Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
“ I ’ll sneak back in,” Savannah whispered with a quick wink in her direction. “Just remember to look sad.”
In a loud voice, the nurse urged everyone away from Charlotte’s bedside and into the waiting area.
Once they were gone, Charlotte leaned back against the bed and lifted her arms over her head.
It had been hours since she’d been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance ride she couldn’t remember. Hours since they’d drawn blood and hung up the IV drip. And hours since Dr. Reese showed up to take charge of the situation and set everyone at ease.
Since then, Charlotte had been lying in the hospital bed, alternating between staring at the ceiling and checking the clock on the wall. Although waiting for the discharge papers to be ready was tedious, at least it gave Charlotte some time alone amidst the horrors of the day. And the chaos that resulted from having too many people at her bedside.
Everyone wanted to help, and everyone thought they knew better.
Except for Savannah.
She’d been hanging back the entire time, watching her intently.
Charlotte’s heart jumped into her throat when the curtain swished open, and Savannah stepped in. Her fingers trembled as she pulled the curtain shut and pulled the stool across the floor. Savannah stopped to glance over her shoulder and then breathed a sigh of relief. When she looked back at Charlotte, she noticed the tight lines on her face and the lack of color there.
“I know you and I haven’t been seeing eye to eye lately,” Savannah began, pausing to take both of Charlotte’s hands in hers. “But you scared the bejesus out of all of us.”
Charlotte squeezed her hand. “You didn’t have to come.”
Even though Charlotte’s heart swelled with joy and pride at seeing her there.
No matter their differences or how badly they fought, Charlotte knew Savannah had her back and vice versa.
Savannah leaned forward and sighed. “I wanted to. I know I’m the least qualified to be here, and I don’t have a vested interest in any of this, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
Charlotte winced. “I know you do.”
“I’ve been hard on you; I know. It feels weird having the shoe on the other foot, huh?”
Charlotte’s lips lifted into a half smile. “It does.”
Savannah paused, and a shadow settled over her face. “I know how much you gave up when Dad died. And I know you did it happily to make sure Mom and I were okay, but I just… When you told me about the surrogacy thing, I thought you were putting your life on hold again. I don’t want you to put your life on hold, Charlotte. You deserve to go after what you want.”
A lump rose in the back of Charlotte’s throat. “This is what I want. I know it’s difficult for you to understand, but this is making me happy.”
For the first time in a long time, she understood where Savannah was coming from. If the roles were reversed, Charlotte’s reaction would’ve been worse, and she wouldn’t have been able to stomach the thought of Savannah taking on such an endeavor. Not at first, at least.
Not fun being in the hot seat, huh?
“I’m trying to see that,” Savannah admitted after a brief pause. “I’m not quite there yet, but when Mom told me what happened to you…suddenly, nothing else mattered. All I could think about was finding you and telling you how sorry I was.”
Charlotte let out a choked sob. “I’m sorry too.”
Savannah looked over her shoulder and then climbed onto the bed. She tucked herself against Charlotte’s side and buried her face in the crook of her neck. Charlotte draped an arm over her shoulders and squeezed, just like she used to do when they were kids.
They hadn’t curled up to each other like this since the night they found out about their dad. Ever since that night, Charlotte had been trying to stay one step ahead of everything, and everyone, just to avoid anything else sneaking up on her and turning her world upside down.
But as she exhaled, and the scent of her sister’s peach-scented shampoo filled her nostrils, Charlotte realized she was tired of running.
Savannah wasn’t the only one who’d spent all of those years on the move.
“I still can’t believe you’re going to carry someone else’s baby for nine months,” Savannah whispered with a sigh. “But I have to admit, if I were ever going to consider surrogacy, I would do it for a couple like Addison and Mason. They’re good people, and they deserve to catch a break.”
Charlotte stroked Savannah’s hair. “They are, but it’s not the only reason I’m doing it.”
Savannah tilted her head back to look at her and studied her face. “I know. I’m glad you found this, Char. I really am.”
Charlotte smiled. “Me too.”
Savannah blew out a breath, and her eyes darted all over the room before they swung back to hers. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but what about Patrick? I overheard Addison and Mason saying he’s the one who called the ambulance.”
Charlotte used her free hand to rub her face. “He was. We were talking, and things got heated. That night after our fight, I went to his place, and I came clean.”
Savannah let out a low whistle. “Man, you’re braver than I’ll ever be. I would’ve put it off for as long as possible.”
“I wanted to,” Charlotte admitted, pausing to toy with a loose thread on her blanket. “But I also knew you were right. Patrick deserved to know the truth.”
“He didn’t take it well, huh?”
Charlotte shook her head and blinked back the tears. “I don’t know. He was so angry and hurt when we spoke. I don’t even know if he’ll ever speak to me again.”
Savannah frowned. “He’ll come to his senses; he has to. And if he doesn’t, then it’s his loss anyway, and you’re better off.”
