“What happened, Doc?” Johnny asks, voice hushed and tight.
Dr. Doherty speaks quietly, his voice a dull echo in my ears. “Neither embryo matured enough to sustain life. Anna, you’re not pregnant. I’m so sorry… to all of you. I’ll give you some time. Take as long as you need. We won’t need the room again today.” He rests a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Dee. There’s nothing more we can do.”
And then he’s gone.
Just like that.
Taking all my hopes and dreams with him.
I stare at the floor, but all I can see are the faces of the babies that never got the chance to exist.
I willneverbe a mother.
Never.
That truth slams into me like a freight train.
That dream, that one last fragility of hope, was taken from me. Stolen. By a van. By rabid fans. By fate. Whatever you want to call it—it’s gone.
“I’m so sorry, Colt. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a family.”
“Dee, baby—”
“Don’t,” I snap, louder than I meant to, but I can’t take his sympathies right now. I glance up through soaked lashes and see him crying too.
God, no.
Seeing him cry? That hurts more than anything else.
He stands and hauls me to my feet, pulling me into him like he needs me just as much as I need him. I break in his arms, my whole body shaking.
Behind me, I hear Anna sob.
“I’m so sorry,” she chokes out. “I… I don’t know what I did wrong.”
“Honey, it’s not your fault,” Johnny says softly, trying to comfort her.
“Anna, don’t blame yourself. We certainly don’t, do we, Dee?” Colt says.
I glance over at her through blurred vision. She’s devastated, too. This wasn’t only our loss—it was hers. I let go of Colt and stumble to her. She rises quickly and catches me in her arms, and we cry together, mourning the loss of two babies who never had a damn chance.
Johnny hugs Colt, their own grief shared in silence.
The room feels like it’s spinning. My stomach twists violently. I stumble, and Anna catches me again.
Colt’s at my side in an instant.
My legs give out.
I drop to the floor.
Colt drops with me, pulling me into his lap. My sobs are loud, uncontrollable, ugly. He rocks me against his chest, and I cling to him like I’ll float away if I let go.
“It’s okay, Dee. Let it all out. I’ve got you,” he murmurs against my hair, his own voice shaking.
Johnny’s voice comes next. “We’ll give you guys some time. We’ll be outside if you need us.”
I feel Colt nod as they leave the room.
