“It's his?” Gabby asks.
“Watch it.” My voice is stern, leaving no room for argument.
“Of course it's his,” Winnie replies snidely.
“Sorry." Gabby holds up her hands in defense. “This is just… not what I was expecting.”
“Us either.” She turns to look at me. “But we're happy about it.”
“What does this mean?”
“It means that Harrison and I are having a baby.”
“For the two of you?” Gabby corrects.
I open my mouth to reply, but Winnie beats me to it. “It means we're working it out. Regardless of where we end up in our relationship, one thing will hold true for the rest of our lives. We share this baby.” She places her hand over her belly.
“Just like that? He knocks you up, so you're just going to take him back, just like that?”
Again, I start to speak to defend us, but my girl beats me to the punch. “The demise of our marriage is not all on Harrison. We were both equal partners in our marriage, and we both did things—” She stops. “Regardless of what you think you know, you don't. Love was never the issue for us. I'm confident we both will love this child unconditionally.”
“Hey,” I say, my voice gruff. Winnie turns to look at me. I cup her face in my hands. “I love you.” Leaning in, I place a kiss on the corner of her mouth. Her eyes are glassy as her tears threaten to bubble over.
“Have you told Mom and Dad?” Gabby asks, oblivious to the moment we're having.
“Not yet. We haven't really discussed when to tell our parents or anyone for that matter,” Winnie answers her, but never takes her eyes off mine.
“I want to shout it from the rooftops. You tell me when you're ready, and I'll make it happen.”
“That easy?” Gabby crosses her arms over her chest. “Where were you a year ago, Harrison? Why now after all this time?” Her eyes are boring into mine. I can see the hurt and the worry for her sister.
I debate on whether or not to answer her. I want to tell her it’s none of her damn business. However, the reality is that Winnie is close to Gabby. And as much as I hate the need to explain or defend myself, winning over Gabby isn’t a hardship. She’s like a little sister to me too. I understand where she’s coming from, but that doesn’t mean I like it. “I didn't fight for us like I should have. I put the gym before Winnie, but not because I didn't love her. I was trying to build it into something that would secure our future, and the future of our family.”
Gabby scoffs, and I clamp my mouth shut, refusing to react.
“I didn't fight either,” Winnie tells her. “We both are to blame for how things ended, and equally so for this little miracle.” She once again places her hands over her belly. “It will be our decision on how we move forward. I love you, Gab, but this is our choice. As my sister, you have to respect whatever decisions we decide to make.”
“So, he's living here again?” Gabby asks. She’s fighting against this, but I can see through her tough-girl act. She was hurt when we divorced. She needs some time to catch up to where we are. She’ll come around.
“I'm staying with her to take care of her, of both of them.” I take a calming breath. I know Gabby means well, she's hurt, and I have to remind myself of that before I continue on. “I know what it's like to live without her. I know what it's like to want to tell her something from my day and not be able to. I know what it's like to go to bed without her and wake up just as alone. None of that is enticing to me. I know what I had, what I lost, and I know that this is a gift. Both of them are my gift, and I'll be damned if I let them go again.”
Gabby's quiet; I'm sure processing my words. “You're going to be an aunt,” Winnie says softly. “Can we focus on that? Let Harrison and me figure out the rest. This is our life, our future,” she says gently.
“I've been here and I witnessed what losing him did to you.” Her words cut deep, the pain slicing through my chest. “I don't want to see you go through that again.”
“I survived. I made it through, and if that happens, we still have the best part of each other—this baby. You have to let us make our choices. Besides, you're the little sister,” Winnie teases, trying to lighten the mood.
“I'm going to be an aunt.” Gabby’s smile is wide when it finally appears.
“Yes, and you have to keep it to yourself. No spilling the beans to Mom and Dad before we get the chance to. You're not supposed to tell anyone until after the first trimester in case of miscarriage.”
“Wait? What? Are you okay? Do we need to go back to the hospital?” Panic floods my veins.
