It was all a blur, that night, that week, that month. Marley didn't know what to do. She felt as though she was numb. She felt as though there were no emotions in anything. Wake up, to go work, work through the motions, pick up the kids, put on a face for them, it was as though she was in auto pilot. She sat there with her mind going 100 miles per hour, but she sat there motionless. Something would break that trance she was in.
"Mommy?" A small tug on Marley's pants. She focus on little Jordan. "Mommy, what's the matter?"
"Oh nothing Mommy is just tired. Always keeping busy trying to keep up with you and little Ms. Addison. You two just go nonstop all day." Marley picked Jordan up and hugged him nice and tight. Jordan wrapped his arms around Marley and kissed her on the cheek.
"I love you." Jordan said with a smile. Marley choked back some tears as she looked at Jordan. He had his daddy's nose, piercing blue eyes, and that dishwater blonde hair.
"I love you too." Marley tucked him in for one more hug before standing up and walking to Addison to get her ready for bed.
The days seemed long, and the nights got longer. Marley could barely sleep in her bed. She would wander down to that couch she was sitting on that night and go through all the thoughts and everything that happened that night. She couldn't get that night out of her head. She wanted to badly to erase that night from her memory, but she wanted to remember every detail. So badly she prayed that one day she wake up from this nightmare, and go back to that perfect life.
"Maybe that was just what it was. Something that was too good to be true. Something that wouldn't last. It's just something that would only exist in night time stories and dreams." Marley's thoughts raced. A splash of water and Addison giggling snapped Marley back to reality. Marley picked up the rubber duckies and squirted Addison, it was Addison's favorite part of her bath.
Jordan walks into the bathroom, "hey, those are my old duckies!"
"Oh you mean this one?" Marley fills it with water and squirts Jordan. Addison laughs and splashes.
"MOM. Stop!" Jordan tries to put his hands up to block the water. Sadly it was in vain. His shirt was soaked. Jordan walks to the vanity and grabs a cup and begins to fill it up with water.
"Jordan. Don't you dare!" Marley uncomfortably laughs. "Jordan, DON'T YOU FILL UP THAT CUP." Jordan turns on the water tap. With a smirk on his face he flings cold water onto Marley. Water everywhere. Marley gasps, trying to catch her breath from the cold water. "Oh, son, you just started a match you aren't going to win." She reaches into the bathtub and scoops a handful of water over on Jordan.
During that water fight, everything stopped, the worries, the consistent running of mind, the "what if's" all of it stopped. Marley was happy, her kids laughing, having a good time, a very wet time.
Jordan runs over and hugs a wet Marley and squeezes her as hard as he can. "Mom, I missed this."
Friday, September 8, 2017
15
That night the world stopped and to Marley, it felt like it was never going to start again. There was no end in sight for that night. Marley wanted to believe that it all was a dream. But it wasn't. It wasn't a dream. Brian was in the hospital and no one would tell her what had happened, only that he had been shot.
Marley prayed for strength all night. She prayed that it would all be ok. She prayed that it would all work out for the best. No one wants to see their spouse fighting for their life. No one wants their kids to be asking questions that you don't have answers for. No one wants that situation. So Marley did what she knew how to do, she ran. Shane, Marley's brother-in-law, told her to go and that he would watch her kids. Shane could read Marley like a book, she needed to leave.
After sitting in her SUV, she pulled herself back together. Just enough to encounter what she dreaded for hours. She walked back into the hospital and after puking one more time in bushes outside the front door she zipped up her jacket and walked through the doors. "Really, Marley, can you even imagine how many people have puked in that bush? Probably a good handful." She says to herself. She needed a chuckle. She needed something to take her mind off it all.
She exited the elevator and saw Jordan and Addison with Uncle Shane. Shane didn't look well, he didn't look well at all. "What is it?" Marley asked.
"He's not going to make it." Shane choked back tears.
"No, no, no, no!" Marley weakly said.
"The Doc came looking for you. I didn't know when you were going to be back. They said that they would wait for you."
"Wait for what?!"
"Marley, we've all said our goodbyes. It's your turn."
Marley sat in a chair next to the wall. She threw her face into her hands and began to cry. "What are you doing? Your kids are watching you. Get it together." Marley told herself. She felt a tap on her arm.
"Mommy, why did I have to tell daddy bye-bye? Where is he going? Is he hurt?" Jordan questioned.
"See, Daddy got hurt and it was up to the doctors to help him feel better, but they tried and well, he needs to get better. The doctors did all they can do." Marley wanted to sugar coat it as much as she could but, she wanted to tell Jordan, "Hes dying and he's not coming home." But she didn't.
"Mar, I'll take the kids." Shane said. Now, Marley hated being called Mar, it made her feel "old."
"Ok, I'll let you know when I'm done."
Marley watched as Jordan held Shane's hand and Addison being held by Olivia, Shane's wife, turned and walked down the hallway. She took a deep breath and turned the door to Brian's room.
Marley prayed for strength all night. She prayed that it would all be ok. She prayed that it would all work out for the best. No one wants to see their spouse fighting for their life. No one wants their kids to be asking questions that you don't have answers for. No one wants that situation. So Marley did what she knew how to do, she ran. Shane, Marley's brother-in-law, told her to go and that he would watch her kids. Shane could read Marley like a book, she needed to leave.
After sitting in her SUV, she pulled herself back together. Just enough to encounter what she dreaded for hours. She walked back into the hospital and after puking one more time in bushes outside the front door she zipped up her jacket and walked through the doors. "Really, Marley, can you even imagine how many people have puked in that bush? Probably a good handful." She says to herself. She needed a chuckle. She needed something to take her mind off it all.
