Broken Hearts (Light in the Dark 5)

“I assure you, this baby was very much wanted, and for your information, Jace and I have no intentions to ever get married. We’re happy and in love the way we are.” She shakes her head. “I hoped maybe you guys could be different, but you’re not. You’re the same selfish and hateful people you’ve always been. I’m leaving, and I won’t be back. Forget you have a daughter.”

Nova storms from the room and her parents look at each other before looking at me.

I make a face and point in the direction Nova fled.

“I’m going to go,” I mutter, and dash out of the room and after Nova.

I find her outside pacing the driveway. When she sees me, she stops, looks up at the sky and screams.

All her sadness, anger, and frustration bleeds out into the sky above.

When she looks at me, there’s a clearness to her eyes now.

“Let’s go home.”

Nova

It’s been a month s

ince we went to my parents.

They haven’t tried to contact me at all, not that I’m surprised.

I’m choosing to let it go. A small part of me kept hoping they might change and want to be a part of my life, a part of my child’s life, but they are who they are and I don’t need their negativity in my life.

Sometimes you have to let go.

Christmas has passed and the new year is underway.

“I can’t believe how big you’re getting,” Sarah comments as we watch Jace and Greyson jumping in the indoor trampoline park. My heart warms watching Jace with my son, and picturing him with our child. He’s so good with Greyson and he’s not even his flesh and blood.

“I know.” I rub my stomach. “I’ve really popped out.”

“When do you find out the gender?”

“My next appointment.” I smile, watching as Jace picks up Greyson and tosses him onto the trampoline so he bounces high.

“What do you think it is?” she asks.

“I have no idea. With Greyson I was certain it was a boy, but this time I have no idea, and I don’t care either way.”

“I think it’s girl,” Sarah replies.

“Really? Why?” I ask, curious.

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I think a girl would be fun.”

A girl would be fun—especially since I’m sure Jace will be super overprotective of a girl.

But a boy would be great too.

Either way, I know our lives are about to get even more full and exciting.

“How are your friends handling the baby thing now?” Sarah asks.

When we told Sarah and her husband we were having a baby, they were thrilled for us, it was the kind of reaction you expect and it warmed my heart that at least someone was happy for us.

“Really good,” I reply honestly. “I think they all feel bad for their initial reaction. Thea’s already told me she’s dragging me to shop for baby things once we find out the gender.”