Except she knew she wasn’t.
After years of waiting for her chance to be with Patrick, she’d blown it, and she had no one to blame but herself.
Still, knowing that she’d at least tried softened the blow somewhat and made her realize that she was going to be okay, no matter what Patrick decided to do.
A loud cacophony of voices rose, and the two sisters exchanged a quick look. Hastily, Savannah stood up and held her hands behind her back. When the curtain was yanked open, revealing Patrick in wrinkled clothing and with a bouquet, Charlotte’s stomach dipped.
“It’s nice to see you again, Patrick.” Savannah held her hand out and waited for him to shake it. “I was just headed to the cafeteria. You want anything?”
Patrick cleared his throat. “No, thank you, Savannah.”
Savannah nodded and gave Charlotte a quick look over her shoulder. Then Charlotte was alone with Patrick, save for a disgruntled nurse who was studying the monitor and muttering under her breath. She typed something into the chart and shot Patrick a withering look before she left.
“She really doesn’t like me, huh?”
“It’s not you,” Charlotte replied with a grimace. “She’s just had to kick people out all day. I barely got my mom to agree not to tell anyone else; otherwise, the nurse would’ve had to deal with a whole army of Wilsons.”
Patrick sat down on the edge of the bed. “I would’ve liked to have seen that.”
“Me too.”
She couldn’t believe Patrick was there in the flesh.
What would happen if she reached out to pinch him?
“How are you feeling?”
“Better. I need to take it easy for a few days. We’re just waiting for the discharge papers.”
Had he come to let her down easy?
Or was he just feeling guilty because of how their interaction ended?
Patrick blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I know I said some things about how you didn’t trust me as a friend… I shouldn’t have said those things.”
“You were hurt.”
“I still shouldn’t have said those things,” Patrick repeated in a clear voice. “I was just hurt and scared. It’s all happening so quickly.”
“I know.”
And she hadn’t meant to scare him away or make him feel like he didn’t have a choice in the matter.
He meant more to her than he knew, more than she wanted to admit, and she hated how things had unfolded.
She didn’t know how to go back in time or make things better.
All she could do was offer her friendship and a promise to do better.
Charlotte knew she had no right to hope for anything else.
Patrick reached for one of her hands and squeezed. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. It just threw me; that’s all.”
Charlotte looked down at their intertwined fingers and then back up at his face. “You know, you don’t have to deal with any of this. I wouldn’t hold it against you.”
She didn’t want to get her hopes up only to have them dashed again.
Patrick’s lips lifted into the ghost of a smile. “You might not, but I would hold it against myself. I want to do this, Charlotte. I do.”
Silence stretched between them.
Charlotte swallowed past the pounding in her ears. “But?”
This was it, the catch she’d been waiting for; the other shoe was about to drop.
Patrick inched closer and shook his head. “There are no buts. We’re just going to have to take this one day at a time. I have no idea how any of this is going to go because this is all new to me, but for you…for the chance to be together, I want to try.”
Charlotte’s mouth turned dry. “I have no idea how it’s going to go, either.”
“That’s okay.”
“It’s nine months, Patrick,” Charlotte added, sighing. “It’s going to be a lot.”
Patrick nodded. “We’ll figure it out.”
Charlotte released a deep, staggering breath. “Yes, we will.”
As long as Patrick promised to hold her hand through it all, she had faith.
She liked their odds better already.
When the discharge papers finally came an hour later, Patrick helped her stand up and led her to the wheelchair. In spite of her protests, he wheeled her out of the ER down a series of hallways and in the direction of the exit.
Savannah caught up to them in the parking lot, face flushed with color and a knowing smile hovering on the edge of her lips. “You need any help?”
Patrick shook his head and hoisted Charlotte into his arms. “I’m going to take her home.”
Savannah patted his back and gave Charlotte a quick smile. “I’ll call you later, sis.”
Savannah wheeled the chair away and handed it to a nurse who stood near the front door. Then Patrick helped Charlotte settle into the passenger seat of his car and slammed the door shut. During the ride back home, he held her hand and rubbed his thumb along the inside of her wrist.
Patrick insisted on carrying her up the stairs, the smell and feel of him doing strange things to her insides. He waited for her to fall asleep, and in the morning, she found him asleep on the chair next to her bed. After a quick breakfast, Patrick was the one to drive her to her great-grandparents’ house for their anniversary lunch. After walking her to the door, he kissed her cheek, and she blushed.
The two of them locked eyes and didn’t look away until he got back in his car.
As soon as Charlotte walked in, Savannah found her and steered her toward the couch. There were Wilsons everywhere she looked, and Charlotte felt an overwhelming sense of peace and joy at seeing all of them, voices joined together. After having barbecue for lunch and a three-layered cake for dessert, Charlotte rose to her feet and tapped her glass.
One by one, everyone fell silent.
