Back Again

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"Hadley, you can't just pick up and move away just because you're struggling to get over your divorce." Quinn said to me as I sat at her island while she cooked. Little did she know, I had already made up my mind and their was no changing it.

"Quinn, you don't understand. You're married. You don't even have kids yet. Just imagine Paul leaving you and him wanting nothing do to with you or your kids. It's terrible. Besides, I have a job interview lined up in Maine. It's gonna be great." I replied. Quinn chopped an onion vigorously. She was obviously getting frustrated with my stubbornness.

"Yes, But you don't even understand just how hard it is to move four children across the country. What will you tell them? They may be young, but they're very intelligent. Something they got from you. They will ask questions." Quinn said as a final attempt to get me to stay.

"My mind cannot be swayed. I am going. Now let's enjoy this last meal together. You can always come visit me!" I said giving her a big smile. "I find it quite funny that you're cooking me the food when I'm the one that went to culinary school." Paul turned around from the stove, stirring what smelt like some sort of Cajun food. He grabbed the chopped onion from Quinn.

"Nonsense, Hads. We invited you here for dinner! Now go round up the kiddos, it's almost done." He called out as he stirred the pot.

I walked over the the back porch and herded the kids in like sheep. Quinn and Paul had a playground that the kids loved to play on. I knew they bought it in hopes their own kids would get to use it someday.

After dinner was over, we said our final goodbyes. I hugged Quinn so tight I thought I might break her.

"Be careful!" She squealed. "I don't want you to hurt my baby!" My eyes widened in shock as I felt a wave of happiness wash over me.

"Oh my gosh!" I jumped up and down like a child. I have four kids of my own, and one on the way, but I was still beyond happy for my good friends. They had been trying for a baby for awhile now. "Why didn't you guys tell me!?"

"We wanted it to be a surprise, but didn't wanna use it against you in your decision to move. We love you and know you'll be okay. We will visit often and I know you'll help me when my own baby arrives." Quinn said with genuineness. She placed a hand over her flat stomach, which would soon be swollen with their little one.

"I'm so happy for you guys." I said before bidding them goodbye. The van was already packed with the kids and ready to leave.

————

I woke up the next morning to my phone ringing. It was Walker calling. My heart skipped a beat and for a moment I smiled. The moment soon passed though as I remembered he wanted nothing to do with me. I rolled my eyes. If he wants nothing to do with me, then so be it. I declined the call and crawled out of bed. Today was moving day!

I already had the U-Haul packed up and attached to the back of my vehicle. I knew the journey would be long and take several days, but in my mind, it was so worth it. I knew I could finally find a peace of mind living close to family and finally more people who could love my children.

Many things filled the pot in this decision to move. My best friend from high school getting married, my children will have grandparents, aunts, and uncles to love them. Something they never got living in California as Walker's family lived in another country. My sudden and tragic divorce with Walker, my unborn baby that Walker never knew about. But I think the tipping point in all of this is the fact that Walker gave full custody to me rather than giving a shit about his kids. That right there hurt me the most. My babies are my whole world and I couldn't even consider never seeing them again.