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“I will.” Darcy took a deep breath and resolved to tell her parents about Robyn. Then she prayed they would forgive her for waiting so long to tell them.
***
“I could tell you were tired last night when you texted. How was the shower?” Carter asked as he steered Darcy’s car on Interstate 485 the following afternoon.
She turned toward him. “Great. We had a lot of fun. We played some games, and the food was delicious. Most importantly, Haven was happy. She called me this morning and thanked me since we didn’t really get a chance to talk yesterday.”
“Good.” He gave her a sideways glance.
“How’s Shauna feeling?”
“She told me her morning sickness is finally subsiding. She’s tired, but she’s pushing through with work.”
“That’s great,” Darcy said. “I know you all are excited. How does it feel knowing you’re going to be an uncle?” She could already see him playing with the twins, taking them to the play area in the park. He would be a wonderful uncle—and a wonderful father. The thought sent a thrill racing through her.
Something unreadable drifted over his face. “Like a miracle. They’ve been hoping for a child for so long, and now they’re going to have two.”
“I can’t wait to meet those twins.” She rubbed his neck. “Thanks for coming with me today. I’m planning to tell my parents about Robyn at lunch.”
His eyes widened. “You are?”
She nodded, picking at the seam on her denim shorts and pondering the day ahead. While she dreaded sharing the news about Robyn, on top of it all was the fact that it was the two-year anniversary of Jace’s death. She had almost forgotten what day it was until she’d looked at her planner this morning. Since she’d been so focused on Haven’s bridal shower, the milestone day had hit her like a ton of bricks. How had Jace been gone for two whole years?
A cold chill washed over her as the memories returned to her mind. She still recalled the day like it was yesterday. How he’d been so considerate picking up her medicine. How he offered to cook dinner because she was so focused on a special project at work. How she couldn’t reach him when she arrived home. How the house was empty. How his mother sobbed on the phone...
“Are you sure you’re ready?” Carter’s voice broke through her thoughts and transported her back to the present. “That seems like a private family discussion. Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
Darcy tried to focus on her boyfriend beside her. “I wanted you here for moral support.”
“I understand.” He reached over and patted her thigh. “But if you want me to leave, just tell me, okay? You won’t hurt my feelings.”
She nodded, but she doubted she’d want him to leave. Not today. She couldn’t be left alone with her thoughts and the grief packed around her heart.
When they arrived at her parents’ neighborhood, Carter entered the code at the community gate. After it lifted, they followed the winding road down to her parents’ sprawling brick colonial. Carter steered the car into the driveway and parked behind Darcy’s mother’s black BMW SUV.
Darcy swallowed a deep breath. She met Carter at the front of the car, and he took her hand in his.
“You got this,” he told her before kissing her cheek.
She smiled up at him.
They ascended the steps to the front door, and before Darcy’s hand reached the doorknob, the door swung open.
“Come in! Lunch is ready,” Mom announced, smiling.
They followed her through the house to the large eat-in kitchen, where the table was set with chicken salad sandwiches, spinach dip, and pita chips.
“This looks amazing, Josie,” Carter said.
Mom looked proud. “Thank you.”
“What can I do?” Darcy offered, trying to steady her voice.
“I’m all set. You two sit, and I’ll call your father down. He’s upstairs on his computer.” Mom walked to the back staircase.
Carter and Darcy took their seats, and Darcy closed her eyes and tried to calm her racing heart. She was strong. She could make it through the anniversary of Jace’s death, and she was brave enough to tell her parents about Robyn.
Carter pushed a tendril of her hair behind her ear. “Darce, you look like you’re going to pass out. Deep breaths,” he whispered. “It’s going to be fine.”
