Keep Me Safe

Chapter 97

The first thing her mother had remarked on was how she was barely showing. This statement alone made Spencer want to curl up in a ball and hide from the world.

It took all her courage and dignity to tell her mother the news that she had avoided telling anyone for the last month.

"I lost the baby. They induced labor last month. Premature, stillborn."

All it took was her mom's arms around her for Spencer to break down. Unshed tears flowed freely from her eyes, leaking onto Veronica's crisp blouse. But she encouraged the rush of emotions. As the years had gone by, Mrs. Hastings had gotten better at embracing vulnerability.

"If only I would've known that's why you wanted to come. I thought you and Toby had just had some kind of fight. If I would had known, I could've come there, so you wouldn't have-"

Spencer started heaving in her mother's arms again, reminded of her and Toby's current state. God, he was probably so resentful of her, so disappointed that she couldn't do the one thing any woman was supposed to do.

"Do you want to go out t eat? Go shopping? Maybe to the spa?" Her mother suggested. Of course this was the way she would handle things. She would bribe her daughters with expensive gifts and getaways instead of getting to the root of the problem. But that was how her family functioned, nothing had changed.

Spencer shook her head, her gaze cast upon the floor. "No thanks, I think I'll go take a nap."

She grabbed her small suitcase and retreated up the stairs to her old bedroom. In the midst of her misery, sleep came easily.
-
She had never been one for yoga, or meditation for that matter. Or even Pilates. But the three activities were something that took up time, cleared her mind, and allowed her to seek comfort in physical exertion.

She was able to focus on her breathing, not the details of the miscarriage. Her biggest worry was correct form, not her marriage. And while she was there, sweat dripping down her face as she did endless bicycle crunches, she could pretend that nothing had happened in the past month.

But one particular afternoon in meditation had given her a startling realization. While her instructor had directed them to count their blessings, her first thought was Toby. She could've lost him. They could try again for more children, but there would never be another Toby. He was the reason she could get through this. She loved Abby with all of her being, but she was conditioned to. Abby, although nonexistent, was her daughter. But Spencer had chosen to love Toby- rather passionately at that. And he was something in her life definitely worth holding on to.

And so after a week with her mom, Spencer decided to get in her car and drive back to Wisconsin. It took hours, but her steadfast determination took the highest rank in her mind. She had to see Toby again, had to prove that she still loves him, regardless of what had happened.
-
She found him in his workshop, wolfing intently on some new project. It was smaller than his usual ones, but much more intricate. As she stepped closer, she saw that it was a jewelry box.

"Toby," Spencer whispered as not to alarm him. Still, he was startled at hearing her voice for the first time in a week.

He immediately sat up, her name rolling off his lips in return.

"I'm sorry," they exchanged at once.

But in reality, there was no reason for either of them to feel sorry. Things like this happened, and they could choose to let it make them stronger or to tear them apart.

But as Toby kissed her with as much passion as was evident on their wedding night, it became very apparent that the former applied.
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WOW THIS SUCKS but writers block guys. I'm working on a one shot but idk how soon I'll have it up. Love you guys!