A heavy feeling rolled through Braxton’s stomach. “Alissa,” he whispered before clearing his throat and forcing his voice to project. “How is she doing?”
The doctor’s face remained stoic. Braxton couldn’t get a read on what he was going to say, but when he spoke.
“As you know, your fiancée suffered from preeclampsia during her pregnancy. That is why we were monitoring her blood pressure so closely when she was admitted. In rare instances, preeclampsia can cause placental abruption.”
The doctor must have caught the deer-in-the-headlights look on Braxton’s face because he stopped for a moment, giving Braxton a chance to catch up to what he was saying. When Braxton spoke, his words were direct and to the point. “What the hell does that mean? Where is Alissa? I want to see her.”
“It’s when the placenta separates from the uterus.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Michaels, the bleeding was too severe. We did everything we could, but we were unable to save Ms. Ivey. She passed shortly after your daughter was delivered.”
Braxton stumbled until the back of his knees hit the chair behind him. His legs gave out as the weight of what he’d just been told set in. Alissa is gone? How can this be? She was fine. Everything had been fine, and now it was a mess. A fucking mess that he couldn’t wrap his head around. It was just an alarm. They had been going off every time the baby moved into the wrong position. How many times had he heard that beeping? Oh my God. I didn’t go with her. She yelled for me, and I did nothing. Alissa died without knowing how much I loved her. I should have been with her. Nothing was okay and it never would be again.
Paisley’s tiny hand reached out, clasping Braxton’s forearm, and her tear-stained face peered up at him. Her eyes glistened with liquid that had been waiting to drain from her eyes and blaze down her cheeks. Her sorrow was as evident as his. Paxton stood close by, staring out the window, his eyes empty and devoid of any emotion.
Part I
The Past
Chapter 1 April 16th, 2005
“Happy sixteenth birthday, Brax.” Paisley rose onto her tiptoes and kissed the side of his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her in a bear hug. One she was certain was stronger than she’d ever felt before.
“Thanks, Paisley.”
The front door slammed closed as Paxton walked in, interrupting one of the best hugs Paisley had ever had. She couldn’t keep her secret much longer. She was going to have to let Braxton know how she felt. She wanted to tell him that she loved him and that she had for so long as she could remember. But every time she attempted to say the words, Paxton interrupted. Today was no different.
“Dude, Jennifer and Jessica are waiting for us. Tonight’s the night, right?” Paxton shoulder-bumped Braxton and gave him a high five. “Jessica’s hot for you. Jennifer told me she’s planning on popping your cherry.”
“You’re gross,” Paisley said to her brother, then turned to Braxton. “Jessica’s the town whore. She’s slept with half the school. Is that who you want?”
Deep inside, she prayed he’d say no. Prayed that he’d say he wanted her. She hoped that he’d tell Paxton he could never want Jessica because she had a disgusting snatch. But the truth was, she knew he wouldn’t say any of that. Yet she still held her breath until he answered.
“Hey, if she’s willing to suck me off, who am I to complain?” Braxton high-fived Paxton once again. “Let’s go, man. I don't want to keep her waiting. See you later, Paisley. Thanks for the birthday wishes.”
And just like that, the P and B duo rushed out the front door, leaving her heart crushed.
Who was she kidding? Of course, Braxton would want a blow job. What male wouldn’t? Even if it was coming from the town whore. She hadn’t been able to tell him how special he was to her or that she loved him.
Tears began to well behind her closed eyelids and when she opened them, her mom was standing before her with a sympathetic look on her face.
“Your time will come, Paisley. He won’t always see you as his best friend’s sister. I promise you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because, whether or not he even notices it, he treats you like a precious gift. And whenever the two of you are in the same room, he always looks your way.”
Paisley wanted to believe her more than anything, but she knew her mother was just trying to make her feel better. She was hoping to keep her daughter’s tears at bay.
Paisley wrapped her arms around her mom and squeezed her tight. Her reciprocating embrace was the final straw that forced the dam to open, and Paisley’s tears began to fall, soaking her mom’s shirt.
Her mother’s hand stroked the back of her head, letting her know that she was not alone—that her mother was there for her in her time of need. “Don’t cry, baby girl “Things will work themselves out one day. And if they don’t, then it wasn’t meant to be.”
Like the good mother she was, she patted her back a few more times. “Besides, my intuition tells me nothing will happen tonight with Jessica.”
Paisley quickly pulled out of her mother’s arms like she’d been burned and gazed into her eyes. How did her mother know about Jessica? Her mother was wise and quickly read her daughter’s facial expression. “I overheard the conversation you all were having.”
Paisley’s shoulders lifted and fell in a shrugging motion a tell-tale sign that she’d heard her mother. But the ache in her heart was too strong so she turned and ran toward her bedroom before anyone could see her cry again.
She’d barely made it out of