She exited the elevator and saw Jordan and Addison with Uncle Shane. Shane didn't look well, he didn't look well at all. "What is it?" Marley asked.
"He's not going to make it." Shane choked back tears.
"No, no, no, no!" Marley weakly said.
"The Doc came looking for you. I didn't know when you were going to be back. They said that they would wait for you."
"Wait for what?!"
"Marley, we've all said our goodbyes. It's your turn."
Marley sat in a chair next to the wall. She threw her face into her hands and began to cry. "What are you doing? Your kids are watching you. Get it together." Marley told herself. She felt a tap on her arm.
"Mommy, why did I have to tell daddy bye-bye? Where is he going? Is he hurt?" Jordan questioned.
"See, Daddy got hurt and it was up to the doctors to help him feel better, but they tried and well, he needs to get better. The doctors did all they can do." Marley wanted to sugar coat it as much as she could but, she wanted to tell Jordan, "Hes dying and he's not coming home." But she didn't.
"Mar, I'll take the kids." Shane said. Now, Marley hated being called Mar, it made her feel "old."
"Ok, I'll let you know when I'm done."
Marley watched as Jordan held Shane's hand and Addison being held by Olivia, Shane's wife, turned and walked down the hallway. She took a deep breath and turned the door to Brian's room.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
14
Here's the thing about that night, everything was like any other night. Brian came home from work, hung his suit jacket on the coat rack, he placed his shoulder bag on the entrance table Jordan came running down the stairs, Brian lifted Jordan into the air and asked how his day was. Jordan proceeded to tell Brian that he met this new girl in pre-school. "She's weird, she follows me around and sits next to me at lunch and it's weird, dad." Brian chuckled, "that's exactly how I got your mother. Ain't that right Marley." Marley pokes her head around the corner, "you being in your twenties when you decided to do that only makes you a stalker. At the rightful age of 6 that makes you cute."
Brian took Jordan into the kitchen, and asks Marley what he could do to help with dinner. Marley, washing the dishes, "I put your plate in the microwave, we waited until 7 to start eating and you still weren't here."
"I'm sorry, I just had a long day at court and we lost a big case. I'm not even sure I can eat." Brian shrugged.
"Well what do you want me to do?" Marley asked.
"There's nothing you can do. I just really could have used a different result in court."
"What do you need from me?"
"Nothing, I just want you to stop doing the dishes and come sit with Jordan, Addison, and I on the couch. I just want to be us."
Marley could tell he was feeling down in the dumps. Brian has had an astounding reputation and yes, he has lost cases, but won many many more. He has never gotten down like this before. Marley was worried. She just wasn't sure why this one was different than the others. Marley picked Addison up and walked into the living room. Brian picked something on TV and they all sat there, even after the kids fell asleep.
"What happened today?" Marley inquired.
"You know that BIG case I've had for over a year?"
"Yes, but why is it such a big deal?"
"The man I was defending, just lost everything. His big house, fancy cars, business, EVERYTHING. Marley his wife took it all. And he is not the nicest man." Brian explained. "He trusted me and I failed. He TRUSTED me to win, and settle this case. But I couldn't fight his's wife's attorney, that guy was prepared!"
Marley placed her hand on Brian's leg, "so what now?"
"I think I need to take some time off work for a little while. This one caught me off guard. Where should we go?"
"Nowhere, we are too busy right now. I think you should work through this and come home each night and kiss your wife and kids and know that you have the best family in the world." Marley smiled.
Brian leaned over as if he was to kiss Marley, paused, "and that's all I need." Then he kissed her. They sat on that couch holding each kid and each other. There couldn't be anything better.
Marley and Brian like to appear like the perfect couple, but they fought, they cried. Brian spent nights at the office. Marley has walked out with the kids only once. But they knew that they just needed some breathing space. They knew how to talk things out. Brian could sometimes be upfront, and Marley could be sarcastic. But they knew that the were made for each other. See, Brian he was a rare catch. He is one of the few that believe in soul mates, fate, hope, and all that stuff. He is the kind of person who will take the shirt off his back for someone on the street. He is the kind of person who will pick up a random person's tab. He knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it. He can get angry but keeps his cool in front of everyone. Marley, well she is a little bit of the opposite.
Marley, she wasn't looking for the one. She doesn't date to marry, if it happened it happened. She never had a real long relationship with anyone, well simply because she just went with it. But when Brian came around, it was like something switched on. Like something fired up that never was there. Marley knew what it felt like to be loved, but she never really loved anyone. She didn't believe that there is only black and white, she believed that there was grey. She believed that wearing her heart on her sleeve and not giving a damn about what people think was how everyone should be. If she was upset, she wasn't afraid to show it.
They just worked. Brian and Marley just made it all happen. They lived the perfect life, ups and downs. Tears, laughter, and tears from laughter. Heartache and sorrow, but not more than love and smiles. These two children that blessed their lives just made it more chaotic, but a perfect chaos.
Marley drifted off on the couch, and Brian got up, placed a blanket over Marley, then picked up his keys and left. Brian hopped into his truck and drove off down the street. He got to the end of the street and his phone rang. It was his client, he was not happy. "Woah calm down. Take it easy. Where do you want me to go?" Brian drove as quick as he could. He parked his truck and looked up at his office building, "what a beautiful building." Brian never looked at that kind of stuff, but for some reason he took note of the architectural beauty.
