For the Love of Coffee Page 2

  Suddenly Annabelle saw someone she hasn't noticed yet. Maybe he had been in another room, or maybe he'd only just arrived. Whatever the case she was sure of one thing, when he entered the room her world stopped for just a fraction of a second.

  She had never believed in love at first sight, but she was not too proud to admit when she was wrong, and this time she'd definitely been proven wrong. She wanted to ask somebody who he was. She wished she had the courage to walk over and introduce herself. But instead she stayed in her spot, in the corner, and hoped she wouldn't be caught staring. At that moment the youth Pastor's wife came over to her and struck up a conversation until it was announced that a game of Balderdash would be starting soon for anyone who wanted to join in.

  Everyone had a great time of fun and fellowship and before the girls knew it, it was time to leave. Just as they were gathering their things, Annabelle looked up to see someone coming their way. It was the handsome stranger she had noticed earlier. Suddenly her heart skipped a beat and she wished she could fix her hair without looking obvious. Did she look ok? Was her shirt crumpled? Did she have any food on her face? And then he was standing in front of her extending his hand. "Hi there," he greeted with an easy smile. "I couldn't let you girls go without introducing myself. I'm Brandon."

  Annabelle felt her breath catch in her throat but she managed to say, "Hi, I'm Annabelle," before he turned to shake hands with Marissa. He had come to her first. Did that mean anything? Was it her imagination or had he held her hand a second longer than necessary? Then she saw the way he looked at Marissa and reality hit her like a slap in the face. Of course he hadn't noticed her. How could anyone notice her when beautiful, confident, Marissa was standing right beside her? Marissa with her dark, thick, wavy hair and deep, brown eyes that seemed to hold the very essence of everything good. Fun-loving Marissa, with her ready smile and easy going nature. Her sister, Marissa.

  Annabelle had never been jealous of Marissa and she wasn't about to start now, but she couldn't deny the hurt she felt for just a moment before she made up her mind not to let it take root.

  “We’ve never seen you at church before,” Marissa stated with a friendly smile.

  “I’m new to town,” Brandon explained “I’ve just taken a new job as manager at the local travel agency.” "Well, it was nice to meet you Brandon," Marissa said wrapping up the conversation. "Hopefully we'll see you at church on Sunday."

  "I hope so." Brandon replied. He held Marissa's gaze for a moment longer, and then with a quick glance in Annabelle's direction he walked away.

  ***

  Over the next six weeks Brandon made a point of coming to say hi to the girls every time he saw them at church or young adults. Brandon made no secret of his interest in Marissa and it was obvious to everyone that the feelings were mutual.

  Marissa of course had no idea that her younger sister shared her feelings for Brandon, so whenever the girls had a chance to be alone she talked constantly about how wonderful he was and how she hoped soon he would declare his feelings to her.

  Annabelle had no intention of making her secret known. She could never hurt her sister like that. Marissa was a wonderful person who deserved nothing but the best and she truly was happy for her. So she went along with Marissa sharing her excitement and dreams as she always had.

  One afternoon when Annabelle was pulling weeds in the front garden, she heard footsteps in the drive and looked up to see Brandon approaching. "Hi," she said trying to mask her surprise. Then without thinking she added. "Marissa's not here, she's at work." As soon as she made the statement Annabelle realised how it must have sounded and she wished she could take it back. Brandon and Marissa were not a couple yet and it was a little presumptuous of her to assume that he had come to see Marissa. Nevertheless she was not prepared for his next words. "I know she's at work. I actually came to see you."

  Annabelle's palms suddenly felt clammy. He wanted to see her, not Marissa? What could he possibly want? What would Marissa think if she knew? Annabelle nervously cleared her throat and managed to find her voice enough to ask "Would you like to come in for a drink?" Brandon accepted the offer and waited until they were settled at the kitchen table with cold drinks before telling Annabelle the reason for his visit.

