He Did This To Me

Epilogue

Epilogue

***Two Years Later***

I rushed around the kitchen trying to balance my time for cooking, and my time for setting the table. Last year we did the same sort of dinner in honor of Ella. It was the anniversary of her death and this was how we celebrated her life. Kind of like an annual goodbye gift.

Colton stood in the kitchen door. "Smells good. What are you cooking?" he asked like he didn't already know. He offered to help but I turned him down. This was something I felt like I needed to do alone.

"Lasagna. Her favorite." I replied, smiling at nothing. She would be proud of this tribute. That Colton would tough up a dinner with his enemies just for her.

"They'll be here any minute." Colton glanced at the clock. It was five minutes to six, the time Brayden and Sal would show up. They always brought the same people; Kendra and Angela. Of course, Sydney and Elizabeth were invited too. All of us acted like family now. Ella had been our reason to bond, even with those we didn't want to bond with.

After the five minutes ticked by, the doorbell rang. Everyone was there. My parents, my friends, and my daughters best friend. A perfectly bittersweet night was planned.

While Colton greeted everyone, I stood by the oven, working to perfect the meal. I knew that even if it did burn, Ella would be glad I tried.

*****

Dinner was ready and everyone sat at the table. Everyone was chattering away when I tinged my glass. "Can I have everyones attention?" Everyone looked up at me. "We all know this dinner is for Ella, and how great she was. But I also think it's about us sharing any news that she would want to hear. Me and Colton have a... rather large announcement."

Colton stood up next to me and kissed my cheek. We were both very nervous to say this.

"Adrianna is pregnant." he finished for me. Everyone gasped, which made me feel guilty. It was like they didn't want me to have another.

Then Brayden congratulated me. "You always were an amazing mother. You deserve to have another one! Congrats!"

I got a few more mumbled agreements, but none of them sounded sincere. Even when I told Colton, he had sounded hesitant to be happy. What was wrong with having another child?

I sat down and ate. The whole dinner was silent. Maybe this wasn't the right time or place to have told everyone. I always had to mess things up, didn't I? I wanted this baby so bad! I was hoping it could fill the emptiness I had in my heart. To hold a baby again would be a dream! So why did everyone act like it was a bad thing? I'd have to confront Colton about it...

After everyone had filed out of the house and the twins were sleeping, I dragged Colton into the living room. He looked at me, eyes full of confusion. "Adri? What's going on babe?" he asked, almost silently.

"Why doesn't anyone want me to have a baby? Why don't you?" I replied, letting my hurt surface. He needed to see how much it pained me that no one had my back on this decision. I had my back against the wall with this choice.

"Babe, it's just that.... honey it's only been two years since we lost Ella. Do you realize how it sounds to have another child right after the death of one? It's like you're... replacing her."

My jaw dropped. Had he really just said that to me? How cruel could a person be? "That's what you think? You think I'm REPLACING her? Don't talk to me! Don't touch me! Just leave me alone!" I screamed. I couldn't control myself. It just hurt so much to know that was what he was thinking!

He tried to hold my hand, but I ripped mine away from his. Tears pooled in my eyes. The thought; how could he? echoed through my mind. Was it so wrong for me to want another child?