Somewhere in Between

by Lynnette Brisia

  She slammed the door as she left. Neither knew what to make of her spectacle, not understanding where she was coming from or why since she had pretty much turned her back on them years earlier. The only thing they could think was she wanted a way in to get to her trust fund, since Dalton and Grace were adamant about not allowing her access unless she changed her behavior.

  It wasn’t long after her visit they learned she’d cut ties with her parents too. A stipulation was then attached to the fund, stating it fell to Elliot to make the decision what to do with the money in the event of their deaths.

  Elliot finished his medical degree in Child Psychology, just as Gemma had said, fast-tracking so he wasn’t stuck in school for the rest of his life. But it wasn’t completely easy. The position at the museum Gemma had hoped to get never came about. Funding was lost and she ended up having to leave the museum all-together, a few months before Elliot’s graduation.

  She was so disheartened having put so much hope into this job, that to have it fall through, was like a kick to the gut. And it didn’t matter how much Elliot told her they’d be okay, Gemma felt she should have seen it coming after having the start date pushed back time and time again.

  And then there was the moment when, only a few months left of Elliot’s schooling, they found out they were pregnant.

  It was a surprise and the manner in which they found out was not a pleasant one. Having felt sick for the better part of two months, and stressed about her job situation, while trying to keep their home maintained with Elliot trying to get through school, Gemma collapsed one Thursday evening as she was shelving books at the Barnes and Noble she’d started working at until she could find something else. When she got to the hospital, she had started hemorrhaging and it wasn’t until the doctor spoke with her and Elliot that they learned they’d been pregnant.

  Eight weeks along.

  Days upon days she cried, fearing she’d done something wrong, fearing she’d overworked herself or not taken better care of herself with her diet. Or that she somehow was damaged inside from her attack but never knew it. But the doctor told her sometimes these things just happen. Spontaneous abortion, he’d called it. And Elliot became obsessed reading about it until he managed to convince himself sometimes some things just weren’t meant to be. Then he worked on Gemma until he was able to help her overcome their loss. It was a rough go for a while, since Gemma felt the loss emotionally, mentally and physically, while Elliot didn’t have that third feeling of loss to work through.

  Just as they suffered when they were teenagers.

  After that, they sat down and started to really discuss their future. They’d put off getting married until Elliot had graduated, hoping they’d each have jobs and could then plan a family out. But the loss of a baby they hadn’t even known they wanted yet changed their perspectives. It made them reevaluate what they wanted and how to get there.

  So they gave up waiting.

  On January 27th, at three o’clock in the afternoon, Gemma and Elliot were married in a cabin in Telluride. While the snow fell outside and a small group of friends and family attended, Elliot and Gemma pledged their undying love to one another with the promise of forever. Gemma had two bridesmaids, Leighanna and Nina, and Elliot had Josh and Nathan stand for him.

  It was a beautiful ceremony. Their colors were purple and blue and they danced - much to everyone’s amusement and Grace’s glee - to the Third Wheel song, Till the End of Time, Elliot had stumbled upon during a conversation with his mother. Andrew cried as he gave Gemma away. And Eli was the ring bearer.

  Just as Elliot’s graduation was approaching, Gemma received a phone call from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. As it turned out, the Director of Antiquities for the museum Gemma had been interning at called in a favor, requesting the Met let him know if any positions opened since Gemma had been promised a job and he couldn’t come through. He told her things like this didn’t happen every day, if at all, but he knew she had a bright future ahead of her and didn’t want to see her talent’s wasted. He didn’t get her the job, just an interview, but she was grateful regardless.

  Two weeks later, and after a Skype interview, she was offered the position of Overseer for the newest art acquisitions.

  That night, when she told Elliot, he was thrilled. And he immediately began applying for positions on the east coast. By the time he was officially finished with school, Elliot had a position lined up with Columbia University.

  Everything was starting to finally fall into place.

  They moved across the country, much to Nina’s dismay, to a quaint Brownstone, which was much closer to where Trent and Leighanna had set up their own home in Tennessee, and close to where Trisha lived in Chicago working as a victim’s advocate.

  And so, it was on the eighth anniversary of that fateful October night when Gemma received news that would change the day for her, and Elliot, forever.

  “You’ve passed the first trimester. Your sickness should lessen from now on. And it won’t be long now before we can find out what the sex is.”

  Looking up into Elliot’s watery eyes, Gemma inhaled sharply. “We’re gonna have a baby.”

  He nodded at her before looking at Dr. Clarkson. “Everything looks good?”

  “Everything looks very good. I understand you experienced a miscarriage a while back. I understand the fear you are both feeling. But I want you to know, reaching this milestone is important.”

  Elliot nodded again, releasing a heavy breath. “That’s good. That’s real good.”

  “We can tell our families now.”

  They had waited, too scared to say anything for fear of another loss. But with Dr. Clarkson telling them they’d made it past the point when most miscarriages occurred, they knew the time had come.

  “I can’t wait,” Elliot said kissing Gemma soundly. “I can’t wait to meet our baby.” He held his hand against Gemma’s belly, knowing he wouldn’t feel anything but needing to be closer to her and their child regardless.

  Clearing his throat, Dr. Clarkson stood to leave the room. “You can get dressed, Gemma. I’ll get you two out of here as soon as possible.”

  “Thanks, Dr. Clarkson.”

  “I love you so much, Gemma Wade,” Elliot breathed against Gemma’s mouth as the door clicked shut. “Thank you for everything you’ve given me.”

  “I love you too, Elliot.”

  “Let’s get you dressed so I can get you home and undress you again.”

  With a giggle Gemma leapt into Elliot’s arms. “Thank you for giving me everything I could have wanted and more.”

  That night, when they got home, Elliot kept his promise by undressing Gemma and showing her just how much he loved her.

  With his lips pressed against Gemma’s still flat belly, Elliot looked up into her eyes. “We’ll call our families in the morning. I don’t think I’m through with you yet.”

  The End….

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped me get to this moment.

  My family for believing in me when I said I wanted to write and publish a book. My friends for supporting this endeavor.

  This is my second published work. And I am so grateful to have the opportunity to get my words out and to have people support me through purchasing and also through sharing. I never set out to be rich. I just wanted to write a good story and hopefully have people read it. The fact that has happened is beyond all of my wildest dreams.

  About the Author

  Lynnette lives in Colorado and couldn’t imagine a more beautiful state or place to live. She has amazing friends and family, including a beautiful niece that inspires her to do good always.

  When she’s not writing, she can usually be found reading, listening to many different podcasts, or watching ridiculous cat videos on the internet.

 
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