When Snowflakes Fall | Completed

Chapter 2 | Catching Up

BEXLEY TURNER

THE POWDERY LIKE SNOW crunches underneath my winter boots as I walk along the path to my sister's front door. Nash lays his head on my shoulder while his legs are wrapped around my waist. He has his thumb in his mouth while he watches the snow fall around us.

I kiss the top of his head and then walk up the icy stairs that lead to my sister's front door. The porch light is on, creating a warm glow. It's anything but warm out here.

I pull my hand out of my coat pocket and shiver as it meets the cold air. I knock on the door and quickly stick my hand back in my pocket. Soon, the door opens, revealing my sister, who over the past six years has grown into a beautiful young woman. Her blonde hair grew and is almost down to her butt, and her blue eyes look so much brighter than they did when I left.

"Come in," she grabs my arm, quickly pulling me inside of her warm house. Chrissy wraps her arms around me and Nash and I wrap my free arm around her. When we pull away from the hug, Chrissy looks at me with tears in her eyes. "God, I've missed you."

I kick off my boots and pull Nash's off, not wanting to track snow in her house that will eventually turn into a small puddle of water. I take off our coats and drape them over my arm.

"I've missed you too, Chris," I send her a guilty smile. I look down at Nash, who has buried his head into my neck. "Nash darling, say hi to your aunt."

He shyly looks at Chrissy. "Hi, aunt Chrissy."

"Hello, Nash, It's nice to finally meet you," she smiles at him and shakes his small hand, making him release a giggle.

"You too," he smiles at her and sticks his head in my neck again. "Mama, I'm tired."

I kiss the top of his head and look at Chrissy. "Where is the guest bedroom?"

"Follow me," she leads us down a hallway that's decorated with photos of her and her fiance, Jared. I notice a few photos of me and her from high school and then a few of me and my ex-boyfriend, Hayden. I wonder if he's still here in our hometown.

❄︎

Exiting the guest bedroom, I walk to the living room and sit on the couch, and sigh. I've just put Nash to bed and now it's my time to relax.

I cross my leg over my other one and take a sip of red wine that Chrissy just poured. "Look at you, living in an expensive house and getting married," I grin and lean against the back of the couch. "My baby sister is all grown up," I coo. "Where's Jared?"

Chrissy laughs and takes a sip of her wine. "He's already in bed. Now, let's talk about you."

"What do you want to know?" I groan. Chrissy has always been nosy. We both got it from our mom and I, unfortunately, passed it down to Nash.

"Why did you leave?" She asks and I take a deep breath. I knew that question was going to come eventually, but not at this exact moment.

"Well," I clear my throat. "I found out that I was pregnant, but you already know that." I rub my face. "I panicked, Chris."

"Did you and Hayden get in a fight over you being pregnant? You were only twenty when you found out, Bex."

"I didn't tell him," I whisper, my blue eyes flickering to hers.

"Bexley!" She gasps. "Why didn't you?"

"I panicked, okay?" I run my hands through my black hair. "I know that he has a right to know and I hate myself for leaving him. I just panicked and I had to leave," I sob into my hands, my body shaking as I let out heavy sobs. "I'm so stupid. He'll hate me if he ever finds out."

The spot beside me on the couch dips and comforting arms pull me to a person's chest. "He won't hate you, Bex. Hayden loves you, he's always had. And if it makes you feel any better, he hasn't been with anyone since you left."

"How do you know that?" I lay my head on her shoulder and wipe my face.

"He's still in Hood River, Bex. He's a bartender at dad's bar. Jared and I get drinks every weekend and talk about our future there. Everytime we go, Hayden asks about you. That's how I know." She kisses my head. "Just talk to him."

"I'm scared," I shake my head. "I'm tired. I'll see you in the morning," I tell her before standing up and walking to the guest bedroom before she can stop me.

I change into a tank top and crawl into the bed with Nash, snuggling with him as I cry into his hair. I should talk to Hayden. Nash deserves a father and I don't want to be the person keeping him from him.

"I love you, darling," I kiss his head and then close my eyes, exhaustion finally hitting my body at full force. 

Thank you for reading!