Epiphany (22 page)

“It’s safe,” he whispers.

My body trembles uncontrollably and I completely lose it. I cry the entire drive
home and some more once we’re in the elevator. Skylar pulls my hand, dragging me
into the apartment. It’s strange. This morning I was so happy, so excited for what
the day would bring and now, I just want to crawl in bed and never leave.

“Mira, I’m giving you the day to be upset and cry. That’s all, though. We’re moving
on from this. We’ll discuss children in a few years and how we want to go about it.
Give us some time to save for this in vitro shit. We already have a willing surrogate,
now all we need is the money. Down the road, money won’t be an issue and we’ll be
ready for a baby. Take today. Be sad, angry, miserable, but tomorrow is a new day
and we won’t worry about all of this. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” I mutter.

Skylar picks me up, carries me to bed and tucks me in. That’s the spot where I remain
for the rest of the day and into the evening, only getting up to use the bathroom
and grab a snack from the fridge. Later, when Skylar is ready to go to sleep, he
comes in and cuddles close to me, holding me while I grieve the loss of yet another
child, only this one wasn’t real, just the idea. It hurts just as bad.

*****

True to his word, Skylar only let me have that one day. We spend the next three weeks
shopping for things to put in the apartment, picking out a place to take a vacation
this summer and helping Maddie pack to move to New York.

Danny was very kind and whole heartedly agreed to let Maddie stay with him while she
got on her feet again. I’m sure it was an easier decision after I told him about
Melissa.

The week after the appointment, Skylar and I went to the farmer’s market downtown.
We were looking at some local art when I saw Melissa near another booth. I thought
it would be a good idea to go over and try to make amends, since we seem to always
be at each other’s throats when we see each other. Shockingly, she was standing with
a man who was holding her hand. It wasn’t until he shoved his tongue down her throat
that things got weird. Danny got a phone call that afternoon and I assume he and
Melissa broke up shortly after.

I’m not happy that he’s without a girlfriend, but he deserves someone that won’t cheat
on him. I had every opportunity and passion would have partially excused me if I
had decided to go behind his back with Skylar. But I didn’t. Not because I didn’t
want to.
Because it was wrong and nobody deserves to feel inadequate and unimportant.
Bottom line, I respected Danny too much to hurt him and loved Skylar enough to not
put him in that position.

Finally, feeling like I’m ready to rejoin the work force, I walk into the office building,
ready to start fresh. Jacoby said I could take as much time as I needed, he had no
problem with me working from home. I really think I just need a change of scenery
and to get back around other people.

Making my way to my desk, I can feel everyone’s eyes on me. I’m sure it’s just because
I’ve been gone for so long and not my lack of being pregnant, but a woman’s inner
thoughts can be her
biggest nightmares. Braving a strong front, I smile politely at everyone I pass,
until I’m at my desk. In true Jacoby fashion, there’s a note on my keyboard directing
me to his office once I’m settled.

Literally dragging my feet down the corridor that leads to his office,
my mind is racing with what he could possibly want to talk to me about first thing
in the morning. If it was something personal, he could have texted or called. It
has to be professional. My stomach starts churning at the possibilities.

Knocking softly on the door jamb, he waves me in while he finishes a call he’s on.
I take a seat on one of the plush arm chairs in front of his desk and fidget with
a pen, waiting for whatever this impromptu meeting will consist of—praying I’m not
being fired for being dead weight.

Placing the receiver in the cradle, Jacoby leans back in his chair and studies me.
“It’s nice to have you back, Mira,” he says, opening his drawer, pulling out a packet
of files.

“It’s great to be back. So, what did you want to see me about?” Let’s just cut to
the chase. If he’s going to fire me, I’d like it to me before I get too comfortable.

“I just wanted to make sure that you were welcomed by everyone and make sure you’re
not coming back too soon. Are you doing okay with everything?”

