Chapter Thirty-Five
“George. It’s me. I need a favor.”
“All right?” he questioned through the phone. “Are you okay? I thought you were at Stetson’s show in Nashville.”
“I am, but there’s something I’m trying to figure out. Do you think you could give me Savannah’s number?”
“Um, sure. Yeah, of course. I’ll text it to you,” he offered. “Are you sure everything is okay?”
“I think it will be eventually,” I admitted. “Thank you, George.”
I clicked the call off and my phone dinged with a number, the first three being the Quincey Falls area code.
“Hello?” a voice said on the other end of the line.
“Hi. Um. Is this Savannah?” I asked.
“Yes. May I ask who I’m speaking with?” Her tender-hearted voice was shaky, revealing her age.
I would never be able to undo what I was about to do, but it was now or never.
I sucked in the deepest breath I could, hoping it would last for the next fifteen seconds.
“This is Scarlett Carson; George Freeman gave me your number. I’m sorry to bother you, and I know you probably don’t remember me, but you were one of my nurses when I delivered a baby thirteen years ago.
I gave that baby up for adoption that day, and I remember you holding me in your arms as I crumbled to pieces. ” I laughed through my tears.
“Oh, sweetie. Of course I remember you.” Her voice was kind and gentle, just like it was all those years ago.
“We don’t get many adoptions in our little hospital; in fact, you were my first, and it was a day I’ll never forget,” she said, a soft chuckle escaping through the phone.
“You’re actually the second person to call me about this adoption in the last week. ”
“The second person?” I asked.
“Yes. An older gentleman called looking for information regarding the baby’s birth parents as well.”
An older gentleman? I wanted to push but I wanted the answer to my own question more.
“Did you ever get to meet the parents who adopted my baby?”
“I did, and they were wonderful. They stood hopeful outside of the door, patiently waiting to meet their baby girl. The woman had at least five different pink blankets; she said she couldn’t decide which one was going to be the softest.”
“Baby girl?” I questioned. The word girl got lodged in my throat as I sucked in as deep of breaths as I could manage. “But I saw the paperwork in my room that day that said Tyler under the baby’s name.”
The world around me was fuzzy, little specks of black peppering my vision.
“Did you not know the baby was a girl?” she asked. “I could’ve sworn the adoption was somewhat open? Us nurses were told we could tell you anything you wanted to know about the baby.”
“It was. I didn’t want to know anything. I knew if I did, I’d never be able to go through with it,” I replied.
“Oh, darlin’. Tyler was her middle name,” she said gently.
“If I recall, I think they went with Ruby for her first name.” Her comment was light, like it didn’t carry the weight of my entire world in it.
“I only remember that because I’d always loved that name.
It’s a strong and brilliant name, and from what I remember, so was that little girl.
” Her tone was laced with a memory, one that clearly brought her joy from the sound of a smile riding across her face.
“Ruby,” I breathed, barely loud enough to make it through the phone.
Her confirmation knocked the wind out of me, forcing me to my knees.
My head fell to my thighs as I choked back a sob, trying to reclaim my nervous system but struggling to do so. I needed to get off the phone, and I needed to get off now.
“Thank you,” I said, managing to hide the emotion in my voice.
“Of course, sweetie. I hope you’re doing well,” she said, completely unaware of how unwell I was.
“You too. Goodbye,” I muttered.
The phone couldn’t click off fast enough, but as soon as the screen went black, so did everything else. I rocked my body back and forth, hoping the repetitive movement would bring a stillness to the chaos rampaging through my body.
A knock at the door rattled me to my feet.
“Someone’s in here,” I choked out.
A few seconds passed and then another knock came, forcing me up.
The mirror that stuck to the wall provided me with a reflection of myself, one that I’d never seen before, one that appeared different than five minutes ago.
I ran my fingers under my eyes and dabbed at the corners of my mouth.
I couldn’t hide the swollen eyes, but to a stranger, I could only hope they’d never know.
The steel door clicked, unlocking, but before I could swing it open, it was coming in on me.
I laid my eyes on those perfect baby blues and it wasn’t even two seconds after that that I was drowning in them, losing all control of my emotions, collapsing into his arms and finding myself on the floor once again, but this time I had the steady force of Stetson behind me.
