Inflame

One by one, we opened gift after gift, and my heart swelled with all the love our baby was going to have in his life. As the day went on, all thoughts of Tara were kept at bay, and I was truly able to enjoy celebrating the life of our unborn child. Often enough, I found myself genuinely smiling and laughing as I cherished each moment of the day.

After all the gifts had been opened and Mom and Ginger had scurried around the room picking up all the wrapping paper, Kale cleared his throat and turned to me. My heart leapt into my chest, nervous about what was to come. He glanced at Kaylie, who pulled a square box out of her purse and handed it to him. He looked back at me with earnest, remorseful eyes, and my gaze softened.

“Baby, I’ve been working on this for a while, and I thought today would be a fitting day to give it to you. I could never say it enough, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying. I became a blessed man the day you walked into my life, and every day since then just further solidifies the fact that you’re the only woman for me, the only one I’ll ever love. I could never match the gift you’ve given me in Sprout. I love you more than anything.”

His words caused me to choke up, and when he handed me the box, apprehension washed over me. It was too big to be a ring box, and I was thankful for it. I don’t think I could’ve handled a proposal at the baby shower, regardless of if I had met Tara or not.

He gri

“They’re perfect,” I whispered, and I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard.

“I’m glad. I can’t wait to add more in the future,” he whispered back, his eyes pleading with mine, wanting confirmation that everything will be okay.

He let out a sigh of relief when I gave him a brief nod before handing him the bracelet so he could put it on for me. The girls all moved in to fawn over it, and Charlie gave me a wicked smile when she saw the ruler, knowing exactly the meaning behind it.

After that, the guys all helped Kale load the car with everything the baby was gifted today while I sat back and chatting with the women. Even after the disaster of the morning and the emotional turmoil I was trying to keep at bay, I had a great time with our friends and blended family. She may have tried, but there was no way I was going to let Tara ruin my day.

After saying goodbye to Jace, Lexi, Knox, and Charlie as they left to head to Jace’s parents’, ready to spend the next few days on the beach, I decide to sneak a moment away for myself. Mom and Ginger are looking through childhood photos of Kale while Kalli and Marisa entertain Lily. Steve, Kale, and Xavier are engrossed in a baseball game, so I grab a bottle of water and quietly slide the back door open, making my escape. Slipping my flats off, I make my way down the steps and enjoy the feel of the sand between my toes. Using the moonlight to guide my way, I walk towards the shore and plant myself in the sand, just out of the water’s reach.

The sound of the rolling waves is soothing. Although I have a million thoughts in my mind, I allow the calming noise to relax me, so much so that my mind becomes blank, and I welcome the peace. Leaning back on my palms, I close my eyes, and the peace is short-lived as her words seep in through the back of my mind.

“It only took you three days to propose to me.”

Looking around, I find that there’s nothing but me and the moon, and for the first time today, I take advantage of my solitude by finally allowing myself to shed the tears I’ve been holding in all day. I sit up and cross my legs, wrapping my arms around my belly as the sobs silently rack through me. I don’t know exactly what it is I’m crying for, but once the tears start falling, they come in spades. As I hold on to my stomach, I realize that part of what I’m doing is grieving for Kale’s unborn child, and I wonder if he’s ever done so. Without even having met him, I couldn’t imagine a world without Sprout. Or at least the idea that he’ll be here soon. What exactly has Kale been keeping from me, and after so many opportunities, why did he continue to do so? As I try to search my brain for answers, I feel a presence beside me. I’m quick to use to my sleeve to wipe my eyes before looking to see who’s joined me.

Expecting to see Kale or maybe Marisa, I’m surprised when Kaylie sits down next to me, a beer in her hand. “You look like you could use one of these right about now,” she says, breaking the silence.

“I feel like I could use about ten,” I confess, giving a small laugh as my hands spread out across my belly. “But fingers crossed, this guy has about twenty-one more years before he gets introduced to alcohol, so I’m stuck with my water.”

“Wa

Sighing, I pick at the sand next to my foot, not sure that Kaylie’s the person for me to talk to about this. At the same time, I realize she may be able to give me some insight. After taking a long swig of my water, I stare out at the black waves of the ocean and decide to let it all out.

“I met Tara today.” She lets out a low whistle. “The thing is, I had no idea there was a Tara before today.”

“That fucking idiot,” I hear Kaylie mutter under her breath. I turn to look at her, and she just shrugs. “That must’ve been quite a shock.”

“That’s an understatement. At first I thought I was just meeting the nice woman who made my baby shower cake, and then seconds later, I felt like I was being blindsided by a woman who claimed to have once been engaged to Kale. And…I just don’t know. She said some other things that have my mind working in overdrive, and I just don’t know what to think anymore. Kale’s had a year and a half, or at least eight months, to tell me about it, and I had to find out from her? And on top of that, I don’t even know what exactly I found out.”

“Look, I know I acted cool at Thanksgiving, and I want you to know it had nothing to do with you and more to do with worrying about Kale. I was there for him after everything happened with Tara, and to say he was a mess is an understatement. None of us ever thought he’d settle down again until he brought you home. And I was scared for him. But while it’s not my place to talk about what happened, I can assure you one thing. You’re no Tara.”

“Yeah, but here’s the thing. I don’t even know what that means. She could’ve been the love of his life, the one he let get away, and hearing that I’m not her? It’s not exactly reassuring.”

A low chuckle escapes her lips. “My brother really is an idiot. I don’t know why Kale didn’t tell you about Tara, but my guess is it’s because he didn’t want her toxicity to infect your relationship. That’s who Tara is. She’s a toxic human being who hurts everyone she claims to love. I, for one, am glad she’s been out of Kale’s life for a very long time.” She pauses as she brings the beer bottle to her lips. “And let me tell you, Lucy. I know my brother, and he looks at you in a way he never looked at her. That right there is what scared me at Thanksgiving. I knew how torn apart he was with what happened with Tara, but I knew deep down in my soul that if he ever lost you, the devastation would be beyond repair.”