“Hey, B,” he said, softly. Worry was clear in his dark eyes.
Brooke took a deep breath, ready for whatever he might throw at her.“Yes, Nate?”
“Mother and Father, they know you’re going to be at the wedding. I just wanted you to know that they know. I meant it when I said I’ve got your back. I told them that I’m inviting you to all of it, the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, the brunch the day after the wedding.”
“And what did they say?” Brooke braced for impact, wishing desperately that Anna was still holding her hand. She would address that internally later.
Nate only slightly grimaced.“They thanked me for informing them and then changed the subject.”
Brooke felt herself deflate. She wasn’t really sure what she expected, but at this point a negative reaction would have probably hurt less. They didn’t care. She was that far removed from their lives that they didn’t even have a reaction for her showing up after thirteen years. But Nate, Nate was right here and hewantedher there. She thought about how she felt, holding Anna’s hand in front of their childhood house today. She thought about her smiley and teary eyed reunion with her brother. She wasn’t going to let her parents ruin this for her.“You know what? Fuck them,” Brooke said, louder than she had intended.
“Wait, did Brooke just say the fuck word?” Anna asked, stepping immediately back into the entryway.
Brooke let out a little laugh. Of course Anna hadn’t gone far. She was perfect.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I just.” Brooke shrugged.“No. You know what, I did mean to. Fuck them. They’re not ruining this. I’m glad to be here, Nate. I’ve missed you. It’s actually preferable if they don’t speak to me. I don’t have a lot of things to say to them.”
Anna beamed, positively, radiantly beamed. Brooke’s heart bloomed in her chest. Anna looked proud of her.
Mel stepped around the corner as well.“So, I’ve already invited Anna, but the invitation is for both of you. My bachelorette party is tomorrow night, and I would absolutely love it if you join us. I will warn you that Sybil was invited, but I am really praying that she doesn’t come. It would not be her cup of tea, but you two…” Mel’s eyes lit up.“I think you two would have a blast.”
Anna looked at Brooke excitedly. Brooke just looked completely out of her depths. She’d never been to a bachelorette party as neither of her two friends had ever been married.“Yeah, we can definitely think about it. It’s tomorrow, you said?”
Mel nodded.“Yeah, absolutely. Think on it. I just wanted you to know that you’re invited.”
Brooke couldn’t tell if Nate or Anna was happier about the invitation. She was feeling overall, a bit overwhelmed.
“How about,” Nate said, drawing everyone's attention.“We have a very chill movie night at home. I know we threw around the idea of going someplace nice for dinner, but we have a massive couple of days ahead of us. I could do with some take away and beer and my own couch if I’m being honest.”
“Honestly, little brother, that sounds perfect,” Brooke said, smiling softly.
Nate looked at his watch.“Okay, what if we all get changed into pajamas, and meet back in the living room in fifteen minutes. We can pick some food and a few movies and just plow through them. Like we did in the old days.” He smiled at Brooke, the fondness of the memories touching the corners of his eyes.
Brooke nodded, happy to agree. Anna wrapped her arm around Brooke's waist as they headed down the hallway towards their shared room. Brooke wasn’t entirely sure what brought upon the contact, but she was thankful for it. As soon as she pulled their bedroom door shut, Anna was pulling her into a massive hug. For as stiff as she was at the start, Brooke found herself sinking into it.
“What’s this for?” She whispered into Anna’s hair.
“You earned it. Today was a big day for you and I’m proud of you.”
Brooke let out an audible, embarrassing whimper. It had been a massive day. And here Anna was, knowing exactly what to do and what to say to recognize it. She felt her eyes water.
“Also,” Anna whispered, her arms still wrapped tightly around Brooke's shoulders.“If your mother is there tomorrow night and tries to hurt your feelings, I will fight her.”
Brooke let out a rough laugh. It was oddly comforting, honestly. The thought of Anna Fourchette taking on Sybil Kent. Obviously, Brooke hoped it didn’t come to that, but with as tightly as Anna was holding her, she thought Anna could probably do more damage than her small frame suggested.“Thank you, Anna.”
Anna loosened her grip and leaned back, her dark eyes intense and searching.“Alright, what do you say we switch back into PJ’s and go hangout with Nate and Mel?”
Brooke nodded, though she was immediately saddened by the loss of Anna’s arms wrapped around her.“That sounds good.”
“Do you want to go first?” Anna asked, watching as Brooke gathered up her pajamas. Brooke also grabbed a sports bra this time.
“No, you go ahead. I can just change in here,” Brooke said. She would do anything to make Anna feel comfortable. Brooke still felt terrible about the whole sharing a room situation to begin with. Though, thinking about it, a movie night in the living room was a good opportunity for her to avoid sharing a bed with Anna tonight. She could simply fall asleep on the couch. That would give Anna an easy cover. She wondered if she should tell Anna her plan or just enact it herself.
Anna smiled softly at her and gathered her things. As soon as she was out of the room, Brooke quickly changed. She didn’t want to be half naked when Anna made it back. She was redoing her bun when there was a soft knock at the door.“You may enter,” she called out, finishing her hair.
Anna pushed open the door and ducked inside.“Ready?” she asked.
Brooke nodded and followed her out to the living room, happier and more content than she had felt in a long time.
Brooke had fully planned out falling asleep on the couch. In the middle of the second movie, she felt herself dozing off. She took advantage of it. She left her hand still entwined with Anna’s, but she let herself sag back against the couch, letting her body list towards the armrest next to her. What she hadn’t prepared for was Anna's response.
