Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

I nod in acknowledgement, closing my eyes and remembering the look on Tristan’s face before he stormed toward me with purpose and pushed his lips against mine. People always talk about fireworks going off, but this was that tenfold. It was like an atomic bomb exploded and my whole body melted as our bodies collided again after all of these years. Everything that had happened in the past was forgotten about and all that mattered was the two of us in that moment.

My fingers brush my lips, adamant that I can still feel his lips against mine and his slight stubble grazing my chin. A shiver rolls through me at his words on the way home.

“This is it for us, Harm. It was always meant to be us.”

It’s hard not to think about the way that he left me and all the harsh words he said, but we were so young, not thinking of the consequences. It was so long ago now that I’m starting to wonder if it even matters anymore, but I know deep down that it does. I’ll have to bring it up at some point and I think he knows that, but not right now, not when we’ve only just found each other again.

“Can I steal him from you? It’s time for his checks.” I open my eyes to a kind, smiling nurse.

“Of course,” I reply, giving one last squeeze and a gentle kiss to “Baby F’s” forehead before handing him back.

It still stings handing him back; he’s been the only baby I’ve cuddled since I started here, and he’s coming on amazingly. They’ve said he needs a few more weeks of monitoring but then… I don’t even want to think about him going into the system, it breaks my heart. I was told on day one to not let myself get attached, but how could I not?

Mom hands her baby off to a waiting nurse and stands, saying her goodbyes to the nurses we’ve started to build a relationship with before turning toward me. “Are you ready to go?”

I take one last look at the cooing baby in the incubator beside me and smile. “Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go and grab some lunch.”

We change out of the scrubs we’re wearing and toss them into a laundry basket as we walk out of the door.

My cellphone rings and I stare down at the unknown number on the screen, pressing answer. “Hello?”

“Hi, is that Harmony? Harmony Jameson?”

I don’t recognize the man’s voice on the other end of the line so I’m cautious. “It is.”

“Oh, great. I’m standing outside of your studio right now, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone here.”

“Oh, we’re not open on Sundays, but we’ll be open at nine tomorrow morning. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Yes, actually there is. I have a delivery for you of somewhat importance.”

On a Sunday? “O—okay. I can make it there in fifteen minutes if you can wait?”

“Sure.”

I breath out a sigh of relief and say goodbye before hanging up.

“Who was that?” Mom asks.

“A guy saying he has an important delivery for me. We’ll swing by the studio quickly and then go to that café around the block if you want?” We climb in the car and she nods before we make our way toward my studio.

I park outside and tell my mom to wait in the car, but obviously she never listens and steps out with me. I see the man leaning up against the wall outside of the studio, playing on his cellphone and I freeze. What the—

He looks up as we approach and smiles. “Harmony. Thanks for coming right away.”

My mouth forms an O but no words come out as I stare in shock.

Mom nudges me from behind. “Harmony, you’re being rude.”

“I, erm…” I clear my throat and stick out my hand, ready to greet him properly. “Mr. Hunt, what a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

He pockets his cellphone and shakes my hand. “Please, call me Oliver; Mr. Hunt’s my dad.” Then he gestures to a van with two men sitting inside for them to come out. “Pleasure’s all mine, I assure you.”

The men climb out and open the back of the van, carrying what looks like a projector and electrical equipment.

“Where do you want it?” one of them asks with a grunt as he nears us.

“I… I’m sorry, this must be some sort of mistake. I didn’t… I haven’t…”