Page 93 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

Gone. Daddy’s gone. My baby… babies are gone. I have

nothing and no one. What do I have to live for anymore? I should just end it

all right now. Who would even miss me? Sandy? She’d get over it. Ethan? He’s

already over me. Maybe Clara, but we’re not family. She’d get over it, too. The

tears haven’t stopped since I opened my eyes and realized this wasn’t a dream—a

terrible, horrible nightmare. I lay my palm on my now-empty stomach and cry

silently into my pillow.

The door opens, and I know exactly who it is without even

looking. I can’t bear to look at him right now. He’s just another thing I’ve

lost.

“Casey.”

The sound of his voice is more than I can take. I break

down, sobbing hysterically, my body shaking. In a second, he’s by my bed,

gently pulling me into his arms.

“It’s okay, love. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

I lean into him, needing his comfort, his strength. He coos

in my ear, telling me everything is going to be okay and that he won’t leave my

side. I cling to him desperately, wanting to believe his words. His scent

surrounds me, calming me. His arms are like a haven, offering warmth and

safety. As they tighten around me, I feel the weight of my troubles lifting. I

hold him tighter, accepting all he’s giving.

“Shh. I’m here.”

“Ethan… Daddy—”

“I know, honey.”

Of course he knows. He’s the sheriff; that’s probably why

he’s here. He’s not here for me. I break away from him reluctantly and settle

back into my pillow. The moment I leave his arms, everything comes crashing

back down on me. He hands me a tissue from the box next to my bed and pulls up

a chair.

“So… what do you need to know?” I ask.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re… conducting an investigation. Right?”

“Casey, I’m here for you. I haven’t even thought

about that. I’ll have the boys take care of it. Right now, you’re all that

matters.”

Fresh tears pool in my eyes. He’s here for me. “Me?”

“Of course. I’m sorry, Casey. I should have protected you… protected

our…” His voice trails off as his gaze falls to my stomach. Oh, God, he

knows! “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

Yeah, that’s it, Casey. Play ignorant. Sheesh….

“About the babies.”

He looks so hurt. I guess he has every right to be. I can’t

imagine how he must feel, finding out the way he did. He’d lost them before he

even knew about them. I didn’t think it possible but I actually feel worse.

“I couldn’t.”

“Why?”

Because your mother would have killed me. “I didn’t

want to trespass on your new life.”

“What new life?”

“With Shae.”

He springs from the chair and takes my hand, stroking my

knuckles with his thumb.

“I don’t care about her. I never did. I care about you.

I love you. I would have been the happiest and proudest man in the

universe.”

Tears roll down my cheeks as I think about the loss of my

babies. I struggle to speak through sobs and sniffles. “I was… supposed to have…

my… first ultrasound… this week. I didn’t even get to see them!”

“So you didn’t know they were twins.”

“No. Not until… until last night.”

“Casey—”

“I had names picked out and everything.”

“Tell me.”

“Katy for a girl and… EJ for a boy.”

“EJ?”

I look up at him, scared he may be angry at me for using his

name without his permission. My lip trembles, and I dab at my cheeks with a

tissue.

“Ethan Jr.”

He takes a startled breath and runs his fingers through his

hair. When he lifts my hand to his lips, I see tears in his eyes. As one rolls

down his cheek, he perches on the edge of the bed.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let this go so far. I should

have fought harder for you. I should have been there to protect you.”

“What do I do now?” I ask. “I have no one.”

“You have me.”

“No. No, I don’t.”