‘Storm…I,” he sighed heavily, “I honestly don’t know why I even call this number anymore. It’s not like I’ve heard from you even once after you ran out of that disaster of a cookout. That was still supposed to be a happy day. I wanted to wait until we got home. I didn’t want you to find out that way. It…It wasn’t how I wanted to tell you. I’m so sorry.” There was sniffling, his voice thick with emotion, “Like I said in the other voicemails, therapy’s going well. I just…I can’t move past the fact that I know I made the biggest mistake of my life, choosing her over you. She’s a...truly horrible person. I read your book last month,’You could hear him full-on crying,‘I’m so sorry I broke you like that. I’m so sorry I lied to you, led you on, and made you feel that way. You didn’t deserve any of that. You were the perfect girlfriend. You were the sweetest girl I’d ever been with. I really, honestly wanted to marry you. If I could go back in time, I never would have texted her back. I never wouldhave even swapped numbers with her. I would have listened to you when you told me about your family. I wouldn’t have been swayed by such an evil person. I am so incredibly sorry. If you ever hear this, I hope you know I still love you. You’ll always be the only one for me.’
I watched as Jason’s voice played, the fury that took over Story’s face. I watched as she stood up, hitting Jason, yelling at him, my mother joining in, as the host quickly attempted to get someone to cut to commercial. Sebastian quickly leaned forward so he could mute the screen, so he could say something he clearly didn’t want anyone else to hear.
“They’re going to bring up the pregnancy. Alex texted me while you were playing the last voicemail. Your mother wants to tarnish your name any way she can. Especially after that display of utter brilliance on your part.” He had that hint to his tone that told me he was joking with me, but that he loved it also. I nodded, knowing both my mother and sister would stop at nothing to hurt me.
“Are you okay, Stormi? That was pretty brutal.”
I nodded again. While it was brutal, I was over the drama and the bullshit that came with my family. The betrayal they served hurt worse because family was supposed to always be there for you and have your back. Mine didn’t, but I think some part of me accepted that. I also knew they’d never change, maybe my dad had, or was trying, and I think I was finally ready to have a tentative relationship with him. I was over Jason hurting me and had been for a while. I was ready to be my own person. Because I was finally over most of the hurt, “I think I want a relationship with my dad, depending on what he does with what my mom’s voicemail spilled.”
He looked slightly confused, then it was like a lightbulb turned on. He nodded as we saw the host come back on. Sebastian unmuted us, grabbed my hand, and set it firmly on his lap. In view of the camera.
What was he thinking?
“Welcome back, everyone! Sorry for that quick commercial interruption, we had to ask a few of our guests to handle the dramaoff-stage. We still have the parents of Stormi Buchcannan on, as well as Stormi herself, also known as the author of the famous self-help book, ‘Overcoming Family Trauma with New Discoveries’, Artemis Jones. Mrs. Buchcannan, I understand you have proof that your daughter claims she was pregnant as she was leaving the last day you saw her, a few years ago? Do you know if you have a grandchild, you’ve never met?”
“I don’t know. And it,” she dabbed her eyes, getting those crocodile tears out, “ithurtsso much to know I might have a grandchild out there that I’ve never met. It hurts that she’s kept them from all of us for so long over a little misunderstanding.”
“We just heard the voicemails, and yours was prettyharshtowards your daughter. Are you sure it was all a misunderstanding?” My mother nodded like a bobblehead, desperate for someone to buy into her narrative. My father shook his head, still looking at the floor, ashamed and embarrassed. He cleared his throat, looking right into the camera like he was looking at me.
“I’m going out there, making sure we get this on the record, saying my wife has always favored Story, and has openly admitted many times to many different people that she never wanted twins. I always tried to get her to engage when the girls were little. The only one she ever bonded with was Story,and she insisted we hire a nanny for Stormi. After a while, she started doing better than Story, which would cause Story to cry, and then their mother we scream and scold Stormi. That was when the bullying started. Eventually, I got her to leave Stormi alone, and when I was around, it seemed like everyone was getting along. It was my fault for not realizing what was going on sooner.” My dad grabbed a file from behind his chair, handing it to the host before looking back into the camera.
“My wife has been having an affair for several years, which is probably why she has been fine with Story’s behavior toward Stormi.”
He reached behind him again, pulling out another stack of papers and handing it to my mother, “These are divorce papers. Considering the prenup, it should be pretty straightforward. Stormi, I’m sorry it took me so long to leave and stick up for you, baby. You’ll always be my number one girl. I love you.”
And he walked off the stage. My mother sat there, mouth open, staring at the documents in her lap, then at my dad's back as he walked away from her. I clicked play on my dad’s voicemail from when I first left.
