Megan nods. “After Josie told me what was happening, I figured that would be the case.”
She tilts her head back on the couch, taking a few shakybreaths. I sit down on the edge of the coffee table, resting my hand on her shin.
“Marley,” I say, my voice low. “Do you need anything? Hungry? Thirsty?”
“I’m okay, really. I’m tired, but otherwise, I think I’m okay.”
“You sure?” I ask. “I can always get Thomas to give you a police escort. You know he’d do it.” I raise my brow in a silent question, knowing full well Thomas would be here in a heartbeat.
She laughs softly. “No, I promise I’m okay. If things get worse, I’ll let you know.”
I still nod, and squeeze her leg. “I’m sticking around until Beau gets here.”
She starts to cry, and I panic internally, worrying I did something wrong. “Why are you even here?” she asks.
“It’s the first wedding we are serving Blue Ox at. I was over at the bar when I caught Josie running like a madwoman through the reception area.”
Josie peeks her head in, smacking my bicep and giving her own two cents. “Hey now, I was on a mission. As soon as I told you what was happening, you were running faster than I was.”
“I’m not denying it.” I shrug as I look at Marley. I’ll admit it, I was freaking out a bit. I care strongly for my family, and I’ll do anything for them.
Something catches my attention, and I turn my head in time to see Fallon rushing toward us. Her face is flushed, and I fight the urge to stand up and see what happened. Is she hurt?
“Josie!” she calls across the lobby. “We need you, one of the drunken cousins knocked over theflower arch.”
Josie sighs heavily and stands. Fallon is already long gone, and Josie says her goodbyes to Marley, making her promise to keep her updated. Isaac follows, leaving only Megan and I behind.
I move so I’m sitting next to Marley on the couch now. I’m reminded about the times when Talia had Braxton-Hicks contractions toward the end of her pregnancy. Something compels me to bring it up. It’s not something I would normally do, but I do it anyway.
“When Talia was pregnant with Lennie, she got those early ‘practice contractions’ all the time. She had a super low pain tolerance, so we were going into the hospital every other day, it seemed.”
Marley turns to face me a little more. Her eyes spark with remembrance. “Oh yeah. I remember that now. How did she do during her actual labor?”
I can’t keep myself from rolling my eyes. The memories flash behind my eyes as I think about the long and painful days. I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Lots of screaming. Lots of begging for drugs andlotsof curse words.”
There was one particular contraction where Talia actually threatened the doctors if they didn’t give her more medication. I spent a lot of time apologizing to the doctors and nurses, but they wouldn’t hear it. I remember all the people who helped deliver Lennie though, so I try to give them free beer whenever they come into the brewery, as sort of a thank you.
“That’s usually the norm, though,” Megan tries to say.
I shake my head, wincing before I explain. “Not like this. The doctors struggled with how to tell her no, that she was maxed out on her meds, and there was nothing else they could do. I knew she’d had a problem with drugs in thepast, but never realized it was that bad. She swore she was clean and ready to be done with that life. I should have seen it coming. Shortly after Lennie was born, she fell off the deep end.”
A subtle shiver rocks through me with the memories.
Marley reaches out her hand, squeezing the top of my arm in consolidation. “It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known, Jason.”
I shrug, knowing she’s right, but there will always be the guilt that settles deep in my chest when I think of Talia. Could I have done more? If I’d done one thing differently would she have stayed clean? Would we be a family right now? Would Lennie have a mom, and more siblings? I brush it off, saying, “Lennie is safe, and that’s all that matters, right?”
There’s a beat of silence, and then Marley is squeezing the absolute shit out of my arm. I almost yank it away, before I realize she’s probably having another contraction.
I let her grip my arm as hard as she needs. Megan kneels in front of her, coaching her through her breathing. I don’t say anything but stay here as a strong pillar for her. I can be her strength until Beau gets here.
As if I summoned him, loud footsteps echo through the lobby, and my younger brother appears, looking stressed as hell. His long hair is disheveled, eyes wide as he scans the room in search of his love. I catch his attention, waving him over. He’s over to her in two beats, dropping down beside her and taking her palm in his.
He holds her close, while she still has one hand clenched around my arm. Beau whispers reassurances in her ear, words none of us can hear, something that’s only for them.
It warms my heart knowing they’ve finally madetheir way to each other. I may be a man who knows I’m destined to be alone, I don’t know that I could ever open myself up to someone again after Talia, after she broke my trust one too many times, but I can admit how happy it makes me to know my brothers are finding their person.
Once the contraction passes, Marley lets go of my arm. Her eyes widen and she profusely apologizes as she takes in the red marks on my skin. I laugh. “Nothing to be sorry about, Mar. If you guys need anything, let me know.” I stand, rubbing at my arm dramatically to give her shit. She swats at my leg and I laugh. Beau rises, giving me a tight hug.
