Malibu by Moonlight Page 13

  I asked about John David and my other brother, Ricky, and my mom was happy to elaborate on their lives. John David had met his wife at work when she had a job there as a cashier. She had since taken a job teaching pre-school, which was convenient because she got a deep discount on childcare for Jonah and Molly at her work. Mom said she kept the kids when they were sick or when John David and Chelsea otherwise needed a baby sitter, and Dad teased her about how much she loved her grandbabies.

  Ricky was living in Hot Springs. He took a year of classes at the community college, but he got a job selling cars at Buddy Varillo's Automall and was doing so well that he quit school to focus on his career. He had recently started dating a girl, but they hadn't met her yet and were looking forward to doing so at Christmas.

  Dad was still working at the factory, and mom talked about how he only had five more years to go before he could retire. Things went better when I asked them questions and they answered them. They asked Liam and me a little bit about our jobs, but they seemed a little guarded when we answered, like they weren't really taking in what we said. I ended up just telling them that I worked as a tailor and was really happy and fulfilled with my job.

  Liam told them he worked for a security company and mentioned that he got to travel a lot, but he didn't go into what a successful company it was nor did he say that his dad owned it. I did mention that his grandfather had started Bishop Motorcycles. I did it because the conversation about tailoring and Alpha had been met with slight confusion and I thought maybe they could relate to motorcycles. They were impressed, but not like I thought they would be considering how epic that claim to fame was.

  I could have taken their disinterest the wrong way and assumed they were still not supportive of me, but I knew in my heart that wasn't the case. Now that I was older and more able to understand, I could tell that my parents were just nervous and not even fully able to take in what I was saying.

  I had grown and changed in the years since I had been around them. We were different people; that's all there was to it. I didn't regret leaving home and pursuing my dream, but I did regret being out of touch for so long. I already felt happy and peaceful about reconnecting with them, like some lost part of me had been restored.

  It was about an hour later when my brother called to see if we were still there. He said he and Chelsea could only stop by for a second, so Liam and I made plans to take our leave afterward.

  Chelsea was a nice girl, and it made my heart happy to see my brother with his little family unit. They drove a minivan and everything. I had no idea what my brother told his wife before we met, and I half expected her to treat me funny or judge me for being the sister that had disappeared, but it wasn't like that. She was a sweet girl who seemed really impressed by the fact that I lived in Los Angeles. She asked me if I had ever met Ryan Seacrest or Justin Bieber, and I told her I had, which was the truth. She laughed like she thought I was kidding, but I didn't bother reiterating the fact that I actually had met them both.

  She and John David stayed for about ten minutes, and we all walked out together. They drove away before Liam and I did, and we stood in the driveway and said goodbye to my mom and dad.

  I reached out to hug my dad. It was the first time I had touched him, and he was stiff at first, but then he patted me on the back a few times, and he was smiling when we broke the contact. He turned to shake Liam's hand, and I faced my mom.

  "I hope you come back," she said. "Are you sure you can't stay for lunch? I was gonna make tuna salad."

  She had already invited us once, but I told her we needed to get on the road. I was shaking my head and getting ready to repeat that sentiment when her eyes got wide she jumped and said, "Oh, wait, hang on a minute!"

  She turned and ran into the house, coming back less than a minute later with a small cylindrical shaped object in her hand. It was wrapped in Christmas paper with a bow on top.

  She smiled at me as she thrust it into my hands. "You don't have to open it now. You can open it when you get in the car. It's just a little somethin'. I just wanted to give you something, you know, since it's Christmas. I didn't want to send you off without a present."

  My mom was so sweet and nervous giving it to me that it was difficult to hold back tears. I blinked away the tears as I smiled and reached out for a hug. I had come in for a one armed hug because I was now carrying the gift she had handed me. It felt like it could possibly be made of glass and was heavier than I thought it would be. My mother didn't go for the one-armed hug, though. She grabbed me tightly, squeezing me like it might be the last time she ever saw me. It was so tight and full of emotion that my eyes were watering by the time she let go and pulled back to stare at me.

  "I know you had to go off and live your life," she said. "But we love you, Taylor, we really do."

  I nodded as a tear fell onto my cheek. "I love you too," I said, wiping it away. It was a difficult thing for me to say, but I managed to add, "And I'm really sorry it took me so long to come back home."

  Mom tried to smile but it was in vain because her face crumpled with tears. She reached out to squeeze my shoulder because she didn't know what else to do.

  "Maybe we'll see you again soon, kid-o."

  "Yes ma'am."

  Liam hugged my mom and shook my dad's hand, and the next thing I knew, we were on the road, headed back for Memphis.

  I opened the gift once we made it to the highway, and I had to cry again when I realized it was a glass jar full of layers of cookie ingredients—flour, sugar, chocolate chips, oatmeal, etc. There was a tag on the top with the handwritten note from my mother giving instructions on how to bake the cookies.

  "You might have to bake me those tonight," Liam said from the driver's seat when he realized what I was holding.

