Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Peyton asks if I want to go outside with the teens, and I agree. Eden shows Rush where to change into a wetsuit and we all gather at the shoreline to watch her do her thing. When I see Betty Paige and Mack walk off, I bump Peyton’s arm.
“Are they having sex?”
She shrugs. “Noah’s talked to Mack and he assures Noah they’re not doing anything they shouldn’t be doing. I don’t think Mack would jeopardize the living arrangement.”
“I can’t believe Nick isn’t back yet.”
“I know, it’s been almost a year. Mack seems okay though. He spent most of his summer with Noah between Portland and Beaumont, and he’s thriving with Liam and Josie. Liam hasn’t missed a game of his since Mack moved in.”
“I figured Mack would’ve gone to live with you and Noah before Liam.”
“Same. We would’ve taken him for sure.”
Peyton and I watch the two love birds until they’re out of sight. “They’re cute,” I say nodding toward Eden and Rush.
“They’re so opposite. She’s summer and he’s winter. It’s fun to see.”
I bump my shoulder with hers. “My gut tells me something’s wrong, but I can’t pinpoint what. You and Noah look incredibly happy, sometimes too happy,” I tell her. “So, what gives? Where’s my bright and cheery twin? What’s bothering you?” I ask her. “You seem down.”
Peyton leans into me and rests her head on my shoulders. “Life’s . . . I don’t know,” she says. She lifts her head and looks at me. “Noah and I are desperately trying to get pregnant. We’ve done everything we can, but the doctors think there’s too much damage to my pelvis. I have a lot of scarring from the accident.”
I reach for her hand and hold it tightly.
“I’ve miscarried twice.”
“Peyton,” I gasp.
“I haven’t told anyone because I feel like a failure as a woman. I barely found out I was pregnant and then I wasn’t.”
“Honey, I’m so sorry.” I pull her into my arms. “Oh, sweetie.”
“I’m okay,” she tells me, but I don’t know that she is. “I have something to ask you.”
“Of course, anything.”
She looks at me with her tear streaked eyes and tries to smile. “Will you carry a baby for me?”
My mouth drops open and my heart falls to my stomach. I would do anything to help my sister and her husband have a baby. “I can’t,” I say quietly.
“Can’t or won’t?” she asks as her face falls.
“I can’t, Peyton. Ben and I are . . .” I pause, knowing I’m about to break the pact I made with Ben. I clear my throat. “We’re starting IVF. We want to start a family.”
Realization hits her and she smiles. “I understand. The timing . . .”
“If Ben . . .”
“I get it, Elle. If I had asked last year—”
“I would’ve said yes in a heartbeat.”
“I know,” she says quietly. I pull her to me, and we hug for a long time. I cry for the babies she’s lost and the pain she’s going through. She’s been through so much. I hate that her heart is broken. When we part, I brush her hair away from her wet cheeks.
“So, what’s next?” I ask her.
Peyton shrugs. “There’s this surgery. They go in and scrape away the scar tissue or something. I don’t know. I wasn’t paying attention because I’m angry . . . at myself, the truck that hit Kyle’s car and the damage it did to my body, and for losing those babies. Noah paid attention though. He’s my rock. He has the entire procedure memorized and then IVF. The specialist says I might need a couple rounds. Asking you was an easy way out. Noah and I have talked about surrogacy but it scares me. You’re the only one I’d trust.”
“Want me to wait?” I ask her, knowing this is something I should discuss with Ben. Deep down, I think he’ll be on the same page because he knows how important Peyton is to me. “I think it would be kind of fun to be pregnant together.” I know the chances of us getting pregnant at the same time are slim, but it’s worth a shot.
She snorts. “Would you do that?” Her eyes light up. “I can schedule the surgery as soon as I get back to Portland.”
I nod. “I’ll wait. I want our babies to be born at the same time,” I tell her. “Mom would love it. Imagine all the party planning she could do. I’ll come to you. We’ll do this together, all of it. Every step of the way. You hold my hand, I’ll hold yours.”
Peyton smiles. “I’d like that.”
“Me too.”
We stay there, sitting with our heads together, watching the surf and I imagine our children playing in the sand, with their extended family surrounding them. When Ben, Beau, and Noah join us, I suggest Ben, Beau, and I go for a walk, and I ask him what he thinks about waiting until after Peyton’s surgery.