Page 60 of Infinite
She’s too good to me. Just like everyone else in my life.
“No problem. I’ll send you the information for Dr. Danton so you can get in touch to see if you can help. I’ll reach out to him as well . . . in case you lose his number.”
“You know me too well.”
“I do. Take care and don’t be a stranger.”
“One more thing,” I say before she can hang up.
“Yes?”
I release a heavy breath as I prepare to ask the question that I didn’t think I’d ever want to know. “Can you tell me . . . the baby we lost . . . I’d like to,” I stammer, trying to keep myself from breaking down. “I’d like to give the baby a name.”
Clara is quiet for a moment and then she clears her throat. “Would you like to know the gender?”
“Please,” I say around a breath.
“It was a girl.”
I close my eyes, letting the tear fall down my face. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry, Ashton. Please, don’t ever be afraid to reach out to me. I’m your friend, and I care very deeply about you. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I won’t,” I promise.
We hang up right as the driver parks in front of the house. I do my best to push my tears aside and hold on to the words she said.
A girl. It was a little girl, just like I always thought.
I stare at the house, trying to place why there’s a sense of ease that’s washed over me. I’ve only spent a few minutes inside it, but it feels like home.
It’s not the house, it’s the person inside. Quinn is where I belong—always.
I exit and make my way to the door. I don’t have a key or a plan, I have only hope and a lot of apologies.
I ring the doorbell, but no one answers. I could call him, but I don’t want to give him a reason not to come home, so I sit on the steps, looking out at the ocean.
There are families out near the water, enjoying the sun. I can faintly make out Natalie’s house. I remember what she said about coming by and that she thought it would be good to be close. She deserves an apology too.
I gather my purse, put my bag over on the corner of the porch where no one will touch it, and make my way down.
The sand feels good between my toes, and I recall the last time I was at the beach with Quinn. We were so happy. He was excited about the baby and I was ready to move down here for him. I remember the smiles and how he carried me off the beach as we laughed together.
There’s a noise that stops me, and I glance up to find a little girl screaming as she runs. Aarabelle is outside her house as Quinn chases her. She goes in circles and then stops and then jumps with her hands out as if she’s going to tickle him, and he takes off.
I stand watching them, my heart beating loudly. There’s no sadness in the moment he enjoys his niece, and she’s clearly happy with her uncle. They keep going and then he starts to run my way but halts as soon as our eyes meet.
Aarabelle keeps running and then stops beside him. “Auntie Ashton!”
I lift my hand to wave. “Hi.”
She darts toward me, her blonde ringlets bouncing in the wind as she barrels at full speed. I squat down and wrap her in my arms.
“I missed you,” she tells me as she plays with my hair.
“I missed you too.”
I wonder if anyone can resist the love of this child. She gives it so freely you can’t help but take it. I hold her close, and she moves her hands to my cheeks. “You look so pretty.”
