Page 98 of Your Second Chance
“Scarlett with aneon the end,” Ollie said.
I nodded, feeling the name settle in my heart. “Scarlette Cecilia Thatcher.”
Ollie’s head snapped toward me, surprise flashing across his face.
“Not just hers. I finally changed mine back, too.”
“She’s beautiful, sweetheart,” Mae said, her voice filled with love.
I smiled down at the baby, my heart full and heavy all at once. “Yeah, she is.”
We hung up with Aunt Mae, and it was time to go. Luna breezed back into the room with a wheelchair while we packed up the last of the bags. Ollie had insisted on carrying the baby’s car seat.
The hallway was quiet as we walked out, the nurse leading the way. Luna leaned down as we walked, her voice a low murmur in my ear. “That is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
I followed her gaze to Ollie, who was ahead of us. His muscles flexed effortlessly as he carried Scarlette in the car seat, his stride steady and sure. It was undeniably attractive—the way he carried himself, the way he carried her—but it wasn’t about that. It was what he represented. Safety. Stability. Warmth.
For so long, I was cold inside, the sadness and fear threatening to consume me. But with Ollie, it all seemed to fade. His presence thawed the edges of my heart, filling me with something I hadn’t felt in years: peace.
By the time we reached the car, my emotions swelled to the point that I couldn’t hold back. As Ollie gently secured the car seat in place, I stood there watching him, my chest bursting with fullness.
When he turned back, I stepped forward, grabbing onto him, wrapping my arms tightly around his middle. “I love you,” I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. “So much.”
His arms came around me instantly, holding me close, his chin resting lightly on my head.
Because the world seemed brighter, warmer, and so much better with Ollie in it. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I truly believed things would be okay.
37
nova
4 Months Later
“How’s my baby? I missed her so much while I was in Dubai,” Luna cooed as she walked over to pick up Scarlette from her bouncer.
The baby let out a delighted squeal at the sight of her.
I groaned from where I was sitting. “I was getting her used to that. I needed to shower.”
Luna raised her hands in mock surrender, a cheeky grin on her face. “Perfect timing. Daddy Luna is here to watch you while Mommy showers.”
We were settled on the floor of the loft, where Scarlette had taken over. Who knew a baby this small would need so much. There was a bouncer, swings, portable chairs that she hadn’t even grown into, a diaper changing station. There was everything.
“How was work?”
Luna had been hesitant to leave for Dubai, reluctant to be away for a whole month. But the promotion—a partnership with a chain of yoga studios—had been too big to pass up. The money was staggering, the opportunity massive, and I’d insisted she go, even though she’d worried about leaving me.
“Fine,” she said, her voice soft as she rocked Scarlette. “But I missed you guys. A lot.”
I stood up and gave her a hug, squishing Scarlette between us.
“How’s Ollie?”
Ollie had been nothing short of amazing these past few months. He’d stepped into a role no one had asked him to take, and yet he did it so effortlessly, so completely, that it left me speechless most days. He was patient, kind, and unwaveringly supportive—not just for me, but for Scarlette, too. Every time I saw him with her, holding her so gently or making her giggle with that soft, deep laugh of his, my heart swelled in ways I wasn’t sure I could handle.
“Are you still sleeping in his bed?” Luna asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I nodded as a flush crept up my neck. I’d transitioned Scarlette to her crib weeks ago, but somehow, I’d never quite managed to transition myself back to my own bed.
