The Heart - Kate Stewart Page 0,99

knew my mother was simply staring at it without retaining anything. She’d been so quick to smile whenever Dallas and I walked into the room, but I’d wanted to, more than once, comfort her.

My father had still managed to show up to every one of my soccer games, determined to save face, and yet I felt their emptiness. Dallas ignored the tension in the house, lost her in her own world, and refused to talk to me about it. I think she was just as scared as I was. I was just about to take residence next to my mother and pull a blanket around us when I heard my father’s truck brakes squeak in the drive. I dodged his headlights and jumped back into the kitchen to get a clear view of the front door. My mother lifted from the couch in confusion. When she saw his truck, she smoothed down her long hair and her nightgown then met him at the door.

My father stood there, defeated and soaking wet, just feet away from her as she looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“What happened?” he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.

“You stopped talking to me,” my mother answered with the same shakiness in her voice.

“This life,” my father said with his eyes glued to her. “I can’t do it without you. I can’t, baby. I‘m so fucking lost.”

I heard my mother’s soft sob as she wrapped her arms around him. “You can’t shut me out, no matter what happens.” I stood, silently crying in the kitchen as my parents made promise after promise.

“This project, it just drove me insane. It’s not worth it. Jesus, baby, what did I do? I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. God, I love you. I’m so sorry,” he whispered as both my mother and I cried together in separate rooms.

“I should have listened, Seth,” my mother said as he held her face in his hands.

“Never again, it’s not worth it,” he said as his mouth descended in a kiss. “You’re all that matters. This family is everything.”

“I know,” she replied in a soft whisper and held him tightly to her. “Love me, Seth.”

“I’ll never stop,” he whispered back as I made my way up the stairs, snack-less but with a huge smile on my face.

My parents would never truly know how much influence they had on me in the romantic sense. Maybe one day I would confess to them just how much they’d moved me, just how much they’d shaped my heart. I had them to thank for the leap I was about to make. They had their timeless story, and I was ready to fight for mine.

I had no real plan but to show up in hopes that seeing me in the place he loved the most, in his world, would make a sort of difference in his outlook. I wasn’t sure what it would take to convince him of my love, but I knew I had to try.

Because I was no longer the only one who needed him.

I was going to have his baby.

When the GPS told me I’d arrived, I parked quickly in the first available space and gave myself a good once over in the rearview. I’d spent the morning pampering myself at the spa and salon. It seemed I’d made a few permanent changes of my own. I looked over my carefully applied makeup, straightened my sweater dress, and noted my Chucks were still tied. I’d never be the woman who suffered four-inch heels in lieu of comfort. I was comfortable in my own shoes. The warm dress I’d bought was blue with gray flowers that reminded me of Jack’s eyes.

I was six weeks pregnant and neither of us had noticed, too involved, too busy trying to race back to each other. Even in his absence, I hadn’t even blinked at my missed period or the new fullness of my breasts. It had only occurred to me when I began getting sick a few days ago to take a test, and when I did, I felt nothing but elated. Shocked but elated... and fearful. Jack and I had barely had the chance to get to know each other. I had no idea how he would react to the news or if he still wanted me.

Pushing my shoulders back with a deep breath, I ran my manicured hands through my blowout, thankful for the modern day weapons to battle the ever-present frizz, especially on a day like today. I realized