Leah
“There you go, sweet girl.” I shift the bottle away from Chloe's mouth and lift her against my chest. “That was a big lunch for such a tiny little thing.”
She answers with a squeak, her cheek squished against my shoulder.
I rub slow circles between her shoulder blades until a burp finally works its way out of her.
“Oh!” I laugh. “That was a good one. Do you feel better now?”
“Please tell me you don’t expect her to answer you.” Rachel shuffles into the living room, her hair piled on top of her head and sleep still written all over her face. She drops onto the couch beside me. “Thank you for coming over after work. Seriously. I needed that nap.”
“Anytime. I happen to enjoy spending time with my favorite niece.”
“She’s your only niece.”
“That doesn’t make her any less my favorite.”
Rachel smiles and reaches over to smooth a hand over the baby’s back. “What are you doing for the rest of the day?”
“I was planning to head back to the hospital.” I glance at my phone. “Nick hasn’t texted me back, though. I don’t want to just show up if he and Grady are sleeping or dealing with doctors or something.”
“Maybe you should give him some space.”
I narrow my eyes
“What? I’m just saying, yesterday was a lot. It sounds like Grady's mother is bonkers. Grady might need some alone time with just Nick. And vice versa..”
“Maybe.” I glance at my phone again. “But I left him a note saying I'd be back. Plus … it's not like him to not text me during the day.”
An abrupt pounding at the front door makes both of us jump and startles Chloe against my chest.
“Good grief.” I cradle the baby closer. “Who is trying to knock the door down?”
Rachel and I stare at each other as another round of knocking rattles the front door.
“Do you want me to get it?” I ask.
“No.” Rachel pushes herself off the couch, one hand braced against her stomach. “You stay with her. I’ve got it.”
She disappears into the entryway, and a moment later, the door opens. I can’t make out what’s being said, only the low murmur of Rachel’s voice.
I shift Chloe against my chest and step closer to the foyer, finally making out Rachel’s hushed voice.
“You need to go. This is between you and Matt, and you showing up here—”
“Where is?”
I freeze.
I know that voice—only … it's so pained and rough and … something else.
I open the door wider, and oh … My handsome man looks terrible. His eyes are red, his face blotchy and tear-stained. His hair is standing on end like he’s been dragging his hands through it for hours.
“Hey.” I quickly pass the baby to Rachel and reach for him. “What’s wrong? What happened—?”
Nick jerks away as if I might burn him.
“Did you know, too?”
My hand hangs between us as I frown. “Know what?”
His eyes search my face. “Were you in on this too, Leah?”
“In on what? Nick, I … don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He lets out a bitter laugh and turns away. He curses under his breath, shaking his head.
“Nick!”
I look back at Rachel, expecting her to be as confused as I am, but the tears gathering in her eyes stop me.
“What is he talking about?”
She presses her lips together.
Oh God.
What has happened?
I take off after him. “Nick, wait!”
He keeps walking.
“Would you please stop and talk to me? I don’t know what’s going on!”
“I can’t, Leah.” His voice cracks. “I can’t even fucking look at you right now.”
I stumble to a stop. “Why?”
He yanks open his truck.
“Nick, please don’t leave me like this.” My hands swipe at my tears slipping down my cheeks. “Please—”
He whips around, throwing his arms wide. “You really want to know?” He huffs. “Grady isn’t mine! There. You happy?”
I stop cold. “W-what?”
“Grady …” He swallows thickly. “He's not mine.”
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I shake my head because surely I heard him wrong. “Nick …”
He points toward the house, his jaw tightening. “He’s your fucking brother’s kid.”
I blink.
I blink again, and the world pitches sideways. My hand shoots out for the truck, fingers scraping across the metal until I find something solid. For a moment, nothing makes sense.
“Matt?”
Nick’s face crumples.
“Yeah, Leah. Matt.”
I stand there, the wind knocked out of me. “No … no, that's not true. That's impossible—”
Nick’s already walking away.
“Nick!”
He doesn’t stop. He climbs into his truck, slams the door, and drives off.
I spin around, my heart pounding. “What is happening?” My eyes land on Rachel. She looks pale, guilt written all over her face. “Rachel? What is he talking about?”
Her eyes flick to the ground. “Leah … come inside. Let’s talk.”
“No …” My chest tightens. “Is it true? What he’s saying?”
Rachel won’t meet my eyes. “Just come inside, Leah. Please.”
I shake my head, everything spinning.
This can’t be happening
This cannot be happening.
He ... He left me.
My stomach rolls. I swallow hard, pressing a hand against it.
Rachel steps out onto the porch, cradling Chloe close, her voice low but firm. “Leah, please. Stop making a scene and come inside.” Her eyes dart toward the street before returning to me. “We need to talk about this, but not out here.”
“Rachel, I—I don’t understand. What did he mean?”
“Come inside,” she says again, quieter now. “I’ll explain.”
I try. I make it one step toward the porch before another wave rolls through my stomach, stronger this time. Heat crawls up my neck, and my mouth suddenly floods with saliva.
Oh no.
I clamp a hand over my mouth.
I think I'm gonna be sick.
***
I have a nephew.
Grady, my thoughtful and imaginative paleontologist-in-training, is my nephew. I always, always felt such a strong connection to him. I chalked it up to seeing his spark through the cracks, to being his teacher and wanting to help him reach his full potential.
It turns out we share the same DNA.
We also share a love for a certain doctor with a drawl and a cowboy hat to match.
A doctor who is deeply wounded by the people I love.
The elevator dings as I arrive at the pediatric floor and Gulf Waters. The secretary grants me access onto the unit, and I hurry down the main hallway.
I turn a corner, and there he is, standing in the hallway, finishing a conversation with a gray-haired doctor, but Nick's eyes are downcast. He won’t even look up.
“Nick,” I gasp, rushing toward him. “Please, baby … I didn’t know. I swear to you, I didn’t know.”
He won’t meet my eyes as he works his jaw.
My chest tightens as I reach for him. “Please look at me.” My voice cracks. “I’m so sorry, but please don't shut me out.”
Slowly, he lifts his gaze.
And it all breaks.
His shoulders sag as his face crumples. Trembling, he sinks down onto the nearest chair.
I drop down beside him, wrapping my arms around him before I can think twice.
For a second, he’s still. Rigid. Cold to my touch.
Then he unravels.
He grabs me, clinging to me like a life preserver as he buries his face in my neck, his tears warm against my skin. Through heavy sobs, I tighten my arms around him and let him fall apart against me.
His breathing is uneven, but he tries to speak through the tears. “What am I supposed to do, Leah? I … I don’t even know what to do next.”
“I don’t know,” I whisper.
We sit there in the silence, both of us worn down and unsure. I gentle press soft, tender kisses against his forehead
“But I’m here,” I say quietly, letting every ounce of sincerity fill my voice. “I’m not going anywhere.”