Page 75 of Beauty Of Her

“Can’t you guys make it work?” Sara pleaded.

And I was dead. I stood there, paralyzed by Sara's words. The pain in her eyes mirrored the ache in my heart. "Sara," I began softly, "your mom and I... we tried. We really did." My voice wavered with the weight of regret. "But sometimes, love just isn't enough."

Sara’s shoulders sagged. “Zoe told me that’s what Mom said to her. But neither of us believes it.” She crossed her arms.

"The two of you are miserable.” Her voice choked with tears. "You make each other happy. Why can't you figure it out?"

I ran my hands through my hair, tugging at its roots. “I’m not sure, kiddo. Sometimes, you can’t pinpoint exactly why it didn’t work. Some things just aren’t meant to be.”

“That’s kinda harsh.”

“That’s life.” I shrugged, feeling the finality of a strange weight settling on my chest, crushing my heart even more. Was I giving up too soon? If one of us budged, could Julia and I make it work? I looked into Sara's tear-filled eyes, searching for an answer to comfort her. But all I found was uncertainty and a longing for things to be different. "Sara," I began, my voice filled with resignation. “I think we should call your mom. She’s probably losing her mind.”

Sara nodded, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, dialing her mom's number with trembling fingers.

After a few rings, Julia's voice crackled through the speaker. "Sara? Oh my God, where are you? Are you okay?" There was a mixture of relief and panic in her tone.

"I'm at Brett's apartment building," Sara sniffled. “Are you mad?”

Julia took a deep breath, her voice shaking. "No, sweetheart. I'm not mad. I'm just really worried. Please, tell me you're okay."

Sara glanced up at me, and I nodded, silently encouraging her to speak the truth. "I'm okay, Mom," she said, her voice steady. "I just needed to see Brett and talk to him."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Julia responded, her tone laced with concern. "Alright, Sara. I understand. Can I talk to Brett for a second?”

Sara’s eyes shifted to me, sniffing hard. She held out the phone and sighed. “Mom wants to talk to you.”

I took the phone from Sara's outstretched hand, my heart pounding. Not hearing Julia’s voice for a few weeks had been torture, and suddenly, knowing I was about to hear it in a few seconds sent a flood of warmth throughout my body.

"Julia," I uttered.

"Brett," she said softly. "I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

“Well, that’s what happens when your daughter shows up at my apartment.” I grinned at Sara, who smiled back.

A small laugh escaped her throat. “Zoe and I will be over soon to get Sara. Figure about twenty minutes.” She exhaled. “I thought I was going to die, Brett. Sara has never done anything like this. If anything, I always thought Zoe would be the one to run away.”

We both laughed, but the tone suddenly shifted. “Everything’s going to be okay, Jules.”

“I hope so.” Her voice sounded so weak. “I’ll see you soon.” And then Julia hung up.

Sara and I went to my apartment and waited for Julia to arrive. During the minutes that passed, I whipped up a ridiculous amount of eggs, maybe hoping Julia would join us. Suddenly, hope filled my lungs, heart, and brain. Maybe I was a gullible man or someone who was foolishly in love with another person who may never let me in, but being here with Sara and knowing Julia was on her way to see me made me realize she was enough. I didn’t need all the outside things people expected to come with a relationship. A house bought together, a baby born from love, no. That wasn’t what I needed. Julia was my anecdote to this unwavering ache, this empty void in my heart. She was all I needed because loving her was enough. We could have a family with Sara and Zoe. They were enough. With them, I felt at home within whatever four walls I found myself. I just needed Julia to see that I meant it without those creeping doubts and lingering scars from the past sneaking up and tarnishing us beyond repair.

As I finished cooking the eggs, the sound of a car pulling up outside reached my ears. I glanced out the window and saw Julia stepping out of her car with Zoe trailing behind. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn't help but wonder what was happening in Julia's mind. Did she feel this abrupt notion of giving us a second and final chance? Because I was ready to. I was always the more impulsive one in this relationship. Still, all my decisions and instincts I had followed brought me to this moment. How wrong could I have been if it meant ending up with Julia?

Minutes later, the buzzer shattered the silence in the apartment, and I dodged to press the button. I didn’t even bother asking if it was Julia. I just knew. I swung open the door and was met with Julia's piercing gaze. She looked tired, her eyes lined with exhaustion, but there was a glimmer of hope in them that hadn't been there before. Behind her, Zoe stood, peering cautiously around her mother's shoulder. I smiled warmly, inviting them inside.

"Hey," I said softly, my voice filled with nervousness and excitement. "Come on in."

Julia didn’t hesitate when her eyes locked with Sara on the other side of the room. She ran to her daughter, picking Sara up in her arms. Julia silently sobbed into Sara’s sweatshirt before pulling her back at arm’s length. “You scared the shit out of me, you know that?”

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Sara’s eyes dropped to the floor and remained there.

Julia's gaze shifted from Sara to me as if we spoke volumes without uttering words. “You can never do that again. You promise?”

Sara nodded silently, lifting her watery eyes. Julia frowned and embraced the fragile girl again, swaying. While Julia and Sara shared their moment, Zoe and I locked eyes, each grinning awkwardly.

“I just want to say I’m slightly offended how everyone assumed I would be the one to pull something like this,” Zoe said, holding up a finger. “But I’ll let it slide this time.” She sniffed the air. “What smells good?”

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