“No.” Winnie’s smile is soft. “It's just an awful fact that if you are going to miscarry, it's likely to be in the first trimester.”
My mind races with how I can protect them. “How do we stop that? You need to take time off work, stay off your feet.”
“Harrison.”
I think back to what the doctor said at the hospital; he assured us that she was fine. “Wait, are you spotting? Is the cramping getting worse? We should go back.” I start to stand, but she places her hand over mine and stops me.
“Harrison.” Winnie moves her hand to my face. “I'm fine. No more spotting and the cramping is minimal, and they said that's normal, remember?”
I nod.
“I'm just spouting facts, that's all. Take a deep breath.”
“Winnie.” My voice cracks.
“We're fine.” Her voice soothes me.
I pull her into me—as best as I can with the chairs between us. I bury my face in her neck and breathe her in. “Tell me what you need. Tell me what to do, and I'll do it.”
“There is nothing we can do,” she whispers. “It's all up to fate.”
“Fate,” I repeat. “That's what gave us our peanut.”
“Oh my God,” Gabby murmurs.
Pulling away, we turn to face her. Her eyes are swimming in tears. “You really want this.” It's not phrased as a question, more of a statement, but I answer her anyway.
“More than my next breath.”
“I can't say that I forgive you. You hurt her, and yes, I understand she had a part in the divorce as well, but she's my sister and my loyalty lies with her. However, with a confession like that, it's hard to not root for you.”
“I can use all the help I can get.” I wink at her to lighten the mood, causing her to roll her eyes. I stand from my chair and slide my plate in front of Gabby. A peace offering of sorts. Not to mention, I know she loves my grilled cheese sandwiches too. “I'm going to go and get the prenatal vitamin prescription filled. Is there anything that you want or need while I'm out?”
“No, I think I'm okay.”
“Call me if you change your mind. I won't be gone long.” I kiss Winnie’s temple, grab my keys from the table by the door, and make my way to my truck. When I'm on the road, I hit the phone call button on my steering wheel. “Call Chase.”
“What's happening?” he answers almost immediately.
“I need to make some changes.”
“O-kay?” He drags out the word, unsure of what I'm up to.
“I want my wife back. I need to not work eighty hours a week to make that happen. She was in a car accident last night, and I'm staying with her.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she's going to be just fine, but I need to be there for her. Not just when she's back on her feet, but forever. I pushed her away because I worked too much. Not because I didn't want to be around her, but I got lost in building something for our future. I see the error in my ways.”
“What can I do?” No hesitation. His loyalty speaks volumes to our friendship. I know I can count on him, and he knows he can count on me. I’m lucky to have a friend like him in my corner, and a part of my business.
“I need to delegate, but I don't want to put all of this on you. I think I'm going to hire an admin assistant. Someone who can be the sole support for both of us. A lot of what I do is paperwork that someone else can easil
y handle. Maybe hire a payroll company instead of me doing it every other week. I don't really know the specifics, but that's where I'm hoping you come in. Help me cut back. Help me get my life back.”
“You got it, brother. I'll be thinking. Can we meet this week? I can come there to the house,” he offers.
“Yeah, that's probably best. I don't want to leave her for a few days. I'm only out now to get her— to go to the pharmacy.”
“Need anything?”
“Just to get my shit in order at the gym. I can be what she needs and still own a successful business. If not, well, maybe it's time I let the gym go.”
“What?”
I've shocked him. To be honest, I’m a little surprised myself, but that doesn’t make my words any less true. I would give it up for my family. “Nothing matters to me more than Winnie. If I can't make this balance work, I'm going to sell.”
“Just like that?”
“No contest.”
“We'll make it work.”
“I want that, but I'm prepared to let it go if not.”
“What brought this on?”
