I Love You No Matter What

Chapter 18: Miracle

"Why is this so hard?" I whine.

"Because you only get married once," Faith answers.

"Unless you're Mom," Hope says.

We all laugh, except for Mom. "I believe planning everything out in a wedding is naturally stressful and hard," Brandon's mother, Sydney comments. Brandon must've gotten his looks from his mother because they look alike.

"I'm just happy to finally be so close to the wedding," I say.

"I am happy to finally get a daughter," Sydney says.

I turn away from the mirror. "I think you should get that one," Mom says.

I look down at my wedding dress. It's lace and shear at the top. The bottom floats out into an A-line skirt. It is cute and matches my personality. "I think you're are right," I say.

I pick up the price tag. "Don't even worry about the price. I've got it," Mom says.

"Thank you," I say gratefully.

"Let's go pick out some accessories and bridesmaids dresses," Faith says excitedly.

I slip out of the dress and back into my original dress. We take the wedding dress with us as we walk to the accessories. I let Faith and Hope go pick out their own dresses. Mom goes with them to make sure they pick the right colors of purple. Sydney comes with me to pick my shoes and jewelry.

"This is really exciting for me. Brandon finally found the right girl. It took him long enough," Sydney says.

"Has Brandon had a ton of girlfriends?" I ask nervously.

"You could say that. He was always searching for the right one. All those girls left him though," Sydney says.

"Why?" I wonder. Brandon is a great guy.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but Brandon has a strong personality. He lets his anger get the better of him. Some of his past girlfriends were afraid his anger would harm himself or them," Sydney says quietly.

"I know Brandon has a short temper, but I've never felt threatened before," I say mostly to convince myself.

"That's good. You're stronger than those other girls he dated," Sydney states. "These look good."

                                                                                                ***

"How did dress shopping go?" Brandon asks me.

I set my coat and keys on the table. "Good," I say, walking into the living room. A blonde guy with green eyes is sitting next to Brandon in the chair. "Um, hi there," I say uncertainly.

"Miracle, this is Blake, my brother," Brandon introduces.

"Nice to meet you," Blake says, shaking my hand.

"Likewise," I say with a smile.

I sit down next to Brandon on the couch. He puts his arm around me as I sink into him. "Blake will be spending the night with us," Brandon explains.

"Okay. I hope the both of you had dinner because I already did," I say.

"We did, so you don't have to cook," Brandon assures.

"You cook?" Blake asks incredulously.

"Yes. Problem?" I say.

"I didn't think someone like you cooks. Figured you had chiefs to do that," Blake says.

"My mother cooks our food and we help her sometimes," I say with anger.

"Miracle, why don't you meet me in our room?" Brandon says. He steps in front of me, blocking my view of Blake.

"Fine," I mumble.

I move towards our room but stop behind the stairs to hear what the brothers were saying.

"You didn't have to say that to her," I hear Brandon scold.

"Yes, I did. You and Miracle have nothing in common. She has grown up like a princess. She knows nothing about struggle," Blake hisses.

"Struggle? Miracle lost her father at young age and wears a hearing aid due to the same accident that killed her father. Not to mention that she was a result of an affair. I think she has more experience with struggle than we do," Brandon defends.

"Really? You are so blinded. That spoiled brat is just using you to get away from her rich problems."

"Shut up. That spoiled brat will be my wife, your sister in law. You will respect her or don't even bother coming to the wedding," Brandon says.

"Listen to yourself. You are turning against your own family for that girl. We don't do that to family." 

"Miracle will be your family soon," Brandon reminds his brother.

"Like she will last. We both know a sensitive girl like Miracle won't stay with you. She can't handle someone like you," Blake argues. That's the second person who says Brandon is this temperamental guy.

"We will talk in the morning," Brandon decides.

I move into Brandon and I's room when I hear footsteps come my way. I quickly start changing into my pajamas. The bed creaks, so I know Brandon is in the room. I join him on the bed. He looks stressed.

"You okay, Brandon?" I ask.

"Yeah," he murmurs. "Let's just go to sleep."

"You can talk to me." I lay on the bed next to him.

"Are you scared of me?" he suddenly asks.

"Why do you ask?"

"Just answer the question." His eyes stay on the peeling ceiling.

"Brandon, you know how much I love you-"

"Then the answer is yes. You're scared of me."

"I'm scared for you," I correct.

He looks at me for the first time since being in here. Suddenly he reaches out and grabs my waist to pull me down onto his chest for a hug. "I'm so blessed to have met you, Miracle," he whispers in between kisses.

"Me too, Brandon. Me too."