‘Listen, pumpkin, I know you’re upset at your sister and mother. I am, too. I didn’t know anything, and I had no idea that was happening. Maybe I was just choosing not to notice, I don’t know, but I am sorry. I know you can do better. You deserved better. I’m genuinely sorry about her sleeping with your fiancé. Please call me. I’m worried about you. I love you, pumpkin cake.’
Then I played another one,‘Stormi, I know it’s been six months, I know you're ignoring my calls, it doesn’t bode well for me. But I wanted to let you know, your mother’s beencheating. I need definite proof to divorce her. But I will divorce the witch. Once I get enough proof that she can’t wiggle out of it, I’m going to send a PI to look for you. I miss you, pumpkin cake. I hope you’re doing okay. I love you so much, baby girl. Please believe in your ole dad one more time.’
The audience awed and cooed. With that, the host ended the interview, and that was that.
“Ready for breakfast?” Sebastian asked, still holding my hand, smiling at me. Love and pride shone in his eyes. I leaned in, putting my other hand on his cheek, and kissed him. For the very first time.
“Let’s do this.”
E I G H T: Happy Six Months
Stormi’s POV
For the next six months, Sebastian and I dated, exclusively and slowly. We both wanted to be sure that this was exactly what we wanted. I also wanted to make sure I wasn’t completely damaged. We had our breakfast date right after the interview, and it was wonderful. We held hands, ate delicious food, and talked about everything and nothing that meant the world to me. About midmorning that day, we went for a walk through downtown afterward. Sebastain never once let me go. He always had a hand on me, touching me in some way. Whether he was holding my hand, or his hand was on the small of my back, or he had his arm around my shoulders or waist.
That’s how he remained. Every day after, he was always touching me when we were together. He opened up a lot more about what happened with his late fiancée, how she died, and how he was left feeling after that, if there was anything he did to support him. He appreciated my kindness and care, as far as his late fiancée was concerned. Things were easy with us. He was always complimenting me, kissing my cheeks, making sure I felt the best I’d ever felt about myself. I made sure he had something for lunch, asked about his day, and always checked in to make sure that we were on the same page and feeling heard in our relationship.
He also acted as the go-between for my dad and me in the beginning. I wanted to believe that he was all in and wanted to be a big part of my life, but I was wary, for about ten seconds, only to realize this man had proved himself to me every day for over two years. He didn’t need to do more, just be himself. Things had gone better than expected with my dad, and we’d all been working towards a better, less toxic relationship.Dad respects my boundaries, and always has. He’d only had Sebastian’s number as I wasn’t ready for that step, but we did talk at least twice a week until the divorce from my egg donor was finalized. Once it was, Dad asked if he could move closer to me. I told him I needed space to think and process what that would look like.
After thinking for a couple of weeks on it, I said yes to my dad’s idea, and gave him the name of the town we lived in. He moved to town a month later after packing up, finding a new job, housing, and settling everything back home.
It was our six-month anniversary. He’d planned a date night for us, promising to take care of all the details so all I had to do was show up and smile, being themost beautiful girl in the world. He had made all the preparations. We started with dinner at our favorite little hole-in-the-wall restaurant we’d found by accident one day after a long hike through the surrounding forests. We dressed up a little that night, wanting to feel special.
This restaurant made the best eggplant parmigiana I’d ever had! The sauce never gave me heartburn like ever sauce out of a can ever did. The pasta was always al dente, and the service was amazing. They treated everyone like family. We’d become regulars there, stopping in on date nights, or after hikes, or sometimes if we were just craving it. Walking through the doors, the hostess led us to the back of the restaurant, where they’d been working on turning the outside space into a patio. Walking out of the back door, my jaw dropped. There were lights strung above the patio, a few tables and chairs were set out, but we were the only couple there. Sebastian pulled out my chair so I could sit in it, then pushed it in for me. We ordered a bottle of Riesling, and our bread and oil were delivered with the bottle and two glasses a few minutes later. I was busy looking around, taking inthe potted plants, the lights, and the Italian opera music that was playing softly from the speakers outside. It was magical.
“Happy six months, Stormi,” Sebastian smiled at me, holding out his glass of wine. I held up my glass to cheers him, taking a small, practically nonexistent sip, wishing him a happy six months also. I wanted to keep my wits about me. I knew I was going to take the plunge and tell him tonight that I loved him. I just didn’t know when the right time would be.
“Do you know what you’re going to order?” I asked, grabbing the menu, like we hadn’t been here hundreds of times already. I was just stalling, and it seemed he was okay with that. He looked nervous, actually. I reached across the table, putting my hand on his, making him look up at me.
“Are you okay, Bastian?”