He walked up to the front doors, and there his client was. Brian took out his key card and said "shall we?" as he opened the door. The two of the men walked through the door and up to his office. The walk to the elevator no one talked. Neither one talked in the elevator. The doors opened, Brian flicked on the lights. They walked to the door at the far side of the open room. Mr. Swanson asked Brian if he drank. Brian reached over and opened his desk, pulled out two cups and a bottle of scotch, "this answer your question?"
One hour turned into two, two drinks turned into four. Then out of no where, Mr. Swanson pulled out a pistol. "Look, I don't have anything to live for. You really screwed me over on this one. Why the hell would you do this to a person? You should have just pulled out a gun yourself and shot me."
Brian's heart raced, but his face relaxed. "Look, I can appeal it. We can go again, we can get better evidence, we can prove you didn't do those things. We can do this."
"You're out of time. I'm out of time, they kicked me out of my house today. I had to walk here. I have nothing. You ruined me."
"No wait!" Brian stood up from his desk. Two shots. One to the chest, one to the stomach. Then one to Mr. Swanson's head. Brian lay there, choking back blood, one hand over his stomach, and the other dragging him under his desk. Brian didn't see Swanson shoot himself. Brian grabbed his phone, slowly losing consciousness, 911 dialed, send. The phone fell to the ground and Brian lying on the ground.
Marley awoke from the couch, She picked up Addison and walked her upstairs to her room and placed her in her crib. She turned on the night light that sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." She walked back down stairs and picked up Jordan, "There's no way that skipping the gym for a week makes me this weak," she says to herself. "This is the last time I pick him up and carry him upstairs to sleep in his bed." She walks to her room, no one. She shuts the door, walks down the hall slides down the wall and sits next to the kids' room. She texts, "Hey, not sure where you went. Not sure when you even left, just let me know."
Thirty minutes went by, 12AM, Marley then decided to call Brian, "He's on the phone with someone else I guess."
"You reached Brian Scott. Go ahead and leave that message. I'll get to it eventually." Played the recording.
"For a lawyer that definitely could be a little more professional." Marley said aloud. But this was also one of the few times she ever heard his voicemail greeting. Marley sat there in the hallway, something just didn't feel right. She walked down to the living room and sat on the couch, watching the clock, calling Brian every thirty minutes.
3AM, now she's worried. She calls Brian's phone, "I swear if he doesn't answer I'm calling to police." She thought. One ring, "Hello?" Marley asks. There's no response on the other side. "HELLO? Brian, where are you? Just tell me you're ok." Line goes dead.
She sat there on the couch, telling herself every positive scenario, "he said he needed a break, maybe he drove to the ranch and lost service." "Maybe he didn't charge his phone and it died mid call. He did leave for work at 5am to prepare for court today." Scenario after scenario played through her head. But none of them sat well with her. But the one scenario sat there, like it was a person sitting next to her on the couch. She didn't want to think of the worst.
Her phone rang, unknown caller, she didn't want to answer. One ring goes, two, three. "I can't do it. Don't want to." She just can't think of how to answer. Someway she brings herself to press the button, END. Quietly she sits on the couch. She knew what was on the other side, bad news. Its always bad news when its this late. Glancing up to the clock on her tall living room wall, no good happens after midnight, 3:33am. "Is it really that late, or rather early?" She chuckles, "I guess this is one way to start the day." Legs swung unto the couch, she lies down. Staring at the ceiling fan, she hopes she's just dreaming. Laughing, smiling, and thinking about all that her life has become and what it is going to be.
Knocks on the door.
Brian took Jordan into the kitchen, and asks Marley what he could do to help with dinner. Marley, washing the dishes, "I put your plate in the microwave, we waited until 7 to start eating and you still weren't here."
"I'm sorry, I just had a long day at court and we lost a big case. I'm not even sure I can eat." Brian shrugged.
"Well what do you want me to do?" Marley asked.
"There's nothing you can do. I just really could have used a different result in court."
"What do you need from me?"
"Nothing, I just want you to stop doing the dishes and come sit with Jordan, Addison, and I on the couch. I just want to be us."
Marley could tell he was feeling down in the dumps. Brian has had an astounding reputation and yes, he has lost cases, but won many many more. He has never gotten down like this before. Marley was worried. She just wasn't sure why this one was different than the others. Marley picked Addison up and walked into the living room. Brian picked something on TV and they all sat there, even after the kids fell asleep.
"What happened today?" Marley inquired.
"You know that BIG case I've had for over a year?"
"Yes, but why is it such a big deal?"
"The man I was defending, just lost everything. His big house, fancy cars, business, EVERYTHING. Marley his wife took it all. And he is not the nicest man." Brian explained. "He trusted me and I failed. He TRUSTED me to win, and settle this case. But I couldn't fight his's wife's attorney, that guy was prepared!"
Marley placed her hand on Brian's leg, "so what now?"
"I think I need to take some time off work for a little while. This one caught me off guard. Where should we go?"
"Nowhere, we are too busy right now. I think you should work through this and come home each night and kiss your wife and kids and know that you have the best family in the world." Marley smiled.
Brian leaned over as if he was to kiss Marley, paused, "and that's all I need." Then he kissed her. They sat on that couch holding each kid and each other. There couldn't be anything better.
Marley and Brian like to appear like the perfect couple, but they fought, they cried. Brian spent nights at the office. Marley has walked out with the kids only once. But they knew that they just needed some breathing space. They knew how to talk things out. Brian could sometimes be upfront, and Marley could be sarcastic. But they knew that the were made for each other. See, Brian he was a rare catch. He is one of the few that believe in soul mates, fate, hope, and all that stuff. He is the kind of person who will take the shirt off his back for someone on the street. He is the kind of person who will pick up a random person's tab. He knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it. He can get angry but keeps his cool in front of everyone. Marley, well she is a little bit of the opposite.
