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“Sophie’s pregnant again,” Katrina said, bracing herself.
But immediately, Grant’s face transformed. His cheeks were pink, and his eyes were filled with laughter. “Our Sophie? Pregnant?” He clapped his hands, and a moment later, the server arrived, asking if they needed anything. Grant apologized and said everything was fantastic.
“You don’t look very happy about it,” Grant said, his smile fading.
Katrina pressed her lips together. Sophie had told her about the pregnancy a month ago. This was the longest she’d ever kept a secret from Grant.
“I’m worried,” Katrina breathed. “I just don’t know if she can handle it.”
Grant’s face was stony. He took both of her hands. “We have to trust her, Kat. We have to help her trust herself. And the only way I know to do that is to show her more love than she’s ever felt.”
“We’ve always shown her love,” Katrina protested.
“I know we’ve made mistakes as parents.”
Katrina furrowed her brow.
Grant smiled. “We’re not as bad as our parents,” he reminded her. “But we have to own up to our own faults. Otherwise, history will repeat itself, again and again.”
Katrina took a sip of wine. The server returned with their second course, a burrata with gorgeous, homemade bread. As Katrina ripped a slice of bread apart, she blurted, “How did you get so wise, Grant?”
Grant burst into laughter. “Baby, I’ve never been wise. Not once in my entire life. I only know how to love my family. And I don’t even do that very well.”
Katrina touched his hand. “Your love is the purest love I’ve ever known.”
And as they gazed at one another over the flickering candle, Katrina recognized the truth in what Grant said. She had to make peace within herself and with the past. And she had to find a way to heal—for Sophie and her new grandbaby’s sake.
Maybe this one was really coming. Maybe history wouldn’t repeat itself. She had to keep her mind open to the possibility of change.
Maybe that was the worst symptom of addiction, she thought now. The idea that nothing could ever change and that you couldn’t outrun your circumstances or yourself. You had to turn to something else.
“What are you thinking about?” Grant asked.
“I’m just hoping,” Katrina offered, her voice cracking. “I’m hoping so hard that it isn’t too late.”
Chapter Fourteen
The mid-February doctor’s appointment revealed a startling discovery that Sophie wasn’t entirely sure she was ready for. Finally, it was confirmed that Sophie was three months pregnant. She’d crossed the invisible boundary from first trimester to second trimester, which, for many, meant the pregnancy was viable. Ultimately, a baby would be born at the end of nine months. Patrick looked dizzy with excitement. He held Sophie’s hand as the technician spoke eloquently about the growing fetus in Sophie’s belly, about Sophie’s diet, and what to expect next. Sophie blinked back tears and gripped Patrick’s hand tighter until he winced with pain. Still, he didn’t complain. Not the way Jared would have.
It was three days after Valentine’s Day, and a bright February sun glimmered across the snow and ice-slick rooftops. Sophie and Patrick walked hand in hand toward Patrick’s truck, thrumming with excitement.
Patrick was delicate about the conversation. Since they had told each other everything, Sophie didn’t have to tell him again that she’d already carried a baby past the three-month mark. Still, something about the glint in his eyes told her this timewould be fine. Their love was stronger than anything. They would make it.
Patrick drove them to his apartment building, where his brothers finished packing up and loading the last of Patrick’s things. With nearly a year of sobriety under their belts, they’d decided to throw out the rules and move in together. The baby was coming. Sobriety and love formed the glue that held them together. “It’s a better foundation than most couples have,” Sam had said, assuring Sophie it would be all right.
Derek clapped Patrick on the back when he announced they were having a baby. Brent, the oldest, bear-hugged the two of them, then turned to hug Sophie gently, handling her as though she were breakable.
“Moving in, marriage, and a baby?” Derek howled. “You two know how to party!”
Sophie cackled. Tears sprang to her eyes. A small voice in the back of her head called out, fearful about announcing it so early, reminding her of what had happened before. But then again, three months was when you were “supposed” to tell everyone. And Derek and Brent were so joyful and exuberant. Up until last year, they’d thought Patrick was a lost cause, just as Sophie (and her mother) had thought of herself.
With the moving van loaded up, Sophie and Patrick led the troop back to Sophie’s house, where Derek, Brent, and Patrick unloaded the boxes and lined them up in the living room and foyer. It was incredible to see Patrick’s things aligning with hers, to watch in real time as their lives became one. As they worked, Sam pulled up outside and hurried in, carrying a big container of lasagna.
“I figured you wouldn’t want to cook on moving day,” Sam said, hugging Sophie close.
Sophie thanked Sam and led her into the kitchen, where she pre-heated the oven. She felt slightly frantic but wanted the newsto come from her rather than Derek. When she turned to meet Sam’s eyes, she blurted it out.
“I’m pregnant. Three months.”
