Page 77 of Twenty Years Later

I heard another voice. "Doctor Hernandez? Sorry to interrupt, but room seven is ready for you."

"Okay, thanks," Alex said, sounding far off.

"You need to go."

"I do. I'm sorry. Work's been busy. I'll call you tonight, though. Okay?"

My heart suddenly felt so much lighter. "It's a date."

"And I'm already planning that next trip," he said in that sexy voice of his.

"I hope so. Because I heard from my doctor," I couldn't resist adding.

"Oh, yeah?" I could practically feel his eagerness coming through the phone. "And?"

"It's a yes," I said dramatically.

He groaned. "Screw it all. I'm getting on the next plane."

***

Immediately after we hung up, I checked my personal email where I'd forwarded Alex meal ideas weeks ago. And yep, he had sent quite a few emails, each one getting more and more desperate. It was obvious he had been just as worried about me as I had been about him.

After texting Kaileen with an update—and getting the scolding of a lifetime for not checking my personal email account more often—I practically floated around the house. If anyone had seen the perma-smile on my face, they would have wondered who the ridiculous pregnant lady was that broke into spontaneous dancing while picking up toys.

The joy stayed with me all through the evening and even more so after talking to Alex for hours where he'd had me rolling with laughter describing how he'd had to create all these social media accounts just to send me personal messages on my author pages... which I rarely checked anyway and certainly not my DMs.

Poor guy. He'd really tried.

He also explained more about Fiona's visit. I couldn't understand what she had actually hoped to accomplish. And honestly, he wasn't sure either. But it seemed she had just wanted Alex, and she was really confused and upset about the lingering feelings she'd been having ever since leaving.

He'd been clear to her that nothing could happen between them ever again. He'd also mentioned the door was open at any time if she ever wanted to get to know Gabby or be involved in her life somehow. But he admitted to me that he didn't think that would happen.

To be honest, I understood, though. Motherhood wasn't for everyone. Sometimes, it really sucked out your soul even if youwantedto be a mom. I'd explained to Alex that my friends and I had some very candid and hushed discussions about the dark side of motherhood that no one really liked to talk about.

Maybe I had shocked him. I didn't know. Moms were supposed to be saints in our society. But we were human too, I told him. And when a kid could ask 200 to 300 questions a day mixed in with meltdowns, well, even the most patient mom could be driven to hide in the bathroom with a can of Pringles. That had made him laugh, and he vowed to keep me supplied with chips.

But the best part of our conversation was the end when he had promised he was trying his best to come see me very soon. And unlike the previous two nights, I went to sleep with a heart full of hope.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jayda

The next day, that feeling of hope and love still carried me. I didn't know how Alex was going to pull it off and be here for me, but at least, I knew he wanted to, like really, really wanted to, and that made all the difference to that beating thing in my chest.

Blake's dad called in the morning for an impromptu video chat with Audrey, and after twenty minutes of her showing him all her dolls, I asked if I could talk to him alone. He was the only family left from Blake's side, and he was a sweet man, maybe a little goofy sometimes but still very kind.

I flicked on the TV for Audrey since that was the only way to guarantee no interruptions which I definitely did not want. And then I snuck into my office downstairs and shut the door.

"What's up, Jayda?"

He was definitely curious since our conversations were usually with Audrey right there in the middle adding her two cents.

"Well..." I felt sick all the sudden. We didn't usually talk about Blake except maybe in passing but nothing serious since he had died. "Gosh, I don't know how to even start."

He smiled broadly. "Let me guess."

Hmm, that was curious. "Okay. Sure. Go ahead."

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