Rock the City: A Midnight Fate Novel (39 page)
“I know that,” she whispers. “I’ve spend months analyzing life with a baby. Even longer dreaming of life on my own. They’d both be hard, and they’d both be all mine.”
“But?” She looks into her daughter’s eyes, and you don’t have to be anything other than human to see the love they already have for one another.
“But I have to do what is best for the both of us. I can’t let you pay my way through life, Lane. I have to succeed on my own. Maybe I won’t have a fancy house or designer clothes, but I have to find myself. I have to find my way before I can even think about having a family of my own.”
“You’re so strong, Lemon. You can beat this.”
She’s quiet for a few minutes, and all I can do is sit and watch them fall in love with each other, wondering where her head’s at and praying she’s going to be strong enough to stay on track.
“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been tempted. I guess I’m scared that I don’t have a reason to stay clean anymore. I was doing it for her.”
“And now you’ll do it for you.”
“When I look at her, I don’t see Rusty. All I see is a pretty little girl who’s going to be spoiled rotten and have her daddy wrapped around her little finger. She’s going to have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Because of you,” I tell her, meaning every single word. If she weren’t making this selfless sacrifice, and if she hadn’t convinced Rusty to sign his rights away, none of this would be happening.
“Some days, I feel like my life’s been shook up and tossed around so many times I can’t figure out which way is up, and other days, all it takes is the warm sun shining on my face to remind me how lucky I am. I want the sun to always shine in her world.”
She hands me the baby, placing her in my arms as she starts to cry. “She looks like you,” I tell her.
“And she’ll love like you.”
Noelle stands behind me as we stare at the baby. Both she and Lemon are being discharged today. Lemon’s been in the room next to us while we’ve started the bonding process with the baby.
I’ve been back and forth between the two rooms, trying to keep everyone happy and Lemon from breaking down. I won’t pretend what she’s going through is a walk in the park or easy. It’s been hell, but before Lemon goes to a sober living house and we go back to the condo, there’s one last detail we need to cover.
With the papers in hand and enough diapers to last us at least a week, I turn toward Noelle and ask the scariest question I’ve ever had to ask. “Are you ready?”
She glances over her shoulder, her nerves getting the best of her. “I can’t believe they just let you walk out of this place with a baby. How long have people been living on this Earth? By now, they should come with instructions.”
Laughing, yet agreeing, I take her hand and pick up the carrier holding our daughter. “She looks so tiny in this thing.”
Noelle stands next to us, smiling. “She’s six pounds. She
is
tiny.”
Once my arms are loaded down and we’re standing in front of Lemon’s room, I wait for her to get settled in her wheelchair before I ask her, “Do you want to talk to Clementine before we leave?”
Lemon’s eyes are wide and she covers her mouth with her hands. “You named her Clementine?”
“You don’t like it?” I ask her, even though it’s clear she does.
“I can’t,” she sputters as I place the carrier on her lap.
Noelle kneels down next to her chair. “You can, Lemon. Because even though she’s not with you every day, she’ll always carry a piece of you in her heart and in her name. I wanted to name her after you.”
After she places a soft kiss on Clementine’s forehead, the baby’s eyes open wide, making Lemon smile through her tears. She even laughs when her daughter burps right in her face. But the words that come out of her mouth, those are special.
Through her tears, she says, “I’ve only known you for two days, but we’ve spent nine long months together. You’ve sat through all my therapy sessions and cheered me on. You listened at night when I couldn’t sleep and talked to you, and you’d kick me every time I told you I loved you to the moon and back. I’m sorry I didn’t do more to protect you when I first found out you were in my tummy, but I need you to forgive me. I need you to be a good little girl for your mommy and daddy, and go after every one of your dreams. When you need me, I’ll be in your heart and I’ll meet you every night in your dreams. When you’re old enough, maybe we can talk about why I had to do this, because I love you so much, Clementine.”
Lemon glances at me, and I take her subtle hint that she’s done talking to her daughter. In that moment, I make it my secret mission to make sure Clementine understands how amazing Lemon is.
