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“Because even if he wasn’t with someone and I went after him, it would end the same way. I can’t have kids. The doctors have all told me.”
Tears built in her eyes. “He had told me how important a man’s name is. He wouldn’t be happy with someone who can’t help him carry that name on. He’s got someone that can give him that, and that’s how it needs to stay.” Rose downed her drink before she cleared her throat.
“Doctors don’t know everything. Plenty of people in this world with PCOS have had children.” Sarah snapped as Rose stood up; Sarah followed. “And even if you can’t, there are other ways to have kids. You’re cutting your happiness away because of what you’ve been made to believe you don’t deserve.” Sarah continued as she followed Rose into the kitchen.
“Sarah, stop,” Rose begged.
“I’m here to tell you that you deserve it. You deserve the happiness you want. Maybe this is how it should have gone. Ever think of that? That you were brought back together to have everything you both want because you were both stupid and ignored what could have been.” Rose fought not to cry as she listened to her best friend. She wanted to agree; she wanted everything she said, but fear kept her frozen. Her self-worth and not feeling like a real woman kept her frozen.
“None of this matters,” Rose stated as she pushed past Sarah. Sarah dashed in front of her best friend with a shake of her head.
“Roy was wrong, and you must stop letting him and even the shit side of Martin have power over you. Nobody is perfect, so go and be perfectly imperfect with the one man I believe is yours. FIGHT! Have your happy ending.” Rose stared into her best friend’s eyes without saying a word when…
“ROSE!”
“What was that?” Rose questioned as she placed her glass on a table and moved to the door. Unlocking it, she pulled it open and stepped outside slowly, her mouth parted in a gasp, her eyes watery as her gaze fell onto Martin in the center of her yard holding a bouquet of orchids.
CHAPTER12
Martin
For over a month, Martin had worked on himself, not just ensuring he was the man Rose deserved but forgiving himself for the pain he caused anyone he’d hurt. One by one, he reached out to people in his life that he had tormented in one way or the other. His high school girlfriend for ending their relationship, how he did, a voicemail. Teachers, he had caused a commotion in their class, his old neighbors for egging their house each Halloween, and many of the girls he promised the world to in college only to ghost them once they gave him what he wanted. Martin realized his sister was right, though it went far past how he acted toward Rose. She deserved the best man possible, which meant owning up to every wrong he had committed.
He stood in front of her house for over thirty minutes before he managed to scream her name, letting himself know. Never had he feared something more than her not forgiving him, sending him away. She was his last and the most important. She was who he wanted to be with and walk through life with. It didn’t matter to him the obstacles they faced. Or even how they started. That was only half their story. He told himself he was prepared for her to send him away, convincing himself he would never give up on her. However, as he stood before her house, he realized the dread that possibility filled his heart with.
Martin stood ready, dressed in black jeans, a white button-up, and a black vest. He would confess all his sins, ask for forgiveness, and pray for her to forgive him. Never had he been so nervous. Clearing his throat, he rolled his shoulders back and yelled her name. No response. He cleared his throat and yelled again—no response from Rose. Martin prepared himself as sounds surrounded him as neighbors moved onto their porches. They stared at him in confusion. This is how it needs to be; he thought with a slight grin before he licked his lips and yelled her name for a third time.
“ROSE!”
As she stepped onto the porch, Martin felt a knot form in his throat. He glanced briefly behind her at Sarah as she moved outside but remained behind her friend. His gaze shifted and set on Rose, that confused expression fixed across her features. She remained at the top of the stairs. Her arms crossed in front of her chest as though protection from him. His heart pounded as he stared at her, this beautiful woman who blamed herself for things out of her control. Who had believed she had no worth because so many people beat that into her mind. He had been blind to her amazingness, and he had been the biggest fool.
“Martin, what are you doing here?” The way she said his name gave him courage and strength as he stepped a single step forward, lowering the flowers to his side.
“I need to tell you a few things.” He took another step. “I just need you to listen. After if you want me to leave, I will. But I need you to hear what I have to say first.”
Rose nodded.
“First, the order that brought me into your store. That brought you back into my life…”
“The gender reveal,” Rose added.
“It’s for my sister,” Martin revealed swiftly.
“I’m not now, nor have I ever been married. I would have never taken you out if I were in a relationship. I would never put you in that position. Make you feel dirty.”
Rose parted her lips to talk, but Martin quickly continued.
“The single day, night, and time we spent together was the best I’d experienced. I don’t mean just my adult life. I hadn’t prepared for it and can’t explain it, but you’ve done something to me. It made me believe in happiness again. That beauty is in this world if you look.” He saw tears build in her eyes and slowly stepped toward her as he continued.
“Before that day in the bakery, I had walked through this life with blinders. Unable to see what had been in front of me from day one.”
“Martin, I…” Rose’s voice was shaky, and her arms lowered to her side. He made another step in her direction.
“Rose, I know what I did to you back in the day. I know I hurt you and caused damage that can’t be undone. I know you’ve been hurt. You’ve been alone, even with someone next to you. I take responsibility for my role in every ounce of pain you’ve endured because of something I did or said.” Martin continued toward her, his foot sliding onto the bottom step.
“But, I’m not the same person I was then. If I could go back and kick his ass, I would. I have lived my life unaware and don’t want to do that anymore.”
Martin remained at the bottom of the steps, his gaze on only her as she stood with tears in her eyes. At that moment, they were the only ones in the world. She was all that mattered.
