Pulled(69)
Author: A.L. Jackson

this woman who had long ago become my mother. We pulled back, just enough to look at each other, to take in the change.

Julia was every bit as beautiful as she’d always been, her age only adding to her grace. She stepped back, taking both of my hands in hers, inspecting me. It reminded me of the way a new mother would take her baby and look her over, count her fingers and toes, make sure she was complete. She pulled me back into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered.

I nodded against her and squeezed her once more before turning to Patrick who’d been standing almost patiently at her side. I grinned up at him as he reached for me. “Hi, Patrick.” My voice was soft. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and his strong arms wrapped around my shoulders. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Welcome home, Melanie.”

I wiped the tears from my eyes and stood straight, focusing on Erin who was standing behind us. I knew it was taking everything she had to not to rush me and to give me a moment to reunite with the rest of the family. As soon as our faces met, though, neither of us could wait any longer, and we threw ourselves at each other.

“Shal we head inside? Dinner wil be ready in about ten minutes.” Julia brushed her fingers over the back of my hand, and she turned to lead everyone inside, smiling over her shoulder at me as she walked through the door.

I hugged myself as I watched my family— my family—fol ow her. I dried the last of my tears as I prepared myself to share a table with them. Turning, I met the hazel eyes burning into the back of my head. Daniel’s face was indescribable, breathtaking, as if he’d just seen paradise from where he stood at the bottom of the steps. I reached out for him, my fingers extended, the energy flowing freely in the space between us. His mouth twisted up at the corners as I silently asked him to be by my side, his feet immediately bringing him to me. I turned to walk inside, but he stopped me, taking my face in his hands.

He stared intently at me, placing a firm, closed-mouth kiss against my lips. “Thank you.”

I beamed up at him, running the back of my hand over his smooth cheek and down his neck. I nodded in acceptance because while I could object, tel him that I should be the one thanking him, and that I was the one benefitting from it all , I knew he was every bit as grateful for my return to this family as I was.

We stepped inside, and I couldn’t help but stand in awe. The house was incredible; a perfect flow of past and present as if a person could walk through a museum and still feel at home. I absolutely loved that Julia shared my penchant for antiques. Daniel chuckled, pulling me forward when the particularly charming sideboard adorning the foyer distracted me. “We’ll explore later.” I smiled meekly. “Oops. Sorry.”

The others had already found their seats when we entered the dining room. The conversation was loud and carefree as dishes passed and plates fil ed. I found Julia’s face and looked at her meaningfully when I saw she’d made my favorite chicken dish. She shrugged and drew her fork to her mouth, clearly gratified I’d noticed her display of affection.

My eyes darted back and forth across the table.

Everyone took turns sharing stories and fil ing me in on everything I’d missed in the last nine years. The table was filled with near constant laughter and mirth. The mood only darkened for a few moments when Patrick told of how he had lost his beloved aunt two years before.

I never felt uncomfortable—not once. I’d thought perhaps I would feel somewhat like an outsider, the second-wife who never quite fit in. Instead, it was as if a place at this table had been sitting empty while this family awaited my return.

Daniel’s touch was never far. His hand rested on my knee, intertwined with my own, or played with the smal hairs at the nape of my neck. I didn’t miss the way his family watched his every move. Patrick’s eyes widened when Daniel offered up a different version of the story Erin told, teasing that she could never tel a story without exaggerating it. Patrick’s contented expression only grew with each story they told. Whenever Daniel laughed, Julia become nearly delirious as if she were hearing music for the very first time. And Erin, while she’d always been one of the happiest people I knew, I’d never seen her like this. She absolutely glowed.

It was then I realized this dinner wasn’t just welcoming me back but Daniel as well.

For dessert, Julia served coffee and her

homemade apple pie. We all fel into a very relaxed state, our bodies sated. The easy conversation continued as we sat and sipped our coffee.

Daniel leaned in and whispered in my ear, “You ready for that tour now?”

I grinned, and he stood to help me to my feet. He led me from room to room, giving me time to explore everything. I loved all that Julia had done to create such an amazing home, but honestly, I was more drawn to the photos in each room. There were pictures I’d seen before of Daniel and Erin as children, and it was heartwarming to see them again, jogging old memories of stories I’d heard about their youth. Then there were those I’d never seen, ones of things I’d missed—family vacations, Daniel’s graduation from medical school, past Christmases—each a glimpse of a time that had simply stood still for me.

What struck me most was the expression on Daniel’s face in every single one, each depicting an empty, hol ow man.

Daniel was patient while I examined everything, each piece holding a story. It was obvious Julia never purchased anything unless it touched her in some way.

Daniel stood behind me with his chin resting on my shoulder, tel ing me about the painting his parents had acquired on their last trip to Europe for their thirtieth anniversary. It was from an unknown artist and hanging on the wal in the upstairs study. It was mesmerizing, capturing the life-long love affair of an aging couple. “I guess Dad saw it and looked at Mom and said, ‘we’re half way there,’ and she had to have it.”

I couldn’t imagine a better anniversary gift, one that was a testament to the love they’d shared and a promise of what was still to come. The energy swel ed between us, both of us caught up in the hope of that kind of love, the kind that Patrick and Julia shared, the kind that lasted forever.

“You about ready to go home?” He pressed a smal kiss into my neck, nuzzling his nose into my hair.

I nodded, both reluctant to leave my family and eager to be alone with Daniel.

I followed him downstairs, the night having grown late. Erin bid everyone goodnight, and went upstairs, tired from the long day of travel. We told Patrick and Julia goodnight after promising them we would be back soon.