“I lost her, Chase. Then last night I get a call that she's been in a car accident and it hit me that I truly could have lost her. I've been moping around missing her, loving her from a distance, instead of getting off my ass and fighting for her. The gym was a big part of why I lost her. If I can't make it work, if I can't figure out a way to work less and be with her more, I won't hesitate to let it go.”
“That gym is your baby.”
I smile at that. “Not anymore.”
We agree to meet in a few days to brainstorm how to set my plans in motion. I drop the prescription off at the pharmacy, and they tell me it will be twenty minutes. While waiting, I wander through the store. I grab a bag of peanut M&M's which are Winnie's favorite and find myself standing in the baby aisle. It's a little overwhelming, but a smile still tilts my lips when I think of our baby. Slowly, I make my way down the aisle, taking it all in when something catches my eyes. The tag claims it's a onesie, but I'm not worried about what it is as much as what it says. “If you think I'm cute, you should see my mommy.” I can't wait to see her face when I give it to her.
When I get back to the house, Gabby's car is still in the driveway. I find the two of them curled up on the couch watching reruns of Grey's Anatomy.
“I thought you went for my prescription?” Winnie asks when she sees the bag I'm holding.
“Yeah, I picked up a few things.” I hand the bag over. I watch her closely as she reaches in and pulls out the M&M's.
She smiles up at me. “Thank you.” She sets them to the side and pulls out the white pharmacy bag that holds her prescription. That too gets set aside. The next item she pulls out of the bag is a book. “What To Expect When You’re Expecting.” She reads the title.
“Yeah, that one's kind of for both of us. Probably more me, since I thought I should learn.” I shrug.
“What's this?” She pulls the tiny outfit out of the bag. I watch as she reads what it says. “Harrison,” she says breathily.
“It's black and white, so it's good for a girl or a boy, right?”
“It's perfect.”
“Let me see." Gabby leans over to read what it says. “Aww,” she coos. “You did good, Daddy.”
My heart stutters in my chest.
I'm going to be a daddy.
Chapter 8
Winnie
He’s driving me crazy.
Just a few hours into his self-imposed move-in, and he’s completely making me insane. Sundays are usually spent catching up on laundry, grocery shopping, and getting my week ready for school. But not today. Today, I’m being held prisoner by my ex-husband, who won’t let me move a muscle from the couch. Is it bad? No. I know he’s doing what he thinks I need, but not letting me walk to the bathroom to pee is a little overboard, ya know?
I’m four episodes into a Friends marathon when I start to slide my feet out from under me. “Where are you going?” Harrison asks, glancing up from the book he’s reading in the chair. He has a pair of readers perched on his nose, something that’s new since our time together. A ping of longing slides through my body, and I can’t help but wonder what else I’ve missed over these last several months.
“When did you start wearing cheater glasses?” I ask, ignoring his questions and asking my own.
He dog-ears the page he’s reading, and I can’t help but gasp. “What?” he asks, his entire body filling with tension as he starts to move in my direction. “Are you okay? What’s wrong? Do you hurt? Is it the baby?”
Rolling my eyes, I reply, “I’m fine. Or at least I am physically. I think you just crushed a piece of my heart when you bent that page over.”
Harrison glances down at the book he haphazardly tossed on the end table. “Shit, sorry. I forgot you hate that.”
"You’re a monster," I tease, fighting the grin that wants to slip out.
He glances my way and smiles. "A monster, huh?"
"What’d that book ever do to you?"
"That book didn’t do anything to me, except maybe offer up a little too much information about birthing the placenta," he says, shivering with disgust as he takes his glasses off and runs his hand down the side of his face.
I slide off the couch, and his eyes are on me like laser beams. "I’m okay, you know. I don’t need to be held hostage on the couch."
"I’m just trying to keep you both safe."
I crouch down in front of him, noticing the moment his eyes start to dilate. "I know that, and I appreciate it, but sitting on my ass for hours on end isn’t doing anything to help me."
"You heard the doctor. He said to take it easy."
