Page 82 of All Your Firsts Without Me

My heart stutters. Shit, she did, but then Fred passed away and we found out we were having a baby and I forgot all about it.

“These coordinates,” she motions between our matching bracelets. “They lead to the place it all began.” Her eyes drop back to the photo in her hand.

She falters back on her butt. “I loved Kathryn so much,” she cries. I get down on the ground with her, pulling her into my arms. “It was her I thought of in that basement. I dreamed of her family, holding out hope for having one of my own someday.”

April turns to face me, cradling my scruffy cheeks in her hands. “She saved me. She’s the one who alerted the authorities. She’s the reason David was there that day.”

We stare at each other as we absorb the words she just said out loud.

David knew. Of course, he knew. My friends told me he had been digging up information on me. I didn’t care, I didn’t have anything to hide. My intentions were pure. I just wanted to meet the woman who gave me inspiration.

Why didn’t he just tell us?

My guess is, he wanted us to build a strong foundation on our own. He wanted us to fall in love first. This revelation was meant to be the cherry on top.

We spend the rest of the day at my house going through memories of my past. April listens to my old stories, remaining quiet. It’s so easy to talk to her.

“This is amazing. I’ve always wanted to know more about her,” April says. She stands up, placing her hands on her hips. “We have to hang these up. Its time, don’t you think?”

I nod and we set to work hanging frame after frame. “Will you move in with me?” I ask, holding one up for her inspection.

“Bring the left side down a little,” she says, ignoring my question.

My heart sinks. She’s not ready. The thought of us living apart when the baby comes breaks my heart.

I follow her into the spare bedroom. She sets a picture of my mom and dad on the dresser. “Don’t you think this would make a great nursery?” she asks. “We could put the bookshelf there,” she points to the corner of the room.

When she notices my relief, she rushes over to me, wrapping her arms around me tightly. “Of course, I’m going to live with you. I thought we were getting married,” she teases.

“You had me worried for a minute.”

“My child is going to know her father. She’s a lucky little girl because he’s going to teach her to play the guitar and how to throw a football,” she adds.

A laugh erupts deep in my chest. “We’re going to have to start thinking of names for her.” I get down on my knees to speak to my daughter. “What do you want your name to be?” I lay my ear against April’s stomach, pretending to listen for the reply.

April runs her fingers through my hair as I spit out the possibilities to her belly.

“How about Kathryn?” she interrupts.

Staring up at her, I smile. “You would name her after my mother?”

“I would love to name her after your mother,” she says sincerely.

“Hello, little Kathryn. I can’t wait to meet you.” I wrap my arms around April squeezing her bottom for good measure. She swats me in the arm, but I know she loves it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

April

Westin fills the squirrel feeder as I sit down on the grass. When he’s finished, he joins me, wrapping his arms around his knees.

“You can go first,” I tell him.

He flashes me a nervous smile before speaking. “Hey, man, it’s us. Yep, us. But I’m sure she’s already told you.” He nudges my knee with his, making me laugh lightly.

“David and I have had many conversations about us,” I admit.

Westin continues, “We wanted you to be the first to know. Well, the third, but only because Jeff and Teresa were there. But anyway, we’re having a baby.”

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