Page 80 of Your Second Chance
Telling people meant making it real, not only for us, but for everyone else. It was stepping into something I couldn’t take back, something larger than me. And while the plan was genius, the weight of that one decision loomed heavier than anything else.
This was my life, my daughter’s future.
“It’s smart,” I admitted quietly, my voice measured. “But...”
“But it’s not an easy decision.” He finished for me, his tone understanding. “Think about it, love. Whatever you decide, I’m with you.”
“Why would you do this for me?” I whimpered.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he shifted closer, his hand never leaving the swell of my stomach. His beautiful brown eyes were filled with something I couldn’t name but felt deeply. He raised his other hand, brushing a loose curl behind my ear before cupping my cheek, his thumb lightly tracing the edge of my jaw.
He pressed his lips to my forehead. When he finally pulled back, his breath brushed my skin. “Because I love you.”
The words wrapped around me, sinking into places I hadn’t let anyone reach before. They were soft but unshakable, spoken with a tenderness that I wasn’t ready to understand. His hand on my stomach tightened slightly, like he was holding on to both of us, anchoring me to this moment.
The tears slipped down my cheeks as I cupped his jaw. “Mami would have loved you.”
His lips curved slightly into a soft smile, but before he could respond, Luna’s voice came from the doorway.
“She would have.”
30
ollie
I was so nervous that I thought I might actually puke before getting her to the car. The hospital had kept Nova for two days to monitor her after the panic attack, ensuring she and the baby were stable before clearing her to leave.
Luna and I came to pick her up. I’d told Luna I could manage on my own, but she insisted, so here we were, rolling Nova out of the hospital.
“I can walk,” Nova huffed, arms crossed as she shifted in the wheelchair. “This is completely unnecessary.”
Luna snorted from beside me, clearly enjoying herself. “It’s protocol. Let the man push the wheelchair and enjoy your moment of being chauffeured, princess.”
Nova shot her a glare, but I caught the small smile tugging at her lips. My grip on the wheelchair handles tightened slightly as nerves twisted my stomach into knots.
When I pulled out of the hospital lot, instead of heading south, I turned north.
“Where are we going?” Nova asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
“Oh, I love a good road trip,” Luna chimed in from the back seat, already settling in.
“Speaking of road trips,” I said, keeping my tone casual as I drove. “Luna, are you still coming to the Cotswolds tomorrow?”
“For the holidays?” she asked, leaning forward slightly.
“Yeah. Though”—I glanced at Nova quickly—“I bumped the trip up a couple of days. Figured she could use the rest—and some quiet—after the hospital.”
Nova turned to look at me. Her arms were still crossed, but her expression softened slightly.
“Oh, absolutely,” Luna said, throwing her hands up. “Does your mom have a room for me? If not, it’s okay—I can snuggle with you guys.”
“Absolutely not,” Nova muttered, though her voice lacked any real bite.
We pulled up to my house, and Nova shot me a confused look. Before I could say anything, the front door opened, and Mum came running out, her excitement clear as she waved us down. Will followed behind her, looking far less enthusiastic.
“What the fuck?” Luna said as she popped out of the car, glancing between them and me.
“I thought we were meeting them there,” Nova added, her confusion deepening.
