KatieThe past few months have been a blur. If I didn’t have constant reminders on social media about it, I might forget all about Tiffany and the nightmare she caused. I stare down at my phone on the dining room table and at the latest social media post from a friend. I shake my head and sigh. When are they going to let this end? The post has a picture of Tiffany, which I’m sure she doesn’t know someone took, where she is picking up garbage in the company’s parking garage next to the building. Her previous high-end designer clothes are nowhere to be found, and she is wearing the company’s maintenance uniform. Below her picture is a caption wondering who the designer of the classy outfit is. I roll my eyes.Tiffany is working to pay off our doctor bills without complaining. Mark’s mother is still fuming at her, but she isn’t throwing it in Tiffany’s face. Everyone else should follow that example.Mark kisses the top of my head and rubs my shoulders. “How are you feeling thi
I cradle my adorable daughter in my arms as I sway back and forth. Her long dark lashes flutter as she fights to stay awake. I softly hum a tune and gently pat her bottom. Everything seems so peaceful and perfect now, but it wasn’t months ago when she was born. When I had finally woken up, I nearly had a panic attack. My pregnant belly was gone, and my precious baby was nowhere to be seen. Luckily, Mark and Casper were there at my bedside, along with his parents, making sure I knew everything was alright. Our precious little baby was with the doctors, but Mark vowed to do whatever he needs to ensure our daughter’s health. I would be lying if I said his words calmed me down. Nothing he could say would ease my nerves, but it was his calm voice and the determination in his eyes which finally settled me down. Our daughter had to stay in the intensive care unit for a few days, but she was a fighter and could soon come home. Mark’s mother steps into the room and softly asks, “Is
As he opens his mouth, my parents and brother casually walk into the house. My brother’s eyes pop wide open as he looks around, taking everything in and whispers, “Wow!”My heart nearly stops and my breath hitches. What are they doing here? They don’t have anything nice to say to me. Why would Mark bring them here? Why?My smile evaporates and morphs into a frown. I shuffle backwards as I slowly shake my head. My father gives me a stern look, which also holds his usual scrutinizing eye. The one which says I’m not good enough. My chest tightens. I don’t want them here. Casper runs towards us. “DADDY! YOU ARE HOME!!” He holds his little arms wide open and leaps into his father’s waiting arms. Normally, I would smile and join them in a group hug, but I can’t take my eyes off my family. The only thing that connects us is our DNA. Nothing else they have done would be something a normal family would do. My brother ignores Casper, stilling gawking at the inside of the house
With a glass of sparkling cider in one hand, I carefully wipe of the crumbs from the front of my floor length formal dark red dress. The paper napkins I’m using snag on a few of the embedded jewels along the front. My frustrations bubble up as I grind my teeth together. But this little setback can’t damper my mood. This is a big night for me. I’m finally accomplishing another one of my goals and dreams. Mark waves a couple of white linen napkins in the area as he rushes towards me. “Look what I have found. Stop trying to get the food off. I’ll get it done.” His playful smile widens as he gives me a wink. “In no time, I’ll have you back looking as beautiful as ever.” I sigh and let my shoulders drop. In his black tuxedo, he bends over in front of me and very carefully wipes all the little food particles off me without smearing it across the smooth satin fabric. I glance around the venue and notice a few people giving us some questioning looks, but no one has the courage
“Wanda! Tell me you found her! Please, tell me we can get to her before she moves again.” My heart twists as a wave of panic washes over me. I have been living with such longing and regret for the last few years that I think I’m going crazy. Why didn’t I just tell Katie when we were at the university together that I liked her? No, I love her. I fell in love with her almost instantly. Her deep dimples are just so adorable, and the way she gets so grumpy at me always sends my heart fluttering, but I’ve messed it all up. I didn’t tell her how I truly felt, and I know she was given a chance of a lifetime to do her internship and residency at a prestigious hospital on the other side of the country. I have wanted to tell her so many times, but she always acts like she didn’t like me. Then I was stupid and let my fear of her rejecting me take control. There is no way I could handle it if things between us became awkward since our friends were dating each other, and we are always
“Hey, I knew I would find you down here. Most of the staff go to either the rooftop garden or the park just outside the hospital, but you always come to the daycare. I guess watching children has a way of calming you down.” Dr. Smith pats me on my shoulder. Without looking away from the kids, I mumble, “Something like that.” He nudges me. “Come on, our department has a meeting in five minutes. You have to go back upstairs.” Reluctantly, I tear my eyes off the kids and, while remaining silent, I turn and walk back up to my department. It is days like this that have me practically running to the daycare. There is the one face which always manages to calm me down without having to do anything. The only difference from what I remember is the precious boy has dimples, too. When I get back upstairs, I can’t even face the grief-stricken parents. They are still sitting in the waiting area, and they are still crying. I can’t image receiving the news your child is sick and may e
UGH!! This is taking forever. I want to get out of here and get my Katie, but I’m still stuck at the airport.As we stand by the luggage claim area, Wanda lightly taps my arm. “Mark, stop worrying. Everything is going to be all right. We will find Katie and then hopefully we can get her talked into coming back home with us.”Dragging a few bags, Frank steps up beside me and huffs, “Mark, you are making everyone nervous with your constant fidgeting and pacing. Knock it off.”I just ignore him. It is easy for him to say that, but he has no clue what I’m going through right now. I’m so close, but yet so far away. The good thing is we know where she is working, so if for some reason, she has moved again, we will just go to the hospital. I’m going to find her one way or another.After what seems like years, we finally have our luggage and get through the airport. I hurry over to the rental car counter, and in record time, I get all the paperwork handled and get the rental car ke
I can’t believe this. I’m a father. I still can’t believe it, but this adorable little boy is my son. He has the same black hair and dark brown eyes as me, including the slight glimmer of mischief. I just can’t take my eyes off him. As we leave the daycare with Casper in my arms, my little man suddenly shouts, “Uncle Shane! Look daddy came!! Mommy is going to be so happy!”I rip my focus away from my son and look at the tall man in front of us. His mouth is gaping wide open, and he stares at me. He looks about the same age as us but is frozen in place. His ID hanging around his neck shows he works at the hospital. His short blonde hair is slightly messy and frames his tired face and blue eyes. I’m not the only one who has had a rough day.Casper claps his tiny hands, while his eyes sparkle with excitement. “Uncle Shane. I want to tell mommy. Let’s go tell mommy.”Shane shakes his head and turns his attention back to my son. “Sorry, Cass, but mommy has an emergency surg