Twenty-Three
twenty-three
THE STORY - brANDY CARLILE
CALLIE - APRIL 13, 2014
T he last few months have been a whirlwind. Since Christmas, life has settled into a rhythm, though it’s not without its bumps. The holidays brought their own share of chaos, and as much as I tried to focus on the joy, Adam’s actions left a lingering sting.
January came and went in a blur, with Ruby growing bigger every day and Sara turning into a chatterbox who calls Owen “Owie” more and more. It’s hilarious, but also a little bittersweet because I know it won’t last forever. Barrett is already asking when we can go back to Cedar Bluff to visit his cousins. And me? I’m just trying to keep everything balanced—work, the kids, and carving out time with Owen whenever we can get it.
Valentine’s Day was supposed to be our night. Owen had made plans—a nice dinner, maybe some dancing if we felt adventurous, and a hotel room in Cedar Bluff for a night away from the kids. But, as usual, Adam threw a wrench in things. He canceled his night with the girls at the last minute, claiming he had a work emergency, and suddenly, our romantic evening turned into a chaotic night at home.
Owen, being the incredible man he is, took it all in stride. Instead of the fancy dinner, he made ribeyes and asparagus, perfectly cooked like always, and even whipped up a red velvet cake for dessert. Barrett “helped” by sneaking into the kitchen to lick the cake batter off the side of the bowl, his giggles filling the air when Owen caught him in the act. We ended the night cuddled on the couch with all three kids until Ruby fell asleep in his arms, her tiny hand clutching his shirt. It wasn’t what we’d planned, but it was still pretty damn close to perfect. Even though I was disappointed we couldn’t go out, I couldn’t help but love him even more for how he handled it.
Now, it’s nearly Easter, and I’m standing behind the counter at the coffee shop feeling like all the stress is finally catching up with me. I do my best to push it aside, to focus on the things that really matter. We have a trip to New Orleans coming up that Owen and I have been planning for months.
The hum of the espresso machine fills the air, blending with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of mugs. The shop is bustling, and I can barely keep up with the orders coming through. Brooke is at the counter, her smile a little forced as she takes orders while keeping an eye on the growing line. Normally, she’s in the back handling logistics or roasting the coffee beans to send out to the local grocery stores, but lately, the coffee shop’s popularity has been through the roof, and we’re all hands on deck.
“Latte with oat milk and a double Americano for table four,” I call over my shoulder, sliding the drinks onto the pickup counter.
“Got it!” Brooke replies, balancing two trays of pastries like a pro.
The chaos is comforting in its own way, a distraction from the thoughts that have been swirling in my mind all morning. But every time there’s a lull, my brain drifts back to the same thing: Katie.
It’s been over two weeks since Adam dropped the bomb on me, but the news still hasn’t settled. I haven’t even told anyone besides Brooke just now, and I’ve been carrying it around like a weight I can’t put down.
“Callie,” Brooke’s voice breaks through my thoughts. She’s standing next to me now, her brows drawn together. “You good?”
“Yeah,” I lie, forcing a smile as I wipe the counter. “Just thinking about the trip to New Orleans coming up.”
She narrows her eyes, not buying it for a second. “Callie, come on. You’ve been weird all morning. Spill.”
I hesitate, glancing around to make sure no one’s waiting on us. The line has thinned out, leaving us a rare moment of calm.
“I’ve just been… processing something,” I admit, keeping my voice low.
Her curiosity sharpens. “Processing what?”
I take a deep breath, leaning against the counter. “Katie’s pregnant. Adam told me a couple weeks ago.”
Her jaw drops. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah,” I say, wincing at the look on her face.
“How have you not told me this?” she demands, her voice rising slightly before she catches herself.
I shrug helplessly. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t know how to bring it up, and honestly, I didn’t want to talk about it. I’ve been trying not to think about it.”
Brooke crosses her arms, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. “Callie, that’s huge. You can’t just keep something like that bottled up. I mean… how do you even feel about it?”
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “I mean, it’s not like I care about Adam or his life. I’ve moved on. I’m happy. But…”
“But it’s still a lot,” she finishes for me, her voice softening.
“Yeah.” I look down at my hands, fidgeting with the edge of my apron. “It’s just… the timing, Brooke. Ruby and Sara are going to have a sibling that’s only eleven months younger than Ruby. That’s… close. And I wonder how it’s all going to play out. What that’s going to mean for them. For us.”
Brooke shakes her head slowly. “That’s insane. Eleven months apart? That’s going to be… chaotic.”
“Tell me about it,” I mutter. “And Adam doesn’t even seem phased by it. He just casually dropped it on me one night like it was no big deal. ‘Oh, by the way, Katie’s pregnant.’ Like it wouldn’t knock the wind out of me.”
Brooke’s brows knit together with sympathy. “I get why you’re struggling with this. Even if you don’t care about Adam, this still affects your life. It’s okay to have feelings about it.”
“I just don’t want it to affect Ruby and Sara,” I say, my voice cracking slightly. “That’s all I care about.”
She reaches out, squeezing my arm. “And that’s why you’re such a good mom. You’re always putting them first. But Callie, you can’t carry this by yourself. You need to tell Owen.”