Marley, she wasn't looking for the one. She doesn't date to marry, if it happened it happened. She never had a real long relationship with anyone, well simply because she just went with it. But when Brian came around, it was like something switched on. Like something fired up that never was there. Marley knew what it felt like to be loved, but she never really loved anyone. She didn't believe that there is only black and white, she believed that there was grey. She believed that wearing her heart on her sleeve and not giving a damn about what people think was how everyone should be. If she was upset, she wasn't afraid to show it.
They just worked. Brian and Marley just made it all happen. They lived the perfect life, ups and downs. Tears, laughter, and tears from laughter. Heartache and sorrow, but not more than love and smiles. These two children that blessed their lives just made it more chaotic, but a perfect chaos.
Marley drifted off on the couch, and Brian got up, placed a blanket over Marley, then picked up his keys and left. Brian hopped into his truck and drove off down the street. He got to the end of the street and his phone rang. It was his client, he was not happy. "Woah calm down. Take it easy. Where do you want me to go?" Brian drove as quick as he could. He parked his truck and looked up at his office building, "what a beautiful building." Brian never looked at that kind of stuff, but for some reason he took note of the architectural beauty.
He walked up to the front doors, and there his client was. Brian took out his key card and said "shall we?" as he opened the door. The two of the men walked through the door and up to his office. The walk to the elevator no one talked. Neither one talked in the elevator. The doors opened, Brian flicked on the lights. They walked to the door at the far side of the open room. Mr. Swanson asked Brian if he drank. Brian reached over and opened his desk, pulled out two cups and a bottle of scotch, "this answer your question?"
One hour turned into two, two drinks turned into four. Then out of no where, Mr. Swanson pulled out a pistol. "Look, I don't have anything to live for. You really screwed me over on this one. Why the hell would you do this to a person? You should have just pulled out a gun yourself and shot me."
Brian's heart raced, but his face relaxed. "Look, I can appeal it. We can go again, we can get better evidence, we can prove you didn't do those things. We can do this."
"You're out of time. I'm out of time, they kicked me out of my house today. I had to walk here. I have nothing. You ruined me."
"No wait!" Brian stood up from his desk. Two shots. One to the chest, one to the stomach. Then one to Mr. Swanson's head. Brian lay there, choking back blood, one hand over his stomach, and the other dragging him under his desk. Brian didn't see Swanson shoot himself. Brian grabbed his phone, slowly losing consciousness, 911 dialed, send. The phone fell to the ground and Brian lying on the ground.
Marley awoke from the couch, She picked up Addison and walked her upstairs to her room and placed her in her crib. She turned on the night light that sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." She walked back down stairs and picked up Jordan, "There's no way that skipping the gym for a week makes me this weak," she says to herself. "This is the last time I pick him up and carry him upstairs to sleep in his bed." She walks to her room, no one. She shuts the door, walks down the hall slides down the wall and sits next to the kids' room. She texts, "Hey, not sure where you went. Not sure when you even left, just let me know."
Thirty minutes went by, 12AM, Marley then decided to call Brian, "He's on the phone with someone else I guess."
"You reached Brian Scott. Go ahead and leave that message. I'll get to it eventually." Played the recording.
"For a lawyer that definitely could be a little more professional." Marley said aloud. But this was also one of the few times she ever heard his voicemail greeting. Marley sat there in the hallway, something just didn't feel right. She walked down to the living room and sat on the couch, watching the clock, calling Brian every thirty minutes.
3AM, now she's worried. She calls Brian's phone, "I swear if he doesn't answer I'm calling to police." She thought. One ring, "Hello?" Marley asks. There's no response on the other side. "HELLO? Brian, where are you? Just tell me you're ok." Line goes dead.
She sat there on the couch, telling herself every positive scenario, "he said he needed a break, maybe he drove to the ranch and lost service." "Maybe he didn't charge his phone and it died mid call. He did leave for work at 5am to prepare for court today." Scenario after scenario played through her head. But none of them sat well with her. But the one scenario sat there, like it was a person sitting next to her on the couch. She didn't want to think of the worst.
Her phone rang, unknown caller, she didn't want to answer. One ring goes, two, three. "I can't do it. Don't want to." She just can't think of how to answer. Someway she brings herself to press the button, END. Quietly she sits on the couch. She knew what was on the other side, bad news. Its always bad news when its this late. Glancing up to the clock on her tall living room wall, no good happens after midnight, 3:33am. "Is it really that late, or rather early?" She chuckles, "I guess this is one way to start the day." Legs swung unto the couch, she lies down. Staring at the ceiling fan, she hopes she's just dreaming. Laughing, smiling, and thinking about all that her life has become and what it is going to be.
Knocks on the door.
Friday, January 20, 2017
13
She sat outside the hospital, pushing a stroller with one hand, and holding Jordan's hand with the other. "Keep strong. Keep walking. Keep a straight face. Put on a happy smile when the kids ask. Not a creepy smile, just one so that Jordan doesn't know what happened." Marley thought to herself. She wasn't quite sure what she should do or how to do it, but she knew that she had to keep strong. Marley had never experienced anything like this. She was certain that she could keep going and they wouldn't notice.
Jordan wiggled his fingers in between Marley's and placed his other hand on top of her's. He leaned in and placed his head on her arm. Marley looked down and a tear rolled down her face. "What ya doing bud?" Marley asked.
