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“I’m so sorry things turned out the way they are,” I say dejectedly.
“How many times do I have to tell you? There is nothing to apologize for? Things don’t work out the way you wish. You couldn’t have known.”
I nod, smiling once again. I had wonderful friends; every day I’m reminded of just how much I have to be thankful for, even if things don’t go my way.
“Besides, I’ll see you soon enough. We just have to avoid suspicion, is all,” she says in a consoling manner.
“You shouldn’t have to do this though.”
“Kelly, you’re my friend, and there’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
Alessia had opted out of being here with the rest of our friend group because we couldn’t be sure what Enzo was up to. Enzo was a genius; and if he knew we were all meeting up, he would figure it all out and realize I had lied, which is the last thing I want.
I turn away from all the eyes fixed on me as I dry my tears. The doctor had warned me, my emotions would be on the high side until my hormones rebalanced. Still, it changed nothing about the glaring fact I have been blessed with such amazing friends.
“Now, point me toward the baby,” Alessia says, lightening the mood in the room as Louisa returns to the crib.
Every day since I moved to France, I have tried my best to study and learn all there is to know about being a good mother, so I can be there for my son. He might feel the absence of his father. But I have my dad to show my son man to man when he needed it. Being a single mom is stressful when you don’t know what to do, and I refuse to be a mother who wings it.
“Alright, I’m sure you’ve had enough excitement for one day, Kelly. Why don’t you go take a nap? Go catch up on some beauty sleep? We'll watch the baby,” Molly suggests, stretching a handout.
“Yes, it’s only your first day back from the hospital. You need all the rest you can get,” Jenna insists. “Trust me, you’ll be glad to be refreshed later.”
“Alright. I’ll rest. Thank you all for coming to see me,”
“Of course, as if we would have it any other way,” Rachel says. “We’ll be at Jenna’s for a while and we’ll be back to visit you some other time.”
With a last goodbye, the girls begin to pile out of the house the same way they came. Mom sniffs, drawing my attention to her. My eyes widen with shock and concern when I see my parents on the verge of tears.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking between the pair.
Dad shakes his head and clears his throat.
“Oh, it’s nothing to worry about, my dear,” Mom says, taking Dad’s hand in hers. “We’re just so proud of you. To see how much you’ve changed and how far you’ve become. I know this not have been easy for you, You’re so brave and handled everything with stride .”
I try to hold back the tears threatening to fall. Through all the turmoils, I grew closer with my parents, I let go of so much resentment toward them in the past few months. Realized that it was me who blamed everyone else for whatever happened in my life.
“I’m not trying to coddle you, but know whatever you need, I’ll be there for you through it all. I don’t want to overstep, but I’ll be there…”
“Thanks, Mom, and Dad,” I say gratefully.
“Now, are you certain you don’t want us to stay with you a full month? Or start hiring a nanny for you,” she asks.
“I’m fine, Mom. Three weeks is perfectly fine. You all need to get back to your lives back home. I can’t keep you here with me forever.”
Mom lets out a sharp bark of laughter. “Oh, sweetie, you just made us grandparents for the first time. We’re not in any hurry to get back to our lives back home.”
“Same here. I’m not rushing back to work. My nephew is so beautiful, and I would rather spend my time here instead,” Molly adds, smiling as she stares in the cot.
“Thank you all for being here and not letting me do this on my own.” I assert.
“You’re welcome, Kelly. You’re our family, so, of course, we enjoy being here for you.”
I purse my lips as I struggle to keep the overwhelming emotions that have flooded me at bay. I allow Molly to lead me up to the bedroom and sigh when my body hits the soft bed.
Deep weariness seeps into my bones. I turn to my side with the pillow nestled in my chest. “Thank you, Molly.”
“Of course, sis. I’ll bring him in here later. So you don’t have to worry about looking for him when you wake up,” she promises, closing the door behind her.
