Novels by Beth

OWEN'S POV It was midday, and the house felt too quiet without Jamie. I sat on the couch with my laptop open, finishing some work, but my mind wasn’t on it.It was on Zoe.She curled up beside me with a book resting on her stomach. She turned the pages slowly.She looked peaceful. Strong. Like the past months had finally been kind to her.Things had been going well for months.That should’ve been enough to calm me.But I kept watching her from the corner of my eye.She shifted, then began to stand slowly. She paused halfway up. She touched her belly and closed her eyes.I jumped to my feet.“Zoe,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “Are you okay?”She looked at me and smiled softly, “I’m fine,” she said. “Braxton Hicks. This happens now.”I nodded but my chest still felt tight. “You sure? Or should we go to the hospital? Just to be safe.”She shook her head softly. “It’s still early. The doctor said this could happen. I promise, I’m okay.”I wanted to insist. But I let it go, since she s

OWEN'S POVComing back to Sydney should have felt like relief.The island was beautiful. The rest of our honeymoon was smooth and peaceful. The kind of peace that makes you forget everything else.But that kind of peace doesn't last. I’d learned that already. It shatters the moment you start believing it will last.Zoe moved more easily now. She walked through the house with steady steps, her shoulders relaxed and her face brighter than before.We were unpacking. I paused and stared at her.She smiled when she noticed I was staring.“I’m fine,” she looked at me and said.She seemed fine, so I wanted to believe that. But I couldn’t fully relax. Not until the baby is born.“I know.” I said softly.*******************Austin brought Jamie later in the day.As soon as Jamie saw Zoe, he ran to her and hugged her tightly.“I missed you so much,” Zoe whispered into his hair.“I missed you too, Mommy.” Jamie said.“Are you okay now?” he asked and moved back to look at her face. “You're not s

OWEN’S POVI felt the bed shift beside me. I thought it was just Zoe turning in her sleep. Then I heard my name, very softly.“Owen…”There was something in her voice that woke me up instantly.I sat up and faced her. She stood at the edge of the bed, holding the sheets with one hand and the other on her stomach.Her face was pale and she looked scared.“What is it?” I asked as I climbed out of bed.She didn’t respond immediately. She looked down.That’s when I saw it.Blood.Running down her leg.My heart seemed to stop for a moment.Fear hit me hard, but I didn’t show it. I couldn’t. Zoe was already panicking, I had to stay calm.“I’m here,” I said quickly as I moved toward her. I put my arms around her to keep her standing. “Hey. Look at me. Breathe.”She started crying, holding onto my shirt.“I don’t want to lose the baby,” she cried. “I can’t lose our baby, Owen.”“You won't,” I said firmly, even though my heart ached. “You won't lose anything. You're both going to be fine.”I

ZOE'S POV “Good morning, Mrs. Pratt,” Owen whispered and kissed me.I opened my eyes and saw him smiling at me.“You're up early,” I said, yawning a little.“Yeah, that's because the best part of our wedding starts today.” He winked.He kissed my stomach and carried me out of bed to the bathroom.That made me smile so much. We got dressed, packed, and walked to the car with Jamie. Jamie wouldn’t stop talking about how he wanted to come with us. He was still trying to convince us all through the drive to Austin’s.“Why can’t I follow you?” he asked again. “I will be quiet. I promise. I won’t talk… much.”I laughed softly. Owen ruffled Jamie’s hair. “Buddy, it’s a honeymoon. Just me and your mom this time.”Jamie pouted dramatically. “But I like being with you both.”“I know, sweetheart.” I reached back and took his hand. “But we’ll go on a family vacation soon. All three of us. Somewhere nice.”He still didn’t look pleased.“And you’ll get to spend more time with your dad,” I said

ZOE'S POV I woke up feeling nervous and excited.I laid there for a moment, staring at the ceiling with my hand on my stomach.Owen and I are getting married today.After all we went through, we’re getting the life we’d always wanted.As my hair was being styled, I looked in the mirror and a calm feeling filled me.I remembered when I first opened my eyes in that hospital and saw Owen. I had no idea who he was but somehow I felt like I could trust him.I never thought that man would be the one I'd be marrying today.I smiled slightly and touched my stomach.Then the door swung open.“Mommy!” Jamie entered in his suit, looking so excited. “Are you ready yet? Can we start now? Should I help?”Everyone laughed.“You’re already helping,” I said “You’re the ring bearer. That's important.”He giggled as he climbed onto the chair beside me. “I won’t drop them. I promise.”“I know,” I said and kissed his forehead.He couldn't sit still and he kept asking questions before someone carefully to

OWEN'S POV I stayed in the car for a bit before I called her.Chloe’s street was quiet, filled with old apartments.It hurt a little more, seeing where she lived.I rested my hand on the wheel.I didn't want to be here.But I needed to be.When Chloe answered, I exhaled.“Can you come out for a minute? I’m outside your building.”She paused, then replied softly, “Okay.”She appeared a few minutes later.She hesitated before getting in next to me.“What happened?” she asked immediately. “Did I… do something wrong again? From my tiny apartment this time?”“You didn’t do anything wrong,” I said softly. “Relax. I just wanted to speak to you.”Chloe folded her arms. “Why are you here Owen? You don't need to do this. You fired me. It’s your company. You did what you ought to do.”“That’s why I’m here,” I said. “Because I made a decision in the moment that I needed to make professionally… but afterward, something didn’t sit right with me. So I looked into it again.”She blinked at me, surpr