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“Are you going to tell our child that he can’t be friends with people?” she asked.
“No.”
“Are you going to beat him? Punish him? Lock him in a dark room until he forgets about him?”
“Fuck, no.”
“Are you going to love him or her?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’d say that’s a good start.”
She didn’t know if she was having a boy or girl. On the last scan, the doctor had said it was possible for them to know, but she wanted to wait and for it to be a lovely surprise. That was what she looked forward to.
Heading across the path, she took the dogs out toward the park for a long walk. Grant hated it when she went for walks, but their dogs needed the exercise. As she made her way across town, she saw Jase with one of his clients, and she gave him a wave. She no longer visited his gym. The one time she tried to, Grant had left his job at the garage, picked her up while he’d been covered in grease and oil, and then carried her out of the gym. From that day forward, Aria had only ever waved at Jase.
With her hand on her stomach, she thought about her sister who was only a few weeks from giving birth. Isabella spent a lot of time with her. Their mother had cut them both out of her life. Aria didn’t care. She didn’t miss her mother and from what her sister said, neither did she. There was no more toxicity in her life. No one constantly telling her she was ugly and wouldn’t measure up.
She was free.
They both were.
Finally.
Aria saw the garage up ahead and like all other times, Wanda went first, rushing to see Grant. She rounded the garage and stepped inside. Grant was on his knees. The cloth he used to wipe his hands was on the floor.
“There’s my big girl.”
Not only did Grant work at the garage full time, he also still took his role at the animal shelter seriously. Aria continued to work at the veterinary practice. Phil and Andy had proven to be popular and the town had started to trust them. They had become the stop for all animal care.
“What have I told you, Mrs. Reynolds?” Grant asked. He got to his feet but made sure to pet both Ernie and Bruno.
“You tell me a lot of things,” she said.
He chuckled. “How are my woman and my child?” He put his hand on her stomach.
Grant had changed so much. She knew several people around town were shocked by his transformation. Even Maddie had noticed how different he was. Responsible. Grown up. Reliable.
“We’re doing fine. We needed a walk and so did the dogs.”
“I don’t want you doing too much,” he said.
“I’m not.” She rolled her eyes. “I was thinking about heading to the shelter.”
Grant groaned. “Don’t do it.”
Aria frowned. “Why?”
“There was a litter of puppies found abandoned by the side of the road. Maddie has already sent me pictures. I’m staying well clear of them. Honestly.”
“A litter of puppies?”
“Yes.”
“Are they okay?”
“I think so.”