“It’s okay, I’m right here,” he assured me. “What’s goin’ on?”
“It’s Ruby…” I sucked in as much air as I could, trying to slow my breaths. “You were right.” A sob coming directly after each word. “Ruby is my daughter.”
His embrace tightened around my shaky body. “Shh,” he whispered into my ear. “I know. It’s okay.”
I pressed my chin into his chest so I could stare up into his eyes. “What do you mean you know?”
“I’ve spent the last couple of weeks working with a private investigator, digging under ever rock, flipping through every piece of paperwork we could get our hands on because something inside of me told me that I was right.
Finally, we found an old storage unit of Jackson’s and inside were all the documents we’d been looking for.
Then, with George’s help were able to get in contact with a nurse from the hospital who still lived in Quincey Falls. ”
“Savannah,” I mumbled.
He nodded, swiping away some of my tears. “George really does carry all the secrets of Quincey Falls. Sometimes he doesn’t even know it.” He chuckled, and the low rumble brought a sense of calm over my body.
“Does he know too?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I didn’t tell anyone. It wasn’t my story to tell. He gripped me tighter. “Although, I would’ve told Ruby, just to keep my promise. Then I spotted you and her talking in the crowd tonight, and when you bolted, I knew something wasn’t right.”
I shook my head, tears blurring my vision as I squeezed his arm closer to me, using it as a seat belt. “What about your show?”
“I’ve never wanted a set to be finished more than I did tonight. When it ended, Michael was already waiting for me. He told me he’d let you backstage to use the bathroom but that he was worried about you. That was all I needed to hear.” He squeezed me tighter.
“I don’t even know what to say.” I sighed. “I guess I could start with I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you before—”
“Don’t.” He pulled my chin upward. “Don’t apologize for holding what’s sacred to you close to your heart. At the very least, everyone deserves that.”
“You’re not mad?” I breathed. “About any of it?” At my very core, I knew Stetson would understand, but I never expected him to support my decision not to tell him.
“Mad? At you? No,” he huffed, like the question was completely off base.
“Now, was I upset at first? Yeah. Upset that you weren’t able to tell me on your own terms. Upset that I wasn’t there to hold you and make you feel safe when you needed it.
Upset that I wasn’t able to protect you from the dark side of all this media bullshit. ” He threw his hands in the air.
“But mad, no. I’m not mad. I could never be mad at you, Scarlett.
Also, if you hadn’t put Ruby up for adoption, I would’ve gone a whole lot longer without knowing her, and I truly can’t imagine life without her in it.
In fact, I don’t think I would’ve had the strength to come out of the darkness without her.
So, in a way, I guess you could say you saved me.
” A sound resembling a soft laugh left his mouth.
“But more than anything, I wanted to say I’m sorry. ”
“You’re sorry?” I asked, confused by his apology.
“I’m sorry for how I responded when you told me about the adoption. I’m sorry that it took you coming here for me to have this conversation. But mostly, I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you found out the truth.”
The guilt in his voice was loud. I could hear it clearly, because guilt and I had spent a lot of time together.
“Stetson, I appreciate that more than you know, but now it’s my turn.
” I crossed my arms on top of his and squeezed as hard as I could.
“I’m sorry for how this all played out. I know you’re trying like hell to start fresh and show the world who you really are.
So, I know being connected to someone with a muddy past wasn’t really part of the plan,” I confessed.
“Stop. There was no plan, Scarlett, there rarely is. And if there is, things never go accordingly. Did you forget you’re talking to someone who has had more shitty headlines than almost anybody else?
You don’t think I’m used to some low-life reporter looking to stir the pot?
Fuck ’em. I don’t care about their story; I want to hear your story,” he clarified before shuffling to his feet and pulling me with him.
“But just maybe not on the bathroom floor.” A shy smile peeked out from under his mustache.
“Scarlett Carson, I’m absolutely fucking crazy about you, even more now than ever. ”
He pulled my chin into his thumb and forefinger, dragging me to him slowly before planting the softest kiss onto my lips.
“I couldn’t have been more wrong about you, and I’ll spend the rest of time thanking my lucky stars because I’m fucking crazy about you too.”
