I closed my eyes. I was alone in his home for the first time. There was no doubt this was where I’d land when I moved, though I had no idea where my things would go. He’d made room in the tiny bedroom closet for my clothes and emptied the top two drawers in his tall dresser, but even now those were spilling over, and I still had to ship the rest of my wardrobe.
This place only had two bedrooms, and barely a thousand square feet of space. As cute as this cozy one story was, I already longed for the open spaces of my condo. That, however, was a discussion for another time. I wouldn’t push to uproot Sari if it wasn’t necessary, especially during this time of adjustment.
After a long hot shower, I dressed in leggings and a sweatshirt, ready to get to work. Armed with a second coffee, I set out to make this place feel a little more like my home too.
I carried the box of gifts I’d received yesterday into the living room and unwrapped the silver frame—a gift from Dean and Dara—filled with a picture of our new family in front of the fireplace. I positioned it on the mantel beside the picture of Jake with tiny newborn Sari cupped in one hand, moving the more recent Jake and Sari picture to the side table.
The rest of the items I contemplated, then placed the electronic photo frame on the table by the front door, smiling as the pictures appeared. This sweet gift from Marisol contained many of the same pictures that were on the frame tucked inside my own bedside table in Vancouver, with the addition of several taken at Dean and Dara’s wedding, along with the ones taken during my last two trips to Halifax.
I tucked the gift certificate for the family photo shoot into my wallet, and then unwrapped the two additions to my stoneware tea set, which was still carefully wrapped and tucked inside my carry on bag.
Perhaps it was time to unpack that too. Bringing it this trip had been an act of hope, or maybe it was a good luck charm for our relationship. Either way, it belonged in my new kitchen.
I’d taken three steps toward the bedroom when someone knocked on the door. “Forgot his keys, I bet.” Turning, I headed toward the entrance.
The somebody on the other side pounded on the door. “Hang on!” I fumbled with the lock and swung the door open. “You’re awfully impat—” My eyes widened.
Stella loomed in the doorway, holding a squirming Sarina.
The red-eyed, tearful little girl reached for me, little runnels of snot hanging under her nose.
As I reached for Sari, Stella reared back a full step, wrestling with her armful of squirming toddler. “Where’s Jakob?”
“He went for a run. You’re early.”
Sarina fluttered her feet, motioning wildly.
“Oof, child. Stop kicking me.” The woman set her granddaughter free.
Sari scuttled forward, flinging her arms around my calf, leaving a shining trail of mucous across my leggings as she peered at me.
“Aww, Sari. It’s okay.” Lifting the girl, I settled her against my shoulder, rubbing the sniffling girl’s back in little circles. “You can set her bag right there.” I jutted my chin toward the bench. “Thanks for dropping her. Jake will be home soon.”
Stella stared at the photo frame on the entry way table, then her head swivelled toward the mantel. “Making yourself right at home, I see. I know who you are.” She wagged a finger in my face. “You ruined his marriage.”
Gritting my teeth, I said, “Whatever you think, you’re wrong.”
Stella flung out her arm, waving at the room. “Everything single picture of my daughter is gone. He’s erased her, like she never existed.” She pursed her lips. “Brought you in as a replacement.”
I straightened and lifted my chin. “I’m truly sorry for your loss, Stella, but whatever problems they had, it wasn’t my fault. Besides, you should want him to find a little happiness after what he’s endured. For Sari to have a proper family.”
The woman stared at me. “Didn’t take you long to move in on him. Well, I wish you luck. He cheated on her, he’ll do the same to you. Once a cheater, always a cheater.”
Nausea hit me, my knees trembling.
“That’s why she did it, you know. He cheated, and she was devastated. My baby is gone because of him.” A fat tear trickled down her cheek. “Now he’s taking our granddaughter away too. It’s only a matter of time.”
The doorknob rattled and Jake came in. “Stella. I thought you were bringing her home this afternoon?” He looked at me, then at the grim-faced woman. “What’s going on?”
“I’m just telling your fiancée what you have in store for her. Don’t think I’ll give up my granddaughter easily, Jakob. I will fight you every step of the way.”
“Fight what?” He crossed his arms. “Me being happy? Your daughter checked out, Stella. She checked out of our marriage, she checked out of motherhood, and then she checked out of her own life. I’m sorry, I tried everything to help her, but you weren’t here. You don’t know what it was like every single damn day.”
“Jake.” I touched his arm. “Please. Don’t.”
“Just telling it like it is. I’m exhausted by this same fight, over and over.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Nothing will bring her back. Nothing.”
“But you want to cut us out. It’s happening, already. You’ll let Sari forget her.”
“No.” Jake shook his head. “No, that’s not going to happen. Amara is moving here, leaving everything in Vancouver so Sari can have her family. She needs you and Ben in her life, and you’re the best people to keep Alysa’s memory alive for her.”
“Do you mean that?” Stella sniffled. “Her pictures. They’re all gone.”
“No, they’re safe. I kept them for when Sari’s older. She’ll know, Stella, but I can’t stop living just because your daughter didn’t
