Fiction: Promise Chapter 29
Chapter 29:He Who Takes a Child By the Hand Takes a Mother By the Heart-- Proverb
Author: Jailynn
Timeline: Future
Type: Alternate reality/ romance
Disclaimer: I don’t own the show or the characters.
Rating: PG-16
Couple, Character/ Show: Coop and Ashlee, Daisy, Brandon, Buzz, Doris/ Guiding Light
Feedback: Please and thank you. Like it, tell me. Hate it, um, tell me nicely please.
Author’s note: Please forgive all stupid mistakes. I always make them and can never catch them before I post *laughing* and I do try.
Summary: Ashlee’s life begins to get interesting when she makes a decision to end something…
Word Count: 2906
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Promise: Chapter 29: He Who Takes a Child By the Hand Takes a Mother By the Heart
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The quiet of the small house was only broken by the sound of three people’s breathing and his heart pounding in his chest. Brandon sat there in front of him, his wide blue-green eyes, which were so much like his own it was scary, were looking at Coop in complete trust. Coop had a weird feeling that his son’s question was asked, not because he didn’t know, but because he did. For a five year old, Brandon was shrewd and very intuitive. Coop wondered where that personality trait came from. It most certainly didn’t come from him. He was often behind the eight ball, the last to know anything, especially when the subject had to do with his own life.
Ashlee’s hand was warm in his, the pressure of her palm against his palm was comforting and he broke eye contact with his son to look into hers. She was calmer than he would have expected. There was a peace in her face that made him feel like she had the same thoughts as him. That this was the real reason Brandon asked to call him daddy. Their son was setting them up for this moment, for this question. He squeezed her fingers and took a deep breath. Coop counted to ten in his head and tried to formulate the words to say to Brandon. Did he come out with it and say, “Yes, Brandon, I am your father.”
Coop chuckled in his head. The way that sounded was eerily like Darth Vader from Star Wars as he was telling Luke Skywalker who he really was. The scene flashed in his mind so quickly there was nothing he could do to stop it. The moment was complete with heavy breathing and the shocked look on Luke’s face. He pushed that out of his head and took the bull by the horns so to speak. Raising his head and locking eyes with his son again, Coop nodded his head slowly. “Yeah, Brandon, I’m your daddy.”
Brandon grinned; his little body seemed to bounce from the excitement of knowing the truth, of knowing that he was right. His bright blue-green eyes looked deeply into his. Some of his excitement faded a little as he tilted his head and asked, “Why did it take you so long to find me and mommy? Didn’t you want us?”
The simple questions broke his heart quicker than a bullet ever could. Coop had to swallow back all his emotions that ran the spectrum of fear to anger. He never wanted his son to think that he didn’t want him, but he also didn’t want to blame Ashlee. Those were issues that didn’t need to be brought up in front of someone so young and so sick. Ashlee made mistakes. He made mistakes and there is nothing either could do about the past now. She tensed visibly in front of him and his eyes were immediately drawn back to hers. She bit her full bottom lip hard enough to break the flesh, bowing her head slightly so that he couldn’t see her face. She was scared of what he would say. She was scared that he would throw her under the bus to save himself.
The knowledge that that thought was where her mind had gone hurt him a lot. He tried to not be offended. He couldn’t blame her for fearing the worse and he wouldn’t. The time for blame has passed and now it was the time for starting over, together. Coop held out his arms to his son, wondering all the while if the tiny boy would come to him.
After a long couple moments, that felt like an eternity to Coop, Brandon slid off the chair and settled his slight body in Coop’s lap facing him. He brushed back the dark hair that was resting on Brandon’s forehead and sighed. “I’m sorry it took me so long. I have never wanted anything as much as I want you to be my son and your mommy to be my wife. You two are the most important people in the world to me and I love you with my whole heart. Can you forgive me for not being there?”
There was silence in the room while Coop waited for his son to answer him. The young boy didn’t break eye contact with him and didn’t jump off his lap. He took both to be good signs. Finally Brandon shrugged his small shoulders and smiled. The forgiveness Brandon had was given easily to his daddy. “I love you too.” Coop’s heart felt so full it felt like it would burst with love for this amazing young man. There wasn’t any hesitation when Brandon slid his arms around Coop’s neck, hugging him tightly to his body and placing his cheek on Coop’s shoulder. Tears welled up in both Ashlee and Coop’s eyes. Brandon pulled back suddenly. An enthusiastic and mischievous glint in his eye that reminded Coop of Ashlee, “Are you going to marry my mommy now?”
