The words crack something in me, and all I can do is nod, too choked up to speak.
The doctor continues the checkup, measuring the baby and pointing out tiny hands, the flicker of a heartbeat on the screen. Grace asks questions, and I try to focus, but my heart is still caught on the sound of that powerful heartbeat.
The doctor prints a couple of ultrasound pictures and hands them to me, smiling. "You're doing great, Lucy. Keep drinking lots of water and resting when you can. And we'll see you again next month."
I nod and slide off the table, my hands trembling as I zip up my hoodie over the curve of my belly. Grace wraps an arm around me as we leave.
We drive home in silence.
Grace rests her hand over mine on the console. "You don't have to say anything," she says. "Just know I'm here. Always."
Nodding, I stare out the window, my other hand protectively over my belly. I just need one letter. One sign. One anything from him.
As we pull into the gravel driveway, every nerve in my body goes on high alert.
Jake's truck is parked at an angle. Lexi's on the porch, pacing. Her phone is in her hand, and her other arm is wrapped around her midsection like she's holding herself together.
My stomach drops.
"Something's wrong," I whisper.
Grace and I rush up the steps. Lexi's face pales when she sees us. Her eyes meet mine, and I know. I know before she even speaks.
"It's Caden," she says softly. "Jake came over. His mom is meeting him here, so Noah can take them to the airport. Caden's critical and unconscious."
The world tilts beneath my feet.
Lexi grabs my hand and pulls me toward the porch swing. Grace hovers, eyes wide.
"He's on his way to Germany. He's stable, but it's bad. Burns. He lost a leg. His arm’s badly damaged. Jake's flying out there with their mom, and Brentley's meeting them after he gets ahold of North."
My knees give out, and I sink into the swing.
"He's alive?" I manage.
Lexi nods. "Yeah. He's alive. But it's going to be a long road."
The air shifts behind us, the screen door slamming open. Noah steps out, his face a mask of confusion and worry.
"What's going on? Why do you all look like someone died?"
Lexi opens her mouth, but nothing comes out. Standing, I try to wipe the tears off my face.
"I just found out about Caden," I say brokenly.
Noah's jaw clenches. He looks at each of us, reading the panic, the grief. His eyes land on me and narrow.
"Why are you the one falling apart, Lucy? Why do you look like you lost your world?"
I go still. Grace shifts beside me.
"Don't," Lexi says quickly, stepping forward.
Noah's gaze hardens. "You've been crying for weeks. Sneaking around. You and Grace are going to appointments. What the hell is going on?"
I suck in a breath, but it's too late. He looks over at Lexi, and I can see it all click.
"You knew he was writing her," Noah says, his voice rising. "You knew something was going on. Didn't you?"
