Page 185 of In the Air Tonight

“I had a lot of help.”

“And now you’re paying it forward by helping other young women who’ve been through what you did.”

“It’s very rewarding work.”

“Another reason why I’m so proud.”

I went to school nights and weekends for a year to get trained to work with the girls at the rape crisis center. At first, Kane and Dad were worried that it would be too much for me. At times, it is. But oh how I wish I’d had the kind of resources we make available to teenage girls in crisis. That would’ve made a huge difference for me, so I know I’m making a difference for them.

Charlotte and Levi come running in from outside to tell me they’ve finished putting the balloons around the yard.

The doorbell rings.

Kane rubs his hands together. “Let the madness begin.”

Blaise

“One more big push, Blaise. You’ve got this.”

I don’t have this. Not at all. I’m out of my mind from the pain, the pressure, the exhaustion and I’m freakingstarving.

“I’m so proud of you, babe,” Jack says as he wipes the sweat from my brow with a cool cloth that’s the best thing I’ve ever felt.

“Here we go!” the peppy midwife says. Even her name—Poppy—is peppy.

I want to smack the peppiness right out of her.

Jack supports my shoulders as I give a mighty push thatfinallyyields results, nearly twenty-four hours after my water broke at home.

“Your beautiful baby girl is here!” Poppy announces.

Only when Jack wipes them away do I realize tears are streaming down my cheeks.

“You did it, Red. She’s gorgeous.”

They bring her to me, wrapped in a soft white blanket, and with one glance at her delicate features, I see he’s right. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“Oh, wow, look at her.” He wipes away his own tears. “She’s stunning just like her mother.”

“You have to say that. You caused all this.”

“Yes, I did.” He puffs his chest the way he has since we found out I was pregnant. “And P.S., it’s the truth. She looks just like you.”

I don’t see that, but I lack the strength to debate anything right now. I just want to stare at the baby I’d once thought I’d never have, back when my life was a complete mess. Hindsight has shown me that. Everything was a mess for the entire fourteen years I kept that dreadful secret.

The minute I told Houston what I’d seen, it was like my real life was finally able to begin.

Jack Olsen has been at the center of that new life.

We got married a year ago in a small, informal gathering in the yard at home. My entire family was there, along with a few unlikely friends, including Houston Rafferty and Caroline Elliott. I was shocked to hear of that pairing when they went public and wary of being around her at first, but she’s lovely. She bears me no ill will for the role I played in the demise of her marriage, which is remarkable.

She’s an example of grace and perseverance, and I’ve come to admire her for the way she’s carried on with her life.

Against all odds, Denise Messner has also become a close friend one text at a time over the last couple of years. She’s one of many people awaiting word of the baby’s arrival.

Life is such a strange and awful and wonderful journey.

I’ve also happened into a whole new career thanks to Jack, managing him and two of his RISD classmates. The work is fun, interesting and challenging, and that I get to spend most of every day with him is the best kind of bonus.

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