"I see daddy hold your hand like this all the time." Jordan squeezed his hands tighter. Marley shook her head looking up. She put Addison into her car seat and went to the other side of the SUV and helped Jordan in. Looking at Jordan, she saw the exact resemblance of Brian. She put Jordan in his seat and buckled him in. She leaned in to give him a kiss on the head and he threw his arms around her neck. They both began to cry. She just couldn't stop.
Marley felt a tap on her shoulder, it was her brother Shane. "Here's my keys, go. Get out of here. I got these two." Marley hugged Shane took his keys and jumped into his truck and drove.
She drove for what seemed like days. She ended up at Brian's ranch. She wasted not time saddling up a horse and riding up to Ridge View. Marley felt like she was in robot mode. She couldn't remember the drive to the ranch nor the ride up the ridge. It wasn't until she jumped off the horse unpacked her backpack that had a blanket, bottle of wine, and two glasses. She tied up her horse then walked to the log.
She threw the blanked over her shoulders and poured the wine into the glasses. She raised her glass into the air then clinked it to the other. "Happy anniversary." She said aloud. Then began to cry. She stayed up on the ridge that entire night crying. "Why, what did I do wrong? What did Brian do wrong? Was it all just too perfect? It had to be, no life can be like this Its just all a dream." Marley questioned. She sat up on that ridge overlooking the valley where Brian had his ranch. They went up there every year on their anniversary. Brian would pack the blanket that he always had in his truck on all of their nights spent in the back of his truck starring at the stars. Marley would pour the wine and they would sit up on the ridge and would talk about one of their favorite memories.
Brian would always talk about one of the very first dates and then would finish it off with some comparison to how Marley was now and would make it a joke, but would play it off so slyly she would giggle then Brian would hug her. Marley would, always talk about Brian and the kids. Tonight however, she remembered the first time they went up to this ridge. It was the time Brian asked Marley to marry him. The time he nearly went off the cliff because of how nervous he was to ask someone "out of his league" to marry him. And when Marley jumped up to say "YES YES YES" they both nearly fell off that cliff. But they never seemed to move their log away from the cliff. She remembered Brian being quiet all the way up to the Ridge and how she was certain they were going to break up.
Marley started to laugh, "if you're going to break up with me at least do it over by the cliff so when I get mad I can push you off."
"Well, you're going to need to follow me then." Brian grabbed Marley's had and she followed him to the Cliff, "Marley, you drive me crazy, I drive you bonkers. I can make you laugh, but you leave me smiling for days. I thought I knew happiness then I met you. You flipped my world upside down. You taught me that things can be imperfectly perfect. I'm not going to ask a question. I'm not going to get down on one knee. You're my happy, you're my smile, you're my perfect. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Marley jumped into his arms, making Brian nearly drop the ring and fall off the cliff.
She sat there all night, just sitting on that log, crying. Going over everything that could have, and should have gone right tonight.
Jordan wiggled his fingers in between Marley's and placed his other hand on top of her's. He leaned in and placed his head on her arm. Marley looked down and a tear rolled down her face. "What ya doing bud?" Marley asked.
"I see daddy hold your hand like this all the time." Jordan squeezed his hands tighter. Marley shook her head looking up. She put Addison into her car seat and went to the other side of the SUV and helped Jordan in. Looking at Jordan, she saw the exact resemblance of Brian. She put Jordan in his seat and buckled him in. She leaned in to give him a kiss on the head and he threw his arms around her neck. They both began to cry. She just couldn't stop.
Marley felt a tap on her shoulder, it was her brother Shane. "Here's my keys, go. Get out of here. I got these two." Marley hugged Shane took his keys and jumped into his truck and drove.
She drove for what seemed like days. She ended up at Brian's ranch. She wasted not time saddling up a horse and riding up to Ridge View. Marley felt like she was in robot mode. She couldn't remember the drive to the ranch nor the ride up the ridge. It wasn't until she jumped off the horse unpacked her backpack that had a blanket, bottle of wine, and two glasses. She tied up her horse then walked to the log.
She threw the blanked over her shoulders and poured the wine into the glasses. She raised her glass into the air then clinked it to the other. "Happy anniversary." She said aloud. Then began to cry. She stayed up on the ridge that entire night crying. "Why, what did I do wrong? What did Brian do wrong? Was it all just too perfect? It had to be, no life can be like this Its just all a dream." Marley questioned. She sat up on that ridge overlooking the valley where Brian had his ranch. They went up there every year on their anniversary. Brian would pack the blanket that he always had in his truck on all of their nights spent in the back of his truck starring at the stars. Marley would pour the wine and they would sit up on the ridge and would talk about one of their favorite memories.
Brian would always talk about one of the very first dates and then would finish it off with some comparison to how Marley was now and would make it a joke, but would play it off so slyly she would giggle then Brian would hug her. Marley would, always talk about Brian and the kids. Tonight however, she remembered the first time they went up to this ridge. It was the time Brian asked Marley to marry him. The time he nearly went off the cliff because of how nervous he was to ask someone "out of his league" to marry him. And when Marley jumped up to say "YES YES YES" they both nearly fell off that cliff. But they never seemed to move their log away from the cliff. She remembered Brian being quiet all the way up to the Ridge and how she was certain they were going to break up.
Marley started to laugh, "if you're going to break up with me at least do it over by the cliff so when I get mad I can push you off."
"Well, you're going to need to follow me then." Brian grabbed Marley's had and she followed him to the Cliff, "Marley, you drive me crazy, I drive you bonkers. I can make you laugh, but you leave me smiling for days. I thought I knew happiness then I met you. You flipped my world upside down. You taught me that things can be imperfectly perfect. I'm not going to ask a question. I'm not going to get down on one knee. You're my happy, you're my smile, you're my perfect. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Marley jumped into his arms, making Brian nearly drop the ring and fall off the cliff.
