I nod, following Fable into the house. She shuts the door behind her and I notice there’s a lit Christmas tree standing tall in the window, no decorations on it yet though.
“I’m telling you my little story because this isn’t the end of the world, Eli. I’m not downplaying what happened to Ava. It was a lot. But she needs hope right now, not wallowing in her sadness. She will have other children. Miscarriages are very common,” Fable explains.
I nod. “Okay.”
“You don’t need to give her stats or anything. Just—be there for her. Like she’s always been for you.” Fable sends me a stern look. “Don’t fuck this up.”
I gape at her, surprised at her choice of words. The look on my face must amuse her because she starts laughing. “Oh, you should see yourself right now. Bet you didn’t expect to hear that, did you? Back in the day, I was a real tough talker. I even used to smoke.” Her voice lowers. “Cigarettes.”
“No way.”
“Yep. I’ve come a long way.” She approaches me, reaching up to pinch my cheek like a little old grandma would. “So have you. Go up there and show your girl some love, Eli. She needs you right now.”
I’m about to head up the stairs, but I pause at the base, turning to look at Fable. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. I understand why you kept it to yourselves. Some things are just for you.” Her smile is soft.
“Yeah.” I was really looking forward to telling her parents about the baby though.
Damn.
I race up the stairs, slowing my pace as I draw closer to her room. The door is partially open and I hear voices inside. Mostly a male speaking.
Her dad.
Shit.
I knock on the door before I peek my head around it, relief filling me at seeing Ava sitting up in bed, looking like her normal self. A little pale, but I was getting used to that. She’s listening to whatever her dad is saying, his broad back to the door until I knocked.
He turns and when he spots me, his face falls a little.
“Eli.” He nods, his expression stern.
“Mr. Callahan.” I nod in return, intimidated. He might hate me. I knocked up his baby girl and put her through all this. In his eyes, this could be my fault.
My gaze cuts to Ava, whose face is crumpling.
She’s c
rying.
Damn it.
“Eli,” she whimpers.
Forgetting her dad is there, forgetting that he could blame me for all of this, I go to her, settling on the edge of the bed, right next to her. She leans into me, her arms going around my neck and I hold her carefully, not wanting to hurt her.
But her familiar scent and soft hair have me gripping her tighter. As tight as I can get. Until we’re clinging to each other, lost in each other. And I only realize her dad said, “I’ll leave you two alone,” after he already slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
“Don’t cry,” I whisper when he’s gone. I pull away so I can stare at her, wiping the stream of tears from her cheeks with my fingers. “Your tears absolutely destroy me, baby.”
“I’m sorry. It’s such—a relief to see you, Eli. I’m so glad you’re here.” She presses her face to my shoulder, holding onto me.
I rub her back much like her mom did to me earlier, letting her cry on me. “Are you okay?”
“Now that you’re here, yes.” She lifts her head, her mouth against my jaw, breathing me in. “I lost the baby.”
A shuddery breath leaves me. “I know. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”