Chapter Twenty-Four
Brooklyn
He let me go without a fight. I know I was mad. I know I said we’d agreed it was temporary, but I thought, maybe, just maybe, he’d fight for me.
I was wrong. It didn’t mean anything. It was just a fling. I move through the next few weeks like a zombie. I feel crushed under the weight of not knowing what is happening with my mom and my sister, and I miss Kip. My heart hurts. My body hurts.
I catch myself thinking about what he’s doing. Is he grumpy? Is he smiling? Is he swimming in the lake or playing with Blue? How’s the restaurant? I spend so much time pushing those thoughts away. It doesn’t matter now. It’s over. Forever.
When I arrive at the White House for the baby shower, James spots me across the room and nods at me to follow him. Once I’m in an office, he shuts the door.
“I have news.” He leans on the edge of the desk and crosses his arms.
I feel a jolt of electricity. News! But before he can tell me, I temper my emotions. I’ve been burned too many times recently.
“We got the DNA match back on the blood.”
My heart starts to pound; I hold my breath.
“It’s not your mother or your sister. There’s no biological match to you.”
I exhale slowly and slump into the chair behind me. I didn’t even realize how much tension I was holding waiting for those results.
James walks toward me and kneels in front of me. He takes my hand. I’m still looking down.
“That’s good news.” He squeezes my hand.
I nod. I can’t find any words right now.
“Are you okay?” I finally look up. His eyes are full of concern.
“No.”
He doesn’t say anything. He just sits with me, holding my hand. I feel tears falling down my face. He moves and grabs a box of tissues. I wipe my eyes and cheeks.
“I should probably go out there,” I say, standing up. He wraps me in a big hug, and then says, “Yeah, they are going to miss us.”
As I’m reaching for the doorknob, he touches my shoulder. I turn to face him. “I won’t give up.”
“I know.”
“I’ll keep searching until we have answers.”
“Thank you.” As annoyed as I was that he couldn’t just let me go this summer, I know I’m lucky he has my back.
There’s a busy scene in the Rose garden. Liv and Zadie are having a joint baby shower. It was their idea because they are due only three weeks apart. James rubs my back, and I take a deep breath as we walk into the crowd. Declan and Eli spot me and wave me over.
“Want some punch?” Eli says.
“Sure.”
“I’ll grab you some.”
Declan wraps his arm around me. “Good to see you.”
Eli returns with a drink, and I take it from him.
“You alright?”
“Not really,” I sigh.
He squeezes his arm tighter around me.
“Have you talked to Kip?”
I shake my head.
“Do you want to talk to Kip?” Eli asks.
I sigh again. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“Fair enough. He seemed like a nice guy.” Declan gives me a quick kiss on the top of my head and drops his arm.
“Yeah. I liked him,” Eli adds.
“Well, he betrayed me.”
Eli rolls his eyes. Declan just looks sad.
“I would have done the exact same thing.” Declan is staring right at me. He’s not normally this serious. He’s dead serious right now.
“Me too,” Eli agrees.
I huff.
“Someone died in that house. You have to report that.”
I bite my lip. I don’t want to start crying again.
“Let’s talk about something else.” I’m going to start crying if we continue talking about all of this.
“What should we talk about?” Eli says.
“How about how we’re going to be outnumbered by babies before we know it.”
I laugh.
“It feels that way,” I say. James and Elizabeth have one, and we’re adding two more this year.
“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Eli laughs. “No babies for me.”
Declan fist bumps him. “Yeah. me neither.”
“Yeah. That’s the last thing I need right now.”
“They are pretty fucking cute though.” Eli points over at Vivi, who is running circles around MarryMe, Elizabeth and James’ golden retriever. James gave Marryme to Elizabeth as a part of his marriage proposal, and her name just stuck.
The press secretary, Quinn, walks by with her toddler, Emily, who gives us a smile and wave.
“Oh, that’s hurting my ovaries,” I groan watching her pass.
Eli starts to chase Vivi and tickles her. She’s squealing and laughing. I smile as I watch all of them.
I spot Olivia and Will and walk over to them. I kiss Olivia on the cheek.
“I’m so happy for you guys.” I give Will a hug. I push aside all the worry and the stress I’ve been carrying. This is a happy day for them - for all of us.
Olivia is glowing.
“Your dress is beautiful.” She smiles as she looks down at it. It’s long and flowy, the softest shade of pink.
“Thank you.”
Will’s staring at Olivia like he could explode with happiness.
“It seems like we were just having your wedding here yesterday,” I say.
Liv smiles brightly. “I know. Time has flown by.”
Will takes my hand and pulls me to the side. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” It’s his day. I don’t want to bring it down, and I am fine...or I will be fine.
“Kip has called me a few times checking in on you.”
I feel my eyes start to sting. Shit. I don’t need to start crying again.
“Sorry.” Will’s eyes look worried. “I wasn’t trying to upset you.”
I nod my head and take a shaky breath. “I know.”
“He’s a good guy. He cares about you,” he adds.
I can’t speak right now, so I just nod again. I’m relieved to see Zadie and Ethan walk up. I don’t want to continue this conversation right now.
I hug Zadie and then Ethan. “Congratulations. We’re all so excited for these babies.”
“We are too. I can’t believe they will be born within a month of each other.” Zadie is gently rubbing her belly, and Ethan is beaming at her.
“They are going to be best friends.”
“I can’t wait,” Olivia says.
“Me either,” Zadie adds.