I had some help

Forty-two

The tour had ended, and Alex and Morgan found themselves back in their separate worlds. Their whirlwind journey on the road had brought them closer, with a few fleeting moments of passion over the last three months. However, as the tour drew to a close, they both agreed that their connection was better suited to friendship.

Alex returned to her office, a place that always brought her a sense of calm and order. Her assistant had done an excellent job maintaining everything in her absence, and Alex felt grateful as she settled back into her routine. The hustle and bustle of work helped distract her from the complex emotions swirling inside her.

Meanwhile, Morgan was back home, dedicating his time to Katie. She was nearing the end of her pregnancy, and Morgan wanted to be there for every moment. His focus was on preparing for the arrival of their child, but his thoughts often drifted back to Alex and the unresolved feelings between them.

One afternoon, as Alex was sorting through emails, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Morgan.

"Hey, how's everything going? Settling back in okay?"

Alex smiled, her heart skipping a beat. Despite everything, hearing from Morgan always brightened her day.

"Hey! Things are good here, just catching up on work. How are things with you and Katie?"

"Good, just getting ready for the baby. It's a lot, but we're excited."

"That's great to hear. I'm really happy for you guys."

There was a pause in the conversation, and Alex could almost feel the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. She took a deep breath before typing out her next message.

"I miss talking to you, Morgan. Things feel different now that the tour is over."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I miss it too. It was nice having you around."

"Maybe we can catch up sometime? When things settle down with the baby, of course."

"I'd like that. Let's make it happen."

As she put her phone down, Alex felt a mixture of emotions-hope, uncertainty, and a lingering ache for what might have been. She knew they both had their own lives to lead, but the connection between them was undeniable.

Morgan, on the other hand, looked at his phone with a thoughtful expression. His life was about to change drastically with the arrival of his child, but he couldn't ignore the pull he felt towards Alex. They had shared something special, something that went beyond just friendship or fleeting moments.

In the days that followed, Alex threw herself into her work, finding comfort in the familiar tasks and responsibilities. Yet, every now and then, her thoughts would drift back to Morgan, wondering what the future held for both of them.

Morgan, too, found himself thinking about Alex, even as he supported Katie through the final stages of her pregnancy. He was committed to being there for Katie and their child, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was unfinished business with Alex.

At 5 PM on July 9th, Katie's water broke, sending Morgan and her rushing to the hospital, their lives about to change forever.

Meanwhile, Alex was working late at her office, immersed in the quiet solitude she cherished after hours. As she sorted through paperwork for new clients, her phone suddenly buzzed.

Alex, Katie and I are at the hospital. Her water broke two hours ago. If you want to meet us, that would be great. I want her to meet you.

Alex read the message with a mix of surprise and anticipation. Without hesitation, she began packing up her things.