Chapter 7

Andrea’s Point of View

Five Years Later

“Mommy! Hurry up!”

I laugh as I watch Haley run ahead of me, her little legs carrying her toward the front door as fast as they can.

“Haley, slow down! You're going to fall.”

She stops abruptly and turns around to look at me.

“But we're going to be late!”

She says again, a frown on her face.

“We're not going to be late.”

I say, shaking my head as I walk towards her.

“It's just a video call, and if we're a few minutes late, Grandma and Grandpa will call us again.”

I point out. She folds her arms in front of her chest and she pouts up at me.

“But I haven't talked to them in forever.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“It's been three days.”

“Exactly! That's a long time.”

She huffs and I laugh.

“You're being dramatic.”

She rolls her eyes before turning around and waiting impatiently for me to unlock the door.

As soon as I do, she bolts inside.

“Haley!”

I call after her, but she's already running towards the living room.

I shake my head, smiling as I close the door behind us.

I walk into the living room and find her already sitting in front of the laptop.

“Come on! It's almost time.”

She yells with the frown still on her face.

“I’m coming. Calm down.”

I say as I sit down next to her.

She turns and looks at me with a serious expression.

"What?"

I ask, arching a brow at her.

“Grandpa says you're really fast.”

She says and I nod my head.

“Uh-huh. I am.”

I say. She looks me up and down.

“I don't think you are.”

She says and I gasp dramatically.

“Excuse me?”

I ask and she giggles.

“You took forever to get to the door.”

“I was carrying your bag.”

I say and she shrugs.

“I still think you're slow.”

She says, and I shake my head, trying not to laugh.

“You're lucky you're cute.”

I murmur and she grins at me.

“You’re lucky I’m cute too, Mommy.”

I stare at her for a second.

“Who taught you that?”

I asks and she shrugs.

“Grandpa.”

I laugh, shaking my head but before I can say anything, the laptop chimes and Haley's entire face lights up.

“They're calling! Answer it!”

She yells excitedly, immediately sitting up straighter.

“I am.”

I say, clicking the button, and within seconds, my parents' faces appear on the screen.

“Grandma! Grandpa!”

Haley practically screams and my mother laughs.

“There's my girl!”

“Hey, princess.”

My father says leaning closer to the camera and Haley waves excitedly at them.

“I missed you!”

“We missed you too. How are you?”

My mother asks.

“Good!”

My parents ask Haley about school, her friends, and the little things she's been doing lately and she immediately starts telling them everything that she has done since their last call.

I sit back and just watch her.

This is what I love most, just watching them talk and seeing how much she loves them.

My parents adore Haley, and they have never once made me feel guilty for the fact that I keep her away from the pack.

They understand why I can't come home, not after everything that happened five years ago.

My eyes drop to my hands.

Five years.

It doesn't feel like that long ago, but somehow, it has been.

Five years ago, I had no idea what my life was going to look like.

I had no idea how I was going to raise a baby on my own, but my parents helped me.

They never judged me, never asked me why I couldn't just go back.

They understood, and so did my aunt and uncle.

I don't know what I would have done without them.

They helped me through the pregnancy. They helped me finish school. They helped me build a life for myself and Haley, and now Haley and I are doing really well on our own.

I hear Haley laugh, and my eyes drift back to the screen and I smile again as I watch my parents and Haley talk.

My parents had been away on a trip for the past few days, which was why Haley had been asking me every few hours when they were coming back.

She loves them.

And they love her.

I couldn't ask for anything more.

“How was your trip?”

I finally ask and my mother smiles at me.

“It was wonderful.”

She says and my father nods his head.

“We got some much-needed rest.”

“I'm glad. You both deserved it.”

I say, with a smile.

My mom looks at me for a moment.

“You know what would have made it even better?”

She asks and I sigh internally, because I already know where this is going.

“What?”

“If you and Haley had come with us.”

She says and this time I sigh out loud.

“Mom…”

I begin and she sighs.

“I know, you had too work.”

She says and I nod my head.

“Exactly.”

“We understand. Your mother just misses having her daughter around.”

My father says softly and my throat tightens.

“I miss you too. I really do.”

I say and my mom smiles at me.

“Then come home.”

My chest tightens.

“Mom…”

I begin but she gently cuts me off.

“Not forever. Just for a visit.”

She adds quickly.

I look away from the screen.

“I don't think I'm ready for that.”

I say and my father's expression softens.

“You don't have to explain.”

“I know.”

I swallow.

“But I just…”

I sigh.

“It's been five years, and I still can't walk into that town without thinking about everything.”

My mother nods.

“Then don't force yourself.”

“You're not mad?”

I ask and she shakes her head.

