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“And I want you to talk to me about Emily too. No holding it in.”
She was supposed to meet her birth mother next weekend. They were going together. She wasn’t sure what she was hoping to get out of the meeting and neither was he, but he’d be by her side just like she’d been by his this week.
“I won’t,” she said. “I’m not sure what I feel. It’s odd. I always thought I didn’t feel much and in the past several months I almost feel too much. It’s a bit overwhelming.”
“Just like life can be,” he said.
37
Need Some Answers
The following Sunday morning, Chloe and Royce pulled into a restaurant for brunch to meet Emily Nichols, her birth mother.
“How are you feeling about this?” Royce asked her when they got out.
“About as good as can be expected.”
If she felt a little nauseous this morning she kept it to herself. She didn’t need Royce panicking that she was feeling ill with the pregnancy when so far she hadn’t felt much at all. Matter of fact she felt so little that there were times she wondered if she really was pregnant.
She knew she was. She’d had a doctor’s appointment this week and Royce went with her. They heard their baby’s heartbeat, nice and strong. They were told everything was well and she was out of the first trimester.
“We don’t have to go in,” he said. “You can turn around and we can go home and chill out for the day. No one will blame you if you change your mind.”
“No,” she said. “I have to know. I knew this going in. Once I took this step there would be no going back. I just need some answers. Maybe it will be enough and I can move on.”
But as Dane said, she didn’t think that would be the case.
They opened the door and said they were waiting for one other person. She hadn’t said she was bringing Royce with her. Until this morning she wasn’t positive she was going to let him come but in the end realized it was the right thing to do. Mentally for her, that is.
It was hard for her to admit that though. That she needed help and support from someone else.
She had to get used to it though because she was bringing another person into this world and she knew she couldn’t do it alone.
“You have to decide that,” he said. “I won’t push you either way.”
“Thanks for that.”
They took a seat and then a few minutes later looked up when a woman was walking toward them.
Chloe knew beyond a doubt it was her birth mother.
She had the same light brown hair as hers. The shape of their eyes was similar, even their builds. Both on the shorter side and not very big boned.
“Chloe?” Emily asked.
“That’s me,” she said, standing up. She put her hand out to shake. She wasn’t one for hugs and it didn’t feel right either. The handshake even felt awkward, but Emily continued to smile.
She hadn’t asked Zander for a picture of Emily and wondered why she didn’t. It was probably for the best anyway.
“You look just like my daughter, Crystal,” Emily said. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive.”
“It’s fine,” Chloe said. “Have a seat. I’ll be honest and let you know that I had a PI look into you so I know you’re married and that you’ve got a husband and two kids.” She stopped and then sat down. “I’m sorry. This is my boyfriend, Royce Kennedy.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Emily said. “It’s fine that you did that. I would have told you if you asked, but I’m not shocked you’d want to know more. I won’t take offense to that. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
She was glad to at least hear that. “That’s good to know. I’m not sure what I hope to find out. I mean I do know what I hope. Sorry. I’m rambling. We should order. Are you hungry?”
The server came over and took their drink orders and then gave them menus. She was starving but knew she was getting waffles and put it back down.
