AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I start digging through and find a cute T-shirt and a pair of shorts.
Once I’ve cleaned up and gotten dressed, we walk hand-in-hand down the hallway. As we get near the kitchen, I hear Abuelita talking to someone on the phone.
“Okay.” She laughs. “I will. Sí, mija. Have a good day. Adios.”
I drop Nick’s hand. My fists curl into balls as rage brews in my stomach.
“Who was that?” I demand, as Abuelita hangs up the phone.
She sighs. “Leigh—”
“Was that my mother?”
“Yes, mijita. But, please, do not—”
“You’retalkingto her now? You’re laughing? Are you kidding me? How long has this been going on?” I demand with a foot stomp.
“You keep that tone. I don’t want it. We’ve been talking more recently—”
“And you didn’t think to tell me? Don’t think I deserve to know?”
She sets her phone down and walks over to me. “Leigh, nothing bad is happening here. I know your mother sent you a letter—”
That rage isn’t brewing anymore. It’s exploding, flowing out of me like red-hot burning lava.
“She’s going through you to get to me? Can’t she just leave it alone?”
“Ay!Escucha.” Her voice is as sharp as the look in her eyes. “Don’t you accuse me of going behind your back. Your mother and I were simply talking—mostly related to what’s in that letter. She’s not going to push you to read it. I’m simply encouraging you to do so if you want to understand.”
”Is this how it’s going to be now? Is she trying to get back in your life? What about me? What about—”
“Mijita, I love you. If you pressed me to choose… my loyalties still lie with you.” She sweeps some hair away from my face. “That will always be the case, but she’s my daughter. I still have to have hope.”
My dramatic eye roll and scoff cause her to shake her head and step back.
“I’m not stupid or naïve, Leigh. I know who your mother is. I know all too well that tomorrow she could turn back down that dark road, but if there’s even a chance, I’m going to keep trying. I’m going to hold out hope that one day she’ll come back to us, where she belongs.”
I soften just the tiniest amount, then shake my head. “If she really belongs here, she’d be here.”
Then I turn and walk straight out the door as Abuelita sighs. Nick lingers for a moment, then squeezes Abuelita’s hand and follows me.
Once we’re in the hallway with the door shut, I demand, “What the hell was that? Do you think she’s right? Are you on Abuelita’s team? I thought you of all people would—”
He stares at me and slowly shakes his head, stepping closer as he does.
“No, but I could see the pain in her eyes.” His hands drop to my stomach. “The only team I’m on isours.”
I blink at him.
Jesus fucking Christ, why is he so sweet? And charming? I could melt into a puddle. Damn him. I’m giving him a blowjob in the car.
His eyebrows raise slightly in question, so I smile and give him a fervent kiss. Then I thread my fingers through his and we walk out to the car.
Nick’s thumb grazes my hand as we stare at the monitor. The room is dark and the gel on my stomach is slowly getting colder. But I can hear it—our baby’s heartbeat.
My eyes flit to Nick, who is staring raptly at the monitor, taking in every tiny movement, including the little flicker of the heart. I’m only ten weeks along, and our baby is still so small, but that baby is alsoeverything.
I look back to the monitor as the ultrasound tech moves to a different position, letting us see our tiny peanut from a different angle. But a moment later, Nick’s head drops against our intertwined hands. My gaze snaps back to him right as I hear him sniff and feel his tears on my hand.