As the nurse pushes Lemon’s wheelchair down the hall, we take our first steps toward moving on—the walk symbolic of the journey that brought us back together in the first place.
“I can’t believe we’re leaving,” Noelle whispers, like she’s afraid to be too happy.
Our little family of four may not be built under the most conventional circumstances, but it’s ours. Addict mothers, workaholic fathers, abusive boyfriends, and tragic accidents may have once been strong enough to derail us, but nobody can take this moment
away from us.
This
is ours.
Gia Riley is from the small, but mighty state of Delaware. She’s a lover of all things romance—a firm believer that everyone deserves their happily ever after.
When she’s not writing, you can find her roaming the aisles of Kirkland’s, up to her elbows in Play-doh, or trying to hunt down spoilers for her favorite TV shows. She loves reality TV almost as much as she loves a good chick flick. She’s also hopelessly addicted to Starbucks and the revolving menu of specialty drinks.
You can connect with Gia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She also has a website for you to follow her new adventures in author blogging.
If you’re on Facebook, feel free to join her reader group, Gia Riley Book’s. Stop by anytime, she loves hearing from readers!
Here’s where you can find her:
Please join my Facebook group to talk about Rock the City, and to learn more about my upcoming projects.
Sign up for my Newsletter to stay up to date on sales, new releases, and giveaways.
Thank you for purchasing Rock the City.
Please consider leaving an honest review. It’s the best gift an author can receive.
THE BEGIN AGAIN DUET (NEW ADULT ROMANCE)
Lighter (The Begin Again Series Book 1)
Weightless (The Begin Again Series Book 2)
YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE STANDALONE
In Pieces
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Rock the Boat
First of all, I want to thank you for taking a chance on a girl from the country with a dream to write. Without you, none of this would be possible. I’ve had a chance to meet some of you at various signings, and your enthusiasm is what fuels me.
To the creative forces behind Rock the City:
Kristin S. of Hot Tree Editing, you’ve been a pleasure to work with. You get my crazy humor and even encourage it. Thank you for helping to make this book the best it can be. I look forward to working with you more in the future.
Sommer Stein of Perfect Pear Creative Covers, thank you for capturing the ideas in my head, and making them come alive. I get these wild ideas sometimes and you always manage to create the most beautiful art. I can’t thank you enough for your impeccable style and for framing my words so perfectly.
Christine Borgford of Perfectly Publishable, no matter what my concept may be, you manage to create it visually, always blowing me away with your special touches. Thank you for your attention to detail and amazing eye.
Sassy Savvy PR & Marketing—Linda, you get me. Most importantly, you’re a wonderful person with a giving heart. Thank you for sending gifs to make me laugh and for being so enthusiastic about my books. Not only are you my PR goddess, you’re my friend. Here’s to never ending shenanigans.
To every blogger who has supported me—thank you for taking the time to promote my work. A simple post or shout out makes my entire day. Always remember, no matter how big or small you are, your voice matters! Thank you for all you do.
To my Nachos—Without your encouragement, I’m positive P4D2 wouldn’t have turned out the way it did. There would have been less laughing and fewer interruptions, but what fun is that? So, thank you for being the most inappropriate friends a girl could ask for.
My betas:
Tina, I think you were more excited about this one than any other. Considering you’ve been with me since the beginning, that means everything to me. Thank you for helping me grow as a writer.
Kelly, thank you for BR! I had so much fun going back and forth with you on ideas and concepts. You make my face hurt. Don’t ever stop.
To my parents—thank you for always believing in me. Ever since I was little, coming up with crazy ideas, you’ve never once told me my dream was too big. Whether I was sucking it up in the outfield or succeeding on the infield, you’ve always been my biggest cheerleaders. You gave me the belief in myself.
And finally, my husband and son. Our journey is different than most, but it’s ours. Thank you for supporting me when I have a deadline and I’m cranky. Thank you for ordering take-out when I’m stressed. Knowing you’re proud of me makes this so much fun. I love you both.