Page 10 of First Comes Love

Until last week.

Apparently my mother’s birthday is enough of an excuse for me to show my face in town again. More than likely, something else is going on, but I wasn’t about to question their invitation. As much as it scares me to be back, even after all this time, I knew the day would come.

Five years.

It feels like a lifetime and yet there are moments when it feels like it was only yesterday I stared out of the passenger window of my father’s car, watching as my life was changing before my eyes.

I remember holding my stomach as we drove past Garrett’s, the realization that Wyatt would never know why I left. He would never know that we created a child together. He would never forgive me for keeping his child from him, for denying him the opportunity to be a father.

But I wasn’t denying him, my parents were. At least, that’s what I’ve tried to convince myself of. Every time I look in her eyes, I see him. I see the life we planned for us. And all that convincing fails me.

I should have been stronger.

I should have fought harder.

I’ve had the opportunity to try and make amends, but my fears have held me back.

For five years.