  I put the jar in the center console and took off my seatbelt so that I could reach him. I leaned over, kissing him on the cheek. It wasn't just a quick kiss, either. I really got out of my chair so that I could do it right. I didn't bump into him or distract him from driving, but I put my hand on the other side of his face so that I could kiss him properly and let him know how very much I loved him. I placed a lingering kiss on his cheek, and then I whispered in his ear. "Thank you."

  "For what?"

  "You know what for. I never would've gone back there if it weren't for you. I'm so very thankful, Liam. I know they're not perfect or anything, but it felt so good to go back—to talk to them and to know that they're not mad at me."

  I gave him another quicker kiss and sat down, holding his hand.

  "They are perfect," he said. "It was a perfect morning. I'm happy we went."

  "Me too," I said. "I'm really happy. Thank you."

  Chapter 19

  Liam and I talked the whole way back to Memphis. We stopped in Hot Springs for lunch, but once we got back on the road, our conversation continued the whole way home.

  We didn't talk about fashion, or sports, or any other surface level stuff. We talked about family, and forgiveness, and God. He told me he was proud of me for making the first step to reconnect with my family, and I told him I didn't think I deserved such a compliment because it was my fault that there was a disconnect in the first place.

  "We all find ourselves in situations that need to be remedied, he said. "We all have times when we need to apologize or mend relationships. It's hard to take that step. We can talk ourselves into believing that we were the ones who were wronged—that we're the one who deserves the apology. But you know what? When it comes down to it, we're only on this earth for a brief moment—the Bible says we're just a vapor. Your parents aren't getting any younger, and if you had waited for them to hunt you down and make things right, it might have never happened."

  "I know it wouldn't have," I said. "They wouldn't have even known how to find me."

  "Exactly," he said.

  "I still feel like I don't even know them. It's crazy that we had that whole conversation and they still don't even really know what my life's about
."

  "That's not crazy," he said. "Those things take time. At least you've made a start. At least they know what you look like, how you smell, where you live. At least you got a hug. It's not like you have to move back home and see them every day. But now you know they love you and they missed you. It's a good place to start."

  We continued talking the whole way to Memphis, discussing how we could give our regrets to God and start fresh.

  I thought I was attracted to Liam because he was a gorgeous specimen of a human being. I thought maybe it was because he was quick-witted and kind. But our conversation made me realize there was something supernaturally attractive about him. He was grounded on a firm foundation. He could not be shaken. He knew God and how to convey God's love for me, and it was the most attractive thing about him by far.

  By the time we got to Memphis, I felt like a new person. We went to Liam's house and picked up Vera and Victor before heading to his Aunt Rose's. She was making dinner for a huge group including some of her own brothers and their kids—people I hadn't even met. We got there at 4pm, which meant we were extremely early for the festivities. We did that on purpose because Liam's cousins said they would be there and wanted to hang out with us for a while before the other extended family members arrived.

  Owen and Darcy were there, along with Daniel and Courtney and young Ivy. Liam's parents, Jane and Gray, were there too, and so was Shelby. It already seemed like a huge gathering to me, but they explained that there would be about twenty or thirty more coming for dinner.

  Wes usually tried to make it home for the holidays, but he couldn’t come this year, so he was the only Bishop grandchild who was missing. Everyone was lounging around the house comfortably when we came in. Some were sprawled out watching TV while others were gathered in different places around the living room or kitchen talking.

  Owen and Darcy had brought their dog, so Victor and Vera had a friend to pal around with. Jesse and Rose had a huge, open yard, but a section of it was fenced, and we let Victor and Vera out with Henry so they could run around together.

  "Did you lock the gate?" Owen asked as Liam and I came back inside and headed for the kitchen.

  "I closed it," Liam said. "You have to actually lock it with the little lever," Owen said, standing up from his place at the table. "Henry knows how to nudge the handle if the lever's not locked."

  "He can open the gate?" Liam asked, looking amazed.

  Owen was already on his way out as he smiled and nodded.

  "Sorry," Liam said.

  "No biggie," Owen called as he closed the door.

  "Can you imagine our dogs opening that gate?" Liam asked, looking at me.

  I laughed as I pictured Victor with his short stubby legs standing up on his hind end to open a gate. Other people must have pictured it, too, because they laughed and made comments about how funny that would be.

  "Whatcha got?" Rose asked, pointing at the jar Liam and I brought in.

  He reached out and slid it toward his aunt. "Cookies," he said. "I think you might need some other ingredients."

  "I've seen these," she said, picking up the jar and studying the layers. She looked at the tag before regarding Liam. "Where did you get this?"

  "My mom," I said.

  Nobody besides Liam's mother and father knew that we were going to see my parents that day, and I knew Liam wouldn't say any more than I wanted him to, so I figured it would be best to answer for him.

  "How was that?" Jane asked. She was standing in the kitchen along with Rose, and they both smiled, waiting for me to answer. Shelby, and Ivy were in there too, but they were having a conversation of their own. Jane knew we had gone to Arkansas to see my parents, but she didn't know the whole situation. I had misled them when they were visiting California, and that's all they knew about it.

  My heart started beating rapidly when the subject got brought up because I knew I couldn't let it go without stating the truth.

  "It went good." Liam answered his mom's question because I hesitated, wondering how in the world I could set things straight.

