Page 67 of Second Chances

“How are you feeling?”

“Good.”

“I’m glad.”

We’re suddenly aware of everyone having fallen silent in the room.

“I know this goes against everything the rehab manual says you should do after coming out, but Elena Lopez, I can’t live another moment without you. I need you at my side always. Will you marry me?”

“I don’t care if it goes against everything.” Tears form in my eyes. “Yes, I want to marry you…but…there is something I need to tell you first.”

A collective gasp goes up around the room, and Ryan’s mouth opens and closes as though he’s trying to find the right words to say. Worrying that what I’m about to tell him will be horrible, but it won’t be. To me it’s the greatest thing ever.

I slide one of my hands out from Ryan’s hold and place it on my stomach.

“Out of all the tragedy came a little miracle. I’m pregnant.”

Ryan’s eyes go wide.

“Pregnant with my baby.”

“Yes. It’s perfectly healthy according to the doctors. They had a specialist come in and check on me.”

“It really is a miracle.”

“I know.”

I turn my head slightly to Miranda and see tears streaming down her face.

“The new generation in this house starts now,” she whispers.

“It really does.” Ryan pulls me into his arms and nods to the priest to start the ceremony.

I never see my mother again, after that day, but it doesn’t matter because, just like Ryan, I’ve found the family I truly deserve.

I finally believe in second chances.

THE END.

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