When we returned they were just finishing up. The lawyer slipped the papers back into the envelope and shook Tate’s hand. He then turned and started out, pausing at Cara’s bed. She had fallen asleep while on the way back to the room. He coo’d at the baby and smiled back at us.
“She’s beautiful. Congratulations you two. I’m glad this worked out after all.”
The rest of the day was spent just waiting for the 24 hours to pass so we could leave. Tate’s parents came and visited with us again. They were so happy to be grandparents.
“We’ve already got her room ready to go. Tate threw a fit when I wanted to paint it pink, with little elephants all over. I had to return so much stuff,” she pouted.
I glanced over at her son and laughed.
“What theme did you end up going with then?”
She winked.
“I think it will be better seeing it in person. I couldn’t do it justice. I had to hire a designer for it, but it’s gorgeous. Very fitting, considering the name. Which, I love by the way. Tate, darling. You did good.”
“I agree. Cara Daisy. It’s interesting, thought provoking,” his dad added. Finally, evening rolled around and they gave us our discharge papers. We buckled her up nice and tight in her car seat and Tate took her down, setting her in my car. I got into the driver’s side and turned to him.
“Where to then?”
There was a pause as he thought.
“I’m not sure. Things are a little different now, aren’t they? Is it going to be alright to go back to your apartment? What exactly is going on? We haven’t really clarified things. You and I...?”
“Are married. I’m staying. Ronny and I are done. We broke up yesterday, for good this time. It’s been a long time coming.”
“Does he know about her?” He tilted his head towards the back seat. I frowned. I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t checked his messages from last night. I was too scared to see what he had to say to me. He had been furious when he found Tate’s journal in my room.
“I’m not sure. We fought and he stormed out. If he went back to his apartment then I assume he ran into Cash who probably told him. I really don’t know. Fuck,” I sighed. I didn’t want to bring the baby back to my apartment if there was going to be a fight. I looked back up at Tate, my mood deflated.
“Why don’t I go to my place alone? If he’s there I can talk to him more rationally and explain things better. A cleaner break up than we had last night. I can take you wherever you want.”
Tate didn’t look happy about that option.
“What?” I asked when he didn’t speak for a long time.
“It’s just, what if he doesn’t think you broke up? I know Ronny. He isn’t going to let you go easily. If I go with you then I can back you up.”
“With the baby?”
“What’s he going to do? He takes even one step towards her and he’s dead. I’m going with you. If he’s got something to say he can say it to me too. I can take it.”
“Can you? Ronny’s...” I sighed. “Ronny. Okay, we’ll both go. But I know he’s going to throw anything he can back in our faces.”
“That’s fine, I’ll throw it right back.”
He reached for my hand and laced our fingers together.
“We’ve already put some things behind us today, let’s do some more and move on.”
He was referring to Whitley, who last to my knowledge, was spending another night at the hospital. I wasn’t privy to the details, but when we inquired shortly before leaving, they assured us we wouldn’t run into her in the hallways. I knew she wouldn’t care what I thought, but I still wished her the best in whatever she did after this. I nodded, agreeing with him. It was time we did start moving forward with this new chapter of our lives.
The entire drive over I mentally braced myself for whatever words Ronny was going to throw our way.
The last few months had been nothing but rough, hot sex between him and I. I couldn’t lie by saying it wasn’t fun, but there was no real emotional attachment. Ronny was a ‘grass isn’t greener’ situation. When he was dating Tierney, my best friend, I wanted so badly for him and I to be together. But once I had him, it was nothing like I had dreamed in my head.
In a different world, maybe him and I could have worked out.A world without Tate.
I was shocked when I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment and didn’t see Ronny’s white van anywhere. Was he staying away? Did he really understand that we were over? My thoughts went back to my phone where his messages remained unread. Did I even bother opening them?