  "The reason I came to see you today," he began then paused as if trying to find the right words. Annabelle's heart began to beat faster and she felt more nervous than she could ever remember. She had no idea what to expect. "I came to talk to you about Marissa." Annabelle felt like a suddenly deflated balloon. Of course he wanted to talk about Marissa. Why had she not thought of that? How could she have been foolish enough to think that he really wanted to see her? Now she only hoped she could finish this visit without bursting into tears. "What about Marissa?" She asked trying to keep her voice even. She didn't dare make eye contact for fear that he might read her thoughts.

  "I’m going to ask her on a date." He confessed. "Seeing as you know her better than anyone I was hoping you could give me some tips on how to make it extra special. What’s her favourite food?" “She loves Chinese,” Annabelle told him, hoping her voice sounded normal.

  "I also want to buy her some flowers." Brandon continued oblivious to the turmoil in Annabelle's heart. "What does she like?" "Lilies," she replied without hesitating. "What about chocolate?" Brandon asked. "Turkish Delight," was the answer. "And just in case you want to know her favourite colour is red." Brandon beamed a huge smile. "You're the best Annabelle. Marissa is lucky to have you for a sister." The pain in her heart was easing now and she managed a warm, genuine smile. "Thank you Brandon, but I think I'm the lucky one."

  * **

  After a whirlwind romance including a six month engagement, Annabelle found herself walking down the church aisle in a gorgeous floor length red dress, chief bridesmaid for the happy Marissa. The girls had talked and laughed and planned for hours on end about this day and so far everything had gone exactly as planned. Annabelle never let on to anyone about her feelings for Brandon and managed to keep them at bay as long as she kept her distance from him.

  Watching her sister walk down the aisle, her eyes shining and her smile radiant she couldn't help but be happy that Marissa had found someone as loving and caring as Brandon. Whenever they were all together Brandon and Marissa joked lovingly about the day that Annabelle would find someone. Once or twice they had even hinted about setting her up with some eligible young man that had come to their attention. Despite her determination not to harbour any hurt for the way things had turned out, Annabelle couldn't help getting a little defensive when they talked about such things, and though they couldn't understand why she got that way Brandon and Marissa soon learnt that it was best to avoid the subject altogether.

  "I'd always hoped we might have a double wedding." Marissa had confessed wistfully as her sister fitted her veil that morning. "Sorry Missa." Annabelle had replied using her pet name for her sister. "But I don't think I'm going to get married."

  "Don't say that!" Marissa had chided. "You will. Soon enough you'll meet a charming and wonderful young man who is loving and kind, and everything you ever dreamed of." "I already have," Annabelle wanted to say, but instead she smiled and said, "Maybe, but it will take a miracle and I certainly won't be looking for it."

  Shaking off these memories Annabelle turned her attention back to the happy couple standing before their Pastor and listened on as they exchanged vows and rings and promises to love one another for ‘better or worse’.

  * Annabelle had been there to share her sister's joy when a pregnancy test showed positive eight weeks later and her pain when she miscarried a further three months on. She had laughed and cried and prayed with Marissa as she struggled to fall pregnant again for a whole year. Always encouraging her to enjoy this time with Brandon and use it as an opportunity to develop a strong loving and Godly relationship with her husband. Then finally the news had come. Marissa was expecting again. And after three months battling morning sickness
and fighting fears of another miscarriage, Marissa suddenly started to blossom into the perfect picture of a glowing, healthy expectant mother.

  The flexibility of her studies gave Annabelle the opportunity to spend time with her sister, providing her with almost constant companionship and support through her pregnancy. Whenever he had the chance, Brandon thanked her for her help and told her how much he appreciated everything she was doing for them. Annabelle usually shrugged off his thanks assuring him that it was no trouble at all, and that she loved being able to help, but that was as deep as communication ever got between the two. As hard as she tried to see Brandon as a brother, Annabelle could never bring herself to open up completely or show him any sisterly affection.

