Page 138 of Gracefully Yours

“Yeah.” I nodded, trying not to dry heave. I hadn’t kept anything down all day, so there was nothing left to come up, anyway.

“Go home,” she whispered. “To Mom’s. I got everything here. I’ll tell her you weren’t feeling good and you can get in a good nap.”

“Are you sure? I know you wanted some time to bond with your new baby…”

She waved me off. “We’ve got plenty of time for that. Besides, we’re a family of four now, you know? I just want to savor all these moments while they’re this little. Charlotte, it’s… It’s not just a bug, is it?” Lavender asked as I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder.

Tears pricked at my eyes as I shook my head. “No. We’ve been trying and I’m…”I’m late.

“Have you taken a test?”

I swallowed roughly. “Not yet. I can’t...” Not without him. I needed him by my side. He wanted this just as much as I did. So I couldn’t.

And I was being a coward and hiding in California. He’d told me to go, and I’d gone. But being here wasn’t right. It was all wrong. Because he wasn’t here. He’d said he’d come, and I’d told him no.

“Call your husband, Charlotte. Tell him, and he’ll be here.” She offered me a small smile. “You know he will. Because that man—he loves you. So much. I think he always has.”

I looked up at her, cradling her baby against her chest, and I wondered if she was right.

“You think so?”

She nodded. “He’s looked at you like you were his entire world since college, Charlotte. I was just surprised it took you this long to realize it. But I’m glad it worked out for the two of you. It’s good to see you this happy. Now, go. Before I call Mom and make her drag you home yourself.”

“Okay.” I agreed. “I love you.”

She wrapped an arm around me, hugging me tightly. “I love you too, Char. Now go. Call your man.”

Getting back to Mom’s house, I peeled off my sports bra and leggings as I hopped in the shower. Letting the water rush over me, I let the tears drip from my eyes, even though I didn’t know why I was crying. Finally, when I got out and wrapped a fluffy towel around my clean body, I forced myself to do the thing I’d been avoiding.

I picked up my phone and hit his name.

It barely even rang before he picked up, and he hadn’t even gotten a word out when I spoke.

“Daniel… I know I told you not to come, but… I need you.” The tears were flowing down my face, and all I wanted to do was bury myself in his arms. Where I felt safe. “I don’t want to be alone,” I whispered.

“You’re never alone,” he murmured, something that felt a lot more like a promise than just a casual statement. “I’m on my way, baby, okay? I’ll be there as soon as I can get on a flight.”

I nodded into the phone, even though he couldn’t hear me. “Okay,” I whispered back.

* * *

I’d spentmost of the day curled up in my bed, only finally heading downstairs that night in search of food that might curb my appetite. I was sick all morning, but I’d barely eaten anything today, and now I was practically ravenous.

Standing in the kitchen, I closed my eyes, picturing Daniel’s face.He’s coming,I reminded myself.He’ll come get you, and then you can go home, and—

“Charlotte?” my mom asked, but I couldn’t quite focus on her face.

I blinked, the rush of dizziness hitting me again. But it was different this time. I tried to grip the top of a barstool as another round of nausea hit me.

Morning sickness my ass,I scowled, but the thought didn’t last long. “I don’t feel so good, mom,” I got out, hoping I’d managed to put together a string of coherent words as I swayed on my feet.

She rushed over to me. “What do you need, honey?”

“Daniel. Call Daniel,” I said, and then everything went black.

CHAPTER34

Daniel

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