Daylight - John B Routledge

001

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The morning sun streamed through the windows, warm and blinding. Gabriella blinked against the light, sitting up and stretching her arms overhead. She glanced at Bailey, her golden retriever, curled up on the bed beside her, paws twitching in a dream.

"Good morning, Beils," she said with a soft smile.

Bailey barked, her tail wagging lazily, as Gabriella swung her legs off the bed and stood. She padded over to her double glass doors, drawing back the pink curtains and pulling the doors open. The salty air greeted her as she stepped onto the balcony.

From her vantage point, Gabriella surveyed the chaos left by Hurricane Agatha-fallen branches, patio furniture toppled like forgotten toys, and debris littering the lawn. Her stepdad was already outside, directing workers to clear the mess.

Her hands instinctively moved to her belly, rubbing it in small, comforting circles. Memories of last summer with John B came rushing back-the long, lazy days on the water, the reckless laughter, and the way he looked at her, as if she was the only person who mattered.

She sighed. It wasn't supposed to happen this way.

When the summer ended, so had their brief, whirlwind romance. Gabriella hadn't reached out to him since. Then she started dating Topper-safe, predictable, and completely clueless about her summer fling. But now, things were different.

Gabriella hadn't told John B about the baby. She hadn't even let herself imagine how he'd react. Shocked? Angry? Hurt? All of the above?

She shook the thoughts away and turned back inside. Grabbing her slippers, she headed downstairs. Bailey scampered ahead of her, tail wagging furiously.

In the living room, her twin sister, Michelle, lounged on the couch, the TV playing quietly while she scrolled on her phone.

"Morning," Gabriella said as she passed.

"Morning," Michelle replied with a smirk. Her eyes drifted to Gabriella's bump. "How's the baby today?"

"Still in there," Gabriella joked, placing a hand on her belly. "I've got a doctor's appointment later."

"Good," Michelle said, reaching out to lightly touch the small bump. "Make sure everything's okay."

Gabriella smiled faintly and headed to the kitchen, where her mom, Stephanie, was flipping pancakes.

"Morning, Ma," she said, sliding onto a stool at the counter.

"Morning, peach," Stephanie said, glancing over her shoulder with a warm smile. "Sleep okay?"

"Yeah," Gabriella lied.

Stephanie placed a plate in front of her. "How's my grandbaby?"

"The baby's fine. I have an appointment today," Gabriella replied.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow as she leaned against the counter. "Does John B know yet?"

Gabriella froze for a moment, then sighed. "No, not yet."

"Gabriella..." her mom's tone was firm.