A shadow fell over Libby’s face. “They wouldn’t even take her in. Can you imagine? But I don’t want to bring it up with her because I know it’s a sensitive topic… I also don’t want her to feel like I’m cutting her off from them.”
Charlotte frowned. “What do you mean?”
Libby set her mug down on the table and blew out a breath. Her eyes darted around the café, taking in the rows of tables set up outside.
Then, she leaned sideways and cleared her throat. “I’ve been considering adoption. I love Annie, and I want to give her a stable home, but I…”
Charlotte reached for Libby’s hand and squeezed. “You don’t want her to feel trapped?”
Libby nodded a little too eagerly. “I want it to be somethingshewants. Although, at this point, I’m not even sure Annie knows what she wants. What if her family changes their mind, and they come looking for her?”
Charlotte paused, her mind racing to process all of the information. “Well, Annie can decide then if she wants them in her life, and if she doesn’t want to be adopted by you, she’ll tell you.”
Libby shrank, and her eyes fell. “That’s what I’m afraid of. When I took her in, I didn’t know what to expect. Half the time, I’m terrified I’m doing an awful job, but the other half, I just want to take her into my arms and hold her there. It kills me that Annie has no idea how much she means to me.”
Charlotte didn’t realize she was crying until one of her tears fell into the coffee. She blinked, leaned back, and took the packet of tissues from Libby’s outstretched hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry. I just…”
She felt overwhelmed with emotion at Libby’s words and the kind of impact they were having on her. While she had no idea whether Libby would be able to adopt Annie, she did know the sullen and sad teenager was lucky to have someone like Libby in her life.Incrediblylucky.
Annie’s life was far from normal, and it wasn’t fair that everything had been ripped away from her, but at least she still had someone there, looking out for her.
In that moment, Libby reminded her so much of her own mom that Charlotte felt a renewed sense of appreciation for Emily.
She threw her arms around Libby and pulled her in for an awkward yet warm hug.
Libby patted her back, and her face was red when she pulled away. “Are you okay?”
Charlotte blew away an errant lock of hair. “I’m sorry. My emotions are all over the place ever since…you know.”
Libby’s lips lifted into a gentle smile. She patted Charlotte’s hands. “I understand. I remember it being overwhelming.”
Charlotte blinked back tears. “I don’t mean to bring up painful memories for you.”
Libby frowned and pushed her chair closer. “This is meant to be a happy time for you, Charlotte. You don’t have to apologize.”
Charlotte blew out a shaky breath. “I know it’s meant to be this special time or whatever, but it doesn’t feel that way. I just have this pit in the center of my stomach, like things are going to go wrong.”
And she couldn’t shake the feeling she was always going to be one step behind.
“Savannah—my sister—she told me I was crazy, that I’d never even been in a committed relationship, like that somehow means I can’t carry a baby. But personally, I think it has nothing to do with it, or at least I thought I didn’t, but now…now that it’s real…”
“You’re doubting whether or not you made the right decision?”
Charlotte leaned back in her chair, and her stomach tightened. “When I first thought of doing this, it was because I wanted to do something different, something that would give my life meaning, and then I realized, what better way to do that than to help out a good friend?”
Libby gestured to the waitress and ordered two bagels. “I think that’s as good a reason as any. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to help a friend.”
Charlotte glanced around and then lowered her voice. “Yeah, I don’t know… and then there’s the whole Patrick thing. We onlyhad that one disastrous date, but what if things end up going well? How is he going to fit into all of this?”
Would he even fit anywhere, or was she going to have to give him up?
Sweat broke out across the back of her neck and face at the mere thought.
Libby pursed her lips. “I think you should take it one day at a time. If things get serious with Patrick, you’ll have to talk to him then. As for your sister, I think she’s just being protective and a little too logical about all of this. You can’t expect her to understand where you’re coming from.”
When Libby’s phone rang, slicing through the air, she rose to her feet. With a frown, she wandered away and pressed the phone to her ear. A short while later, she returned to the table, pulled out her wallet, and handed Charlotte a few bills. Charlotte waved her away and gave her a quick hug.
Libby covered the phone with her hand. “I’m so sorry. Annie needs me at home. Something about being stuck in the bathroom. We’ll reschedule.”
