The Child Who Changed Them (Parent Portal 5)

Knew it with her baby right there, inside her, with secret powers to see all truths. She wasn’t going to lie to her child. Which meant she couldn’t lie to herself.

Even by omission. But Peter had died, and she was attracted to Greg, and she was having his baby.

“I didn’t mean those words...” Her voice broke and she started to cry again. Bent over herself, she sobbed. So afraid. And so...still there. Still alive.

Giving life now.

“Since the moment I sat in that car with you and knew you were gone... I promised myself that I’d never, ever speak out of pure emotion again. That I’d hold my tongue. Watch my words, and I have, Peter. I swear to God, I have. But...”

And there was the crux of it. But...what?

“But emotion is a part of life and you’re ready to start living it again.”

The words came from behind her. A voice so dear to her for so many years.

One she trusted.

And needed to hear.

Chapter Nineteen

“How’d you know I was here?” Elaina didn’t have to look up to know that Wood’s blue-eyed expression would hold concern. Or that the jeans he’d have on would be worn. That his shirt would be collared and probably denim.

“Greg said you’d been gone a lot longer than a grocery-store run would take. He was worried. Told me that you’d been talking about Peter...”

“Did he tell you what I said?” She glanced over, her face stiff with cried tears, a tissue balled up in her fist. She wasn’t even sure she cared if Greg had told her secrets. Maybe the world needed to know.

“What do you think?”

She shook her head.

“I figured you were here

,” Wood said then. “Offered to tell him how to get here. He suggested that maybe it was better that I come.”

“I’d have been fine on my own. Either of you could have called. I’d have answered.”

Sitting beside her on the bench, Wood said, “It’s time, Elaina.”

And he was there to help. Just as he always had been. As he always would be. Alive or passed on.

Because family wasn’t always biological. The bond was one deeper than science.

“He didn’t really want me to go to medical school.”

“I know.”

She looked over at him, mouth hanging slightly open. “You knew?”

“He told me.”

Of course, he would have. Peter had always told Wood things. He just didn’t do anything he didn’t want to do. Anything that didn’t suit him.

“I balked at agreeing with Peter.”

“I’d hoped you would.”

“You did?” She made the statement. Confirming she’d heard him. Belief lagged behind.