She sat there all night, just sitting on that log, crying. Going over everything that could have, and should have gone right tonight.
12
Nothing seems to be going like they had planned. Jordan began to shy away from everyone, Marley, Brian and Addison. It was inevitable that it was going to happen. It was going to happen and Marley dreaded the time it began. Somewhere in her perfect little world, she had thought that Jordan was going to love his new baby sister and grow into those big brother shoes and love Addison more than ever. But it just seemed like that was never going to happen.
Jordan went from being the perfect little boy who's little laughter would never leave Marley's and Brian's head. He laughed and laughed all the time, they would joke around about maybe Jordan being "different" and he was. He was the happiest child that they could have ever dreamed of. Jordan was like opening a box of lucky charms and only having the marshmallows being poured into your bowl.
Late one evening Marley rolled over and tugged on Brian's shirt, "hey, are you awake?"
Brian rolled over and muttered, "yeah" he wasn't until now.
"Why does Jordan hate Addison? Will he ever get over it? Why do I feel like the worst parent ever?"
"You're not doing anything wrong. Jordan is just jealous, he will get over it. You're fine, just roll with it. Just keep an eye out for him trying to put a pillow over Addison." he chuckled.
Marley punched Brian in the shoulder. They both laughed. Brian and Marley rolled into each other's arms, Brian squeezed Marley and she let out a laugh. "You're perfect. There's nothing you can do wrong. I definitely think that I am the one that married out of my league. You honestly can't do anything wrong. Kids are kids Jordan will get over it." Brian looked into Marley's green eyes, "You're perfect." He kissed her then threw his arms over Marley and drifted off.
Marley didn't go to sleep that night. She lay awake worrying about what seemed like everything. "Will Addison resent Jordan for not liking her when she first got home? Will Addison even care? Will Jordan ever 'grow' out of this jealousy phase?" Marley crawled out of bed and went down to the kitchen poured her a glass of milk and sat at the counter eating Oreos, her go to snack. 3AM and she just kept stressing herself out. She knew Brian was right and that he always knew what to say. She did marry a very smart man. She didn't want to wait until Jordan grew out of that phase. "What if it takes him years to grow out of it?" She asked herself.
Brian walked up behind Marley sitting at the counter and hugged her. "I'm going to ask you a simple question and I'm going to need you to answer as honestly as you possibly can."
Marley begins to answer, "uh.."
"Remember I am a lawyer and will expose you for the criminal that you are if not answered honestly."
"Okay, just ask the damn question already!" Marley snapped
"Who told you about my Oreo stash, and why are you eating them?!" Brian over exaggerated.
Marley laughed and took 3 Oreos and shoved them into Brian's mouth. "I have my source, and my source is a little 6 year old who is always watching his dad. Especially when his dad has a secret stash of cookies." Brian began to laugh with Marley, He took her by the hand and dragged her into the living room.
He walked over to the stereo, "don't, you'll wake the kids." Marley whispered.
But Brian turned it on anyways, but kept it at a low volume. "My Best Friend" began to plan and Brian walked over to Marley. He took her hands in his, spun her around and pulled her back to him. They began to sway and turn. Brian stared into Marley's eyes and she stared at the Oreo crumbs on his white shirt. Marley began to reach to dust off his shirt, "No, I'm gonna need a snack here in 2 hours before I get up for work." Brian chuckled. Marley laid her head on his chest and began to cry.
"Why do you have to do everything so damn near perfect?" Marley asked."Why can't I feel like I do anything right?" Brian dropped her hands and placed his on her face. He looked into her eyes, "because if you are prefect, even if you don't see it."
Jordan went from being the perfect little boy who's little laughter would never leave Marley's and Brian's head. He laughed and laughed all the time, they would joke around about maybe Jordan being "different" and he was. He was the happiest child that they could have ever dreamed of. Jordan was like opening a box of lucky charms and only having the marshmallows being poured into your bowl.
Late one evening Marley rolled over and tugged on Brian's shirt, "hey, are you awake?"
Brian rolled over and muttered, "yeah" he wasn't until now.
"Why does Jordan hate Addison? Will he ever get over it? Why do I feel like the worst parent ever?"
"You're not doing anything wrong. Jordan is just jealous, he will get over it. You're fine, just roll with it. Just keep an eye out for him trying to put a pillow over Addison." he chuckled.
Marley punched Brian in the shoulder. They both laughed. Brian and Marley rolled into each other's arms, Brian squeezed Marley and she let out a laugh. "You're perfect. There's nothing you can do wrong. I definitely think that I am the one that married out of my league. You honestly can't do anything wrong. Kids are kids Jordan will get over it." Brian looked into Marley's green eyes, "You're perfect." He kissed her then threw his arms over Marley and drifted off.
Marley didn't go to sleep that night. She lay awake worrying about what seemed like everything. "Will Addison resent Jordan for not liking her when she first got home? Will Addison even care? Will Jordan ever 'grow' out of this jealousy phase?" Marley crawled out of bed and went down to the kitchen poured her a glass of milk and sat at the counter eating Oreos, her go to snack. 3AM and she just kept stressing herself out. She knew Brian was right and that he always knew what to say. She did marry a very smart man. She didn't want to wait until Jordan grew out of that phase. "What if it takes him years to grow out of it?" She asked herself.
Brian walked up behind Marley sitting at the counter and hugged her. "I'm going to ask you a simple question and I'm going to need you to answer as honestly as you possibly can."
