Chapter Thirty-Eight
Juniper
The next morning, I wake up feeling a bit damp between my legs. Groggily, I stretch and feel a sharp cramp in my lower abdomen. Another cramp hits, confirming my worst suspicion.
“Bloody periods,” I mutter under my breath.
I look down and see the telltale stain on the white Egyptian cotton sheets. Shit! Panic rises as I quickly try to cover up the evidence, but it’s too late. My cheeks flush with heat as embarrassment floods through me.
Zade stirs beside me, his arm reaching out instinctively. His eyes flutter open, and he sees me fumbling with the sheets. Concern replaces his sleepy expression.
“Juniper, what’s wrong?”
I swallow hard, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “I got my period,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I didn’t expect it, and I didn’t pack anything, since we left in such a rush.”
He blinks, processing my words, then sits up, the worry on his face melting into understanding. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s natural ,” he says softly.
I try to cover the stain again, feeling mortified. “I’m so sorry about the sheets.”
He sighs in relief and then looks at me with empathy. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’ll go get you what you need.”
Once he leaves, I head to the bathroom and soak in the tub, letting the warm water soothe my aching body. I close my eyes, trying to push away the embarrassment. Zade handled it well, and for once, I don’t feel judged for something that’s a natural part of being a woman.
As I lie there, it hits me how deeply Zade has embedded himself in my life. He’s shown me kindness, patience, and care that I never expected. And despite my initial fears, I’m starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, I deserve to feel this way.
I get out of the bathroom and head to the kitchen wrapped in a white bathrobe, hoping it doesn’t get stained. Suddenly, I hear a noise and let out a startled scream, spinning to see Zade standing in the kitchen.
“Sorry, you scared me.”
He’s back with period supplies—he has so many of them that it makes me laugh. “I wasn’t sure what you needed, so I got everything,” he says with a sheepish smile.
I’m about to go inside the bathroom when a cramp hits me again, and I flinch. Zade’s face fills with concern. “Does it hurt too?”
“Yes… every single month since I was 13!” I reply with a grimace, try ing to manage a weak smile.
Zade’s blue eyes widen with understanding, and he smiles again. “Ahh. I understand. Go lie on the couch. I’ll make you a hot compress and find you some painkillers.”
Shaking my head, I bite my lip. “Zade, you don’t have—“
“I want to. Let me help.”
Muttering thanks, I head to the living room. Turning on the TV to fill the weird silence, I twist my fingers in my lap as I wait for Zade.
He brings out some tea and painkillers, patiently waiting for the cup back after I swallow the pills. He returns from the kitchen with a bundle of warm towels, handing them to me with a look of concern.
“Here, hold these to your stomach,” he instructs.
I take the towels, pressing them against my lower abdomen, and offer him a grateful smile. He sits beside me on the couch, grabbing the remote.
“Anything you want to watch?” he asks, trying to keep things light.
“Uh, no. I don’t care,” I reply, not really in the mood for TV.
He smiles sympathetically, settling back on the cushion as he turns on one of the first recommendations.
The sound of the TV fills the room, but I can’t focus on it.
Another cramp hits, and I clutch my stomach, wincing as the pain intensifies.
The warmth from the towels fades too quickly.
Zade watches me with concern, his brow furrowed.
“Still having cramps?” he asks softly.
I nod, biting my lip to keep from groaning out loud.
He clears his throat, looking thoughtful for a moment. “You know, sometimes a massage can help with cramps. I could give it a try if you’re okay with that.”
I hesitate, feeling a little self-conscious, but his concern is so genuine that I nod. “Yeah... that might help.”
Zade immediately shifts closer, all business now. “Okay, just relax. I’ll be gentle.”
I lean back on the couch, loosening my bathrobe a bit to get comfortable. His warm hands rest gently on my lower abdomen, and he starts to massage in slow, soothing circles. His touch is careful, focused on easing the pressure rather than anything else.
“Is this okay?” he asks, eyes searching mine.
“Yes,” I breathe out, already feeling some of the tension start to melt away. The warmth of his hands and the gentle pressure are comforting, and I let out a small sigh of relief.
He continues to massage, his hands moving steadily, carefully avoiding anything that might cause discomfort. “How’s that? Is it helping?” he asks, glancing at me with worry in his eyes.
“Yes, it’s helping,” I reply, feeling the pain gradually start to ease.
He nods, clearly relieved, and keeps going, his attention fully on making sure I’m comfortable. His movements are steady, almost rhythmic, and it’s clear he’s doing everything he can to make me fee l better.
After a while, the cramps start to subside, and I can feel myself relaxing more fully.
“How do you feel now?” he asks gently, his hands finally stilling.
“Better. Much better,” I say, offering him a small, grateful smile.
He lets out a breath he’d probably been holding, then pulls me into a warm embrace. “Good,” he murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Anytime you need me, I’m here, okay?”
I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my cheek. The warmth and comfort of his embrace make me feel safe, and for the first time in a long while, I feel truly cared for.
“Thanks,” I mutter. “Seriously. I wouldn’t have handled this alone.”
He smiles, his eyes soft with affection. We stay like that for a while, just holding each other, the world outside forgotten. Eventually, Zade gently pulls away, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I have to go to work,” he says softly. “But when I come back, we’ll head back to Cody.”