We slipped out of the bathroom, giggling like two kids who’d just got caught making out.
I texted Maggie.
Me:
I have A LOT to fill you in on, but I’m with Stetson and you were right, everything is going to be okay. Sorry to leave without telling you, but I’ll call you in the morning.
Maggie:
Don’t worry about us. We’re gonna go out for a bit and then head back to the hotel. We’ll chat tomorrow. I love you, Scarlett.
Me:
I love you too.
Stetson ended up taking me back to his apartment and thankfully so, because I needed to be away from all the people, all the chaos.
He took a seat on his couch and patted the spot next to him. I eagerly obliged, nuzzling my head onto his chest, finding the blanket of comfort I needed to finally share my story.
“I found out I was pregnant after losing my virginity. I was seventeen and completely terrified, but I never even considered not keeping it. I told the guy I was dating the day I found out, and he completely lost his mind. Told me he had things he wanted to accomplish, a life he wanted to live that didn’t involve me, let alone a child, and then he proceeded to tell me that he’d enlisted in the army and had no plans of coming back to Quincey Falls.
” I dropped my head, the sadness drifting from me to the younger version of myself.
“That boy had never, not once, kept his word, but when he looked me in the eye and said he didn’t love me and that he wanted nothing to do with me, I’d never believed anyone more.
And to this day, he’s never stepped foot back into our little town.
That was the last time I ever spoke to him.
” I clenched my jaw, the memories that had been buried for so long fighting to come out.
“I wrestled with what to do for weeks. Ultimately, I knew I couldn’t give this child the life they deserved.
Hell, I was seventeen and could barely take care of myself.
Could I have figured it out? Yeah, but I knew it would be at the expense of the child.
My child. And that wasn’t something I was willing to risk.
My parents were everything you’d hope for in a situation like this; they never once swayed me in one direction or the other, which I couldn’t quite comprehend then, but now that I see what they were doing, I’m grateful. ”
Stetson took my anxiety-riddled hand into his. “Scarlett, you did what you thought was best for your child, that’s all anyone could do.”
“That day at the hospital was the worst pain I’d ever felt.
A part of me had been torn out of my body and taken away.
I chose not to hold the baby, so the nurses immediately swept it away.
I barely had the chance to steal a glimpse of the little bundle before it was gone.
Some days I still regret that decision, but I know if I would’ve felt the tiny body against me, I would’ve never let go, and that wasn’t fair to anyone—especially to the two people who were so eager to call the baby theirs. ”
Tears streamed down my face as I relived the moment, but this time it didn’t feel as hard, knowing the kind of parents Ruby had been given.
Two people who undoubtedly loved her as though she had come from them and not a stranger they’d never met.
Two people who gave her everything she could ever want and need. What more could I have asked for?
“Can I tell you something?” he asked, his big round eyes full of so much compassion. “Do you know why Jackson and Rebecca named her Ruby?”
My lips pursed as he brushed a tear off my cheek.
“They wanted to honor the woman that gave her the gift of life. Said that without her, their dreams of being parents were just that: dreams. They didn’t know much about her, but there was a nurse who shared a little more than she probably should have.
“Jackson asked about her birthday—your birthday. She didn’t come out and say it, but she responded with ‘I’ve always loved the name Ruby. It’s strong and brilliant. It would be perfect, wouldn’t it?’” Stetson’s expression was soft and comforting.
Savannah. I smiled.
“July. My birthday is in July,” I breathed, finding the ruby ring on my finger and twisting it around and around.
“I know,” he admitted. “That was another piece of the puzzle that had me questioning everything.”
The urge to pull him into a hug was too strong to fight, so I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought him as close to me as possible. “Thank you,” I whispered into his ear.
“For what?” He pulled back, leaving a few inches between us.
“For not giving up on finding her birth parents. Because even if I hadn’t figured it out on my own, I now know that you would’ve, and that means a lot, for both mine and Ruby’s sake. So, thank you.”
“You and Ruby are the only two people that I would go to the ends of the world for, and now it makes sense why. She isn’t just a part of Jackson and Rebecca; she’s a part of you too.”