More Than My Hometown

Please Don't Give Up On Me

Kaydence's POV

I wasn't sure how long I stood there with my back against the door being the only thing holding my trembling knees up. Tears welled in my eyes at the sight of him sitting there looking back at me. Not one word was said but the almost eerie silence was deafening to the point I wanted to scream. I hadn't seen him since I left the farm that night. Aaron had called me a few days later begging for grace on Brantley getting Braxton right now. That I had his word time would explain all. I'd relented even though I figured they were covering up a binder and kept my son distracted with family and friends when he wasn't on the road with me. Killed me when he cried for his daddy some nights. All I could do was cry along silently with him because I needed him there too, but it wasn't happening.

"Why are you here?" I whispered with the exhaustion I was feeling making the tears slip down my cheeks. "What hell are you here to put me through now Brantley Keith? Because dammit I can't take anymore. I can't keep doing this with you. Just..." I was cut off when he wordlessly rose to his feet never taking his eyes off of mine until he stopped in front of me without a word as the familiar smell of him invaded my senses. Then he did one thing I never expected. Brantley eased to his knees in front of me with tears in his eyes. I'd seen him cry only a handful of times in the years I'd known him. A big hand reached for mine turning my palm up while the other laid a small metal coin in it wordlessly. I couldn't keep in the gasp as I read the words with tears in my eyes. One Month Sober. "B..."

"Kiki," he said softly and I couldn't even muster up the aggravation at that damnable nickname because it wasn't said with malice. It was to get my attention. Tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't let go of his hand to even wipe them away as his fingers laced with mine. Centering me in a way I had forgotten I needed. "I have done a whole lot of wrong by you for a long time darlin. Should have been a better man for you. For Brax. Hell for even myself. I have made you doubt how I feel about you for so long I know that I have a lot to make up for. But baby, I want to come home and home is wherever you are Kay. Doesn't matter if it is Nashville, Georgia, or Timbuktu. I just know I need you. I don't care if I have to crawl on my knees every day to show you. Kaydence Leigh Williams Gilbert, I love you more than all the stars in the sky and all the words to love songs written and unwritten. I don't deserve your forgiveness sweetheart, but I am asking for it anyways. Even if it takes forever for me to earn it."

Those words were what did it for me as my knees gave way collapsing me to the floor with deep, deep sobs. I couldn't stop crying but I felt arms gently wrap around me lifting me into his lap. I buried my face into the hollow of his throat feeling it work up and down while he smoothed hands over me trying to quieten my sobs. I cried harder than I had in a long time just because of everything we had lost and everything we put each other through. Felt teardrops on the top of my head but I didn't care as burrowed closer. Clinging tighter with the irony of that I had never felt safer than I did right at this moment. I wasn't sure how much time had passed when a quiet knock sounded at the door. Brantley shifted me off his lap slowly standing up easing it open speaking quietly then leaning down scooping me up in his arms. I buried my face in his neck wrapping my arms around his shoulders not wanting to face anyone right now.

"You got her Boss?" I heard PJ ask softly as Brantley started to move into the hall. The sound of his and PJ's footsteps all there really was. We must have been in there longer than I realized. I shifted my face slightly so my hair moved out of the way and saw PJ give me a tired smile. "Get you some rest KayKay."

"I'm gonna get her on her bus then we can head out," Brantley murmured. My eyes that had started to droop closed popped open as I lifted my head meeting his eyes. I shook my head telling him no and felt him sigh. "Yea Kay. I laid a lot on you tonight and...."

"I said no," I whispered with what little energy I had left. I was just emotionally spent at this point, but I did not want to be alone. I wanted him. PJ snickered hearing Brantley sigh before nodding his head.

"Told you she would get her way," PJ laughed opening the door leading out to the parking lot. "I'll go grab your bag from the truck."

I felt Brantley's chest rumble with a quiet laugh as he turned heading towards my bus neither of us saying a word. I leaned over punching in the code for him so he could open the door. We made it inside and he stopped near the couch sitting me down on my feet. A wry smile on his lips while he smoothed a thumb over my shoulder nodding to the shirt I was wearing. It was the one he had left behind.

"I was wondering where that had disappeared to," he murmured running a hand over his face while I swayed on my feet feeling the last year catch up with me. He leaned over pressing a soft kiss to my forehead pointing towards the back. "Go get some sleep, Kay. I'll be out here if you need me."

I studied him for a minute in quiet disbelief then grabbed his hand lacing our fingers together giving him no choice but to follow me. There was only one way I was going to sleep tonight and that was in his arms whether he liked it or not.