Page 39 of The Last Thing
“Night.” She smiles and gives a little wave as Sophia scampers down the hallway to get ready.
I turn back and look at Hallie, unsure of what to say, but hoping my eyes convince her how badly I want her to stay.
Sophia isasleep when I walk by her room after taking a shower, and when I get to the living room, I’m shocked to find Hallie sitting on the couch, reading.
She puts her book down when she sees me.
“Hey.” I do my best to keep my voice even.
“Hi.”
Slowly, I walk over and drop down on the couch, leaving a little space between us. “I’m surprised you’re still here. I figured I’d have to hunt you down tonight. Rightfully so.”
She clears her throat. “Part of me wanted to make you do that. But I saw the keychain. It reminded me of that night. Who you were with me. Not the guy I saw last night.” She’s quiet for a moment. “Why’d you keep it?”
“That night was one of the best of my life because of you. I wanted to keep that connection to you alive. Did you keep yours?”
She stares at me for a beat. “It’s hanging from my mirror. I kept the bunny too. Named it after you.” She smiles when I arch a brow. “Veranda.”
I chuckle and shake my head.
“I really did name it that.”
I move closer, splaying my palm over her thigh. “Hallie, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how I reacted last night. That’s not who I am, and that’s not the man I ever want to be. I panicked and handled it very poorly.”
“You think?”
“You have every right to be pissed, but I promise you, that moment is not who I am.”
She stares at me. “That’s why it surprised me. You’re grumpy, but I didn’t think you were an asshole. I’m still a little pissed, but I haven’t handled it perfectly either. I should’ve told you before we talked about the job or signed the contract.”
“I understand why you didn’t.”
“I appreciate you apologizing. But I get it. This is messy. After I found out, I laid around and avoided life for three days.”
“When did you find out?”
“Last week. My period was late, and I kept trying to ignore it, but when I started getting really nauseous, I finally went to the doctor.”
She leans over and grabs her bag on the coffee table, pulling it closer, then takes something out. Slowly, she hands it to me.
An ultrasound picture.
My breath sticks in my throat as I stare at it. It barely looks like more than a grain of rice, but it’s the beginning. The beginning of us.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, completely overwhelmed.
I did this once before, and while it was emotional, I was a nervous wreck. When they put Sophia in my arms, I melted, but there were still so many logistics. Just like there are now.
But this time they don’t worry me. Everything is upturned and twisted, but it all feels right to me. This is where I’m supposed to be.
Hallie runs her hand down my arm, drawing my gaze back to her.
“You okay?”
I nod and wipe my eyes. “Yeah. God, I can’t believe I get to do this again.” Then I remember the hard parts about the first time. How unsure Sophia’s mom was. “Is this what you want?”
Tears well in her eyes. “I’ve never wanted anything more than to be a mom.”
