Foster Mom [#Wattys2016] (completed) ✔️

34.

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I look at the time and I say to the girls. "It's time to say 'goodbye' to your Dad. I have a few things I need to do."

Sophie and Gracie put the toys in the bag and they wave to Ethan. They hold my hand and we walk out of the hospital. The girls climb into the car and I put their seatbelt on them.

When I step away from the door I crash into a hard wall. I look up and I see Ethan staring at me. I push him away. "What do you want?"

"Can we talk?"

"I told you before 'that I need time to process this.' If you continue to hound me it will be longer before I want to talk to you again." I move around him. "Don't call me. I will call you when I'm ready."

He sighs. "I'm sorry, Lake. I didn't think this would hurt you."

I ignore him and climb into the car. I start up the car and I pull out of the parking spot.

***

At my parent's place I see Mom waiting outside. I step out of the car and move around to the back. I open the car door and unbuckle the twins.

Mom walks down the footpath and she opens her arms for Sophie and Gracie. The hug Mom. She looks at me. "Is the guy the father?"

I nod. "Mom, you won't believe who the father is?"

She looks at me. "Who is the father?"

"Ethan,"

Her mouth drops open. "What did you say to him?"

I look at my car and then back to Mom. "I told him I need a few days. Can you look after the girls?"

Mom smiles. "Sure, do whatever you need to. I bet it was a shock to see the guy you have fallen for standing across the room."

"It was. I'll be home in a few hours." I climb into the car and I drive away from the house. When I get to a red stop light I see a message from Johnny.

I open the message.

Johnny: Where are you?

Me: Did you know?

Johnny: Yes,

I throw my phone across the car and it lands on the floor on the passenger side. I turn back to the light and it turns green. I drive through the intersection. I just continue to drive without a place in mind.

When I look at where I am I realise that I'm close to Harlow's Passage. I head towards the National Park that Johnny told me about.

At the park I pull into a parking spot and I step out of the car. I pick up the water bottle I had on the driver's door and I head towards a walking trail.

There's four walking trails here and I look at the map for the longest hike. I memorise the map before I head in the direction of Harlow's Peak. I look at the mountain and smile.

This is going to be a good hike.

I follow the path up and then I see a fork with four directions. I take the path that goes straight. I walk up the stairs and my legs start to hurt, but I pull through it.