Finding You: The Switched Series book one (8 page)

“I’m going to take a shower and get changed,” Brody says, looking at Ash.

“I need to go put on some dry clothes too,” Ash says, looking at me before leaving the room.

“Okay,” I say to both of them. This has got to be the weirdest conversation I have ever had.

“I need to talk to you when I get changed if that’s okay. I know it’s late, but it’s important,” Brody says to me.

“That’s fine; I’m not really tired anymore. I’ll be in here,” I say to him before he starts walking down the hall.

I go sit back down on the couch and grab the remote to the TV hoping to find something to watch during the night. I finally find an old sitcom to watch when I feel someone sit down beside me. I look over thinking it’s Brody ready to talk, but instead I find my face inches from Ash’s. “Hi,” he says, before kissing me.

“Hi,” I say back. “I thought you had gone to bed.”

“Not yet, I had to kiss you one more time today,” he says, smiling. “I’m right down the hall if you need anything tonight. I don’t know why you have trouble sleeping, but I’m here if you need anything.”

“Thank you.” I was fixing to lean in to kiss him again, but when I looked behind him Brody was standing there watching us. I hope he didn’t see or hear too much. “Goodnight, I guess I need to talk to him,” I say, looking behind him.

“Okay,” he says, standing up. “You know where I am if you need me.” He walks past Brody back down the hallway. Brody comes over to the couch carrying an envelope.

He hands me the envelope and I can see that it’s from the hospital. “That didn’t take long,” I say, opening it.

“I already know what it says. I saw my moms when she opened it,” he says, quietly.

I open it and take the paper out. I already knew she was my mom. I have known for quite a while now, but I think there was always a little part of me that thought maybe my parents were wrong. I look down and read the words ninety nine point nine percent chance. She really is my mom. She really did take the wrong baby home and not even know it for twenty six years. How does that really happen? I fold the paper back up and put it in the envelope. “Did she stay in Nashville with Molly?” I ask already knowing the answer. Of course she did, she’s her daughter.

“She wanted to come and bring you the results herself. But Molly got upset and asked her to stay with her so she did.”

“Okay,” I say standing up. “I’m going to bed now.”

“Don’t. Please don’t shut me out now. I know it sucks they aren’t here with you right now, but I am. She was really upset she wasn’t going to be here,” he says, like that’s supposed to make all of this better, but it just makes me mad.

“She’s upset? Well I am pissed. How do you take the wrong baby home and raise it for twenty six years and not even know it’s not yours. I missed out on everything. I have had one meal with the woman. One. I had to change my name and move to a town at sixteen by myself. I didn’t know anybody, but I guess that’s all okay because she’s upset.” I am sobbing and I am screaming and I am mad.

Brody just gets up and pulls me back to the couch and holds me while I cry for what feels like hours. “Finally, I was beginning to think you were born with no emotions,” he says.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken that all out on you. It’s not your fault,” I say, once I can talk again.

“It’s okay. I would probably be pretty pissed too. I know this isn’t the best time, but I have to go back to work tomorrow. Ash will be here and I think Jaxon is off tomorrow too. If you need anything just let them know. I’ll be back tomorrow night. If you want to meet Molly, we can do it then. Just don’t go over there without me.”

“Okay, I’m going to try to get some sleep now,” I say. I have no idea why he is being so nice to me about all of this, but I am very thankful I have him in my life now.

Chapter Nine

I think I finally got to sleep around three this morning. I heard Clay leave my car outside for me around two thirty, but I was too drained to go talk to him. I’ll call him later today and thank him. I have no idea who picked him up from here, but I’m sure he figured it all out.

I look at the clock and it is already nine in the morning. I can smell bacon and coffee, so I know somebody is already up this morning. I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth before going in there. I am definitely not used to having boys living with me. I go into the kitchen to find Ash and Jaxon eating omelets.

“Good morning. I can cook you one if you will eat it,” Ash says, smiling at me.

“I’m good with just coffee. Thanks,” I say, looking at Jaxon who is once again staring at me. I walk over to the coffee pot and pour me a cup. “I’m sorry if I woke you up last night,” I say, sitting down beside Ash.

He just continues to smile at me. “I wasn’t asleep yet, you didn’t bother me. I hope you’re feeling better this morning.”

“I’m good. Thanks,” I say, looking at Jaxon. “Do you not ever work?” I ask him.

“Of course I do, I just thought I would take the day off to check on you and Molly. She was supposed to come home this morning.” I just nod my head at him. I honestly don’t know if I will ever be able to meet this girl. I know she is going to hate me, but she is the one that grew up with this amazing family. Why would she just cut them out of her life the way she did. I know they said they don’t talk to her much, but there has to be a reason.

