Page 106 of The Rules We Broke
I took her tiny hand in mine. “I love you, too.”
She smiled sweetly at me, then shot her uncle anI told you solook. I’d never seen her act that way toward him. Brady just chuckled and hugged her tight.
“But I loved you first,” he said.
That seemed to appease her. She leaned back against him, content.
Brady slid his arm around me, pulling me close. I glanced at Caroline on his lap and felt a pang of emotion. Someday, it could be our little girl sitting there.
The thought made my eyes sting.
Brady tilted his head. “Everything okay?”
“I hope so.” I so badly wanted things to work out.
He kissed my head.
The chapel buzzed with whispers and glances until the pastor stepped up to the pulpit. He scanned the congregation, then zeroed in on us.
“Love,” he began, “is the defining characteristic of God. And it should be of humankind. God does not take sides—or even choose football teams.”
Brady leaned in. “That might be pushing it. God did give Alabama Nick Saban.”
I stifled a giggle.
The pastor continued, voice rich with conviction. “God loves all His children equally and unequivocally. There is such beauty in love.”
He looked directly at us. And I had a feeling he wasn’t the only staring at us.
It was a stirring sermon. I hoped Brady’s parents heard it. And I prayed I remembered it, too.
Some people seemed to get the message—because after the service, folks from both sides of the chapel came up to us, smiling, offering kind words. They told us how happy they were to see us together again.
I couldn’t believe it. Maybe Iwouldget my Christmas miracle.
I couldn’t stay for Sunday School. I needed to get to the hospital to spring my aunt. She was more than ready to come home, and I was eager to have her there. I said goodbye to Brady’s family, minus his parents, of course. They didn’t even approach us.
When Kendra hugged me goodbye, she whispered in my ear, “Don’t let anyone—and I mean anyone—steal this from you.” That confirmed my suspicions that today was a coordinated plan that Brady had talked to them about last night. “Let’s have lunch together later in the week,” she offered.
“That sounds fabulous,” I said.
Caroline squeezed me tight. “Don’t forget you’re coming to my class on Tuesday,” she reminded me.
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The pastor’s wife stopped us on the way out. “Ella, the women’s group has set up some meals to be brought in for you and your aunt. You can expect one tonight.”
Normally, I would have said we had it covered, but after the sermon, I felt like I should be gracious and accept it—which Idid. Besides, my aunt deserved something better than I could make.
Brady drove me home so I could get my own car. He offered to take me to the hospital and pick my aunt up with me, but I felt like baby steps were more appropriate. I wanted her to get settled in at home before I sprung Brady on her again.
He still seemed eager to get her approval, so I supposed last night’s events hadn’t made him resentful of her. His eagerness made me feel better. I wanted more than anything to have the two people I loved most to love each other, or to at least like each other. At this point, I would settle for tolerance.
Brady turned to me as soon as he parked in the drive. “Can I come by later?” he asked.
I had to think for a moment. “Yes?” I bit my lip.
The way his face fell said he was disappointed by how hesitant I was.
