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“A girl-dad,” I whisper softly, my mind going back to my conversation with Rebecca.
Because it always came back to Rebecca.
Would I have been a girl-dad or a boy-dad? Would the kid have had red hair or brown, straight or curly? Would they have had her hazel eyes or my brown ones?
What would it have been like?
There are so many what-ifs, but at the end of the day, none of it matters. That baby is gone, and nothing will bring it back. We were the people we are because of it. There is only one reality, and this is it.
“Can you imagine it?” Emmett chuckles, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“I can, actually.” Raising my hand, I rub at the middle of my torso, where I can feel the pressure building inside my chest.
Deciding to call it quits, I turn off the treadmill, adapting mypace as the machine slows down until it comes to a complete stop. “But can you? Are you sure you’re ready for that?” I ask, unable to stop myself from teasing him, although I could totally see it.
Emmett had a way with women. He might not have a blood sister, but in his heart of hearts, Rebecca and Penelope were it.
“I was born ready. Kate wants to do a gender reveal party for the family and a few friends. You should come.”
No goodbyes.
“I don’t know. I’ll probably be busy now that the season is underway. I practically live in the Lonestars facilities now.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it. You’re just a couple of hours away, and that’s if there is traffic.”
Maybe, but she asked me to leave.
“You’re not that kid that left for college,” Emmett continues when I don’t say anything. “Things are different now.”
“Maybe.”
But I couldn’t change her mind. I tried. I tried asking her to give us a chance. I tried to reach out. I tried to make it work.
She was pretty clear she didn’t want that.
REBECCA
“How is she doing?” I ask Monica, the head nurse, as I enter the foyer of the Helpful Hands. The assisted living facility came highly recommended from Chase’s doctor, and when we looked into it, we found out they just had an opening.
The older woman beams at me. “Today’s actually a good day. She is knitting out in the garden. Want me to take you there?”
“That sounds amazing.” Monica smiles brightly and comes around the counter as I pull a box out of the bag I’m carrying. “This is for you guys.”
“Oh, thank you so much. We really appreciate it.”
“It’s no trouble. Do you mind if I take this one to Mom?”
“Not at all. Come.” She waves me to follow along, so I do.
The assisted living facility seemed more like a home than a hospital, which was the best-selling point. The whole place was decorated in warm, soothing colors, and there were dozens of different activity rooms on the first floor managed by the staff and little nooks where patrons could just hang out.
Monica nods at another nurse we pass by as she pushes the door to the back garden. The moment I step outside, I spot Mom. She’s sitting on the bench under a big tree, a blanket thrown over her lap.
I thank Monica before making my way to her.
“Hey, Mom,” I whisper softly as I come closer, unsure of how she’s going to react.
Mom turns to me, a smile flashing on her face. “Rebecca! What are you doing here?”
