Page 12 of Loving London

Sarah calls the pizza place and places our order. Then, she heads back outside with a, “I’ll be right back.”

A minute later, she’s dragging two large suitcases through the front door. I stare at the huge bags as she says, “I’ll get the rest later. What I really need is to take a shower and brush my teeth. I’ve been driving for the past nineteen hours. I’m severely gross at the moment. So, I’m assuming I’ll be taking Cooper and Maggie’s old room?”

My gaze jumps from her bags to her face. “Sarah, what are you doing?”

“Um, unloading my car.” She looks at me with a squint. “What do you think I’m doing?”

I run my fingers through my longer than normal hair. “I’m honestly not sure,” I respond with a scoff. “Can we sit and talk for a minute?”

She releases the hold on her suitcases and brings a hand up to my shoulder. As she rubs gently, she says, “Of course.”

We take a seat on the couch.

“Seriously, I feel like I’m not understanding something. I’m happy to see you, of course. But why are you here?” I ask.

Sarah leans back a fraction, looking shocked. “Because you are,” she states simply.

I let out a sigh. “You’ve got to give me something. I feel like you’re talking in code. Why are you here? How long are you staying? Spill the details, please, without making me pry them out of you,” I say, attempting not to sound completely annoyed. “And, holy hell, the baby?” I motion toward her round belly. “What is going on?”

“I always said that, when you got back from Afghanistan, I was going to move up to Michigan to live close to you. When you called a couple of weeks ago, you told me that you were getting back today. I just assumed that, since you now live here alone, I would just stay here with you for the time being. I mean, I can find a place of my own after I get a job, if you want. But I really think it’s best that I live here with you. I can help you.”

I stop her. “I don’t need your help, Sarah.”

“Just…” She holds up a hand to stop me. “You do need me. You need someone, Loïc. Please don’t push me away because you’re too stubborn for your own good. You might think you don’t need anyone, but you do. Everyone needs someone.” Her blue eyes scan my body, and her stare falls on my metal leg that’s visible beneath my shorts.

I explained everything to her when I called her from Walter Reed, including the injury to my leg. Yet I’m sure that seeing it and hearing about it are two different things.

“I’m not in a good place right now. I’m no fun to be around. I’m simply…” I let out a pained breath. There’s so much I want to say, but I can’t find the words for any of it.

“I don’t care. I will be here for you. I love you, Loïc. You’ve always been there for me, even when I was at my worst.Especiallywhen I was at my worst.” She shakes her head, as if to ward off horrible memories from the past. “You saved me over and over again. I wouldn’t be here without you.” Her voice falters as her eyes shine with unshed tears.

“But—” I start to say.

She cuts in before I can finish my thought, “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through in the past six months. I’ve read up a little on PTSD. I Googled news articles about other soldiers who went through similar experiences as you.” Her eyes drop again to my leg before she darts them back up to my face. “I know I won’t be perfect. I’ll make mistakes, probably most of the time, but I’m going to try my hardest to be the person you need.”

“I’m not in a good place, Sarah,” I state again, putting emphasis on each word.

She places her hand on my good knee. “And that’s why you need me. Listen, you loved me and took care of me. It’s my turn to take care of you. Do you understand? Let me love you, Loïc. Please let me stay,” she pleads.

“Of course you can stay. That’s not the issue. I just don’t want you to feel obligated to take care of me. I’m fine on my own.”

“I know you are.” She smiles. “You’re the strongest person I know. I want to be here for you. I need to help you. Think of it like you’re doing me a favor.” She winks, and it brings a small smile to my face.

I nod my head. “Okay, fine. On one condition.”

“What’s that?” she asks eagerly.

“Tell me what the hell is up with your round belly.”

“Oh, right.” She giggles. “Well, I’m pregnant.”

“We covered that.”

She bites her lip before saying, “I’m not completely sure who the father is although I’m pretty confident it’s a one-night stand I had.”

“Does he know?”

She shakes her head. “No. I don’t even know his last name or where he’s from. I seriously know zero about the dude. I was quite tipsy when we hooked up. I don’t remember much of it.”

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