Page 48 of Never To Forever

A tense, awkward silence falls between us. Marie looks at a loss for words, and I don’t really know what to say either. This is all so overwhelming. Not only did I get a woman pregnant, but I got Marie pregnant. I’m supposed to take care of her, but instead, I’ve gotten her into a huge mess and thrown her life into chaos.

Fuck, how disappointed would Mom be in me right now? She would tell me I have to do the right thing. The responsible thing. I put Marie into this situation, and I’m not going to make her go through it alone.

“Um, what are you planning to do when you get out of the hospital?” I ask.

Marie shrugs. “Go home. Go to work. Basically, go back to normal.”

“Normal isn’t an option right now,” I declare. “I’m going to help take care of you and you’re going to take it easy until you are feeling better.”

“Garrett!” Haven exclaims. “You can’t just come in here and go all caveman on her like that.”

Marie’s jaw drops, and she shakes her head. “No, that’s not necessary, Garrett. I’m already feeling a lot better since they’ve given me some fluids. I’ll be fine.”

I have no doubt that she’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She’s been doing so for a long time, on top of taking care of everyone else—her demanding father and stepmother, and stepping up to look after her siblings even when she should be focusing on herself. Things are different now. She’s pregnant… withmybaby.

“I need to take responsibility for all this. For you, and for the baby. Besides, you helped me when I needed it. Now I’m returning the favor… sort of.”

That sounds too transactional, given that I’m the father of her child. Still, I’m not sure how else to approach this situation.

Marie gazes up at me with an expression that’s difficult to read and Haven lets out a low growl next to me.

“Garrett, you are so stupid,” my sister grumbles.

I shoot her a frown, confused. Before I can question her, Marie sighs.

“Is that the only reason you want to be involved?” she asks me softly. “Because you feel responsible? Obligated to do so?”

Looking between the two women, it’s clear I’ve made a mistake, but I don’t know what it is. I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I? Stepping up so Marie isn’t doing this by herself?

How am I the bad guy right now?

“I… I mean, yeah.” I shrug. “What other reasons would there be?”

“My God,” Haven groans, throwing up her hands and turning to walk right out of the room.

I watch her leave and turn back to Marie with a frown.

“What? What did I say?”

“It’s nothing,” she says under her breath. “Nevermind.”

Lying back down, she rolls onto her side so her back is to me and doesn’t say another word.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

MARIE

Steppingoutside for the first time in two days, I let the sun warm my face. I suck in a deep breath of fresh air and savor the fact that I don’t feel like I’m going to throw up. My doctor told me I might continue to experience strong nausea for a while yet, but that it should pass before too long.

“Marie, are you ready to go home?”

Garrett walks up to me. His truck is parked by the curb behind him. Seeing his concerned but determined expression makes my chest ache. God, why does he insist on doing this? Caring for me and helping me through the pregnancy? I know he feels obligated, and most women would be thrilled to have the man who got them pregnant step up and take responsibility, but I don’t feel good about this. I’m just another burden for him. Another mess he has to clean up.

That’s the last thing I want.

Swallowing, I slowly nod. “Yeah… yeah, I’m ready.”

He offers me his hand. I frown down at it before reluctantly taking it, too tired to argue. I just want to get home and burrow myself under my bedcovers and go to sleep.

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