Fated (A Chris Evans Series)

Try

A few days after the miscarriage, Chris flew his mother-in-law out to Boston so Denise could have her own mother with her as she continued to reel from the tragedy. Lisa, too, spent a lot of time at the house, helping where she could with house chores and Jack. Together with Tina, they helped Chris tell people about Denise's miscarriage so the grieving mother wouldn't have to repeat what Dr. Carson had told her. It was one thing to hear her baby didn't have a heartbeat, it was another to tell everyone they loved that her baby didn't have a heartbeat.

Every one they'd called or texted on the 15th of February was called and texted again with the unfortunate update. All that joy they'd celebrated with, all the excitement they'd felt upon hearing Chris and Denise were expecting their second child- it all turned to heartache and grief. Like anyone else who'd seen a loved one, or a friend, or a co-worker experience one- they didn't know what to do, or say. And the small handful who'd experience one themselves knew that time was the only remedy. They simply sent their love and deepest regrets, promising that they were but a call away if the couple needed anything.

It didn't seem like Denise needed anything, but space. She didn't eat, or drink unless she was forced to. The only person she spoke to without displaying signs of her depression was her son, but even then- it was fairly obvious how broken she was. She spent most of her time cooped up in the master bedroom, or on the couch wrapped in a blanket with Dodger her only welcomed company. Since she returned from the clinic, Dodger had been glued to her side, growing even more protective of her after she had her procedure. He growled at any one who came close, even Chris. At nights, he struggled to even get in the same bed as his wife because Dodger was there, so he'd camp out in his son's room or sleep on the couch.

As bad as Denise felt for shutting Chris out, she felt worst whenever she had to look at him because all she could think about was how she'd failed him and their baby. She wanted nothing more than to have his comforting arms around her, but every time she came close to touching him- she'd remember the pain she'd caused him with her carelessness and retreat to mourn alone. It was absurd that she thought it was her fault she miscarried, it hurt Chris to hear that she blamed herself. He did everything he could to prove to her otherwise, collecting pamphlets and printing out articles that addressed how some miscarriages were unexplainable and unavoidable. Still, he felt like he needed to do more.

He emailed back and forth with Dr. McCullough back in Los Angeles, asking about plans for mental recovery, as well as the statistical possibility of getting pregnant again. Though he'd rather not, afraid they'd repeat history, dragging Denise through another tragedy. He spoke to Charlie and asked for her professional advice as a nurse who'd helped other mothers through miscarriages before. He FaceTimed with Sebastian and Luca, and Donovan and Erica, hoping they could offer their six pence as well as some moral support. It seemed that was something he severely needed with his main pillar so far away from him. He even called Aunt Teresa, Denise's mother's younger sister, who'd gone through something similar years ago to see if she could give him a sense of what he could do for her niece. In the end, they all said the same thing: "give her time, Chris. Be there for her, but just give her time." It was sound advice, but by the end of the fourth week- he just wanted his wife back, for his son to have his mother back.

What made things even harder for everyone involved in the tragedy was that tomorrow was Mother's Day- Denise's first Mother's Day in Boston; a place known for their 'Duckling Day' parade. Denise had been so excited when she first heard about it. She thought it was an adorable way to spend Mother's Day with Chris and Jack, parading around the streets of Boston with the rest of the parents and children. Lisa had purchased Jack a costume just before Denise miscarried, one that was no longer going to see the light of day- at least, not this year. This year, with the baby they'd lost, Denise would not be capable of getting through that parade without completing breaking down. And if Chris was being honest, he knew he'd struggle too. The one thing he was grateful for was his son and how understanding he'd been when he had to explain why they weren't going to the Duckling Day Parade after all.