  "That was nice of her to send cookies," Jane said.

  "You should have invited them to dinner," Rose added. She dug under the cabinet and came up with a huge bowl like she was planning on making the cookies right then. "Ivy, why don't you and Shelby come make these for us," she said, sliding the jar and bowl toward them before searching for a cookie sheet.

  "They live in Arkansas," I explained to Rose, who knew nothing of our trip.

  "Oh, I see."

  "Did y'all go over there today?" Shelby asked, chiming in.

  "Yes," I said. "We just got back a few minutes ago. It was the first time I saw my parents in almost ten years."

  Literally everyone in the room turned to look at me when I said it—even Courtney who was sitting further away in the dining room glanced at me. She was a client who I also considered a friend, but I had never talked about personal stuff with her—or anybody for that matter—not before I met Liam.

  I looked around at all of the faces staring back at me. They didn't seem judgmental, but they definitely looked surprised to hear me say such a thing. I swallowed, knowing it was too late to take it back now. My heart raced, and I could feel myself blushing. I definitely regretted saying anything.

  And then, just like magic, Liam moved to stand behind me. He pulled me close, forcing me to rest against his chest, and wrapped his arms around me like a protective shield—like a force field. He supported me on all sides, and I let out a silent sigh of relief. He leaned down and kissed my cheek right there in front of everyone.

  "She was amazing," he said to his family. "I can't imagine how hard it was, and she was a champ."

  I turned to glance up at him and saw that he was smiling as he looked around the room.

  "Taylor was the wild one in the family who wanted to move to London and follow her dream. They didn't understand it back then, so there were some years lost with the misunderstanding. Today was her first time back in a long time, and they were all really glad to see each other. It was a cool reunion. I'm glad I got to be there."

  Everyone was regarding me with sweet sincere expressions that I didn't feel I deserved. I looked straight at Jane. "I led you to believe that I've been in touch with my family, and I'm sorry about that. I just didn't want you to think that I—"

  "You don't need to be sorry," she said, cutting me off. She was only standing about five feet away, and she crossed that space to give me a hug. Liam was still holding me, so she ended up hugging us both. "I'm just happy for you that you worked things out, sweetheart."

  I wanted to cry, but I held it back, studying Rose's striped socks for a distraction. I smiled at Jane after she let us go. "Thank you," I said. "It was a really good day. My brother was fourteen the last time I saw him, and now he's married with two kids."

  "Oh, my word!" Jane said. "I bet that was overwhelming."

  "It was, but—"

  "But at least you didn't wait till he was an old grandpa," Ivy said, interrupting me and making us all laugh. I was thankful for the comic relief and really felt good about making light of the conversation from there on out.

  Liam picked up a nearby rubber band and playfully shot it at his cousin. She couldn't defend herself or get him back because she was already busy with the cookies, so she made just a face at him that made us all laugh again.

  I thought Liam might let me go after we had that conversation, but he didn't. He kept his arms wrapped around me like a mighty fortress, and I lavished in the feel of his protection. He loved me; I could feel it simply by how he held onto me.

  We talked a little bit more about Arkansas, and I enjoyed making conversation about the state and about my family without feeling like I had anything to hide. They asked me questions about my job, and that led to other questions directed at other people about their jobs or school.

  Liam told everyone the story about how Sweet Strain had fallen in love with my Basset Hound and ended up getting o
ne as the band mascot. He was a funny person, and he told them the most comical parts of their day and dog search, which made us all crack up.

  Shelby was a hair and makeup artist for a local news station, and she shared a few funny stories from her work as well, including one where an anchor got bit by a raccoon when they were doing a local wildlife segment. Liam did not let go of me the whole time, and for over an hour, we stood there laughing and talking with his family.

  It was getting colder out, so finally, we went outside to get the dogs. We knew that we would have to put them in the garage since there were so many people coming over. Owen came with us, and he guided Henry to the garage without the use of a leash. Liam and I knew that wouldn't work for our thick-headed Basset Hounds on account of their tendency to catch a scent and take off into the woods.

  There was a door leading from the garage into the house, and Owen went back inside before we did, so I found myself alone in the garage with Liam. I stooped to pet the dogs and promise them we would be back after dinner, and when I stood up, Liam was smiling at me. His gorgeous smile did me in just like it did every time I looked at him.

  "There are like five motorcycles in here," I said, stating the obvious since what I really wanted to say was, please kiss the ever-living daylights out of me with your gorgeous mouth.

  "I'd take you on a ride, but you'd get cold," he said.

  I shrugged. "The only reason I would want to go on a ride is so I could hang onto you."

  "You can do that without getting on a motorcycle," he said.

  "I can?" I asked shyly, stepping toward him.

  He nodded and lifted his arms as if showing me where to put my arms.

  "Like this?" I asked stepping closer and tentatively wrapping my arms around his middle.

  He nodded, and I came closer still.

  "Tighter," he said. "You'll fall right off if you hang on loose like that."

  I smiled at him. "I wouldn't want to fall off," I said, stepping even closer and holding onto him. I loved how he felt, and I loved that he was mine. "I love you," I said.