Page 42 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

It wasn’t just the pregnancy that was weighing on me—I was carrying a decade of unanswered questions, unspoken truths, and uncertainty about what lay ahead. Yet, beneath the swirling anxiety, a quiet, persistent hope thrummed within me, urging me to reclaim my love with my high school sweetheart for good. The memories of our laughter, dreams, and innocent love lingered, reminding me of the bond we once shared. It felt as though fate was nudging me, whispering that some connections are meant to endure the passage of time.

As I approached Beaver Creek, memories flooded back. This was where it all began - stolen moments with Cory, dreamswhispered under the stars. Now, after years, I was returning to face him and his parents with unexpected news.

I turned onto Hawthorne Street and saw Cory's father's hardware store. The old wooden sign hung above the door, faded but still there. I imagined the store transforming into something bigger with the arrival of the Horizon Foundation. Would Cory leave Dallas and come back here? How would his decision affect me, Jake, and our baby? And how would Grandpa Prescott's millions change my life?

My stomach tightened as I pulled into Cory's childhood home. The house stood just as I remembered, with a sturdy and welcoming presence. I grabbed my purse and stepped out of the car, feeling the crisp autumn air on my cheeks. Each step up the familiar porch brought a new wave of anticipation.

I barely had a chance to knock before the door swung open, revealing Cory’s mother with a warm smile that instantly eased some of my nerves. “Elena! What a lovely surprise. Come in, come in.”

From the backyard, I could hear Cory’s laughter mingling with the deeper tones of his father’s voice. The sounds reflected an easy rhythm of a family connection, which only heightened my apprehension.

“Thank you, Mrs. Harrison,” I said as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of her cologne wrapping around me like a blanket. “I hope it’s alright—I thought I’d drop by.”

“Of course, it’s alright! We were so thrilled when Cory told us you two had found each other again,” she replied, her eyes twinkling. “He’s been talking about you and Jake nonstop lately. He seems like a changed man… much happier than before.”

Her words made my heart skip a beat. The weight of the news I carried felt even more significant now.

Cory came in from the backyard, his flannel sleeves rolled up, and faint dirt smudges on his forearms. His expression softened as he saw me and smiled.

“Elena,” he said with pleasant surprise. “I wasn’t expecting you. We’re just doing some yard work.”

I smiled back, trying to calm the nervous flutter in my chest. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Not at all,” he replied quickly, his gaze flicking briefly toward his parents before landing back on me. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” I assured him, catching the flicker of concern in his eyes. “Jake’s at school—Sarah dropped him off this morning and will pick him up later. I just…” I hesitated, suddenly very aware of his parents nearby. “I wanted to talk. Maybe we could take a quick walk?”

His brows lifted slightly in curiosity. “Of course.”

Mrs. Harrison nodded knowingly from the doorway. “Go on, take your time,” she said, waving us off.

We walked on the quiet sidewalk, surrounded by crisp autumn air. Cory put his arm around me, steady and grounding as I searched for words.

"So," he asked gently, "what's on your mind?"

I glanced down at the path ahead, my steps slowing. “It’s about my doctor’s appointment this morning.”

Cory stopped walking, turning to face me, concern flickering across his features. “How did it go?”

“It went okay,” I said quickly, touching his arm. “Better than okay, actually.”

His brows lifted, his lips parted slightly as if waiting for me to explain. My heart thudded as I took a deep breath. “Cory, I’m pregnant.”

For a second, he just stared at me, his eyes wide with surprise. Then, slowly, a smile broke across his face, lighting up his entire expression. “You’re serious?”

I nodded, and before I could say another word, he swept me into his arms, lifting me off the ground as a laugh bubbled out of him.

“Cory!” I gasped, clutching his shoulders as he spun me around.

He set me down gently, his hands lingering protectively on my waist. “Oh, wait—maybe I shouldn’t have done that. Are you okay? Did I?—”

“I’m fine,” I said, cutting him off with a laugh. “Better than fine.”

His grin widened as he leaned in, resting his forehead against mine. “Elena, this is… amazing. I don’t even know how to describe how happy I am. I love you, and I can’t imagine life without you, Jake, and now our… our baby.”

Tears pricked my eyes as I whispered, “I love you too.”

For a little while, we just stood there, wrapped in each other and the magnitude of the moment. Cory’s hands came up to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing lightly across my cheeks as he studied me with wonder.

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