Wedding Day, PT. 4

Fat tears slid down her cheeks. “I’m so scared something terrible’s going to happen and this’ll all disappear.”

He clasped her face between his hands. “Nothing is going to happen.”

He saw the flash of anger on her face, so was prepared when she tried to jerk away.

“How do you know?” she snapped.

“Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“But what if something happens between mom and dad?”

“Then we’ll figure it out.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Yes, it is. You’re just making it complicated.”

She shoved at him. “I knew you wouldn’t understand.”

He clutched her shoulders and gripped so she would pay attention and stop fighting him. “I understand better than you think. You think you’re the only one who’s felt lost and lonely? Who thought you and Isaac were too good to be true?”

Her eyes flared.

“Mom and I were miserable, and then you both brought us back to life.”

Her lower lip trembled. “Really?”

He gave her a little shake. “Really.”

She sniffled and looked down. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I think like that.”

“This is new for all of us,” he said gently.

She shook her head and looked around. “I’m having a hard time taking it all in. New mom, brother, and house?”

“We deserve it, Vi. Life hasn’t been smooth sailing for any of us.”

She let out a long sigh. “I guess.”

When she wove on her feet, he put an arm over her shoulders and led her down the hallway. “What time did you wake up this morning?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I was too excited.”

“And terrified something was going to happen?”

She hesitated before she shrugged. “Maybe.”

“You’re exhausted.” Belatedly remembering that the last time he saw her bedroom, it had been a disaster, he led her into his room. “You should shower and get some rest.”

Violet grunted and headed for his bed. “Sleep sounds good.”

“You don’t want…” he began, but didn’t bother to finish when she flopped on his bed in her fancy dress.

She didn’t open her eyes when he undid the straps of her heels and slipped off her shoes so she would be more comfortable.

“You’re the best brother a girl could ask for, Jesse Sampson,” she murmured.

“How’s that?”

“Always looking out for me. Dad expected me to take care of myself, but you…” She swallowed hard as a tear slipped out of the corner of her eye. “You take care of me like I’m a kid.”

“When dad died, mom was in shock. I had to feed her for a couple of days, even help her get dressed.”

Violet opened, eyes swimming with tears.

“You don’t help people based on age. You help them because you can, and you care about them.”

Violet stared at him for a beat before she said, “Your dad must have been really special.”

Unconsciously, he mimicked his father’s military stance and clasped his hands behind his back.

“I hear mom say it all the time, that you’re just like your dad.” She cocked her head to the side as she examined him. “Dad talks to you like you’re an equal, even though you’re only a year older than me.”

“I was brought up knowing when my dad wasn’t around, I was the man of the house, and I was responsible for taking care of mom. Every time he left, he reminded me that anything could happen, and I would have to step up.”

His throat thickened, and he looked around his room for something to do, but he’d unpacked and arranged his room to his liking as soon as they moved in.

“Always taking care of everyone,” Violet murmured in a voice husky with sleep. “Who takes care of you?”

He stiffened. “I take care of myself.”

“Not anymore.” She tugged on his arm. “Now that’s my job.”

“I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

“Yes you do. We’ll make a pact here and now. You take care of me, I take care of you.” She pointed at the empty space beside her. “Now, lay down.”

“What?”

“We’re both exhausted.”

“I’m okay.”

Her eyes narrowed fractionally before she pouted and batted her wet eyelashes. “You’re just going to leave me after I bawled my eyes out and confided in you about my worst fears?”

He glared at her before he rounded the bed and lay down. She immediately rolled into him, so her skirt slid over his black slacks. She snuggled into him. He grumbled, even though her weight against him felt nice. She sighed. Minutes passed. He stared at the ceiling and fought the pull of sleep.

“I love you,” she whispered.

He stopped breathing.

“I’ve said it to mom, and she’s said it to me, but you and I haven’t… I just wanted you to know…”

“I know.”

A minute passed. When she slapped his chest, he jolted.

“What was that for?”

“Aren’t you going to say it back?” she said in a disgruntled voice.

He smiled at the ceiling as he murmured, “I love you, Violet.”

**This is a raw draft of the prequel for Corrupt Idol. Please do not share or distribute.

Copyright © 2024 Mia Knight. All Rights Reserved.