Marley begins to answer, "uh.."
"Remember I am a lawyer and will expose you for the criminal that you are if not answered honestly."
"Okay, just ask the damn question already!" Marley snapped
"Who told you about my Oreo stash, and why are you eating them?!" Brian over exaggerated.
Marley laughed and took 3 Oreos and shoved them into Brian's mouth. "I have my source, and my source is a little 6 year old who is always watching his dad. Especially when his dad has a secret stash of cookies." Brian began to laugh with Marley, He took her by the hand and dragged her into the living room.
He walked over to the stereo, "don't, you'll wake the kids." Marley whispered.
But Brian turned it on anyways, but kept it at a low volume. "My Best Friend" began to plan and Brian walked over to Marley. He took her hands in his, spun her around and pulled her back to him. They began to sway and turn. Brian stared into Marley's eyes and she stared at the Oreo crumbs on his white shirt. Marley began to reach to dust off his shirt, "No, I'm gonna need a snack here in 2 hours before I get up for work." Brian chuckled. Marley laid her head on his chest and began to cry.
"Why do you have to do everything so damn near perfect?" Marley asked."Why can't I feel like I do anything right?" Brian dropped her hands and placed his on her face. He looked into her eyes, "because if you are prefect, even if you don't see it."
Sunday, September 25, 2016
11
What seemed like an eternity, only a few weeks, they were allowed to take Addison Marley Scott home. Marley could not have been happier. She spent most of those weeks at the hospital. Jordan couldn't have been more thrilled, sarcastically that is. He had gone six years of having all the attention, so one would be able to see where some jealousy could arise from. Jordan locked himself in his room and would only come out if any meal was to be eaten, other than that he would refuse to come out.
"Hey bud, do you wanna go play catch in the yard?" asked Brian.
"NO!" Jordan shouted.
"Come on its what we always do on Sundays. We never miss a Sunday catch day."replied Brian
The door slowly opened. "We can't miss OUR Sunday football right?"
"Fine!" Jordan pouted. He stomped all the way down the stairs and out the front door then stood at the other end of the yard with his arms folded. "Are you going to throw me the ball or do I need to throw it to myself?"
"Well I can't throw you the ball and expect you to catch it with your arms folded. There's no way that you can unfold your arms in time to catch the ball before it hits you." Brian joked.
Jordan stood there with no response but a raise eyebrow. So, Brian tossed him the ball. Jordan caught the ball. "you didn't think I could, did you?" A sassy Jordan asked.
"Nope, but you sure proved me wrong." Brian said with a smile. "Now how about you ditch the attitude because your baby sister can't catch a football yet and I need a partner."
Saturday, September 17, 2016
10
As tough as it was to leave her family back in Seattle, Marley couldn't be happier to finally sleep in her own bed, but not as excites as Jordan. As soon as Brian put the car into park, Jordan whipped off his seat belt and ran into his bedroom and pulled his covers over him to go to bed. "Looks like someone could not wait to get home." Brian chuckles.
Marley walked into the living room to lie down on the couch. She had been feeling extra sick today. It wasn't like an actual sickness, it just felt sick to her stomach. She had figured it was motion sickness or something else, nothing big. Brian walked in, "whats wrong?" he asked.
"Something doesn't feel right. I've just had this sickening feeling that something is wrong." Marley held her belly. "I think I'm just wore out."
"Get back in the car, I've driven for basically a full week, what's a few more miles to the hospital. You can never be too sure." Brian reached over to help Marley off the couch. Brian put Marley back into the car, ran upstairs to get Jordan and heard Marley yell from the garage.
"Brian HURRY!"
Brian ran down the stairs holding Jordan, "Marley what happening?!" She was passed out in the front seat. Brian broke several laws driving to the hospital, but was cautious as ever. He figured that by the time an ambulance arrived it would be quicker to just drive to the ER himself.
"What's wrong with mommy?" Jordan asked from the back.
"Put your seat belt on and don't worry." Brian said with a scared look on his face.
They pulled up to the hospital and yelled for help. He explained that she wasn't feeling okay and just thought that she had motion sickness from all the driving. He said she passed out when they were getting ready to head to the hospital. Brian worried, more than ever, held Jordan's hand and walked to the waiting room.
Brian sat there watching Jordan play on his tablet for what felt like hours upon hours. He called his parents and brother, all of which were on their way. He left messages for Marley's parents and siblings and said that once he hears something he will call back. Finally someone walked out to him. "Whats going on no one will tell me anything!"
"Mr. Scott, your wife she went into preterm labor. She had severe bleeding..." The doctor explained.
"Is, is she ok!? Is the baby?" Brian questioned
"Your wife, she is fine. And you're the father of a baby girl. Do you want to see them?" Brian hugged the doctor. He didn't even know who he was, he wasn't the one they had been seeing, but was extremely grateful.
Brian backed up, "Oh sorry, its just no one would tell me anything and I was starting to get worried."
"I'll take you to your wife's room, and when you're ready I can have a nurse show you to where your daughter is, seeing as how she's a premature we're keeping a very close eye on her." They walked up to where Marley was sleeping. The doctor explained what happened and how they proceeded. He told Brian to just keep an eye on his wife and make sure she takes it easy when she leaves, but she is going to be at the hospital for a while. He explained that the baby would definitely be staying longer because she's a premature and there are all sorts of problems that may arise.
"Thank you, I'm not sure exactly what you said and you're going to need to explain it later to me but I just want to be with my wife right now." Brian walked over to Marley's bedside. Brian holding Jordan in his arms, walks over and places him on the couch by the window and asked a nurse for an extra blanket. He grabbed Marley's hand and sat next to her.
