“Thank you for being so honest with me,” she said, shutting up her notepad. “I think all of this information will work perfectly for the special. I know the public is going to love getting to know more about this family.”
“How are things going with you and Brad?” Traci asked leaning back in her seat. “I think the two of your make such a cute couple. I’ve never seen Brad happier than when he is with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
There would have been a time that she might have found a way to deny her feelings towards Brad, but that was all in the past. Alicia wanted to tell everyone how she felt about him now.
“I’m completely blissful with Brad. We are getting along so well with each other.”
“Good,” Traci smiled. “I’m glad to hear that Brad is such an amazing guy. We all want him to be happy.”
Alicia understood what Traci was telling her. She didn’t want Brad hurt by her or anyone else. She loved Traci cared so much about her Brad and it had to do more than with him being her brother-in-law. She was beginning to see what a close-knit family was like and the love they shared with each other.
“You’re right. Brad deserves some happiness and I’m hoping I’m the woman to make it happen,” Alicia admitted.
Traci’s eyes lit up as she leaned forward in her chair. “Does that mean you and Brad are finally a real couple now? I know what Brad told us at dinner, but a part of me thought that was him and his wishful thinking.”
“Yes, we are dating and in love. Brad really surprised me bringing me to Lee’s house for the weekly Wednesday night dinner. I wasn’t sure how things would go, but I was pleased how well the night turned out.”
“I bet Brad was too. He wouldn’t admit to it, but Lee’s opinion does mean a lot him,” Traci confessed.
“I got that too. I don’t want to be the reason Brad loses his connection with his brother.” Alicia could sense that Brad was looking for approval from Lee when it came to a lot of things in his life.
“Don’t worry about it,” Traci said, waving her hand in her direction. “I don’t think Brad will lose his brotherly bond with Lee. Honestly, Lee wasn’t on my side that much at first but I won him over and his growing attraction for my sister helped in my favor too.”
“Lee is so tough and hard, but when Cherise comes in the room I can see this change come over him immediately which is so surprising.” Alicia would have a hard time believing it if she hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes.
Traci nodded in agreement. “Lee is such a softie when it comes to my sister anytime she’s around. They may fight, but it comes from so much love. I think it’s only going to get a hundred times worse after the boys are born.”
Alicia knew that Brad was excited about the twins. He couldn’t wait until he was an uncle again. Could it come from him wanting to be a father so badly? Is that the reason he didn’t want them to use a condom when they had made love?
“When are the babies due?” she asked.
“Cherise went to the doctor yesterday and he told her the second week in December. Lee is buying baby presents and items every day like crazy. If he keeps this up there won’t be any more room in the nursery. Zack and Richard are laughing at him. They love how nervous their tough as nails brother is acting now.”
Sitting there with Traci, Alicia realized how much she wanted to be a part of this family. Everyone seemed to care about each other no matter if they had a disagreement; in the end they always came together.
“I get that too. My sister Chloe is a lot like Lee. She doesn’t think I’m an adult, so she’s constantly trying to guide me in the right direction.”
“I guess that I didn’t have anything to be worried about,” a male voice interrupted. “Should I let the two of you continue to talk or is Alicia ready to interview me now?”
Twisting around in her chair, Alicia locked eyes with Zack standing behind her holding his son’s hand. And if she remembered correctly his name was Carter.
“Hi, baby,” Traci said, getting up from her seat. “Alicia and I were just talking. The first part of the interview went excellent. I had a good time with her.”
Alicia was surprised by Traci’s compliment. She’d liked the time spent with Traci too. Today was truly turning out to be better than she thought it would when she left the house this morning after the argument with her sister.
“Mommy, I got my Halloween outfit.” Carter grinned holding up a bag in his tiny hand as he ran past her up to Traci. “Daddy let me pick it out.”
“What did you get?” Traci asked as she picked up her son.
“A pirate. I got an eyeball patch too. Do you want to see it?”
“How about we go upstairs and you can show me while Daddy talks to Ms. Alicia?” Traci suggested.
Carter glanced away from Traci over to her and then Zack before looking back at his mother. “Okay. I’ll show you. Can I try it on too, please?” Carter asked in the cutest child voice Alicia had ever heard.
“Alright, you can try it on and then I’ll fix you some lunch.” Traci headed for the door. She stopped in front of Zack and gave him a kiss. “Alicia, have fun with Zack and don’t believe him when he tells you that I chased after him.” She left the room without looking back.
“Are you ready?” Zack asked her.
If she wasn’t ready to interview him, she would have to pretend because Zack made her a little nervous with the way he stared at her like he could see what she was thinking. Lee was her biggest nemesis, but she sensed that Zack might be a close second.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Can I talk to you about something?” Brad asked Lee walking into his office. Everyone else was out to lunch, so he thought this would be the best time to bring his career change up to his brother when there were less people here to witness his murder.
“Have a seat. I’m glad you caught me now because I was about to leave. I’m meeting Cherise for lunch and then we’re heading to her doctor’s appointment.”
Taking a seat, Brad crossed his left leg over his right one and got as comfortable as he could. Lee seemed like he was in a good mood, but all of that would change once he got done talking.
“How is Cherise doing? I haven’t talked to her lately. I’ve been so busy with Alicia and other stuff in my life.”
Lee shut off his computer and then leaned back in his chair. “She’s doing wonderful. She’s getting more excited about the babies now that she’s closer to delivery. The doctor told us they should be born around Christmas or they could come a little earlier because Cherise is carrying multiples. So, we are going to have a very special Christmas this year no matter what and I can’t wait.”
“Have you and Cherise decided on names yet?”
“No, we’re still debating, but I know the names we choose will be perfect. Okay, that’s enough about me. How are things going with Alicia?”
Brad was surprised that Lee cared enough to even inquire about his relationship with Alicia since everyone knew he wasn’t her biggest supporter.
“You really want to know?” he questioned a little more than skeptical about his brother’s motives.
“I’ll admit I haven’t been sold on Alicia being the right woman for you, but after noticing how she looked at you during dinner, I’ve changed my opinion a little. She might actually fit into our crazy family after all.”
Brad wasn’t going to believe the sudden change came all from Lee. He had to get a little push in the right direction and he knew where it had come from.
“Cherise had another talk with you, didn’t she?”
Lee raked his fingers through his thick hair. “Yes, she did after everyone one had left dinner. She told me that I wasn’t being fair towards you and it was your life to live, not mine. Whatever mistakes you might make were yours and not mine.”