Violet
I race down the corridor that leads to the maternity wing of the hospital.
The baby that Rylan is delivering right now isn’t just any baby, it’s Lucy and Emmett’s baby, and even though I was never planning to be in the delivery room with her – she needs me.
The fact that it was Emmett who called me and not Rylan, makes me think that perhaps I might be too late anyway, but I still run as fast as I can.
Lucy has been there for me through more than any friend should have to over the years. She’s seen the absolute worst in me, and this might be the only chance I get to return the favour.
I approach the nurse’s station panting for breath. “I’m looking for Lucy Hale,” I say, far too loud and much too fast.
She points down the hall. “Room fourteen, Violet.”
I yell my thanks over my shoulder as I take off running again. I’m pretty sure that not just anybody is allowed in here, so dating the obstetrician must have its perks.
I reach the numbered door and I can’t hear anything, no screaming, no heavy breathing… nothing…
“Hello?”
I tap lightly on the door and I hear Lucy’s voice call out to me.
“Come on in, Aunt Violet.”
I slowly push open the door in wonder.
I know I’m not technically the baby’s aunt, and that one day when August stops being so self-involved and settles down, or when Charlie grows up and stops serial dating – I might get some nieces and nephews that are related by blood, but the little bundle that I can see wrapped up in my best friend’s arms – the sister I chose, will always be my family.
“Oh my God.” I breathe the words.
I don’t want to make even a sound and risk disrupting this moment of perfection.
Emmett is sitting on the side of the bed, right next to Lucy, and they’re the most beautiful little family I’ve ever seen.
“You’re only ten minutes too late.”
I don’t even have to look up to see who that voice belongs to. I would know it anywhere.
“It looks like you had it covered without me,” I reply softly, my eyes still solely focused on the tiny baby in my best friend’s arms.
“She’s beautiful, huh?” Lucy catches my eye. She looks exhausted, but I’ve never seen her happier or more content than she looks right now.
“She?”
“You bet.” Emmett nods. “My little princess.” It’s clear to see that this little girl already has her daddy securely wrapped around her finger.
“Her name is Harper Violet Hale,” Lucy tells me. “We named her after her godmother.” And with that statement I feel the tears start to fall.
“Did you know I was born in this hospital?”
I haven’t turned to check he’s there, but I don’t need to, I know he followed me out here.
“You were?” he replies after a moment of silence.
I’ve been here for hours, watching my best friend be a mother, and I’ve literally never seen a sight more perfect. It fills me with warmth and cuts me deep in the very same breath.
Lucy deserves every ounce of happiness that little girl will bring her, but according to fate, I won’t be afforded the same sense of joy.
I nod at him.
The silence stretches between us and I know he’s waiting for me to speak.
“You were right earlier; there is something I need to tell you,” I whisper, my voice shaky.
He moves closer to me and I take a minute to marvel at the feel of his warmth against my arm. He’s such an amazing man – the fact he just ensured that my goddaughter made it into the world safe and healthy is an absolute testament to that. Knowing how special he really is just makes me all the more afraid I might lose him.
He’s shared his most tightly kept secret with me tonight, and I owe him the same in return – it’s time he knew everything about me, the same way I know him.
It can’t have been easy for him to talk about his sister, but he did it. For me – for us.
His life reads like some type of sad story.
I might have experienced a lot, but he’s been through his own brand of heartbreak too and I think that maybe he needs me as much as I need him.
I’m scared like I’ve never been scared before. It seems to be a reoccurring theme where Rylan is concerned. Maybe this is what being in love is like. Maybe I’ll always be terrified about what will happen next.
“Tell me.”
His hand reaches for mine and I take it gladly.
We’re standing side by side, me watching Lucy, Emmett and baby Harper, and him watching me.
I don’t know where I should even begin when it comes to telling this tale, but I figure the beginning is as good of a place as any.
“They tell me I died in this hospital too.”
I hear his sharp intake of breath as the words hang in the air between us.