Page 48 of Beautiful Storm

We fall silent again, but while he’s not saying anything, I can sense his mind whirling. And I get it. It’s a lot for him to take in without processing time. He deserves time to think, but I have to give him some credit for how he’s taking it.

“I should go,” I say, giving him his time. “It’s been a long week. I’m tired and I’m sure you could use a moment.”

Luke stares at me, unmoving, and a panic sets in.Is this what a Luke Bennett breakdown looks like?

“Luke, are you okay?”

“Far from it,” he rasps before shaking his head. And the next time he looks at me, the confident Luke is back. “None of this is about me…or you. It’s about the baby. All you need to know is that I’ll be there for it. I want to help. Just let me know what you need.”

I nod as I rush out a thanks with no idea what else I can say to that. In fact, I have no idea what to say about any of this. I was prepared to fight and defend myself. Like I had to in the beginning. But Luke…he didn’t even ask me how it happened. This rational version of him is unnerving.

I grab my bag from the table and walk toward the front door. As I move into the hallway, a noise at the other end of the house draws my attention, making me freeze.Is someone here?All this time, I assumed we were alone, but I spin around to find a beautiful dog at the back door, paws up on the glass, staring in my direction, like it’s watching me. And when Luke steps into view, it bounces around playfully.

Something about the dog's happiness eases my mind. Maybe Luke isn’t as closed off to feelings as he leads people to believe.

“I’m coming, pup,” he calls out, laughing at the dog’s reaction. “Just give me a moment.” He turns back to face me and I see it. For the first time since we were kids, I see genuine love in his eyes. The love he used to project when talking about his little sister, no matter how annoying he thought she was. The love he used to project when promising me he’d always have my back.

At that thought, the warmth inside me subsides faster than it came, making way for a deep pit to form, and I hate that I’m questioning things but… “Can we really do this? Considering everything between us.”

Having a baby with Luke doesn’t change what he’s done… What I’ve done… How can we possibly do this without fucking it up?

“Plenty of people co-parent that don’t get along. It’s all about showing up for your kids.” His eyes flash to mine, and I see the moment he regrets what he said. “Fuck, Amelia. I didn’t mean—”

“Forget it.” I brush it off. “That was then. This is now. And you’re right. Plenty of people do it and so can we. I’ll see you at work, and I’ll let you know when you’re needed.”

Without another word, I walk away, refusing to peer back at him until I’m settled in my car, Luke’s words running on repeat in my mind.

“It’s all about showing up for your kids.”

Something my dad didn’t do.

I guess that’s one less thing for me to worry about, because at least Luke knows that.

Even if it’s the very thing that tore us apart in the first place.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Amelia - Age Eleven

Dear Diary

When my grandpa first gave me this book, he told me to fill it with all the things I loved about the world and I thought it would be easy. I had so many things to say. But then he died. My gut reaction was to burn every last page until my mom gave me a letter he’d written me, telling me it was his time and that he was happy. He was still filling his pages with love. In Heaven.

I made a promise that day to continue to smile and I kept that promise right up until yesterday. When my dad and my best friendmade me break it. And now I don’t know what to write. I don’t have anything good to say.

But I’m trying.

Love always, Amelia Rosenberg

x

I stare at the door, my fingers curled into the silk of my dress. The dress I bought especially for Dad because it’s the same olive-green color as my eyes—his favorite color.

“Fifth grade, can youpleasetake your seats. Your parents will be arriving soon.” My nervousness builds as our principal attempts to shush the room, and when none of the students listen, I know we have about three seconds before—

“Students! Seats.Now. Or I willnotbe opening these doors and you’ll remain elementary students for the rest of your days.”

I roll my eyes at her awful attempt to scare us. No one will believe—

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