“I know, I know.” She traced the lines of Gretchen’s palm in the darkness. She knew Gretchen’s skin so well. She didn’t need light to know she was touching the faint gray dot caused by a graphite pencil in elementary school—one of her favorite spots to focus on when she needed to calm her racing mind. “Our life changed when you fell and forgot so much. I’m just worried it’ll change again if you remember.”

“I’ll remember this moment still, and I’ll remember all the fighting I did to get here. I’ll remember the good times in the past four years, too. Caleb’s first steps and our best moments. Don’t assume the bad memories will outweigh the good. Don’t think four bad years erase thirteen great ones.”

Jax tried her best to swallow back her fear and put on a brave face. She nearly laughed at how quickly the tables turned, and now she was being comforted. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll be okay.”

She heard the certainty in Gretchen’s voice, and it immediately transported her back to their engagement, their wedding day, and the moment they found out they were pregnant. Gretchen believed in them, and she did, too.

“We will be.”

Chapter Thirty-six

33 days, 11 hours, 33 minutes

Jax was determined, even in her sleepy haze, to call out of work. She didn’t care if Randy would be mad—she didn’t even care if Randy fired her. She was too happy and too content. She pulled Gretchen closer, molding her front to Gretchen’s back. The feel of skin on skin brought a sense of euphoria. Jax could easily lie there all day and forget about the outside world.

“Bug?”

She sat up so quickly her brain spun. How did she not hear the door open? She turned to Caleb, who was standing beside the bed, and then down to her bare chest. She covered herself and smiled. “What’s up, Cricket? Are you okay?” She felt Gretchen moving next to her and next thing she knew her shirt was in her hand.

Caleb hugged his stuffed triceratops and buried his face into its plush horns. “I wanna cuddle.”

“Okay. Get in here.” She quickly pulled on her shirt before lifting the covers for him. Caleb climbed over her, and his sharp little knees hit her in all her soft spots. He fell into the small space between Jax and Gretchen. She sighed. So much for a little extra time to herself with Gretchen, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She settled back in and closed her eyes.

Caleb said he wanted to cuddle, but he must’ve meant squirm. He did not stay still, which made the early morning relaxation disappear.

“What’s the matter?” Gretchen said, mumbling with her sleepy voice.

“I have to poop.”