Ashlee let out a nervous and uncomfortable laugh and turned Brandon to face her. Her hands rested on his waist just above Coop’s own. “Um, Bran-muffin, I think it’s time for bed. Give daddy a kiss and grab a book while I clean up the glass.” Brandon huffed, not pleased with this plan at all.
“But mommy,” he whined. His hold on his dad tightened a fraction. “I want to know if daddy is going to marry you now.”
“Brandon,” she arched her brow in that timeless way mothers did and he huffed again knowing that the battle was lost before it even began.
“Fine,” he laid a smacking kiss on Coop’s cheek while Ashlee left the room to get the broom and dustpan. Brandon watched her leave then leaned in, whispering into Coop’s ear. “Well are you?” Coop grinned at his sneaky son and nodded his head. Brandon squealed in happiness before slapping a tiny hand over his mouth. He spoke through his fingers. “Good mommy deserves be happy.” He started to get off of Coop and then stopped. “So does this mean my Papa Buzz and Uncle Frank are really my Papa Buzz and Uncle Frank?”
Coop nodded his head again and Brandon smiled, pumping his small fist in the air. “Yes! I have the coolest family ever!”
He laughed as Brandon stood up and walked over to the book shelves with a visible bounce in his step. Coop got up from the floor and realized once again how lucky he was to have both Ashlee and his son in his life. He silently prayed to whatever deity was listening at that moment that Brandon made it through his illness and they got to have a long and happy life together. His son turned to face him and he tilted his head and pursed his lips in much the same fashion Ashlee did. “I don’t know which book to read tonight.”
“Okay,” he said as he made his way over to his son. He placed his hands on the young boy’s shoulders and looked at the wide selection of books. Most were classic children’s novels, but some were very adult. He scanned the spines until a couple books in particular caught his attention. There were all in pristine condition except for creases on the side. They were his books. All the books that have been published so far; Ashlee bought them all. He caressed the novels feeling a tightness gather in his throat. He never noticed them in here before. He shook his head and went back to looking for a book for Brandon. He heard Ashlee return as he pulled a copy of The Silver Chair another book in the Narnia series. “How about this book tonight?”
He turned his head slightly to the side to watch Ashlee sweep up the shattered glass. Her head was down and her face was completely obscured by her long blond hair. He wanted her to look at him. Coop didn’t know what touched him so much about her buying all of his books, but it did touch him. Brandon brought his attention back to the present by gently taking the book from his hand. “Will you read it to me?”
“Um,” Ashlee spoke up, dumping the broken pieces into the trash bin. “I think your daddy might be writing tonight so how about I read to you?”
Coop had almost completely forgotten about his story until she mentioned it. It was still important to him, but nothing was as important as his wonderful son. He opened his mouth to say that he would be more than happy to read to Brandon when their son interrupted him. “Okay mommy.” Brandon looked up at him and he looked down at him. “Will you read to me tomorrow?”
“Nothing would make me happier,” he told him with complete sincerity. Brandon wrapped his arms around Coop’s waist and rested his ear against his stomach. “Good night, Boomer.”
“Good night, daddy,” Brandon replied into the material of his shirt.
Ashlee held out her hand and Brandon took it. Together they left Coop alone in the study. His computer had long ago gone into hibernation, a black screen with a bouncing multicolored ball the only thing to be seen. He walked slowly over to the computer and lightly ran his finger tip against the touch pad bringing the computer back to life again.
His eyes strayed to the picture of Ashlee and Brandon from Halloween and suddenly he wasn’t angered or annoyed that Steven was there and he wasn’t because while that man got a few holidays with Ashlee and his son, he was going to have all the rest. And that was what was important to him now.
-*-*
Doris stood at the table lighting candles. The dining room in her home with Buzz was set up for seduction. This was their fifth anniversary together and she planned to spend the night completely wrapped up in his arms. The heavenly scents coming from the kitchen were making her mouth water. Most people would be surprised to know that she wasn’t a horrible cook. She wasn’t a master chef by any means but she knew how to put together a meal.
There were only two people that have ever knowingly eaten something she’s cooked. Ashlee, when she was much younger and Buzz now that they lived together, she didn’t believe he should do all the cooking, not when he did it all day long. Doris wiped her hands against the material of her brown slacks and looked around the room, making sure everything was just as she wanted it.
The candles were casting the room in a lovely glow, the table was set and the dinner was completely done. All she needed to do was get dressed in the special outfit she bought especially for tonight, turn on the music and wait for the man of the hour to arrive. She shook back her hair and headed into their bedroom. Doris pulled out the bag that contained her purchase and smiled. The short, lavender silk negligee with thin straps was the perfect outfit to knock him off his feet.