“Jacoby, pardon me for being unprofessional in the office, but you could have called
me on my way in or last night. I’m doing fine. Still a little upset, but that’s
to be expected. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“I know I’m technically your boss, but I’m your friend, too. Soon to be like a brother,
since Kylee says you’re pretty much her sister. There’s never a reason for you to
apologize. I just wanted to make sure that once you were in the building, you weren’t
feeling overwhelmed.” Selecting a manila folder, he passes it across the desk.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“This is the new project we were just hired to start. I’d like you to take the lead
on this. As long as you think you’re up for it.”

“Hell yeah I’m up for it.” I peruse through the documents, to see that it’s a personal
residence on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. “Since when do we do private residences?”

“Since the home we’re going to develop is on more than twenty acres and is technically
zoned commercial. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it’s going to be my wedding present
to Kylee.” Oh. My.
God.

“Are you joking?!” I yell, thankful the temps that sit in the cubicles outside Jacoby’s
office aren’t in yet.

“Nope.
If we get married in the fall, this house should be done by Christmas. And really,
there’s no better way to make sure it’s up to her exact specifications than have her
sister
do the planning.” Jacoby walks around the desk, putting his hands on my shoulders
and slightly rubs. “You have a big task ahead of you. This is the best way I’ll
be able to determine if you’re a keeper,” he jokes. “Impressing me and making Kylee
happy are very large tasks. Are you sure you’re up to it?”

I jump out of my seat, blinking back tears and hugging him fiercely. “You have no
idea how up to this I am. Kylee would do anything in the world for me. I only wish
everything would have worked out with the in vitro. This would have been the perfect
way to pay her back for helping me so much. She gives me a baby, I give her a house,”
I tease, knowing that no matter what I gave to her, short of a vital organ, it would
be enough to ever thank her. But this right here—this is enough for me to repay her
for even offering to help me.

“I really am sorry that the in vitro didn’t work out. It was hard on Kylee, too.
She really wanted to be able to do that for you.”

“Yeah.
Everything for a reason, right?
It would have been wonderful and a dream come true, but twenty grand is a lot to
throw around on something that might not even work. Even if Kylee had that kind of
money, I wouldn’t have let her blow her nest egg on it. Skylar says after we get
married, and in a few years, we’ll look into adoption. Who knows, I might even be
able to get pregnant.” Fighting back the need to cry, I take the files and walk out
the door.

“You’ll be an excellent mother one day, Mira. You and Kylee are so alike and she’s
taking to Shelby better than I would have ever dreamed. One day. Don’t lose faith.”

“I never do,” I smile, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my tears at bay. Once
at my desk, I let out the breath I had been holding the entire walk back.

Jumping right into work’s probably going to be the easiest thing to do of all.
It’s easier to deal with your own problems when you’re so busy you have no time
to think about them. I thrive under stress and deadlines and piecing together Kylee’s
dream home step by step has me working straight through lunch. At nearly six, my
phone starts chirping from my desk drawer—probably Skylar worried that I’m not home
already.

Digging out my cell, the text is from Kylee, surprisingly.

KYLEE – Moving the last of my stuff from the old apartment.
Come say goodbye with me.

ME – When?

KYLEE – Half hour?

ME – K.
C U soon.

Packing up my desk, I send Skylar a quick text, letting him know that I’m headed to
Ann Arbor to meet Kylee at the apartment if he wants to come, too. He declines as
I’m on the highway headed for what used to be my home.

Pulling into the parking lot, I’m hit with a rush of emotions, much like the last
time I was here. Even though it’s been months since I’ve lived here, it still feels
like my safe place—a place where I changed from a girl to a woman. I fell in love
in this tiny two bedroom apartment. It seems like yesterday that Skylar and I went
furniture shopping and turned this outdated place into a home.

Walking up the stairs, the smells coming from Mrs. Swaffer’s unit hit me. On Mondays,
she’s known for her spaghetti with special sauce. Too many times, especially during
finals, she would bring over a pot for Kylee and me, making sure we were nourished.

