she’s a beautiful piece of painting. “I have a baby sister?”
I nod. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you earlier.”
“I have a baby sister,” is all Alessa says as she hops down from her chair and rounds the table to Kira’s stroller. “Hello, baby sister.”
Kira's gaze meets Alessa's, her large brown eyes filled with curiosity as she reaches out a plump hand towards her sister. With care, Alessa clasps her small hand in her own. All around the room, there is a hush of anticipation as everyone watches these two sisters come face to face for the first time.
Anya and I share a look, relief washing over us that the truth is out in the open now. There are tears glistening in Anya's eyes as she watches the girls together, a sight she most likely thought she might never see.
My mom wipes away a tear from the corner of her eye and smiles fondly at the children. "They're just so precious," she says.
My dad gives her a knowing look. "Of course you knew as well," he says, his tone slightly teasing.
My mom playfully rolls her eyes and sniffs before lightly patting the corners of her eyes with her finger. "I have eyes too, you know," she says with a grin. She turns to Anya, who is sitting across from them. "Thank you for inviting us to dinner and allowing us to be a part of your lives."
Anya lowers her head. “I should be the one thanking you for being so kind to us. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, my dear.” My mom reaches for Anya’s hand over the table. “You were young and alone. You did what you thought was best, and that is totally fine. I don’t hold it against you.”
Anya’s eyes sparkle with tears. “Thanks for your kind words.”
“Seriously?” It’s the first thing Spencer has said since we made the announcement. “Everyone at this table knew except me?” he scoffs, then turns to Anya. “You cheated on me with my older brother and also got pregnant by him? Epic. I should’ve known you weren’t as righteous as you claimed to be.”
“I never cheated on you, Spencer,” Anya says sharply. “I met Brandon the night I caught you cheating and broke up with you. I didn’t even know he was your brother.”
“You call that an excuse?” Spencer barks.
Everyone else at the restaurant is glaring at us again.
“Lower your voice, Spencer. Don’t be disrespectful to Anya.” My voice is laced with annoyance. I didn’t expect him to be all sunshine and congratulate us, but he’s being a dick and causing a scene.
“You should have thought about that before planning this dinner to share your happy news.” His angry gaze bounces between all of us. “Y’all are such a big happy family, aren’t you?”
“Calm down, Spencer.” Anya tries to reach for him but he shrugs her off, nearly pushing her hand into one of the juice glasses.
A growl escapes my lips before I can stop it, my body tensing with the urge of a fight. I resist the impulse to give him a punch and instead take a deep breath, just like my therapist has taught me. "Hey, man. Watch where you're going!" My voice is strained as I try to keep my anger in check. The heat of the moment radiates through me, pulsing with each beat of my heart. The familiar scent of rage fills my nostrils and I clench my fists, trying to control the overwhelming rush of emotions.
“I’ll just go ahead and leave you to your family dinner.” He shoots up to his feet and glares at Kira. He’s already striding away before anyone can say anything more.
My mom throws a hand on her forehead. “How do I have a responsible Navy Seal for one son and a total crackhead for the other.”
I turn to Anya. “I’m sorry about all of this.”
"It's all good." Anya chuckles and rolls her eyes. "It actually went better than I expected!"
Kira joins in with a fit of giggles, catching our attention.
Soon enough, we're all laughing together.
Anya and I share a glance before holding each other's hand tightly. It is possible that Spencer will never approve of our relationship, but I am determined to protect her with everything I have.