She stripped out of her work clothes and slipped the soft gown over her head. The material hugged her body and showed off her legs in an inviting way. She walked barefoot into the bathroom and reapplied her make-up. She didn’t do too much, just added gloss to her lips and a light dusting of powder on her cheeks. She sprayed a small amount of perfume on her skin. Doris considered doing something with her hair then decided against it. Buzz often ran his hands through her hair while they made love and she loved the feeling of his touch against her head.
The front door opened and shut, signaling Buzz had arrived home. She ran her hands through her hair once and slid them down the material of her gown then stepped out of the bathroom after giving her appearance an once over one more time. He was standing in the bedroom when she stepped out. Doris was a little disappointed she didn’t get to surprise him with everything, but that disappointment quickly vanished at the look in his kind blue eyes.
Buzz looked her up and down hungrily. He took a step toward her and her breath caught in her throat. The temperature in the room increased while he continued to look at her. He stopped in front of her and took her head in his hands. He pulled her forward capturing her lips in a soul-searing kiss. Doris’s toes curled into the fabric of the carpet as he continued to devour her mouth.
His hands curled around the straps of her nightgown and pulled them from her body. The gown slipped easily from her body, gathering at her feet. Doris tilted her head back as he attacked her neck. She grinned and spoke breathlessly. “I have dinner ready for you.”
He pulled back, “It can wait.”
She didn’t argue. She didn’t want to argue. He went back to kissing her neck and she pulled at the buttons on his shirt. Doris worked hard at getting the clothes that hid his body from her off of him. He backed her toward the bed and laid her down against the mattress. He stood over her and removed his clothes before joining her on the bed.
They made love all night long. The candles burnt down to the wicks and the food got cold but Doris didn’t care. She rested her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. She couldn’t help but think this was the best anniversary they’ve had so far. Her eyes drift closed and her body was completely sated.
-*-*
Coop slipped out of the bed careful not to wake Ashlee. He found a pair of running shorts and an old t-shirt at the bottom of one of the drawer Ashlee’s cleared out for him to use. He pulled his clothes on and grabbed a pair of socks and his tennis shoes. When he turned back to the bed, Ashlee was sitting up wiping the sleep from her eyes. Her blond hair was tussled and her skin was a light pink. The sheet which was the only thing she had to cover her nakedness slipped down and exposed her upper breast to him.
His body reacted immediately to her. She yawned and looked at him through sleep foggy eyes, “Where are you going?”
Her voice was husky from sleep and he nearly groaned out loud. He swallowed, walking over to the bed and leaned over her. He kissed her slowly. She reached up and wrapped her arms around him, the sheet slipped completely down pooling in her lap. Coop slid on top of her and continued roll his tongue against her own. It took all his will power to pull away before they continued in the direction they were heading. He knelt on the mattress and looked down at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were bruised from his kisses.
Coop backed off the bed and Ashlee sat up confused. “I’m going for a run. I’ll be back soon.”
A wickedly sexual smile curled her full lips. “I can think of more fun ways to get exercise and you wouldn’t even have to leave the bedroom.”
This time he did groan out loud. He bowed his head and captured her lips quickly again unable to deny himself one last taste. “Can I have a rain check? I really need to run and clear my head.”
Concern replaced the seductive look in her azure eyes, “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” he assured her. “I’m just…” he tried to think of a believable lie quickly. “Having some problems with the story I’m writing. I thought a run might be what I need to break through the writer’s block.”
Ashlee tilted her head to the side and then shrugged. “Then you can have that rain check.” A smile lit up her face. “I hope you break your writer’s block. I miss reading your stories.”
“I miss having you read them,” he whispered. He kissed her one more time and then reluctantly left her naked in their bed.
-*-*
Daisy needed a lot of coffee and maybe a nice smack to the back of her head. She couldn’t seem to get Kevin out of her head. It didn’t help that he called her three times after she kicked him out of her shop. He was sticking to his story about the woman being his twin. She couldn’t explain why, but she really wanted that to be the truth. She really wanted him to be a good guy. Daisy sighed and poured a cup of the dark hot drink into her favorite mug.
She was just about to take a sip when there was a knock at her door. She glared at the wood, trying to burn wholes through it and the person on the other side. The person knocked again and she huffed. Daisy stomped over to the door and pulled it open, “This better be damn important.”
Coop raised his eyebrow and opened his mouth, speaking very slowly. “I think it is. I want you to help me design an engagement ring for Ashlee.”
Daisy nearly dropped her coffee mug.
End Chapter 29
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