“How much did you hear?”
“All of it. But it wasn’t intentional, I promise. It’s hard not to hear in an apartment this small.”
“Right.” God, I was going to need to move out. If we could hear conversations and sex, she was damn sure going to hear a baby waking at all hours of the night.
“What the hell is going on?”
I tell her all about my shitty appointment, about Gabe’s immediate response to the news, and about the fact that they want to extract my womb after I give birth to my baby. She cries harder than I’d expect her to, but I’ve reached that numbness I felt when I first got the news.
Clem throws her arm around my shoulders, and we fall back against the couch. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Gabe might be content to walk away, but I’m still going to be here. It’ll be you and me raising this kid together, just like we discussed.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Clem.”
“Good thing you never have to find out.”
I hoped she was right because I’d just lost the love of my life, my baby daddy, and my best friend in one fell swoop.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Lo
Isit across the table from Ruthie and wipe away my tears with a fresh Kleenex. I think I’ve been through at least twelve boxes since that fucking appointment yesterday.
Ruthie sets a cup down in front of me, the sweet peppermint scent wafting toward me. “He’ll come around, sweetheart. Gabe’s always been a frightfully stubborn asshat, but he’ll come around.”
I laugh, despite the pain in my chest. “What if he doesn’t? I love him so much. I love our baby so much, but I can’t imagine doing this without him.”
“If he doesn’t, you move in with me.” She winks and sips her peppermint tea. “Mark my words, girly. He’ll figure out he’s being a moron, and he’ll come back with his tail between his legs. They always do.”
“Do you regret not having children?”
“Nope. Some women just aren’t mother material, but not you, baby doll. You already love this kid more than your own self. That’s worth fighting for.”
The front door opens, and I close my eyes and sniff, because there’s only one other person with keys to Ruthie’s condo. Gabe’s big frame fills the doorjamb, and he leans against it, his eyes red-rimmed and sorrowful.
“Dumbass,” Ruthie mutters, as she stands and heads to the coffee maker to pour him a cup.
“I take it you heard the happy news? We’re having a boy,” Gabe says mournfully.
She picks up the mug and shuffles across the floor, shoving the coffee into his hand. “You make this right, Gabriel.” Shepushes past him and leaves the kitchen with a final utterance, “Dumbass.”
I glance back at my tea and Gabe crosses the room, setting the mug down beside mine. He drops to his knees, wraps his arms around my waist and shifts me in my seat to face him. “I’m sorry, Freckles. I’m so fucking sorry.”
I want to pull him closer. I want to touch him and tell him everything is going to be okay, but I can’t. He hurt me. He broke my damn heart.
“I’m just so fucking scared,” he whispers.
“I am too. But terminating this baby is not an option.”
“I know. God, I hate that I even suggested it.”
All of the air rushes from my lungs with his admission and fresh tears swell in my eyes. I reach out and cup his cheek. Gabe turns his head and kisses my palm, and then he leans up and kisses my baby bump.
“I’m so sorry, buddy. Daddy’s so fucking sorry.” His voice cracks on the apology, and then we’re both sobbing like little kids as we hold on to one another through our shared grief.
“I hate that there’s a chance I could lose you both.”
“You won’t lose me, Dash. Not ever,” I say resolutely. “Just the ability to have more children with me.”