Returning Hearts

Chapter 11: Moving Home

August has been packing for hours but still has so much left to pack as her doorbell rings. She has only thought about Jackson all day and how much she still loved him. She fears he will never forgive her. She had thought he still loved her but he never actually said he did when she was with him. He had asked her to move in with him though, so she wonders if that is a good sign he will forgive her again since he already forgave her for leaving. As she opens the door, Carter is bouncing in Martha's arms from excitement at seeing his mom. "Hey baby!" August takes him from Martha and lifts him high in the air over her head. "Were you a good boy today?"

"He was a perfect angel, as always." Martha says as she hands August his diaper bag and looks around the room. "You got a lot done today."

August turns looking around the room. "I did. I still have a lot to do but I will have the movers do all the major packing on Friday when they come."

"Friday?" Martha sounds surprised. "That is quick."

"I know but I need to get back home and resolve all the issues I have caused." August gives Carter a kiss as he tries to grab her hair. "Thank you so much for watching him today."

"You are welcome. If you are packing again tomorrow just let me know and I will come get him out of your way."

"I will. Thank you, Martha." August hugs her. "You have been so great the past year. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"It has been a joy. I will see you both tomorrow then." Martha smiles.

"Have a good night."

"You do the same." Martha turns to leave as August shuts the door and places Carter in the floor to play.

August pulls out her phone hoping there is a message or call from Jackson, but still sees nothing. She debates on texting him but can't think of anything to say. She doesn't understand who could have told him about Carter or what all they told him in fact. Realization suddenly sweeps across her face. "Sydney." She shuffles through her phone and calls Sydney's number. As the phone rings she feels anger building inside her. "Hey girl. How was your trip and Jackson?"

"Did you tell him about Carter?"

"What? I haven't seen Jackson in over a year."

August calms her nerves a bit. "Okay. What about Tommy?" The silence from Sydney causes August to release an aggravated breath. "Oh no. Tommy? You're still sleeping with Tommy?"

"Oh, August! No. I am so sorry. We had been drinking. A lot. I didn't remember if I had told him or not."

"Sydney!" August is more aggravated with herself than with Sydney. She shouldn't have put that burden on her friend.

"That was like almost two months ago though."

"Two months? Jackson had no idea until last night when he called me upset."

"Tommy kept it a secret that long?" Sydney sounds impressed he was able to stay quiet so long about such big news.

"Why would he do that?"

"I don't know. I had just assumed I dreamed that conversation. I am really sorry August." The sincerity in Sydney's words make August relax.

"It is okay. He had to find out sooner or later. I didn't know how to do it so at least now I don't have to."

"What did he say?"

"He asked if I had a baby and then told me he never wanted to see me again."

"What? That doesn't sound like Jackson."

"I know but he has every right to be mad. I did lie to him all this time. Tommy is a good friend. I bumped into them Sunday night on a double date." August sounds sad thinking back to Isabelle looking lustfully at Jackson.