Underneath the table, Savannah squeezed her hand. Charlotte clutched her glass tighter and glanced over at her mother, who gave her a smile and a nod.
“Happy anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa.” Charlotte tilted her glass in their direction. “I know a million thank-yous will never be enough for everything you’ve done for us and everything you continue to do for us.”
A murmur of agreement rose.
Someone coughed, and Charlotte stood up straighter. “When I look around at all of your smiling and happy faces, I’m reminded of how lucky and blessed we all are to have each other.”
Another murmur of agreement rose.
“I don’t want to hijack the celebration,” Charlotte continued with a grimace. “So, I hope you’ll forgive me for doing just that, but I just couldn’t wait one more second to tell all of you.”
Everyone held their breath and leaned forward.
Charlotte’s stomach tightened, and her heart pounded against her ears. “You all know my friend, Addison, and her husband, Mason. As you all know, Addison is a cancer survivor, but after years of cancer and remission, the doctor told her she couldn’t carry her own kids. She’s been looking into surrogacy for a while…”
Savannah’s hand darted out again, and she gave her knee a firm squeeze.
Deep breaths. You’re going to be fine. You can do this.
“Addison is like a sister to me, so I wasn’t surprised that I wanted to help her, but when I realized it went beyond helping her look and being there for the surrogate, I realized what I actually wanted to do.”
Charlotte stopped, and her eyes darted around the dining room. She glanced at the table pushed next to it, which spilled out into the backyard, where more and more of the Wilson clan sat. A few of them were leaning against the pillow cushions and looking directly at her. Others were exchanging confused looks.
She hated being in the spotlight and didn’t like being the center of attention.
But she also knew if she didn’t tell them now, she was going to lose her nerve.
And they deserved better.
With trembling hands, Charlotte took a quick sip of her lemon iced tea, the cool liquid trickling down her throat. “I don’t know why it’s suddenly so hard for me to tell you.”
Savannah pushed her chair back with a screech. “My sister is an amazing person, and she wants you all to know that she has thought about this. She’s given it a lot of thought, and I think it’s a brave and wonderful thing to do.”
Charlotte leaned into Savanna’s side and inhaled. “Thank you.”
Savannah patted her shoulders and sat back down. “You’ve got this, sis.”
Charlotte took another sip of her drink, but her throat was still dry. She sucked in a harsh breath, counted backward from five, and released it. “A few weeks ago, I decided to approach Addison and Mason about being their surrogate.”
Everyone was so quiet that Charlotte thought they’d all stopped breathing.
Her great-grandparents exchanged a quick, startled look and glanced back at her.
“I went to the fertility clinic, and I got all the tests done, and when I was given the all clear, I sat down to talk to both of them and see what they thought,” Charlotte continued, her voice growing quieter and quieter. “They were shocked when I told them too, and they couldn’t believe it, but eventually, we all realized we wanted the same thing.”
She cast another quick glance around the room, but she couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze.
Come on, the hard part is over. You can do this. You’re more than halfway there already. Just say it.
Charlotte set down her drink, and her hand drifted to her stomach. “I’m carrying Addison and Mason’s baby. I think they’re going to make amazing parents, and I’m happy and proud to be a part of that journey with them.”
For a long time, nothing happened.
Emily hastily rose to her feet and raised her glass. “I, for one, am proud of my daughter. It isn’t easy to make a decision like this.”
Savannah jumped to her feet and picked up her glass too. “I’m proud of my sister too. She’s helping a good couple start their own family. It’s a great way to help.”
No one said anything for a while longer.
Charlotte’s shoulders slumped, and she sank into her seat. Savannah draped an arm over her shoulders and tucked her into her side. Then, Charlotte squeezed her eyes shut and began to wonder when she could leave. Given the deafening silence, she began to panic that they wanted her to leave right away so they wouldn’t have to look at her anymore.
Slowly, someone began to clap. Charlotte’s eyes flew open, and she saw her great-grandma Jen rising to her feet, weathered hands moving steadily, and a smile etched onto her face. A heartbeat later, Great-Grandpa Frank joined her, his entire face looking younger than she’d ever seen it.
The applause turned louder and louder until everyone was on their feet, cheering for her. Charlotte leaned away from Savannah, tears streaming steadily down her face. She could barely make out anything through her tears, but she was aware of her name being called and being passed around for hugs.
Her head was spinning until she was deposited onto the living room couch, wedged between her mother and sister. When she inhaled a deep breath and took it all in, Charlotte’s chest grew with emotion. She couldn’t believe how excited everyone was or how happy they were for her and the soon-to-be parents. A short while later, Addison and Mason were on the doorstep, and she barely had a chance to wave to them before they were swallowed whole by the crowd.
Once they emerged again, they were beaming and glancing at each other lovingly. Addison and Mason sat down next to her on the couch, and Charlotte’s happiness felt complete.
With her friends and family by her side, nothing was going to get in her way.