Love’s Suicide(83)
Author: Jennifer Foor

Brooks pulled off the glasses and her flip-flops and hopped into the pool before holding out his arms for her. She jumped right to him, letting out a scream when her body hit the cool water. I crossed my arms over my chest and smiled, feeling like life couldn’t be more perfect.

In a week’s time, everything had changed. I’d been given another chance, and even though it felt surreal, I knew it was really happening.

Danica came up and startled me when she put her hand on my shoulder. “Sorry.” She waited for me to catch my breath before she continued. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to tell you that Brooks promised Dad that you’d be back for Christmas. I know it’s going to be the best holiday and if it’s okay, I’d like to spoil my granddaughter with anything her little heart desires, starting with a special piece of jewelry. If it’s okay with you, of course.”

I turned to Danica and smiled. “I try not to spoil her, but I think it’s time she discovers what it’s like to have grandparents. I’m sure she will love whatever you get her. First we need to celebrate her birthday. I’d like you to come down to the house and stay when we have her party.”

She hugged me immediately. “Thank you, Katy. Thank you for being a good mother and allowing my son to be a part of his daughter’s life. I know you kept things from us, but I’m just so glad that he knew. I can imagine it helped him knowing that he had something to come home to when he was in Afghanistan.”

Immediately I turned away, avoiding the look of shame on my face. This woman didn’t even realize how off she was. Not only had I hid it from Brooks, up until almost two weeks ago, but I’d married another man. “I’d never keep something like that from him. He knew, but he also knew he couldn’t come home to me. We spoke through letters often and when he finally came home, we were able to reconnect right away.”

ALL LIES.

I hated myself.

She grabbed my hands and made me look at her. “I’m just glad that we know now. The past doesn’t matter as long as we can all move forward. This family means everything to me.” She started crying. “You don’t understand how hard this has been for me, and for Walt. Katy, one day you were all here and then next you were gone. I didn’t know if you were okay, or if you were hurt. Every time I watched the news I prayed that you weren’t involved. For the first couple of months I didn’t even sleep. We worried and worried. Then Brooks stopped talking to everyone. We knew he was halfway around the world and there was nothing we could do about it. I’d gotten to the point where even seeing Branch was hard, because he reminded me so much of the both of you. When Brooks came home and he reached out to us, it filled some of the void, but it wasn’t until you came walking through that door that I finally felt at peace again. Whether you marry Brooks or not is irrelevant. You’re like a daughter to me and you always have been. Nothing can ever change that. No matter how you think I’ll feel, remember that a parent doesn’t give up on their children. No matter what they do, even to each other, we love them. I will never give up on you. I love you all so much.”

I hugged her tight and felt tears streaming down my cheeks. When I looked in the direction of the pool, I saw Brooks smile at me. He was happier than I’d ever seen him.

All baggage aside, I’d found my happy ending and it was like a dream come true.

The only thing left to do was get that divorce.

Chapter 48

Believe it or not, I’d made it through the entire night without wanting to commit a violent act on Melissa or Branch. It was probably due to my being so infatuated with my own new relationship to even care about them. Every moment I spent watching Brooks and our daughter bonding made my heart bigger. She was so drawn to him, as if her little brain just knew exactly who he was. A month ago she would have been asking for Bobby. Since Brooks came into her life, she’d never once mentioned him or looked out a window for his vehicle. After his last episode I was grateful.

It was a blessing, knowing that the next few months were going to be difficult. I’d spent some time using the family computer to look up divorce laws in South Carolina. They were pretty much the same as everywhere. I’d have to be separated for a certain amount of time before I could lawfully file for a divorce. In the meantime, I’d just have to keep that life a secret from this wonderful family that had opened their arms and let me back into their lives.

While sitting up in bed waiting for Brooks to come and join me, I thought about them finding out the truth. I knew that in time they would forgive me, but it would also come with me losing their trust. I didn’t want to be dishonest to them, but it sure beat telling them all of the wrong decisions that I’d made throughout the way.

Brooks came in and pulled off his shirt. I spotted his tattoo and saw him smiling at me doing it. “If I would have known that you’d be so into it, I would have sent pictures with my letters.” He climbed on the bed and rested his head on my thigh. “What are you in here thinking about?”

I unfolded my hands and looked down at them. “I don’t know. Life, I guess. It’s just hard to believe that I’m here, with you, in your bed. It’s surreal, you know? Us being together and everyone being okay with it?”

He grabbed one of my hands and folded our fingers together, before sitting them on his chest. “To be honest with you, even if they had a problem it wouldn’t change us. We’d still be together, Kat.”

He was right. I wouldn’t have cared what anyone thought, because after getting him back, I knew I couldn’t possibly begin to let him go. Not again.

“I love how you just know what you want, Brooks. I want you to know that I looked up what I need to do to get a divorce. It should be easy, since we don’t have children or belongings together. Bobby can walk away with his home and business, while I keep my house and all of my money.”

“He doesn’t have access to those accounts?”

“No. I put them in Brooklyn’s name as soon as she was born. Only she and I will be able to draw money out of them. Bobby doesn’t even know how much I have left. He thinks I used almost all of it on the house.”

Brooks looked surprised. “How much did they leave you?”

I let out a laugh, seeing as it was so easy to tell Brooks anything he wanted to know. “Eight-hundred fifty four thousand-two hundred thirty dollars and fourteen cents was how much I got when I was able to finally access the account. I memorized the amount because, at the time, I was so hard up and needed it. The house cost me three hundred grand. I gave my friends that helped me twenty five grand and I bought everything new for inside the home too.”