Page 109 of Songs for Libby

“So,” he continued. “Will you consider it?”

I looked back at the house options, letting myself really consider it. It made sense. I knew that. But as I looked up and took in all the details of my little house, the thought of actually leaving it made my heart sink, and I couldn’t help the frown that rumpled my face. I chewed on my lip and reached for the necklace that was once again a permanent fixture around my throat.

“What’s wrong?”

I looked at him and tried to smile, tried to be reassuring, but I couldn’t make my face do it. Finally I just gave a little shrug. “I have the nursery all set up. I—” I swallowed, trying to herd my thoughts together. “This is my house. This is—” the home I built with Jonas. I finished the thought in my head because my aching heart wouldn’t let the words past my lips.

Sean didn’t say anything at first. He just sat there, empathy pouring off of him. Then he pulled me into his side, resting his chin on my head. “It’s not fair,” he finally said. “I know. What I’m asking of you isn’t fair. It shouldn’t be necessary, but…”

“But it is,” I finished for him.

He nodded.

♪♫♪

The house I chose was beautiful, gorgeous. How could it be anything less at that price? But really, I was quickly falling in love with it. We walked through all three that Sean had found, but this one spoke to me. It had balconies and was surrounded by lots of trees and it didn’t have a pool. Sean was confused at my desire to not have a pool, but I just pointed to my belly.

“Right,” he’d said. “No pool then.”

It also had a guest house, so Sean would be able to have more than just a room.

Sean said it would take less than a week to get everything done and all of our things packed and moved into the new house. But before I let anyone start packing anything, I felt like I needed to call Louisa.

We’d spoken several times since she’d agreed to come. I didn’t ever want her to have reason to believe that something in a tabloid was true, and so I was determined to keep her in the loop.

Her face popped up on my screen. “Hey, Libby. It’s not baby time, is it?”

“Nope. She’s staying put for now. I’ve still got four weeks left.”

“Oh, I know. I’ve been counting down. And buying things.”

“You already bought me plenty of things,” I protested.

She shrugged. “Babies need a lot of stuff. So, how are you?”

“I’m doing well. Um, I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to be moving.” Better to just get it out there and over with.

She blinked in surprise. “Moving? This close to your due date?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Sean is getting really worried about the reporters and other people wanting to get photos. So we found a house that has great security, it’s own gate and everything.” I raised one shoulder in apprehension, afraid she would think my choice was somehow a negative reflection on Jonas, like he hadn’t taken care of me well enough or something. Probably irrational, but the fear was still there.

I watched as she took a deep breath and then heaved a sigh. “Good,” she said quietly. “That’s a good idea. I’m glad you’re doing that.”

“Really?” I asked, my body sinking in relief.

“Of course. I want you to be safe above all else. And I’ve seen some of those photos and I do not like how close those darn vipers are getting to you.”

“You’re not upset I won’t be living in the house I shared with Jonas anymore?”

“I’m”—she thought for a moment—“sad about it. It breaks my heart to have that reminder that he’s not coming back.” She pressed her lips together, nodding thoughtfully, her emotions close to the surface. “It aches knowing that you won’t be in the home that you shared with him.” She gave a little shrug. “It makes me sad.”

I sniffed. “Me too.”

♪♫♪