Page 483 of Now and Forever

I still, slowly placing the food back on the plate. “About that . . . there’s . . . there’s no more baby, Drake. I lost it.”

Drake suddenly looks at me, confused. “What do you mean? When?” The shock comes first, then the pain surfaces on his face.

“Just after you came out of surgery the second time, I started to bleed.” I feel wretched for not telling him immediately, but there was so much going on, it was hard for me to do it.

“Are you okay? God, all this time . . . you’re smiling and making me laugh . . . when you were probably dying inside.”

I was.

Still am.

“I’m still reeling from it. Being with you makes me feel happy, though. I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you, but it was hard to talk about it, still is.” I get choked up, but I push it down.

“Don’t be sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me.” I shake my head, denying it. “I’m here, Babe. We’ll go through this together. I don’t want you to think that you’re all alone in this. I don’t ever want you to feel that way.”

I never did doubt it. “I know you’re here for me, Drake.”

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