Chapter 54
The next day, sure enough, Harper and Lauren move his things out of the house. To avoid any conversation with Harper, I choose to stay upstairs and keep myself busy. I said what I needed to say last night and washed my hands of it. This is the second time Harper has waited until he’s on the spot to make a rash decision, leaving everyone else in the dark. It’s not fair to me, and it’s definitely not fair to Jasper. They just repaired their relationship, yet here Harper is, lying again. As much as I want to hate Lauren, she’s innocent in all of this. Who knows what Harper has told her about our real dynamic. She probably thinks it’s weird how angry I got. In her eyes, I’m probably some psycho sister-in-law who is obsessed with Harper, not knowing that I’ve had his dick in every sexual hole on my body.
Once Harper and Lauren pull away, Jasper comes upstairs to check on me, finding me on the bed, highlighting baby names.
“How are you holding up, babe?”
“I’m wonderful,” I mumble, seeing Jasper shake his head out of the corner of my eye.
“You don’t have to lie, Eden. The way Harper spoke to you last night was hurtful and uncalled for. I don’t get him at all.”
“Yeah, well, you’re not the only one. I bring him back and try to get us all in a good place before he leaves, and he springs this on me. It feels like a slap in the face, and I don’t get why he does these things. Doesn’t he care how I feel?” By the time I look over at Jasper, tears are already in my eyes.
“Oh, baby, don’t cry. I’m tired of seeing you cry.” Jasper climbs onto the bed, pulling me close. He kisses my head, letting my tears soak into his shirt.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t understand anything anymore. If Harper felt that way, why lead me on and make me think that everything was good?”
“I wish I knew the answer, but I can’t speak for my brother. He makes different decisions than I do and hardly ever gives good explanations for them. However, I do know that after a while, you have to accept that some decisions don’t benefit everyone. Harper is thinking of himself right now, and all we can do is be here if he needs us.”
“And what if we need him? Then what?”
Jasper takes a deep breath, falling silent for a few moments.
“Deep down, you know that Harper will always be there when it matters the most.”
After leaving, weeks pass with no word from Harper. Jasper confirmed that he made it to New York safely, but he hasn’t reached out yet. A part of me is happy that he made it there, but another part is angry that he’s so selfish that he can’t even reach out to his own brother to let him know that he’s alive. On multiple occasions, I find myself typing a long, drawn-out text saying everything I want to tell Harper, only to delete it minutes later. What’s the use of pouring my heart out if it’s not going to matter in the long run? As much as I want to give up on Harper, I still hold on to Jasper’s assertion that Harper will be here if we need him, no matter what.
I’m skeptical, though.
As time moves on, Jasper and I fall into a healthy routine now that it’s just the two of us in the house again. I’m 29 weeks, and baby packages have begun to flood the house as we start early nesting in anticipation of the arrival of our daughter. It seems like just yesterday I found out I was pregnant. Now, it’s closer to my due date, and I’m freaking out. Thankfully, while Jasper is at work, Quinn comes over to help. While she’s here with me, I fill her in on all the Harper drama, and it’s funny to see her finally share her distaste for him.
“I never liked him anyway. He's the nicer brother, but at least Jasper tells the truth. He’s never lied to you, other than the whole being married thing.”
“True, and I can tell that really cut him up. Lies and secrets just seem to run in Harper’s blood, though.” I roll my eyes.
“Good riddance. Jasper is the better man, fair and square. He loves you more than anyone.”
“True. He’s very excited for the baby to come. I’m very excited for the baby, too, so my stomach can stop itching so much.” I let out a small laugh as I scratch the bottom of my belly, earning a little kick. The baby’s kicks are a lot stronger now, having the power to wake me from my sleep.
“Those first few weeks are going to be insane. Do you plan on co-sleeping?”
I shrug, scrunching my nose.
“No, it’s not all that safe. We have a bassinette that’s going to sit on my side of the bed so I can have her near, and then we’ll move her to the crib after a few months.”
Quinn nods but doesn’t say anything for a second before finally sharing her opinion.
“I don’t think I could sleep comfortably with my baby in another room. I’d feel shitty.”
I don’t pay her comment any mind, just like I don’t pay any of her other unsolicited parenting comments any mind either. She’s allowed to have her own opinions. She doesn’t try to argue with me about my choices, so a small comment here or there doesn’t bother me. When Jasper is around, she’s quiet as a mouse, though.
Around the time Jasper is due home, Quinn leaves, and I try to start dinner despite my back killing me from moving around all day. I’m about to reach down to grab a pot when my phone rings, scaring the shit out of me. The baby ninja-kicks my side as I grab the phone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, baby. I’m going to be late. Someone’s gotten in a wreck right in front of the parking garage exit.”
“That sucks. I’ll order some pizza instead of slaving over a stove then.” I giggle softly, but the ache in my back cuts it short, causing me to groan.
“What’s wrong?”
“My back is killing me. I think I spent too much time working on the storage shelves.”
“You need to sit your little butt down and rest. No more working on anything when I’m not around to help. I’m serious, Eden.”
“Okay, I won’t. I promise. I’m going to order a pizza and spend the evening with my feet up. Pinky promise.”
“Good. When I get home, I’ll rub your stinky feet.” Jasper chuckles, and when we get off the phone, I do go flop on the couch, but my lower back makes sitting there so uncomfortable that I have to walk around.
After almost 20 minutes of pain, I begin to worry that this isn’t regular back pain. I want to call Jasper back, but I don’t want him to panic. Instead, I call my doctor to ask what I should do. The moment I tell her what’s going on, I hear a slight shift in her tone.
“Eden, just as a precaution, you should get to the hospital to make sure you’re not in early labor. I’m going to send an ambulance.”
“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that. I have a friend who can bring me in.”
She pauses before agreeing on the condition I get there quickly. The moment I’m off the phone with her, I call Quinn to come back and get me. Thankfully, she’s only a few minutes away at a gas station. She gets back to the house in time for water to start trickling down my leg.
Oh, this is bad. This is really bad.
Beginning to rethink calling the ambulance, Quinn assures me that she can get me to the hospital faster, but as we start to head out the door, things happen quickly, and soon, I’m doubled over in pain as Quinn helps me get into the car. My heart is pounding at the thought of having my baby on the side of the road this early. There’s no way 29 weeks is long enough for a baby to come out safely, but I don’t think I’m going to have a choice.
I tell Quinn that I think she should hurry, but she doesn’t reply. She’s focused on the road, but she's not driving as fast as I need her to. It isn’t until she passes the street to the hospital that a red flag goes up in my mind.
“Quinn, where are we going?”
She turns down a road I don’t recognize before looking at me with a small smile.
“We’re going to have your baby, and then you’re going to let me have it.”
“What are you talking about, Quinn?” I slide closer to my door as she reaches over, touching my belly. When I smack her hand away, she frowns.
“You don’t deserve that baby. You won’t take care of it like I will. You know, in a weird way, you’re like my surrogate.” She laughs as if she’s made a joke.
“This isn’t your baby, Quinn.”
“It will be.”
Fuck, this is so bad.