"Easy, yes, but captive, no. I’m okay, Harrison. A little rest is a good thing, but I need to be able to get up and get a drink," I say until I’m interrupted.
"I’ll get you a drink."
"But I’m perfectly capable of getting my own," I inform him, holding his gaze and watching the internal battle play out. I know he just wants to help, and I’m certain he thinks he’s protecting both our baby and me, but it’s too much. It’s only been a few hours and it’s already driving me bananas.
His shoulders sag in defeat. "Okay, I get it, but that doesn’t mean I like it," he concedes.
I offer him a small smile. "I understand your position, and I appreciate your help, but I’m perfectly capable of walking down the hall to use the restroom."
He tenses and stares down at me. "I didn’t want you to trip."
"I’ve never tripped over the bathroom rug before," I gently say.
"But there’s a first time for everything. All it would take is one time for you to trip, and I’d never forgive myself. We should just get rid of it. All of the rugs, actually. They’re a trip hazard, and—"
"Harrison." I grab his hands and give them a squeeze. "The rugs stay."
Again, his shoulders sag. "Fine."
I can’t help but smile. It’s a small battle, but I feel like I just won the war. Harrison has always been overly protective of me, and I wouldn’t expect him to change now that I’m pregnant. However, that doesn’t mean I’m going to remove all my rugs or start drinking organic milk just because he thinks it’s better for the baby and me.
"To answer your question, I went to the eye doctor about a month ago and he suggested I wear cheaters. My vision for distance is fine, but when I’m reading, the words were a little blurry. It was just a small change, but it was enough to bug the shit out of me," he informs me.
"You’re not even thirty," I remind him, though it’s a moot point. I’m pretty sure he knows how old he is, which is a mere two months younger than me.
"I’m aware," he says with a small grin, but it’s replaced quickly with seriousness. "I’m sorry your birthday was ruined yesterday."
I think back on the entire day, from the party to the accident, resulting in a hospital stay. "I don’t really think it was ruined," I start. "It wasn’t exactly a great
way to celebrate my thirtieth, but the end result was pretty fantastic," I add, meaning the baby.
His eyes brighten with excitement. "Yeah, that’s probably the best shocking news I’ve ever received," he says before sobering again. "I’m sorry I wasn’t there."
A lump forms in my throat, making it hard to breathe. "Why would you have been?"
"Because I vowed that I always would be."
My eyes burn as I stare at the man I was married to. "Sometimes things change. People change."
"Sometimes they make mistakes and realize it when it’s too late, but vow to make it right. I will make it right, Winnie," he whispers, my name a plea on his lips. I’ve always loved the personal nickname he gave me from when we first met. No one else calls me Winnie. Only Harrison.
I don’t know what to say. It’s not as cut and dried as he thinks, but I’m not completely against the idea either. The truth is: I love him. I’ve always loved him. From the first moment I saw him in the library, I knew he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. He was the one my heart would always yearn for. But somewhere along the way, we lost our way. We let work and lack of communication drive a wedge between us. I’m still not sure if we can get back what we once had, but I’m willing to try.
"Put the glasses back on," I state, changing the subject.
He gives me an odd look but does what I ask—though it was more of a statement than a question. Harrison doesn’t move as I bring my hands up to his face. His strong jaw is tight with tension as I cup it and stroke the coarse skin. There’s a definite five o’clock shadow, something I’ve always loved. I can feel his eyes blaze with fire as he watches me. I don’t make eye contact, instead keeping my eyes locked on my hands. I slide them up his cheeks and hear his breathing hitch.
Using my pointer fingers, I straighten the dark plastic glasses on his face. "I like these," I whisper.
"Yeah?" His voice is hoarse and gravelly.
Instead of speaking words, I nod and make eye contact for the first time. My heart hammers in my chest as our eyes remain locked. A whole slew of emotions and memories flood my mind, some good and some bad. They weren’t all the latter, though. Until right before the separation, there were far more of the good ones than the bad.
Fair Lakes Series Box Set Page 8