Page 139 of Gracefully Yours

“Where’s my wife?” I barked as the door opened, not caring who stood behind it.

The last eight hours had been chaos, trying to get on a flight and get down to her after she called me. But I didn’t mind one bit. I’d missed her too much, hurt too much without having her by my side. I’d known it wasn’t forever, but I still couldn’t stand us being apart. Charlotte was the missing piece that made me feel complete, and I was taking her home.

Because we were supposed to be together.

Matthew and Noelle had agreed to keep Brownie until we got back, knowing that I needed to be with her.

Her dad pointed me up the stairs. “Second door on the right.”

I nodded my thanks, not even stopping for ahello,or ahow are you, sir?I had one goal in mind, a singular focus driving me.

Charlotte.

I eased open her childhood bedroom door, walking into the quiet room. It was funny, after all this time, seeing where she grew up. The light pink glittery walls, the dance trophies that sat on her shelf. A small collection of books that she must have read when she was younger. The fairy wings I assumed she’d used for her Tinkerbell costume. All these little pieces of her life, coming together to make one complete picture. Every part of her made her who she was, the strong, resilient girl who jumped to help her family, even when they didn’t deserve it.

Thank goodness her dad had let me in, showing me upstairs to her room.

“Charlotte?” I called out, not hearing any movement inside the room. “Love?”

“I’m in here,” her voice called from the bathroom, sniffling. My backpack hit the floor with a thud, and I realized I had no idea what was inside. Without wasting any time, I packed my things and left as soon as I received the call.

Pulling open the bathroom door, I found her tear-stained face, her arms wrapped around her knees as she hugged herself tight.

“Baby,” I whispered, and pulled her into my arms.

“You’re here,” she breathed, nuzzling her nose into my neck.

“I’m here,” I agreed. “And I’m never going to let you leave again. Not without me, at least.” Agreeing to this had been painful. I should have just gone, but then I would have had to explain why exactly my biggest project for work right now wasn’t exactlymyproject anymore. And I thought I’d keep that explanation in my pocket for just a little longer.

“Good.” Charlotte nodded against my skin. “Can you just… hold me for a bit?”

“Is everything okay?”

She shook her head as I picked her up and carried her to the king-sized bed, where I leaned against the propped pillows with her still in my arms, legs draped over my lap.

“Charlotte.” I kept my voice low, tipping her head up to meet mine. “When your Mom called, she told me…” That she was bleeding. And sick. I’d immediately feared the worst. Especially with her passing out.

She winced. “I might have overreacted. It was just a bit of spotting. But that, combined with the dizziness… I thought…”

I frowned. “You passed out.”

“I’m okay. But it turns out that more than just running after a two-year-old with very little water can make you feel a little faint.” She paused. “And nauseous.” She slid my hand over her stomach. “I was just ignoring all the signs because you weren’t here.”

The signs.I blinked. “You’re…”

“It’s still pretty early, and I haven’t even taken a test yet, but… I missed my period.”

“Charlotte…” I murmured, interlacing our hands. She hadn’t even said the words yet, and my heart was already thrumming in my chest.

She nodded. “At least, I’m pretty sure I am. I hope I am, otherwise you came down here for nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, baby.” I smoothed a hand over her hair as I held her. “No matter where you are, if you need me, I’ll always come for you.”

The woman who didn’t even know how much I loved her. Something I would fix as soon as possible, because I was a fool. God, she was carrying our baby, and I’d foolishly told her to come here without me. To do what she needed to do for her family, and then come home to me.

“I didn’t want to do it without you,” she said, silent tears—happy tears—dripping down her cheeks, which I wiped away with my thumbs. “I couldn’t do it without you.”

“You don’t have to,” I said, kissing her hand softly. “I’m here now.”

---