  On the one hand the months seemed to drag on, but on another they passed all too quickly and suddenly they had only days left to count until Marissa's due date. "Part of me is nervous about being a mum." Marissa would often say. "But at the same time I can't wait to get this baby out." Then she would laugh and say, "I think I've already said that before haven't I?" Marissa's due date came and went with still no baby. That was when it started to get a bit frustrating for her. Annabelle would sit and pray with her, read to her while she rested and fetch whatever craving Marissa had at the time. They wondered what the baby would be and talked about names. Marissa had so many favourites she and Brandon still hadn't settled on the perfect one.

  One evening when Annabelle was in the kitchen making Marissa a warm drink Brandon walked in having just arrived home from work. "Hey sis," he greeted with his easy smile.

  "Hi," Annabelle replied. "How was work today?"

  "Busy." Brandon answered referring to his position as assistant manager for a local travel agency "I wouldn't be sorry if this baby came tonight. I could do with a couple of weeks off."

  "I hope you don't feel left out of everything." Annabelle said suddenly. "I'm not trying to take over. I really do just want to help"

  "Not at all," Brandon interjected putting his hand on her shoulder. "I really, really appreciate everything that you've done for us. Our baby is going to be so blessed to have you for an aunty." Annabelle wasn't sure where this sudden openness had come from, but for once she didn't feel awkward talking to him and his hand on her shoulder didn't make her uncomfortable. She breathed a silent prayer of thanks. Maybe this was the start of a real brother-sister relationship; one she'd been longing for but hadn't dared to hope was possible.

  Just then Marissa entered the kitchen. The picture of her husband and sister standing together made her smile, but as soon as Brandon had left her smile faded some. "Is everything ok?" she asked, with genuine concern in her voice. Annabelle smiled and nodded. "He was just thanking me again for my help."

  Marissa chuckled. "He sure is thankful. He worries about me more than he's willing to let on, I think."

  She held her sister's eyes a few moments longer as if searching, trying to read what was in the younger woman's heart. She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped, drawing a sharp breath as her hand went instinctively to her stomach.

  "What? What is it?" Annabelle demanded. "Is it the baby?"

  "I'm not sure," Marissa confessed as the pain subsided. "I would have expected more warning than this." She grabbed her coffee mug from the bench and headed back to the lounge room with Annabelle following anxiously.

  Ten minutes later when Marissa was seized by another pain Annabelle went to find Brandon. He was working out in the spare room, but the minute he saw Annabelle's face he stopped. "Is it the baby?" he demanded heading for the door.

  "We think so," Annabelle replied, though an answer wasn't necessary. Brandon and Marissa had been told that the average first labour took at least twelve hours so no one was prepared for the speed at which Marissa's labour progressed. Her waters had broken before her third contraction and from then on the pains came five minutes apart.

  The hospital was only ten minutes from Brandon and Marissa's house, and by the time Marissa was having her sixth contraction they were pulling into the parking lot. Marissa had asked that Annabelle come with them, to which Brandon readily agreed, and the younger sister carried the hospital bag while Brandon supported his wife.

  After four hours of intense, painful labour Marissa was holding a healthy baby girl, tears streaming down her face. Annabelle watched on proudly, she couldn’t wait to hold her niece, but knew the importance of allowing Marissa this time to bond with her baby and try to get her to feed.

  Marissa’s heart swelled with love as she gazed into the face of her new daughter. “We still need to decide on a name for you little one.” She said with a weakened chuckle shifting slightly to get into a more comfortable position.

  Suddenly the room started to spin and she felt her whole body weaken. She heard the midwife instructing Brandon to take the baby before everything became a blur.

  Time became nonexistent as Annabelle stood in the corner of the room watching the Doctor and midwives working frantically at her sister’s bedside. She heard snatches of conversation. Scary fragments like ‘lost a lot of blood’, ‘the womb’s not clamping’ and ‘may need surgery’ did nothing to ease the rising panic in her heart.

  She was startled by a hand on her elbow and turned to see a midwife standing beside her. “We’ll need you to leave, love.” She said gently.

  “Is she going to be ok?” Annabelle asked fighting tears.

  The midwife put an arm around Annabelle and gently ushered her to the door. “Try not to worry, love,” she responded. “Your sister is in good hands.”

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