Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“You’re right,” Beatrice says carefully. “I’m sure that’s something I can figure out. When the time is right. Love you both so much, and talk soon, okay?”
“Love you too, baby,” Kate says.
“So much,” Wes adds, still being careful to keep his volume down. “Promise you’ll reach out if there’s anything we can do between now and December.”
“Will do, I promise. Bye!” Bea waves, grinning as she closes the laptop, ending the call.
Then, she sags back into her chair with a rush of breath. “Holy shit. What a wake-up call. They FaceTimed while I was checking email. I shouldn’t have picked up, I guess, but I felt so guilty…” She presses a hand to her forehead, heaving another sigh. “And I had no idea they’d seen what they’d seen. Though I probably should have. Aunt Cindy likes to keep tabs on the family. No matter where we are in the world.”
“Sorry.” I cross to stand beside her at the counter. “I didn’t mean to make it worse. I just heard shouting and—”
“No, don’t apologize,” she says, turning to me with a shake of her head. “You didn’t make it worse. You were great. They obviously didn’t suspect a thing. I’m just sorry it’s so…” She trails off, tension creeping into her voice. “I’m sorry, it’s complicated. With my parents and my brother and…other stuff.”
“You don’t have to apologize, either,” I say. “And it doesn’t have to be complicated. We can just take things day by day, being good to each other and doing what’s best for the baby. That’s all I care about right now.”
Relief floods her expression as she leans in, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Thank you, Blue. Seriously.” She hugs me tight. “Thank you so much.”
“Of course. I’m just happy to be here,” I say, meaning it. She may not be ready to be more than friends—or friends with benefits—but she’s letting me be part of her life. And our daughter’s life.
That’s a lot to be grateful for.
I wrap my arms around her, throat going tight as she rests her cheek on my chest. The feel of her, soft and relaxed in my arms, with her belly brushing mine, is humbling. Our daughter is already here with us, but in just a few months, I’ll be able to hold her, care for her, and give Bea a break from carrying it all alone. I’ll truly be able to share the load, and I’m not about to do anything to get in the way of that.
And in the words of one of my favorite Buddhist teachings, only three things matter at the end of your time on earth—how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of the things not meant for you.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to bow out gracefully before I absolutely have to. I intend to fight for this woman with all the tools at my disposal.
Starting with breakfast.
“Hungry?” I ask, smoothing a hand over her hair.
“Maybe a little.” A low rumbling fills the air, making her laugh as she pulls back. “Okay, yes. I didn’t finish my lasagna last night, and Bean is a beast. We already had half a bagel with cream cheese thirty minutes ago. That’s why I was up so early checking email. She was demanding first breakfast.”
I smile. “As she should. If she’s ready for second breakfast, I could get takeout from the omelet place. Maybe a Greek omelet or a bean and egg burrito?”
Her eyes widen. “Yes. Bean would love a bean and egg burrito with extra salsa. And I bet Clover would love a bacon and egg sandwich with feta cheese.” She raises her voice as she asks, “Wouldn’t you, Clover?”
“How did you know I was listening?” Clover asks, making Bea and me both grin.
“I have psychic powers,” Bea calls back. “Do you need help to the bathroom, too? My psychic powers are telling me you also probably need to pee.”
“Oh my God, yes, please. I’m about to burst,” Clover says. “I didn’t want to interrupt, but I’m seriously about to wet the bed. Can you come, Bea? I only need a little help sliding off the bed into my chair and then a boost from the chair to the toilet. I’m just not ready to cross the potty bridge with a man. Not even a man who’s like a brother.”
“Yeah, I’ve got you,” Beatrice says.
I slide her crutches over as she eases from her chair. “All right, but I’ll stay here until I know you two have it sorted. Just in case.”
“Okay, thanks,” Clover says, her voice tight.
“Don’t worry, babes, on my way to the rescue,” Bea says, moving swiftly down the hall.
She’s already managing better than yesterday. I’m so glad she’s healing quickly, and glad I get to help make sure she’s one hundred percent by the time the baby’s here.