Isabella (The Mitchell/Healy Family #2)(52)
Author: Jennifer Foor

When we hung up I covered my face with my hands and sat there at the table finally losing control over my emotions. This trip home wasn’t just to see my parents, it was to see if I was ready to move forward. I couldn’t tell Isabella about my concerns. She didn’t need to know that I obviously still had demons to deal with. It wasn’t like they could come between us.

I hoped.

Isabella let me calm down before asking me to explain what had happened. She was so patient with me, only reminding me more of how far we’d come as a couple. I know we were working for the common goal of being a family, but our hearts were also in the same place, which helped.

Though difficult, I was able to tell her about my dad’s health, and the ultimate sacrifice they’d made in hopes that I’d come home one day. Her pregnancy hormones kicked into full gear as I explained that part. We spent the rest of the morning comforting each other.

What brought us out of our depressing mood was feeling our little girl kicking. She’d been doing it for a couple months, but each day they were getting more prominent. I loved feeling her little body moving around, reminding me that she be with us soon enough. I think my conversation with my mom didn’t give her enough time to take in the fact that I’d announced I was going to be a father again. She’d see soon enough, and the tears we shed today wouldn’t compare.

The bottom line was that I knew I couldn’t move forward until I left the past behind. In order to do that I had to face it. With Isabella by my side I was going to do it, because her love was my reason for wanting to live again in the first place.

Chapter 32

Rusty

Isabella took off on Friday so we could get an early start on our drive to Indiana. The last time we’d taken this journey it had been for a different reason. She says she never would have went through with an abortion, but I’d like to think that I made sure of it. It was also the first time that we’d made love.

Passing by the hotel that it happened in brought back all of the memories of that night. She turned to look at me, full of smiles. “I know what you’re thinkin’, Rusty.”

I nodded. “You’re damn right I’m thinking it.” I was trying to keep my mind off of what was about to happen when I pulled up at my old house that I shared with my wife and daughter. “The moment I went between those legs you knew you wanted more.”

She giggled and pulled her legs up on the seat. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

I ran one hand over her smooth skin. “I don’t have to. You know it’s the truth. Do I need to remind you what you sound like when my tongue hits that little clit of yours?”

It was turning me on talking about it. When I looked over she was blushing. A sudden jolt from my dick reminded me how great it was to wake up naked next to her each morning. “Behave, or I’ll pull this truck over and take you right in the back of it, pregnant belly and all.”

She crossed her arms. “Stop it. You wouldn’t do that.”

I pulled over the vehicle, just to be funny. Her arm started flailing as she began freaking out.

“Rusty, stop. Oh my god, I am not gettin’ naked out in public. Have you seen my body?”

I looked her up and down, while still chuckling to myself. “Yeah. I see it everyday. Your ass has really filled out by the way. When you bend over I feel like getting some of that every time.”

She lightly slapped my arm. “Cut it out. You’re not funny, mister. Get back to drivin’. My legs hurt, and I’ve got to pee.”

“You really know how to kill the mood, babe.”

She took her fingernails and ran them over my jeans, right between my legs. “Don’t worry. I know how to start it back up again.”

It was a shame that we’d started pulling on the road to my old house. I tensed up immediately, realizing that in a matter of minutes I wouldn’t be smiling. It took everything in me to squeeze her hand and pretend to smile.

She knew what was wrong when I put the truck in park and looked at the white house with the wrap around front porch. I remember painting the shutters blue, and almost falling off the ladder on the last one. In the living room windows hung the curtains that Simone had sewn herself. I took a few deep breaths and stared at the steering wheel.

Isabella put her hand on my back. “You okay?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“I’m sorry for askin’ you to do this, Rusty. Do you want to go home?”

I turned to face her. “I do, but I need to do this, for you and for our future. We can’t move forward until we deal with the past.”

She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “Just remember that you’re not alone. I’m here for you, and I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

We stepped out of the truck and I carried our bags up to the front porch. Isabella stood by my side as I opened the door. It was so difficult walking in and recognizing the smell of being home. I focused on the hardwood flooring, instead of the furniture and pictures that I knew were hanging. “Mom. It’s me.”

She looked the same as she did the day I left. Wearing an apron, she stepped out of the kitchen opening and approached us. Her arms opened and I leaned down to hug her, and felt a rush of warmth hitting my eyes. The tears were easy to choke back and hide, especially considering what happened next. “My son. I missed you so much. You look so healthy.”

I heard my mother gasp, and pulled away frantically to figure out what was wrong. I followed her eyes to see what had her so worked up. Then I saw what she saw.

Isabella.

Except that’s not who she saw at all.

My mother stared at her like she was seeing a ghost. I hadn’t even noticed the transformation until this very moment. In her pregnancy she’d gained weight in her face, making her almost a twin to my deceased wife, Simone.

If there were ever a time when I didn’t want them compared to each other it was now. I put my arm around my girlfriend and pulled her close to me, knowing that she was fully aware of what was going on. She looked to me with worried eyes. “Mom, this is Isabella Mitchell. Isabella, this is my mom, Janice Tillman.”

My mother didn’t move. “Nice to meet you.”

Iz, smiled, but couldn’t bring herself to say anything. As the seconds passed without a single sound, I knew I was going to have to separate them to be able to calm my mother. “The bathroom is right down the hall on the left. The light is on a dimmer so make sure you turn it to the right for brightness.”