wrong. But then I think, perhaps that’s what happened with my baby. Maybe Weston and I were just not compatible.
Or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be because it wasn’t right.
When we finally make it back home, Gwen is having a late afternoon picnic in the backyard with the girls.
They run in the house and make a beeline for me. Both of them crush me with hugs.
Claire squeezes me tight. “Are you all better now?”
I had told them I had a belly ache and had to go to the hospital.
“All better now,” I say cheerfully, biting down the tears. I’m still so emotional.
Guilt consumes me as I feel relief wash over me. I don’t need to ever tell the girls about a new baby.
It’s all over now.
And Gabe and I and the girls can move on with our lives…hopefully.
The girls practically climb on their dad, showering him with kisses. “We missed you, Daddy,” Chloe tells him. “Can you stay? Is your friend doing better?”
Gabe cocks a brow. “Oh…yes, my friend is doing much better now. I can probably stay here for a while if…” he falters a bit, “if that’s okay with your mom.”
My heart feels a little heavy, and my eyes well up. He wants to move back in. After all we’ve been through, he’s willing to give us another chance. “You don’t have to. I’ll be fine. You’ve done so much already.”
His gaze is soft. “I want to, Ella. I want to be here for you.”
Butterflies skitter around my stomach, and I wonder where the hell they came from.
Gwen smiles at me. “Yeah, I don’t mind staying but Greg might be missing me a little.”
I smile, knowing exactly what she’s up to. “Sure, you go,” I tell her and I give her a squeeze. “Thanks so much.”
“No problem. Feel better.”
I look up at Gabe, not quite able to keep eye contact.
“I’ll call work,” he says. “I can take the rest of the week off.”
“No, you don’t have to do that.”
He trails his hand against my cheek. “I want to.”
He’s being so sweet.
My beautiful sweet angel.
Gabe and I argue about dinner. I insist I don’t mind whipping up something, but he tells me I should take it easy. He makes chili macaroni and steamed broccoli slathered in cheese. I’m pleasantly surprised.
He cleans up the kitchen after dinner, insisting I don’t lift a finger. I pace around the house, twiddling my thumbs.
“This isn’t better, Gabe,” I point out. “I’ve got nothing to do but think. I need to keep busy.”
He smiles and hands me the broom. “Don’t say I didn’t try.” He wipes the table. “Have you told Weston yet?” He asks the one question which has probably weighed the most on his mind.
“No,” I tell him as I drag the broom against the terra-cotta tiles of our kitchen. “I haven’t seen him in a few days. I mean, I haven’t seen him. He’s in California on business.”
He starts loading the dishwasher, putting in the dishes all wrong. I suck in a breath, willing myself to let it go.
“You should really tell him,” he says. “He should know.”
I sigh loudly. “I know.”
“Do you think he’ll be relieved?”
I shrug my shoulders and don’t say a word. I don’t tell him about Weston’s big plans — about the house not fifteen minutes away, the pink and blue rooms, the green and blue nursery. He doesn’t need to know this stuff. Gabe despises him as it is.
The truth is, Weston will be devastated.
This is the reason I can’t bring myself to call him.
After dinner, we watch Honey, I Shrunk the Kids — a family favorite. I’m so glad to have my family to lean on. The sorrow certainly hasn’t disappeared, but it has dissipated somehow, blending into this new happiness of having my family reunited.
The girls are happy to be tucked in by the both of us. Gabe gives them each an extra-long plane ride tonight, hauling them across the second floor, from room to room. The shrill giggles can probably be heard across the road. We promise them we’ll go to McDonalds and the park tomorrow. They’re both on cloud nine.
Simple pleasures.
I’m still not feeling quite right. It’s both emotional and physical. I’m still cramping and still so torn-up about Weston. I know I need to call him.
Once the girls are all cozy in their beds, Gabe asks me if he should go for the night. I tell him no.
“Stay.”
I see his eyes light up. He wants to stay. “I’ll sleep on