“Of course not. We'd rather have you visit when you're ready than have you come home because you feel guilty.”

She says and my eyes sting.

“Thank you.”

I say and my father nods his head.

“Of course, besides, we can always come to you.”

He grins.

“Your mother has been trying to find an excuse to visit you this entire trip.”

“I have not!”

My mother says, swatting his arm.

Haley giggles.

“I think Grandma should come visit us.”

She says and my mother smiles at her.

“I think that's a wonderful idea.”

"Me too. Right mom?"

Haley asks and I laugh softly, nodding my head.

"I think so too."

I say and we continue talking for a while, discussing when would be a good time for a visit.

My phone suddenly starts ringing from the kitchen and I glance towards the sound.

“Sorry, guys. I should go grab that.”

I say and my mother nods her head.

“Of course. Go answer. We're okay here.”

She says and I nod.

“I'll be right back.”

I say, standing up and I make my way to the kitchen.

I smile when I glance down at the screen and I see Lizzy's name on it.

I answer the video call and Lizzy's face immediately fills the screen.

“Hey!”

“Hey, girl!”

She says, glancing at me.

“How are you?”

“I'm good.”

She grins.

“And how's my favorite little person?”

She asks, trying to glance around me, and I smile at her.

“She's talking to my parents in the living room.”

“You didn't tell me they were calling! How are they? Are they back yet?”

She asks and I nod my head.

“Yeah. They got back today and they loved the trip.”

I say and she smiles.

"I'm glad. They deserved it."

She says and I nod my head, but before I can answer, another face appears next to her.

“Hey, Andy.”

Jed says, smiling at me and I smile back at him.

“Hey, Jed.”

“How are you?”

“I'm good, just busy at work. You?”

“Good.”

He says, before glancing at Lizzy.

“Did you tell her yet?”

He asks and she shakes her head.

“No. Not yet."

She says and they smile at each other like idiots.

I narrow my eyes at them.

“Tell me what?”

I ask and they exchange another look.

“Why are you two being weird?”

I ask and Lizzy grins at me.

“We have news.”

She says and I arch a brow.

“Good news?”

I ask and she nods her head.

“The best.”

Jed says wrapping an arm around her.

Lizzy looks at him and smiles at him again before looking back at me.

“I'm pregnant.”

She says and I squeal.

“No way!”

I say and she laughs.

“Yes way!”

“Oh my God!”

I cover my mouth.

“Lizzy, that's amazing! Congratulations!”

I say and Jed smiles.

“Thank you. We're pretty excited.”

I laugh as tears begin to prick my eyes.

“You guys are going to be amazing parents.”

I say and Lizzy wipes at her own eyes.

“Thank you.”

Jed kisses the side of Lizzy's head and I smile at them.

“I’m so happy for you.”

I wipe away one of my tears and Lizzy grins at me.

“Are you crying?”

She asks and I laugh.

“Maybe a little.”

“You're such a sap.”

“Says the girl who’s wiping her own tears while calling me a sap.”

I say, teasingly rolling my eyes.

“Shut up.”

She says, laughing.

Before I can say anything else I hear footsteps before a little voice calls out behind me.

“Mommy?”

My heart nearly stops and I freeze for a few seconds before slowly turning around.

I look at Haley standing in the kitchen doorway.

“Why are you crying?”

She asks with a frown and I quickly wipe my cheeks.

“I'm not crying, baby.”

Her frown deepens as she walks closer.

“You are.”

She says and I crouch down in front of her.

“Auntie Lizzy just told me something really exciting.”

Haley looks at the phone on the counter and her frown immediately disappears.

“Hi, Auntie Lizzy!”

Lizzy smiles, but there's something strange in her expression.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

Haley smiles.

“What did she tell you?”

She asks looking back at me. I quickly glance at Lizzy and Jed before looking back at Haley.

“She told me she's going to have a baby.”

I say and Haley's eyes widen.

“A baby? Can I see it?”

She asks and Lizzy laughs.

“Not yet.”

Haley thinks about this for a second.

“Oh... That's okay.”

She says, then she looks at me with a wide smile.

“I have to tell Grandma!”

She says excitedly before turning around and rushing away.

My eyes widen.

“Haley, wait!”

I call out, but she's already running towards the living room.

I quickly stand.

“Haley!”

I call out but she doesn't stop.

I sigh but before I can do anything else Jed's voice comes from the phone.

“Andrea?”

He calls out and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath before I slowly turn back towards the phone.

He stares at me for a few seconds, before glancing towards oward the living room.

“You have a daughter?”

He asks and my stomach drops.

My eyes snap to Lizzy's whose face has gone pale.

I stare at them through the screen, and I realize the secret I've managed to keep for five years…

Is no longer mine alone.