Page 122 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
She felt confident enough in him to say the words. That he wouldn’t let her down.
“Come here. I’m going to show you what I want. What do you see in the yard?”
They were looking out the kitchen window. “Three snowmen.”
“Me, you, and Becca. A family. I wanted to make a fourth, but I knew Becca would ask why. I want more kids. I want a family. I’m not putting the pressure on us.”
“Neither of us needs it,” she said.
“No. But we love each other and have the same goals and, for now, that’s good enough, right?”
“It is,” she said, giving him a kiss.
37
INSECURITY AND ASSUMPTIONS
Almost two weeks later, Brennan was in his office on a conference call when his cell phone dinged.
He looked down to make sure it wasn’t something to do with Becca since she was in pre-K today, noticed the text from Rene, and rolled his eyes.
He’d read it later. It was never anything urgent and most times only frustrated him.
Not one word from his ex since a few days before Christmas. That was just about two months ago.
He finished his conference call thirty minutes later and reached for his phone to open the message.
Call me.
Typical of her. Short, to the point, demanding, and somewhat rude.
He could put it off until later tonight, or do it now. Who the hell knew her schedule? And she most likely wouldn’t answer anyway.
After closing the door to his office, he sat back and hit the button to place the call that would most likely ruin his day and good mood.
The phone rang five times, then went to voicemail. Just as he figured.
He sent her a text to call him. Phrased it exactly the same way. Why not?
Then he stood up to fill his water bottle and stretch his legs, seek Alana, and fill her in.
No secrets between them. That was what they were running with and it was working after their disagreement two weeks ago over his insecurity and assumptions.
“Hey,” she said when he walked in and sat in front of her desk.
“Got a minute to chat?”
“Always. What’s going on? You look troubled.”
“More annoyed. I got a text from Rene to call her about an hour ago. I was on a call and didn’t reply. I called and she didn’t answer.”
“She said nothing else?”
“Nope. Just two words. Call me. So I did the same to her.”
She laughed. “I would have too. Maybe she wants to visit with Becca again? Isn’t that the only reason she reaches out?”
“Yep. It’s probably this week and I’ve got too much going on. This is the worst time of year for it. If she says that she wants to see her over the weekend, she might ask to have her in Boston without me.”
