Page 81 of Memories By the Shore
Rubbing my tear-soaked lips together, I imagine a future with Jasper and a baby. I love him deeply. I could give my baby a chance at a life with loving parents—one I never had. “Okay.”
“Come here,” he commands, nudging me down beside him. I rest my face on his chest. His heartbeat echoes in my ears—a sound I can’t imagine living without. “We’re going to do this together.”
“I’m so scared,” I mumble.
“I am too,” he says. “This is definitely not what I ever thought would happen to me.”
“Me either.” I rub my nose into the fabric of his shirt.He smells like home.
Jasper lifts his other arm and massages his temple. “Fuck.”
“I’m so sorry,” I mutter with guilt. I can’t shake the feeling like this is my fault.
“Avery, this is not your fault,” he says firmly. “We both had choices and played our part in this.” He sighs once again. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
Since I was a little girl, I believed I’d forever be alone. I’d accepted that and grew to trust and embrace it fully. But could a life with two others be that bad?Could I even do it? I’m not sure I have it in me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Then
Jasper
My dad turns off the highway onto a dirt road. I instantly recognize it but ask him anyway. “Where are we going?”
When Avery and I woke up this morning, my dad and Helen had breakfast already on the table. The four of us spoke about our plans now that Avery is pregnant. This is not something my dad wished for me at only nineteen years old, but he was extremely supportive. He and Helen offered us whatever we needed, as I assumed they would.
My dad shifts in his seat, switching hands on the steering wheel. “I figured we could go to the beach house.”
They both recognized that Avery and I aren’t the typical young couple who accidentally fell pregnant. We’re in love. We both have stable futures, and just like I reassured Avery last night, we won’t struggle the same way other people might.
“My beach house?”
“Yeah.” He nods.
“Awesome.” I smile, peering out the window toward thecoast. “I have so many renovation ideas I’d love to talk to you about,” I rush out, excited about the possibility of Avery living here with me. “I haven’t mentioned any of them to Avery yet. I probably should get her approval first.”
The car slows to a stop in front of the weathered beach house. Anyone else might see a pile of wood, worn down from the years of abuse from the wind and salt, but I see so much potential. I see memories to be made and my future.
My dad turns to me. The wrinkles around his eyes look more pronounced this morning. “Let’s go in.”
“Okay.” I follow him around to the driver’s side.
We both ascend the few steps onto the rotted wood porch. He opens the door to the empty living space. My camping equipment, blankets, and bed have been folded in the corner of the room since I stayed here.
“I love this place,” he murmurs as we walk in.
“I know, me too,” I agree, closing the door behind us. “I’m so excited to get started.”
He walks around, looking at the old house. “Flooring is still in great condition.”
I nod. “Yeah. The electrical system is still in good condition as well. Plumbing came up in the inspection, so I know that will be something we’ll have to look into.”
“Oh yeah, I remember seeing that on the inspection report,” he says. His answer is dismissive, as if his thoughts are elsewhere.
I circle the room with my hands in my pockets, still unsure why my dad wanted to bring me out here this morning. “Are you alright?”
