“I do,” I say slowly. “I just don’t want you to hate me.”
“Darling girl, how could we ever hate you?” Andrea cries, eyes widening with shock.
“You know that Aaron was the love of my life,” I begin. “And he always will be. And I know it may feel sudden, but I…” I hesitate, mustering every ounce of courage I can to get the words out. “There’s someone in my life now. Someone good, and kind, and supportive. I couldn’t have gotten through any of this–the loss, the pregnancy, the birth, the aftermath–without him.”
Alan and Andrea share a knowing look, but don't say anything, so I continue.
“I didn’t plan it, and Lord knows I didn’t expect it. But it happened without me even noticing, like the most natural feeling in the world.”
“Can we ask who?” Alan questions, but in a way that makes it feel like he already knows the answer.
“Um,” I stall. “Well it’s not someone entirely new, I would never let a stranger around our Little One, not for a second.”
They nod, silently urging me to continue.
“It’s…well, it’s Jack.”
The last thing in the world I expected happens—their shoulders relax in tandem, both sighing in relief.
"Finally," Alan sighs in relief.
What?
“Oh, Abby,” Andrea says, coming over to the couch and placing her hand on my cheek. “Of course it is.”
“You'd be okay with this?” I ask, bewildered. “I’ve been so worried about what people might think, moving on with Aaron’s best friend–especially you two, I would never want to upset you.”
“He’s your best friend, too,” Alan points out. “The three of you have been peas in a pod since you were teenagers.”
“Exactly,” Andrea says, thumb swiping away the errant tear on my cheek that escaped. “If there’s one man on this planet that Aaron would trust you with, it’s Jack Robb.”
“You have no idea how wonderful he’s been,” I gush. “Everything from bringing me miracle food when I couldn’t stop barfing to building the crib to doing nighttime feedings when I’m too exhausted to think straight.”
“We know,” they say in unison.
“What do you mean?”
“Has he not told you?” Andrea asks.
“Of course he hasn’t, dear,” Alan scoffs. “You know he wouldn’t willingly bring any attention to himself.”
“Hasn’t told me what?”
“Jack has come to our house every week since Aaron passed,” Andrea chokes, fighting back tears. “He’s kept us updated on all the things you don’t have time or energy for.”
I immediately open my mouth to apologize, but Alan cuts me off.
“Oh, hush, don't you apologize. You’re busy and exhausted,” he interjects. “You were a new widow, and now you’re a new mom. We don’t expect daily updates from you.”
“But Jack has stopped by regularly,” Andrea continues. “Sometimes he helps with things around the house, sometimes we spend hours telling our favorite stories about Aaron.”
“And sometimes we don’t say anything at all,” Alan finishes. “He just sits with us in our grief, and nothing could ever mean more to us than that.”
“Until now,” Andrea smiles. “Until we started to see how much he cares for you and Erin. How much he loves you both.”
I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face in juxtaposition to the tears freely flowing. I didn’t think it was possible to love him more than I already do, but to know that he checked in on them, to make sure they were okay and supported–my heart is damn near bursting out of my chest.
“He really does love us. So much.” My words echo Andrea’s as she squeezes my hand. “And I love him. I’ve always loved him, he’s the best friend Aaron and I ever had. And then all of a sudden, our friendship turned into something more, and it just felt…right. ”
