All Of Me

Chapter 30

(Warning: For the younger readers, Tripp and Brooke get a little physical in this chapter, so if that's something your parents wouldn't want you to read, you should skip that part of this chapter. :) Thanks!)

Tripp's POV

My heart was pounding so hard that it was missing beats altogether. She looked up at me expectantly, waiting for the next few words that would come out of my mouth. I tried to force them out. Say it, Tripp. Just say it. Now's your chance.

"Look," I huffed a deep breath, "If you and Luke ever need anything...I'll be here." I released her wrist, and she nodded as her shoulders relaxed. We stood there for a beat too long, rain dripping down into her blue eyes and running down her chin.

Finally, she turned and ran back to the house to get shelter from the rain. I stood there, letting the rain beat upon me. Deserving every bit of it. The chill it left on my skin as the wind blew in to carry the storm away, I deserved it. The sting in my eyes as the droplets carried hairspray into my eyes, I deserved every ounce of it.

I don't know how long I stood there before I walked back to the house. Sulking like the coward I was.

It was no longer just about the Yuppie back in Gracetown, it would one day also be about who Luke's father was. Because she would find out when he was born in February. Just five more months.

I walked back into the house and straight to the shower, but there was already a line. I grabbed a towel, and walked to my room. I shucked off my clothes and ran the towel over my body, soaking up all the moisture. I changed into shorts and a T-shirt.

What was I doing? I heaved a sigh and sat down on the side of my bed, burying my face in my hands.

Brooke's POV

I was cold to my core, my teeth were chattering and I couldn't stop shivering. I quickly shed my wet clothes and changed into sweats and a black t-shirt that fit too well. I decided to leave my hair down so it could air dry. It had gotten fairly long over the past few months. I guess when you find out your pregnant and don't remember having sex, you tend to forget to get a trim.

I stood by my bed, trying to sort through my thoughts from earlier. That wasn't what Tripp intended to say, I could tell by his exasperation as he said it. He wouldn't have stopped me in the middle of a rainstorm to tell me he'd be there for Luke and I. He knew I already knew that.

Before I could further decipher my feelings, the door to my room was flung open and Tripp was suddenly standing in front of me. His breathing was sporadic, and his eyes were burning with something as his breathing traveled down my nose. He leaned in, and in a moments time, his lips crashed against mine.

I felt a release as our lips moved in sync together. They would separate, only to come back together again in a dance that only Tripp and I knew. All my wondering about the existence of friendly kisses was laid to rest as his hands traveled up my back and tangled into my hair, bringing me closer.

My heart-rate doubled in speed as my hands moved on their own to his chest, and up his shoulders, then down his arms as the kiss continued. Fast, but not rushed. Like we had both needed it.

The heat in my body was unbearable, and the way he smelt was overwhelming to my senses. He pushed me backward, and laid my gently down onto the bed. I wasn't panicked, and I wasn't worried. I trusted Tripp completely, as he ran his fingers through my hair, and his thumbs caressed my cheeks. My hands explored his chest, and I've never felt more cared for than I did in that moment.

The way he was so gentle, yet still showing me how desperate he was for the contact we were having just then.

The kiss finally broke, and our noses brushed together as our breathing slowed. I could tell by his eyes that his brain was searching for the words to say.

"I think I've always kept my hands in my pockets all these years, to keep me from doing that." He smiled a little and I returned it. His eyes were on fire, and it was an eternity before he raised himself up and I sat up on my elbows.

"I want you to...I just," He was struggling to speak his mind, "I want you to do what makes you happy. No matter what that is. But I would kick myself if I never told you how I feel. No matter who Luke's father is, and no matter what some pretty boy has to offer you, I want you to...to," He ran his hands through his hair frustratingly, and blurted, "I want you to do what makes you happy, Brooke."

I nodded and stood, wrapping my arms around his waist. I'd never seen Tripp so overwhelmed. I'd never seen Tripp at a loss for words, until now. He held me for a moment before pushing me back and grasping my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. "Promise that you'll do what makes Brooke happy." He was desperate for the words.

I nodded and held back the tears that threatened to spill out. "I promise." I said, but my voice came out much smaller and higher than I had intended.

I knew what I wanted now. I knew what made me happy. But I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. Nothing wrong with taking it slow. My lips burned with the absence of his as he left the room, and I brought a hand to them.

Before I began to over think, I turned on my phone and decided to call Carol and tell her how I was. I needed to hear a voice from back home. As relaxing as this weekend had been so far, it was becoming increasingly confusing and stressful. I missed Gracetown. I past the rest of the afternoon talking to Carol, and texting Paige to check on her.

She gave me short answers, saying everything was fine and she was sorry. I read several texts from Clint, saying he missed me and similar things. I told him I missed him too, that I would be back Monday, and stuck my phone in my back pocket.

I threw my clothes into the washing machine and then took a nap to escape the roller coaster I called my life, and I didn't wake up 'til dusk.

I walked downstairs to find it barren. Where was everyone?

I heard distant laughter and chatter and followed it. I opened the back door and found everyone sitting around a fire pit on the large back porch in white lawn chairs, talking and laughing. I smiled at everyone when they noticed my presence. I pulled up a chair beside Tripp, and after a few minutes, I noticed our fingers were intertwined.

His family was so nice. I had grown to love all of them over the past couple of days. His Uncles were so funny, typical older men. His aunts were so sweet and supportive. Never judgmental or critical. I'm sure they had their flaws just like any family, but I could never imagine them throwing one of their own out onto the street like my mother had done.

Before the thought could be fully though, my phone began to vibrate. I stood and excused myself, walking around the side of the porch to have some privacy. I swiped my finger across my mother's picture and answered it hesitantly.

"Hello Brooke." She didn't sound quite as disgusted and a little bit...relaxed. "I just wanted to apoligize for not calling to check in on you lately. How is everything?" She asked, and I could hear dishes clinking together in the background, she was doing dishes.

I was quiet for too long, obviously in shock. "Uh, everything is good. Luke is good." I said, and immediately regretted giving her the information. I braced for the judgment I would receive, but it didn't come. "It's a boy?" She questioned after a long pause. "Yes, he is a boy." I cleared my throat in an attempt to clear the thick air around me.

"Oh." Was all she said. "Well, I'd like to see you again." She simply stated.

I nodded, and then remembered she couldn't see me. "Okay. T-that'd be nice. Any idea when? I'm not in town right now." I was racking my brain for where I would tell her I was when she asked, but she didn't.

"Brian's work is having a dinner in two weeks, First Bank of Gracetown, downtown. I want to see you there." Her request sounded like it was turning into a demand. I didn't want to argue with her. I agreed to be there and asked her to text me the details such as the time and what to wear.

I hung up and took a deep breath. I looked up to find Tripp approaching me. "Is everything okay?" He asked, and I nodded. He took that as an invitation to come closer and walked over, pulling me to him. My back pressed again his chest as the sun made it's finale and the stars became more clear. The absence of city lights making them seem much brighter.

I didn't know what would come up this weekend, but either way, it had been amazing. And as much as I missed Gracetown, I would miss this place when we had to go back.