I nod, feeling a pang of disappointment but also understanding. “Okay.”
He kisses me gently, his lips lingering on mine. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
I watch as he gets dressed and just as he’s about to leave, he turns back, his eyes soft, almost vulnerable. “Take care of yourself, Juniper. I love you .”
“I love you too,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them, and the second they do, I feel my heart swell with the reality of what they mean.
He pauses, a surprised but joyful smile spreading across his face. “Wait… what did you just say?”
I swallow hard, my throat tight with emotion. “What?”
“You said…” He sounds shaky, like he can’t quite believe it. “You finally said it… that you love me too.”
The realization hits me like a wave, crashing over everything I’ve held back for so long. My breath catches in my throat as I nod, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “I really do,” I whisper, feeling the truth of it in every fiber of my being.
For a moment, he just stands there, like he’s trying to process it, and then a smile breaks across his face—pure, unguarded joy that makes my heart ache with how much I love him. “Me too,” he declares and in that moment, I know this is real. This is everything.
He kisses me softly, as if savoring the moment, and then he leaves. The door shuts quietly behind him, and the room falls into a gentle silence. I sink back onto the couch, a smile spreading across my face.
A while later, I decide to get dressed and make breakfast. The kitchen is bright with morning light, and I find comfort in the familiar routine of cooking. As I whisk eggs, the doorbell rings, startling me. I set the bowl down and wipe my hands on a towel before heading to the door.
When I open it, I’m greeted by a woman who looks like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. Tall, slender, with long blonde hair cascading down her back, she has striking blue eyes and flawless skin. She can’t be much older than her late-twenties. My heart sinks as I take in her effortless beauty.
“Hello,” she says with a warm yet curious smile. “I’m Meredith. I wanted to see who Zade chose.”
Her words catch me off guard, and defensiveness and insecurity bubble up inside me. “What do you mean by that?” I ask sharply. My brows furrow slightly, and my heart starts to race.
Meredith’s smile doesn’t waver, but her eyes soften. “I just wanted to meet the woman who managed to capture Zade’s heart. And now that I see you, I can understand why. You’re gorgeous.”
I blink, not expecting such a compliment. “Uh, thanks. Do you want to come in?” I step aside, still wary but intrigued by her friendliness.
“Sure, if it’s not too much trouble,” she says, stepping inside gracefully. Her movements are fluid, almost ethereal, making me feel clumsier in comparison.
We move to the kitchen, and I offer her a seat at the table. “Can I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Tea would be lovely,” she replies, her eyes scanning the room with interest. She seems genuinely curious, not judgmental, which eases my nerves a bit.
As I prepare the tea, I can’t shake the feeling of being plain and awkward next to her. She’s poised, confident, and every bit the kind of woman I ’ve always felt I couldn’t measure up to. But I push those thoughts aside, reminding myself to focus on being a good hostess.
Once the tea is ready, I bring the cups to the table and sit across from her. “So, how did you know I was here?” I ask, cutting straight to the point.
She smiles, taking a delicate sip of the tea. “Zade’s mom mentioned it. We’re close. She was so ecstatic about everything and needed to share it with someone, so she told me.”
I study her face, searching for any hint of malice or hidden motives. “You know Zade well?”
Meredith nods, her expression calm as she sets her cup down. “We were engaged once. A long time ago.” There’s a subtle sadness in her eyes, a flicker of something that tells me this isn’t easy for her to talk about.
My heart skips a beat. “Oh,” is all I can manage, feeling a pang of jealousy and insecurity twist in my chest.
She gives me a small, wistful smile. “It didn’t work out, obviously. We weren’t right for each other. Zade was... different back then. He was selfish, always putting his work before everything else. But I suppose he’s changed now, and I know that’s because of you.”
I swallow hard, her words sinking in. “What do you mean?” I ask. My hands fidget with the handle of my mug, the warmth of the tea providing little comfort.
Meredith leans forward, her gaze earnest. “I mean, if you made that selfish jerk able to care, you must be one hell of a woman. Z ade’s never been the type to open up, to put someone else’s needs before his own. But he’s done that for you, hasn’t he?”
I nod slowly. “Yes, he has. He’s been... amazing.” My eyes meet hers, and I see genuine kindness and admiration there.
Meredith reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “I’m happy for you, Juniper. Truly. I just wanted to meet the woman who made Zade into a better man.” Her smile is sincere, and her eyes shine with unshed tears.
Tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them away, offering her a genuine smile. “Thank you, Meredith. That means a lot.” My voice trembles slightly, but I feel a weight lift off my shoulders.
We sit and chat for a while, sharing stories and laughter. Despite my initial defensiveness, I find myself liking her. She’s kind and genuine, and by the end of our conversation, I feel a strange sense of camaraderie.
As she gets up to leave, she gives me a warm hug. “Take care of him, Juniper. He’s a jerk, but he’s also a good man, and he’s lucky to have you.”
“I will,” I promise, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her visit. My arms wrap around her in a sincere embrace.
After she leaves, I sit back down at the table, sipping my tea and reflecting on our conversation. I realize that I don’t need to compare myself to anyone else. Zade chose me for who I am, and that’s more than enough.