Aching for Adam

Chapter 21

The movers couldn't work fast enough for me, so I had to get out of the apartment and take a breather. Adam told me to trust him with the whole thing and just meet him in a few hours at our new home. So I did. I grabbed a bite to eat, then indulged in a little shopping therapy to calm my nerves.

Now, I was pulling into our driveway for the first time as a co-owner, feeling so giddy I thought I might combust. I stepped out of the car and stared at our perfectly manicured lawn, the English-style columns, and the red front door. I drew a deep breath and took in the blissful suburban life awaiting me.

I opened the front door and walked inside. The house was quiet, and I wondered if Adam had fallen asleep on the job.
"Adam?" I called, taking a few more steps.

The sun had almost completely set, leaving the house in shadow, but a soft glow came from the dining room on my left.

I turned the corner and stopped. Adam sat on a box, his crooked smile making my heart stutter before I could even take in the rest of the scene. Strings of white Christmas lights hung around the room, casting a comforting glow. In the middle, four boxes had been pushed together to form a makeshift table, with two more boxes on each side serving as chairs—one of which Adam occupied.

"What is this?" I asked, my heart speeding up.

"I just wanted our first moments in our new home to be special." He lifted a brown paper bag. "I know it's not the fanciest dinner, but—"

"It's perfect. So perfect, my love. You're the best," I said with a huff of laughter and a smile.

He grinned and gestured to the box across from him. "Have a seat, miss. Your food will be served shortly."

I chuckled and carefully sat down. What did I do to deserve this man?

We ate our first meal together in our new home, sharing laughter and smiles. It was blissful. We talked about our vision for each room, the changes we wanted to make to truly make the house ours. I took a moment to appreciate how much my life had changed in such a short time, and how happy I was that everything had worked out the way it was meant to.

Adam had already set up the bed in our room so we could be comfortable for our first night. We were both exhausted, so we crashed early, planning to get an early start the next day.

I woke up with only one thing on my mind. Well, two. The first was unpacking, obviously. The second was visiting Adam's parents as soon as I could. I realized the night before that the only shadow over this perfect moment—for Adam, at least—was his parents' disapproval. And I wanted my child to have all of their grandparents in their life.

We spent the day unpacking, and there was no chance for me to go see them. But tomorrow was Monday, and I knew I could spare a couple of hours in the morning. Another day ended, and though Adam spent the entire time hovering over me while he did the heavy lifting, I was still completely spent. I didn't even have the energy to take off my clothes before collapsing onto the bed and falling asleep instantly.

I woke up Monday morning and realized I was in my pajamas. Adam must have dressed me after I'd fallen asleep. I got ready for work for a smile tugging at my cheeks, planning the stop I would make along the way.

"Hi, Danielle, it's nice to see you again," I said when the front door swung open. I stood on Adam's parents' doorstep, my pulse thudding in my ears. His mother didn't look happy to see me. "I was wondering if I could talk to you. Is Rob here?" My voice shook slightly despite my best effort to steady it. You can do this. You're here for Adam. Be strong for him.

"Sure, come in," she said through clenched teeth, forcing a tight smile.

I stepped inside, the house exactly as I remembered. 

"Rob, can you come into the kitchen for a few minutes?" Danielle called, eyeing me warily.

We stood in tense silence until Rob appeared.

"Hey, Elle, nice to see you again. How have you been?" His tone was warmer, giving me a bit of courage. But Danielle shot him a sharp look, and he immediately shrank back.

"Um, I'm not sure where to start, but... I know you're not really on board with everything that's been happening. I know it's a lot, and it's going fast, but it's really affecting Adam. I thought maybe we could find a way to make peace, so that—"

Danielle cut me off, her voice sharp.

"Let me stop you right there. There is nothing we have—or want—to say to you. We don't owe you an explanation, and frankly, you showing up here out of the blue is disrespectful. We're not going to stand by while you weasel your way into Adam's life again and hurt him like you did when you just up and left. If he wasn't more important than your job then, why are you back now? Huh? Is it for the money? You're self-employed, you need him to provide for you? Well, that's not going to happen. And you know what?"

My face burned, eyes stinging with unshed tears.

"If you don't end things with him and deal with your—" she jabbed a finger toward my stomach "—problem... then you can be sure as well we won't support you. Or him. If you don't end it, we'll cut him off. So choose wisely. If you love him, you'll do what's right. And if you don't—well, then we'll know."

She spun on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Rob turned and followed silently, leaving me standing alone in their kitchen as tears spilled freely down my cheeks.

I bolted outside and into my car, blinking desperately to clear my vision as I sped away. But the tears blurred everything, and I finally had to pull over, slamming the gear into park. I broke down sobbing.

I knew I shouldn't let her words hurt me. I knew better. But I couldn't help it. She had called my baby a problem.

I wanted to punch something, scream at the universe—but I was trapped in my car, with nowhere to go. I couldn't go to work like this. I couldn't go home either.

When the tears finally eased enough for me to see, I started driving again. I drove and drove, for hours, until the road carried me back toward the small town I'd lived in after I left Adam. And without thinking, I steered toward the little hotel where I'd stayed when I first arrived there—my hands gripping the wheel, my heart aching.