Jaxon stands up to put his plate up when there is a knock at the door. He walks over to answer it when Ash grabs my hand. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can kick him out if you want and we can have some fun,” he says, winking at me. He has no idea how tempting that is. His smile fades when he looks past me at whoever just walked into the house. “I’m here when you need me, okay,” he says, before standing up to put his plate up. I turn around and find Cindy standing awkwardly in the doorway.

“Hi, I was hoping we could talk,” she says to me.

“Okay,” I say looking at Ash and Jaxon. I really wish they could stay here, but I have a feeling she wants them to leave.

“We will be outside,” Jaxon says, pulling Ash out of the kitchen. He just smiles at me before giving Cindy a quick hug and walking out the door. I stand up and walk into the living room and sit in the chair. I didn’t want to sit on the couch with her. I don’t really know how I’m supposed to feel right now, but I’m pretty sure wanting to throw up is not how.

“I’m really sorry we weren’t here last night. We should have come back to be with you and I will always regret that decision,” she says. I guess Brody told her how I handled that news. No reason to deny it now.

“How is Molly?” I ask.

“She is……….okay. I really don’t know how any of this is going to work,” she says, with tears in her eyes. “She is not ready to meet you and I don’t want to make her. She has been very distant since she left for college. I don’t know what happened, but I’m glad she finally wants us around again. With that being said, we want you around too. Please don’t leave. I know this is going to get messy and complicated, but I can’t lose you.” She pulls a picture out of her purse and brings it over to me. “This is you and Collin with all of us. I know this is you because this is one of the pictures we took before you two ever left the room after you were born.” This picture definitely looks like me. I believe her because I have the same picture with my parents. Only it’s not me in the picture, it’s Molly.

“You were the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. We had two boys when we found out about the two of you. Every ultrasound we had you would hide and we never could find out what you were. We knew Collin was a boy, but you were a surprise. I wanted a girl so bad and when you came out and they said you were a girl that was the happiest moment in my life.” I know she means all of this, but it doesn’t change the fact she didn’t know they took me from her.

“The first night I was so exhausted it just seemed easier to leave the two of you in the nursery so I could get some rest. When they brought you back to me the next morning, I knew you weren’t the same baby. I told Bo, and then I told the nurse. She said our bracelets matched and she had been with you all night. She said all babies change in the first couple of days and I was just tired and confused. I kept going on and on about having the wrong baby, but they just said I had postpartum depression and needed an evaluation. I guess I started to believe them and I shut up about it. I will regret that every day. If I had made them test you or something then, none of this would have happened. You would have grown up with us and you would not hate me right now. I love Molly. She is my daughter and I have seen her through everything that I missed out on with you. I raised her, but I gave birth to you and because of that I love you just as much as her.” She stands up and walks toward the door. “Please stay and let us get to know you. I know it’s asking a lot, but we really want you in our lives,” she says, before walking out the door.

I know she’s telling the truth, but it still doesn’t change the fact I got cheated. I know it’s technically not her fault, but I have to blame somebody and I still think she should have known. I decide to go back to bed and think about all of this. Molly doesn’t want to meet me and the feeling is mutual, but how can we share a family if we don’t even know each other. A few minutes later, Ash comes into the bedroom and lies down beside me.

“Is everything okay?” he asks, turning on his side to face me.

“No, not really,” I say, feeling the tears start up again. He is going to think all I do is cry. “She said she knew she had the wrong baby but no one would listen to her. Molly doesn’t want to meet me, but they don’t want me to leave either. I just don’t see how it is all going to work.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, wiping the tears off my cheek. “Can I ask you a question?” he asks.

“You can ask me anything,” I say, smiling.

“Actually I just thought of another question I want to ask you first,” he says, leaning toward me. “Can I kiss you?” I nod at him and scoot toward him to kiss him. He stops before it gets too far. “Now the hard one, what was Brody talking about last night? Why don’t you sleep?” I turn back onto my back and stare at the ceiling.

“I found my parents when they were murdered. Before I found them I ran into the person who did it in my living room. I couldn’t tell much about him. I only saw his eyes, unfortunately that was enough to ruin any sleep I would ever get for the rest of my life. They seem so real. Sometimes I wake up screaming or worse. I guess I should have warned you before staying here,” I say, looking back at him.

“It wouldn’t have mattered. I still would have let you stay.”

“Thank you, I really appreciate it,” I say, just before I hear the front door open.

“I guess I better get out of your bed before Jaxon comes in here,” he says, climbing off of the bed. “How about we go have some fun?”

                                                                      Chapter Ten

I have officially been here one month. In that month, I have still not met Molly. Tonight that is going to change. We are supposed to have a cookout at Bo and Cindy’s. This is the first time I have been there since the first night I arrived. I am still staying with Ash and Brody and Ash and I are still sneaking around behind Brody’s back. Bo and Cindy try to come over at least three to four nights a week to have supper with us. Of course, Jaxon and Collin are over all the time. We never talk about Molly unless I bring her up and ask a question. They never freely volunteer any information. It’s actually been an amazing month and I’m not sure I want to go back to Florida when this summer is over.              

