Page 41 of Reuniting with Lucy

“You said you couldn’t have kids.” The accusation in his tone put her on edge. Did he think she’d lied?

“I can’t. But there’s more than one way to have a family. Lizzie’s already said she’d be a surrogate for me when I’m ready. My eggs are fine. It’s just the production equipment that’s wonky.” She made a hasty circular motion around her stomach.

“Lucy—”

She held up a hand to stop him. “I’m gonna need a minute. We should discuss it, but not tonight. Tomorrow?”

“If that’s what you want.” He reluctantly allowed her to push him out the door, saying he’d call in the morning. Lucy closed the door behind him, turned the deadbolt, and rested her forehead on it. She felt her sisters come up behind her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“Bar?” Lizzie asked. “Or do it here?”

“What are you talking about?” Lucy asked, already knowing exactly what Lizzie meant. There was no way her sisters would let this thing with Jack go undiscussed.

“We’re gonna talk about it,” Daisy said. “Might as well do it over a drink.”

Lucy laughed. “If we stay here, you can drink for free. My stomach’s too messed up for alcohol anyway.”

“That’s too bad,” Lizzie said. “Cuz Jack’s bombshell screams ‘shots’!”

“I’ve switched to water too,” Kate said, holding up a bottle. “Plus, if we do it here, we don’t need shoes.”

In the end, they changed back into their pre-wedding sweats and got comfy on the couches. The caterers had packed up and left. There were people coming tomorrow to disassemble the tent and pack up the heaters. Their parents and Nana had gone to bed, and Emma was off on her weekend honeymoon, so it was just the four of them.

“So,” Lizzie said. “Whatcha gonna do?”

“What can I do?” Lucy said.

“Does he know you want to get married someday?” Lizzie asked.

“I told him two seconds ago,” Lucy said. “We hadn’t talked about it until today. I did tell him about the infertility, and, get this, he’s fine with it. He doesn’t want kids anyway.” She put the last sentence in air quotes.

“Doesn’t want kidsormarriage?” Kate said. “So, this is actually strike two.”

“Yep,” Lucy said. “And I feel like strike three is that he doesn’t seem to care what I want. Just laid down the law that he’s never marrying again, and it doesn’t matter that I might have other ideas on the matter.”

“Hoo, boy,” Daisy said. “This is a tough one. Would you break up with him over it?”

“Well, that would be easier said than done.” Lucy sighed. “Even if I wanted to. I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him.”

“Oof,” Kate said.

“What should I do?” Lucy said. “Do I just go along with it?”

“No, you don’t,” Lizzie said. “You hold out for what you want. Don’t settle.”

“So, what? I either break up with him because, apparently, we’re on the road to nowhere, or I try to convince or coerce him into wanting it? That’s no way to start a marriage.”

“You can’t force him. That’s true,” Lizzie said. “But you can, and should, wait for what you want. And if Jack can’t give it to you, then maybe you move on.”

“How does that not come off as an ultimatum?” Lucy said. “Marry me, or at least consider marrying me, or I’m gone.”

“Well, you gotta be with someone that wants the same things you do,” Daisy said. “At least on the important stuff.”

“Maybe Curtis would take me back,” Lucy said with a chuckle. “I’m joking,” she clarified when her sisters glared matching looks of horror. “Geez, I had no idea everyone was so anti-Curtis. You guys like Jack, right?”

“Oh, yeah. Jack’s great,” Kate said. “Much better suited for you than Curtis was. Apparently, he has his own set of issues though. There is something we haven’t considered yet. He could change his mind.”

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