push her—well, not that much anyway. Just because she’d snuck out and had been avoiding him didn’t mean he was giving up.
She had warned him she might hide, that she’d need time. So he gave her that—time. Something had gotten to her that night and she’d run. Once a runner, always a runner.
The next couple of days, he was going to push. Starting tonight. He’d stay in their home and hopefully their bed. Tomorrow was her birthday party and as husband of the birthday girl, his attendance was mandatory, especially since their separation wasn’t really known. So this weekend, while in the brownstone, he was going to take advantage of every opportunity, every moment he could with her.
As they rounded the corner, he spotted Allie up ahead. The boys screamed her name and ran to her. She bent down to hug each boy.
Sleeping with Kristen had not only hurt his relationship with Mia, but with Allie and Luke as well. He’d lost his wife and his best friends. He’d never expected them to side with him. He was thankful that they’d taken her in and supported her. Luke had reached out to him, but things were still a little strained. Allie had been quiet the entire time and he didn’t know how to act around her.
“Are you guys seeing your mommy perform tonight?” Allie asked the boys, bringing him back to the present.
“Yeah! We’ve got big headphones, too!” Pierce said excitedly while his younger brother was looking around, absorbing everything. Rory was so much like his mother. Ethan didn’t always know what was going on in Rory’s brain. He was sensitive to change. Not being with her was hard. Pierce really didn’t seem to notice. He missed her, but came to accept it as the norm.
Ethan caught up to Allie and his sons and she completely surprised him when she wrapped him in her arms. “Hi, Ethan,” she said with a smile. He wouldn’t question it and hugged his friend back, thankful for the branch she was extending.
“Hey, Allie. How are you? How’s the baby?”
He had been so happy when Luke told him the news about Allie. Never a bad day when more babies came into their life. His situation made him wonder if he’d have anymore with Mia. Five kids had been a running joke that had turned into a dream. But then his wife almost died and then there was the miscarriage. The thought of her on a table almost dying … made him realize that he was fine with the two wonderful boys he had. He didn’t want to lose her.
“I’m fine. The baby is doing very well.”
She glowed when she spoke. Pregnancy definitely agreed with her. “You look happy.”
“I am,” she beamed.
He hugged her once more and kissed her cheek. “I’m very glad for that.”
“Uncle Ethan!” came a shout from down the hall. He whipped his head towards that voice—Kaitlyn. He hadn’t seen her all summer. His heart lifted seeing the beautiful teenager coming down the hall, walking briskly towards them. She was at that age where she wouldn’t run to him—too embarrassing. But she definitely wasn’t embarrassed when she threw her arms around him and he twirled her in circles.
“How are you, squirt?” he asked, making her laugh at the use of her nickname. She was tall like her father and had surpassed Mia’s height a couple years ago and just kept on growing.
“So happy to be here and so glad to finally see you all. I feel like I haven’t seen Mia since Christmas.”
“Have you seen her yet?” he asked.
“No. She’s in her dressing room. Dad’s in with her now. She was having a moment. Whatever that means.”
Allie laughed. “It means she’s really nervous about this show. More so than others.”
“Why?” Kaitlyn asked what he wanted to know.
Allie looked at him before answering. “A lot of pressure. This show is being recorded and this is their last show this year.”
And what she didn’t say aloud, but with that look, was because he was there.
The boys grabbed Kaitlyn’s attention and she walked around with them, making them laugh. Knowing his boys were occupied, Ethan turned and addressed Allie. “Should I be here?”
“Yes. You definitely should be here. Actually, you should go see her. Without the boys. Kaitlyn and I will keep an eye on them.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. She needs a pep talk and who better to give it to her than you,” she said, shoving him in the direction of her dressing room. He took a deep