Page 27 of Nineteen Eighty

“Don’t say that,” Evangeline said. “You’re still so young. There’s nothing wrong with you that can’t be fixed.”

Cassie’s blue lips curled into a smile. “Who said I’m broken?”

“I love you,” Evangeline blurted. “I can’t be in this world if you’re not in it.”

“And only half of what you just said is true.”

“You have to let me try.”

“You did try. What do you think woke me up?”

“You blocked it.”

“I don’t know if I did anything,” Cassie said. “I only know it didn’t work. And that it won’t work if you try again.”

“You’re so sure, but you thought hiding this from me was a good idea.”

“What would you have done, Evie? Come riding to my rescue? Put your own life on hold for something neither of us have any control over?” Cassie squeezed her hand with a weak grip. “I love you more than you’ll ever know, and I am so proud of you. I am so, so unbelievably proud, like parents get, you know, when they think they had something to do with it?”

“You did,” Evangeline said, wiping her tears. “I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t met you.”

“See, my life did have purpose.”

“It’s not funny.”

Cassie kissed her hand. “I’m not laughing. Life is short, Evangeline. Shorter than we realize, sometimes. Don’t be afraid to do the things and love the ones you love.”

Evangeline bowed her head.

“Can you bring my father in?”

Evangeline started to fumble through agreement when she realized what Cassie was asking, and why.

“Do you want…”

“I want you here, too,” Cassie said. Her breathing had slowed, with more spaces between the inhales and the exhales. It had started when she woke, but Evangeline only now realized it. “My two greatest loves.”

An hour later, Cassie was gone, and Evangeline had never felt so irrevocably broken.

Colleen stopped by the bathroom on her way to the waiting room. She didn’t have to go—she was still running on pure adrenaline—but she needed a moment to catch her breath. A splash of water on the face.

Since she’d moved home to New Orleans with her family, they’d lost a member and gained two. Three, if she counted her new brother-in-law, Connor. So much joy, mired in pain.

Colleen pulled in a deep inhale, straightened her spine, and went to go deliver the good news to her brother-in-law.

She found Edouard with Olivia leaning against him as he read a book to her. There wasn’t much natural about the way he interacted with his daughter, but the smile on his face was real, and so was the attempt. Colleen had no warmth for the man who had married her sister, especially after the careless way he treated both Maureen and her soft heart. But Maureen believed his offer to do better was genuine, and Colleen had to believe that, too, if she wanted to envision her sister with the happiness she deserved.

“Edouard.”

He looked up. Dark rings tinged the bottom of his eyes. “Is she okay?”

His choice of question was curious, but then, Lisette’s unexpected loss was still so fresh for all of them. “Maureen? Of course she’s fine.” Colleen smiled. “She’s resting. Mama and baby are both fine. You have a son. Alain was nine pounds, one ounce, and he has a whole head of hair.”

“I have a brother?” Olivia asked, book forgotten. She leapt out of her chair.

“Yes, darling,” Colleen said, kneeling down. She kissed her forehead. “A beautiful little brother for you to play with.”

Edouard’s eyes closed for a moment as he breathed out. “When can I see them?”

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