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35
Penny
Four Month Later
No, no, no! This can’t be happening.
“It’s too early. I can’t be in labor.” I shake my head.
“Penny, your water just broke, and your contractions are coming closer together. The baby is coming,” my mom tells me, her voice unbelievably calm.
How is she not freaking out right now?
“But it’s too early.” I try to make her understand. “This is my fault. I should have gone to the doctor sooner. I should have eaten better and drank more water.”
“Penny, you did amazing. The baby is just ready to meet you early. It’s no big deal. Everything is going to be fine,” she assures me, but it doesn’t calm me one bit.
Three weeks early is a big deal. The baby is not done developing. All kinds of things could happen, and it’s all my fault.
Mojo nudges my leg with his giant head. I run my fingers through his fur and scratch behind his ear, but he just whines. He knows I’m stressed out, and that’s stressing him out with me.
“Got the bag.” My father leisurely walks down the stairs with the pre-packed bag in his hand.
Why am I the only one freaking out?
“How are you guys so calm?”
“Because we know everything is going to be fine.” My mom wraps her arms around me and pulls me into a hug. I relax into her hold instantly. “Everything is going to be fine,” she repeats, “and you are going to be an amazing mother.”
I can only hope she is right. Please, let her be right.
* * *
Looking downat the tiny baby in my arms, I can’t wrap my mind around that she is mine.
I named her Gwendolyn, after Ryder’s grandmother. I think he would like that, and I always loved the name. My mind brings me back to Ryder, and I wonder what he would think of having a child.
I’ve thought about contacting him so many times, but in the end, I could never bring myself to do it. It’s going to be better like this, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.
Gwen coos and wiggles in my hold. Even though she decided to come early, she is perfectly healthy. Her small fingers wrap around my index finger with a firm grip.
I smile, just enjoying every moment. I could simply stare at her for hours and not only be entertained but content as well. I never knew I could feel such happiness.
A knock on the door pulls me out of my bubble of glee. I tear my eyes away from my daughter and look up at the door, expecting my parents to be back. Instead, I see someone I never expected to see again.
“Maddox?” I whisper, instinctively tucking Gwen closer to my chest.
“Calm down, momma bear. I come in peace.” He chuckles and closes the door behind him.
“What do you want?”
“Just want to talk, that’s all.” He pulls the chair my mom sat on earlier closer to my bed and plops down on it.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“That’s fair. Just listen then.” He leans back in the chair and stretches his arms out like he is getting comfortable. “I was the one who told Ryder to get rid of you… I mean, send you away. I thought I was doing the right thing. Hell, it still might be the right thing to cut ties, but this,” he points at Gwen, “changes everything.”
“Thisis a she, and she has a name,” I hiss at him, only making him snicker.
