“Veda is tired,” Derrick says, and my eyes lift to find him. “Why don’t we just give her a moment to take a breath?”
“I agree,” Anne says, already on her feet as if the meeting is over.
Jacinta's eyes find mine; they are just as intense as her son's. I find myself captured, breathing frozen in my lungs.
“I’m not saying this to pressure you, Veda, but the word is out. Everyone in this township has a child who never got to experience matehood, and your existence itself is a miracle. More than that, you deserve happiness too. You’re an Omega, and it looks like you’ve been through a lot. We aren’t built well for that.”
The words make me pause. I frown and glance at Anne, wondering if she told the others, but she shakes her head quickly. Ok, so she didn’t tell anyone about the baby. My shoulders relax.
“Can I just have tonight? Please?”
My voice is small, pathetic, and I wince when the words are out of my mouth. I hate sounding this small. Everyone nods, and no one comments on my weakness, and for that I’m grateful. This time, I’m the one who stands up, and Anne is on my heels. She waves off everyone and keeps me with her.
“I’m going to show the room to Veda, the girl needs rest now.”
She’s strong for a small woman, and I find myself smiling. I like that. She brings me down a small hall at the back of the cabin, almost to the very end, and opens a door to reveal a guest room.
“Please make yourself comfortable.”
I step in, and the bed is calling for me. It’s not even late, but it feels like I have lived three lives since I left the ranch.
“I’m bringing you food, and you have to eat it all.” She wags her finger before I can protest. “I’m making you something appropriate for—”
She waves as if that’s enough explanation. My situation? My new discovery? I don’t know, but I smile to say my thanks. If she wants to feed me, well, I’d love to be fed.
While she leaves to cook, I have a shower and change my clothes. Thankfully, the boys made sure my small bag was here waiting for me, and after I’m clean, I feel a little better.
Anne arrives some time later with a big plate of salmon and lentils, alongside a collection of nuts that she insists that I finish each one. She explains to me the fatty foods and the importance of each element on the plate, but I just devour everything because she’s a good cook.
It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep. I’m tired and confused, but I’m also full and comfortable. Thank god. I thought this day would never end.
Mirasol’s cries are louder than anything I’ve ever heard. I know deep in my bones she’s in trouble, and it’s on me to take her home. This time, I won’t let Grandpa take her. I won’t let anything stand in the way of keeping my child.
I run, but my steps are sluggish, my legs weigh a ton, and I cannot move fast enough. Mirasol shrieks, and at every cry she triggers mine, desperation taking over.
“Mirasol!” I call for her, unafraid this time.
That’s her name, and I'll call her name until the end of time. Everything I did was wrong, every single mindless yes, but now it’s different. I’m stronger, I know I am. I feel it in me. I understand now that I was only fed lies from birth, and it's time for me to wake up.
“Mirasol!Mirasol!”
Hot tears stream down my cheeks, and the pain I've been feeling takes on a new level. My legs are still too heavy. My arms reach for her, but she’s not around. All I do is hear her crying. She’s suffering so much! Grandpa told me this was the best, but it doesn’t feel like that…
“Mirasol!”
“Veda! Veda!”
I wake up in a warm embrace, my eyes take time to adjust, and for a long moment, I’m not sure where I am. Pieces start to form in front of my eyes, and someone shifts at the edge of my vision. Major. To his side is Derrick. Both of them hover around the bed, eyes on me at all times.
“It’s okay, sweetheart, you’re safe.”
The voice brings goose bumps down my arms, and I relax. It’s Jesse’s voice. I realize I’m crying. I’m so tired of crying, but the tears keep flowing. They feel eternal, as if there’s no me without the sadness weighing me down and the tears soaking my pajamas.
“Who is Mirasol?” Major asks.
Jesse lets me go, and I rest my back on the headboard. My two lives collide, and I suck in a breath, rubbing a spot by my heart, where I miss her the most. What’s the point of lying?
“My daughter.”
