Ever After

Chapter 34: Like Brother, Like Sister

*Teagan POV*

I'm sitting in the stables atop a bundle of hay. I pick at the little straws as the night just gets darker. I grab a fistful before throwing it letting a few more tears fall. "Hey there little lady. Is this seat taken?" I wipe my eyes quickly seeing my grandpa. I shake my head and he sits next to me.

"Now what's got my little mud digger so upset?" I pick at my fingernails. "Zane has been trying to call but I ignore it." He takes my hand like Jackson would to stop me but this isn't out of the same love me and Jackson has. It's that of family care and love. "Bug you have to talk to him. It's hurting you not to. I know that he hurt your feelings but we both know he can't avoid you forever. And you can't avoid him forever either." I huff knowing he's right.

"I know grandpa. I know." "Hey guys I don't mean to interrupt but I found this one wandering out in the fields." I look up at Jackson before letting my eyes wonder to the person he found. "Zane?!" I say standing. He looks at me. "Teagan I'm so sorry. I never knew spending time with me meant that much." I ball my fists up.

I shake my head. "You've always known. I spent every second of my life with you..." "Not after Jackson came around!" He blurted out cutting me off. The barn falls silent and my grandfather gets up. "Well Jackson come on let's see if the misses needs help with dinner." He nods before leaving.

"Why didn't you say anything?" He sighs. "Because Teagan for the first time in your life you were happy. You had someone other than me. When you left my world fell apart. My baby sister was gone. Then came the kids and I just...I wanted you back Teagan but you moved on. When I found Michelle everything seemed to fall in place. I was happy. You were happy. Truth is Michelle wanted to come. I didn't..." I frown. "Why?" He huffs. "Because I thought it would hurt to see you and Jackson and even Michelle doing the things we used to do. Horse racing. Running through the fields in our boots until grandpa got mad. I'm sorry Teagan I really am." I fall into his arms and I can feel my tears falling.

"I'm sorry too Zane. You should have told me you brat." He laughs. "I know I'm sorry." I keep him in a nice embrace. "You ever wonder why grandpa called you his little mud digger?" I look up at him. "He said I was looking for something but I never found it." He smiles. "I told you a buried something and everyday we were here you went to dig for it. I told you if you found it you could have it."

I sigh. "What was it?" He reaches into his pocket and I hadn't realized that his hands were all muddy. He holds up a locket and I take it opening the locket to see me and Zane smiling next to Sabor, or dog. "Oh Zane thank you." He nods hugging me tightly once more. "I love you Tea." I smile. "I love you too Zaney."

We eventually pull apart and I invite him in for dinner. Jackson pulls out my chair for me. "Thank you." My phone rings and I sigh. "I'm so sorry I have to take this." I get up and I can feel Jackson following behind me. "Hello?" I say once I'm outside and I put it on speaker. "Mommy!" I hear them both say in unison and it's a face time so I can see them.

"Hey! How's it going?" Sadie nods excitedly and Emma just giggles. "It's going great mommy!" Sadie says and then they bust out laughing. I see Jackson making faces behind me. I hit him. He groans but then he wraps me in his arms placing his head on my shoulder. "We love you guys but we have to go eat now." They blow kisses. "We love you too!" They chirp at the same time. They hang up eventually and I sigh just feeling his arms around me. "I'm sorry baby that I took you from your brother." I shake my head leaning my head back against his shoulder. "No Jackie. It wasn't you're fault. Don't blame yourself." He sighs. "I love you so much." He whispers with his breath fanning against my neck. "I love you too." He sways us back and forth.

"What if we had another little baby? We could do it right this time." I smile. "I'll never get over the warming feeling my heart gets when I think about another little baby and how you'll treat me and look at me but Jackie....two is enough." He hums. "I think maybe you're right."

He huffs. "I love the thought of it but I don't think we could really do it." I smile. "Let's go eat yeah?" I nod softly as we turn to head back into the house. I was glade that he agreed. I was hopeful he would. Sure another would be nice but too much. I can't have another kid. I was content with the two I had and that's the way I wanted to keep it for a bit. Maybe one day my mind might change but for now I knew it wouldn't.

Enjoy!