She knows better than anyone that having a flare-up can’t be scheduled. As much as I wish they could. There are things I can do to prevent them, like rest and not push myself, but that isn’t realistic day to day – especially now I’m pregnant again.

Everything will be okay, I think silently to myself.

Just.

Breathe.

Chapter Nineteen

Liam

My phone is ringing in my pocket as I leave the gym. Seeing the words “Sunshine Calling” light up my screen is a good start to the day already. Perhaps a thirty-year-old man wouldn’t normally admit it, but the incoming call gives me butterflies.

“Morning Sunshine, you missing me already?” I laugh.

“Liam?”

My heart skips a beat. That isn’t Ellis. Jack’s little voice comes through the speaker of my cell and my blood runs cold. It’s not strange for me to talk to him when I’m away, but him calling me out the blue threatens to bring up my breakfast. A sense of dread instantly cloaks me.

“Jack? What’s wrong, buddy? Where’s your mom?” I ask, already pulling out of the car lot, indicating in the opposite direction I usually turn. I know I’m not going home now.

“She’s sore, her fibre is bad.” Jack’s voice sounds so tiny, almost tearful.

“Her fibre? You mean her fibro, buddy?” I ask.

“That’s what I said, she’s sad and can’t move much, and she told me to call Lyndsey… but I called you instead.” A hiccup interrupts him before he continues. “You told me to call you if I was scared, and it makes me scared when she cries.”

I hold it together as I drive. Barely. “You did the right thing Jack, I’m on my way. Don’t worry okay?” I press my foot against the accelerator, speeding through the thankfully quiet streets.

“Is the baby okay?” he asks.

“The baby will be just fine.” A croak slips into my voice. “Is the front door unlocked?” I need to change the topic, if I let myself spiral down before I have even seen her, then I might crash the damn car.

“No, but I can do it with my step, are you nearly here?”

“Yes I am, bud, you are such a brave boy Jack. I’m around the corner, so unlock the door for me.” On the other end of the line I hear him moving around and the scraping of his stool on the wooden floors.

“I don’t feel brave,” Jack admits. I want to hug him so badly that my heart aches.