When I enter our old home, Kylee’s sprawled out on the sofa that will be staying,
since neither of us have a need for it. Fiddling through a bridal magazine, she looks
up at me, smirking.

“It’s about time. I thought I’d be sitting here by myself all night,” she teases,
standing to hug me. Following her over to the couch, I plop down next to her and
look around the almost empty space.

“We have some good memories here, Ky.
Three years we lived here.
Had some of the best times of my life right on this couch.”

“We had a blast. I wish we could keep it, but there’s no use, right? Neither one
of us is ever moving back in.”

“I’m gonna miss seeing you all the time. I know it’s been months since I’ve lived
here, but still. Being back here makes me wanna watch movies and drink tequila.”
Laughing, Kylee walks into the kitchen, coming back with what appears to be her makeup
bag. “What are you doing?”

“Figured if this is the last time we’re spending here, I’m going to do your hair.
Remember before every party or date, I would sit right here and make you look amazing.”
Thinking back, it’s clear as day in my head. The best I ever looked was when I got
the Kylee Treatment—no hair out of place, no eyelash uncurled. Feeling rather sentimental
as well, I turn my back to Kylee and let her get to work.

Twenty minutes later, I’m sporting a beautiful up-do courtesy of my best girl.

“Mira,” Kylee squeals, jumping up and down, “let’s go to dinner.
That little café near the quad.
Just you and me.
We’ll get dressed up real fancy and have a night out on the town.” Clapping her
hands together, she covers her mouth, eyes shining.

“We don’t have anything to wear. We can go like this, though. Let’s do it.” Gathering
up my belongings, I move toward the door when Kylee squeals yet again. What is this,
barn yard hour?

“I left some dresses here. I didn’t need them and was going to donate them. Come
look.” Scurrying into her old room, she starts rifling through her closet that’s
more than half full of beautiful gowns and other items of clothing. She pulls out
a long white dress with a rhinestone bodice, handing it to me, and a light pink three-quarter
length calf dress out for herself.

“You want me to wear this to dinner in the quad?” She can’t be serious. This is
something you’d wear to a formal or a wedding … not a regular old meal on campus.

“Shut up and put it on. You’re going to look smoking hot in it. Just like old times.”
Kylee wastes no time divesting herself of every item of clothing she’s wearing, including
her bra. Pulling the rose colored silk over her head, she’s looks amazing.

Realizing there’s no way out of this, I quickly change into the formal gown and spin
to look at myself in the mirror. She’s right—I
do
look amazing. Spinning in a circle, checking out my form, I’m surprised at the subtle
changes. In such a short time, even my body has changed, positively in my opinion,
and this new matured look suits me well.

“You ready?” Kylee asks from the bathroom. Meeting her in the hallway, she hands
me a mascara wand where I swipe my lashes a few times. Grabbing a dressier jacket,
we both head out into the night.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Mira

We decide to take Kylee’s car to campus, and as expected, it’s not as crowded as usual
with all the students out on Spring Break. Parking a few blocks down from the café,
we get to walk for a bit, but seeing the campus brings back all the times we spent
here. I’m sure she didn’t plan it this way, although I shouldn’t count her out just
yet.

As we pass by the Shapiro Library, a few students mingle out front that probably stayed
behind to study instead of a week of constant partying. Another small group is standing
around chatting in the quad where they hold freshman orientation activities.

When Kylee stops dead in her tracks, I find it difficult to not trample all over her.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking over her shoulder, trying to see what caused her misstep.

“Look at them over there. Looks like a wedding or something.” I turn to where she’s
looking and it does in fact look like someone’s planning on getting married on campus.
Someone loves their partner so
much, they thought to get hitched here.

“That’s so sweet. Do you wanna watch before we go have dinner?” I can’t help it.
All these years reading romance novels and pining after book boyfriends, this is something
that would only happen in a story. My heart’s melting and I can’t wait to see bride.