Brian's parents walk in, "Brian, how is she?" asks his mother.
"She's fine, I can't leave her side. I haven't even seen the baby yet. I can't leave her alone and Jordan asleep on the couch." Brian walks over and hugs his mom.
"Go, we're here now, go see her. We have things handled here. And your brother is on his way." Brian's dad said reassuringly. Brian leaves the room and asks the nurse to take him to his daughter.
They reach the NICU and the female nurse explains that the baby is going to be smaller than normal, and that he needs to be extra careful, but not to worry she hasn't had any problems since arriving at the NICU. Brian puts on this blue paper like robe over the front of him.
He walks over to the incubator and he's just overwhelmed with joy and happiness. Brian, a man who has refused to cry over his best friend's death or anything else, let a tear roll down his face. "When can I hold her?"
"You can't right now but you can put your hands through these holes and touch her." the nurse replied. Brian put his hand inside the incubator and was shocked that something so small was doing so well. She was about the size of his entire hand. Its a miracle that she's even alive. Marley was only 25 weeks along.
"How is it possible?" Brian asked.
"What?" replied the nurse.
"That a baby this small is perfectly fine. She is breathing on her own, no problems no ANYTHING?"
"Its amazing the things that happen. I and the doctors have no idea. I guess you can say that miracles do happen. Sometimes its nice knowing that there is something to believe in other than science." The nurse smiled.
"Addison," whispered Brian, "you're already a handful and I haven't even picked you up."
"That's a beautiful name." Brian's mother said as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Beautiful just like her mother. Oh and if you're wondering, shes awake, but has no idea what has happened. I thought I'd leave that to you and the doctors. Go, I'll stay here."
Brian kisses his mother on her cheek then leaves.
"Brian! What's going on, why am I here? What happened?" Marley weakly asks.
"Its okay, you're fine. We had a little bit of a scare but its okay and we're golden." Brian says as he sits beside Marley. "Oh and you are the mother of a beautiful baby girl."
"Well of course she's beautiful have you seen me?" Marley says as she falls back asleep.
Brian sat there watching Jordan play on his tablet for what felt like hours upon hours. He called his parents and brother, all of which were on their way. He left messages for Marley's parents and siblings and said that once he hears something he will call back. Finally someone walked out to him. "Whats going on no one will tell me anything!"
"Mr. Scott, your wife she went into preterm labor. She had severe bleeding..." The doctor explained.
"Is, is she ok!? Is the baby?" Brian questioned
"Your wife, she is fine. And you're the father of a baby girl. Do you want to see them?" Brian hugged the doctor. He didn't even know who he was, he wasn't the one they had been seeing, but was extremely grateful.
Brian backed up, "Oh sorry, its just no one would tell me anything and I was starting to get worried."
"I'll take you to your wife's room, and when you're ready I can have a nurse show you to where your daughter is, seeing as how she's a premature we're keeping a very close eye on her." They walked up to where Marley was sleeping. The doctor explained what happened and how they proceeded. He told Brian to just keep an eye on his wife and make sure she takes it easy when she leaves, but she is going to be at the hospital for a while. He explained that the baby would definitely be staying longer because she's a premature and there are all sorts of problems that may arise.
"Thank you, I'm not sure exactly what you said and you're going to need to explain it later to me but I just want to be with my wife right now." Brian walked over to Marley's bedside. Brian holding Jordan in his arms, walks over and places him on the couch by the window and asked a nurse for an extra blanket. He grabbed Marley's hand and sat next to her.
Brian's parents walk in, "Brian, how is she?" asks his mother.
"She's fine, I can't leave her side. I haven't even seen the baby yet. I can't leave her alone and Jordan asleep on the couch." Brian walks over and hugs his mom.
"Go, we're here now, go see her. We have things handled here. And your brother is on his way." Brian's dad said reassuringly. Brian leaves the room and asks the nurse to take him to his daughter.
They reach the NICU and the female nurse explains that the baby is going to be smaller than normal, and that he needs to be extra careful, but not to worry she hasn't had any problems since arriving at the NICU. Brian puts on this blue paper like robe over the front of him.
He walks over to the incubator and he's just overwhelmed with joy and happiness. Brian, a man who has refused to cry over his best friend's death or anything else, let a tear roll down his face. "When can I hold her?"
"You can't right now but you can put your hands through these holes and touch her." the nurse replied. Brian put his hand inside the incubator and was shocked that something so small was doing so well. She was about the size of his entire hand. Its a miracle that she's even alive. Marley was only 25 weeks along.
"How is it possible?" Brian asked.
"What?" replied the nurse.
"That a baby this small is perfectly fine. She is breathing on her own, no problems no ANYTHING?"
"Its amazing the things that happen. I and the doctors have no idea. I guess you can say that miracles do happen. Sometimes its nice knowing that there is something to believe in other than science." The nurse smiled.
"Addison," whispered Brian, "you're already a handful and I haven't even picked you up."
"That's a beautiful name." Brian's mother said as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Beautiful just like her mother. Oh and if you're wondering, shes awake, but has no idea what has happened. I thought I'd leave that to you and the doctors. Go, I'll stay here."
Brian kisses his mother on her cheek then leaves.
"Brian! What's going on, why am I here? What happened?" Marley weakly asks.
"Its okay, you're fine. We had a little bit of a scare but its okay and we're golden." Brian says as he sits beside Marley. "Oh and you are the mother of a beautiful baby girl."
"Well of course she's beautiful have you seen me?" Marley says as she falls back asleep.
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