I nod slowly, though the thought makes my stomach twist. “I know. I just… I don’t want him to think I’m not okay or that I’m hung up on Adam. I’m not. This is just… a lot.”
“Of course it is,” she says firmly. “And Owen will understand. You know he will.”
Before I can respond, the bell over the door jingles, and a new wave of customers pours in. Brooke straightens up, giving me a look that says this conversation isn’t over.
“Take your break soon,” she says, grabbing a tray of muffins. “You need it.”
As I turn back to the espresso machine, her words linger in my mind. Maybe she’s right. Maybe it’s time to stop keeping this to myself.
Ruby is napping soundly, her tiny chest rising and falling in a perfect rhythm. The house is quiet except for the soft hum of the baby monitor on the table beside me. Sara is curled up in her toddler bed after wearing herself out playing with Barrett earlier. Owen sits on the couch, his long legs stretched out in front of him and a mug of coffee resting on his knee.
I lean against the kitchen counter, watching him. There’s a faint smile tugging at his lips as he scrolls through his phone. He looks so calm, so steady, and for a moment I feel like I should just keep this to myself. Let the peace of this quiet moment stretch out a little longer. But the thought won’t stop gnawing at me. Brooke is right. I can’t keep holding it in.
Taking a deep breath, I walk into the living room and sit down beside him. He looks at me, his smile widening as he sets his phone aside.
“Hey, dollface,” he says, his voice warm. “What’s on your mind?”
I hesitate, my fingers toying with the hem of my sweatshirt. “I… there’s something I need to tell you.”
His brow furrows slightly, and he shifts so he’s facing me fully. “Okay. What’s going on?”
“It’s about Adam and Katie,” I say, the words feeling heavy in my mouth. “Last month, Adam told me that Katie’s pregnant.”
Owen’s eyebrows shoot up, and he leans back slightly, letting out a low breath. “Wow. That’s… big news.”
“Yeah,” I agree softly, avoiding his gaze. “I didn’t tell you sooner because I didn’t know how. I didn’t want to make it a thing or seem like I care about their life. I don’t, but it’s been weighing on me, and I feel like I need to say it out loud.”
Owen watches me carefully, his dark eyes attentive. He doesn’t rush me, doesn’t push, just waits.
“How do you feel about it?” he asks.
“I’m worried,” I admit. “Not for me, but for Ruby and Sara. Adam’s already not taking them as often as he’s supposed to. He cancels plans last minute, or he changes the schedule to suit him. And now with a new baby coming, I’m terrified they’ll be pushed aside. I don’t want my girls to feel like they’re not a priority.”
Saying the words out loud makes my chest feel even tighter. I’ve been holding onto this fear for weeks, trying to convince myself it wasn’t a big deal, that I was overreacting. With Owen sitting here, looking at me like my feelings are valid, it feels impossible to ignore.
Owen reaches for my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a slow, steady rhythm. “That makes sense,” he says gently. “And you’re not wrong to feel that way. Adam’s track record hasn’t exactly been great.”
I nod, tears stinging my eyes. “It’s not fair to them. Ruby and Sara are so little. They need stability, and I feel like I’m the only one making sure they have it. What happens when Katie has her baby? What if Adam decides they’re too much work, or they don’t fit into his perfect little family anymore?”
The words tumble out in a rush, and I hate how small they make me feel. Like I’m admitting a weakness I can’t overcome.
Owen squeezes my hand, his voice firm but kind. “That’s not going to happen, Callie. You’ve already given them stability. You’ve built a home for them, a safe place where they’ll always be loved. That’s not going to change just because Adam decides to add another kid to the mix.”
“But it’s not just about what I can give them,” I say, my voice breaking. “They deserve to have a dad who shows up for them. Who makes them feel like they’re enough. I can’t make Adam be that for them.”
“No,” Owen says quietly, “you can’t. But you’re giving them more than enough love to make up for what he’s lacking. You’ve also got me, ya know? You’re not in this alone.”
His words settles deep in my chest, steadying the frantic pace of my thoughts. “I just… I want them to be okay. That’s all I want.”
“They will be,” he says, leaning in to kiss my forehead. “Because they’ve got you, and they’ve got us.”
I let myself believe him for a moment. I close my eyes, soaking in the warmth of his presence, the steady reassurance in his voice.
“They deserve better than Adam,” I whisper.
Owen’s jaw tightens slightly, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
After a moment, his tone shifts, a teasing edge creeping in. “So, do I get to be the fun stepdad who teaches Ruby and Sara ridiculous pranks to pull on their new sibling?”
I laugh despite myself, the tension breaking like a dam. “You’re terrible.”
The smile lingers on my lips for a second before my thoughts shift. Technically, he’s not their stepdad, but the idea of anyone else stepping into that role is impossible to imagine. Owen is woven into our lives like a thread that keeps us together. In my heart, I know he’s exactly who I want for us.
“Yeah,” he says, grinning, “but you love me.”
“I do,” I say softly, leaning into him, letting his warmth steady me.
The tension that’s been gripping my chest begins to ease, his presence strong enough to unravel it. Since Adam told me about the baby, I haven’t been able to catch my breath, but now I finally feel relief.