Tonight is also the one night of the year I hate the most. It’s the night my life changed forever. The night I lost my family, it’s the Fourth of July. I really don’t want to celebrate tonight, but Brody and Ash talked me into it. Of course they have no idea why I hate this day so much.

“You look beautiful, are you ready to go?” Ash asks, coming into the bedroom.

“I am ready, but I think I want to drive tonight. I don’t know how this is going to go with Molly and I may need to make a quick getaway.”

“If you need to get away at any time tonight, just let me know and I will bring you home immediately. I promise.” I nod my head at him and hope he will bring me home with no questions asked I if I lose it tonight.

I really hate this day.

We pull up to a driveway full of cars. “Who all is here?” I ask.

“It’s just aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and pretty much everyone who wants to meet you.” He lifts my hand up and brings it to his lips. “Let me know and I will get you out of here anytime. I really wish you and Molly could have met before tonight. I don’t understand why she wanted it to be with all of these people around.”  I didn’t understand that either, but that is what she had asked for so that is what she got.

We go inside and I am very thankful Brody is already standing there waiting on me. He grabs me and gives me a big hug. “Thank you for doing this, I know it’s not easy.” I just smile and nod at him.

“Where’s Molly?” I ask. I really want to get this introduction over with.

“I think she’s in the back yard. Come on out with me. I’ll try to clear it out before you see her.” We walk outside where Molly is sitting with Cindy. This couldn’t be anymore awkward, your fake daughter meeting your real daughter. Cindy stands up and comes over to give me a hug, “Thanks for coming tonight,” she says. I walk over to Molly. One of us is going to have to go first.

“I’m Callie, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, sitting down beside her. She just smiles at me with a big fake smile. She is actually a very pretty girl with way too much makeup on. I have never liked wearing much makeup but some girls do. I look up to see everybody has left the backyard and gone back inside, so much for the support.

“I know who you are, I can tell just by looking at you. You look just like one of them,” she says, looking back at the house. “You should know I am only doing this for my mom,” she says, stressing the word my. “I have never wanted a sister and I am definitely not interested in finding one in you.” Wow, this girl is unbelievable. I can’t believe she just said that to me.

“Okay, good to know,” I say, standing up to go back inside. I can’t find anybody I know. Who are all of these people? I turn the corner and run smack into Grams.

“Callie, I’m so glad you got to come. I have been meaning to come by and see you. Maybe we can have a girls day one day. Would that be okay with you?” she asks, after giving me a hug.

“That sounds perfect,” I say to her. I really just want to get out of here, but in order to do that, I am going to have to find Ash. Where did he go? I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out and see it’s Clay. I see a bathroom down the hall so I sneak in there and answer the phone.

“Hey Clay.”

“Hey sweetheart, how are you doing today? I know it’s not your favorite day.”

“I’m not doing good at all. The Taylors had a big cookout and thought it would be a great time for me to meet Molly. That girl is awful. I thought she would have to be a little nice since she did have my parents in her, but I was wrong. There is no way this is going to work. I have to get out of here.” I can feel a panic attack coming on. I don’t know what I am going to do. I am locked in a bathroom in my parents house that I just met and now I am freaking out.

“Callie, calm down. How did you get there? Did you drive?”

“No, Ash brought me. I can’t find him now. I don’t where anybody is. I’m sure Molly is out there telling them how awful I am. I never should have come here.”

“Callie, go find Brody or Ash and tell them you need to leave. If you can’t find them, call me back and I will tell you how to wire his truck to start it. Call me when you get home so I will know you are okay,” he says, before hanging up. I’m so glad I have him in my life.

I know I look awful because I have tears streaming down my face. I try to wipe them off and make myself stop crying, but they won’t stop. I think I miss my parents today more than any day I ever have. I would do anything to have them with me right now. I slowly open the door to find Ash standing across from the door. I have never been so happy to see him.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asks. All I can do is shake my head before a new set of tears start streaming down my face. He opens the door wider and pushes me in closing the door behind him. He just stands there hugging me letting me cry. “Do you want me to take you home?” he asks. I don’t even know if he realizes he is calling his house my home. I just know there is no other place I would rather go right now.

“Yes please,” I say. He grabs my face in his hands and tilts my head to where I am looking at him. He kisses my forehead before letting go. “Take my keys and get in the truck. I’ll take care of telling Bo and Cindy and I will meet you at my truck,” he says, slipping the keys in my hand. Once again all I can do is nod. I stand on my tip toes and give him a quick kiss.

“Thank you,” I whisper, before opening the bathroom door to find Molly standing in front of me. That fake smile is back until she looks behind me and sees Ash standing in there. After seeing him she turns around and walks back outside. I make my way out the front door and to Ash’s truck. A few minutes later he comes outside carrying two plates and climbs into the driver seat.