“I don’t know, Mel.”
“Or Mia? Or Jade?” Melanie didn’t know why she was blaming her former sister-in-law or nieces. She was being irrational; she knew that much even in her frazzled state. “I just wish I hadn’t been blindsided.”
“That’s probably why they were at the other hospital,” Vera logically stated. “So hedidn’thave to tell you.”
“Men,” Melanie dramatically groaned, making Vera laugh. “They’re so stupid.”
“I don’t know how you stayed married to one for so long.”
“Me either,” she laughed, thankful for the comic relief. “I just wish I had known.”
“I know, Mel.”
The door to Vera’s office opened as Cameron rushed in. Her face was white and she looked scared as she first looked at Vera then Melanie. Cameron’s eyes softened when she saw Melanie and she went to her instantly. Melanie wrapped her arms around Cameron’s waist as she let her hold her tight.
“Oh, honey, what happened?”
“Rob’s here,” she heard Vera say. “We got a transfer from another hospital and it was Janet.”
“Rob’s girlfriend?” Cameron gasped.
“Wife,” Melanie mumbled against her chest.
“I put Stacey on it. I don’t think Rob saw her.”
“Good. Thanks for watching out for her, Vera.”
“Anytime.” She felt Vera pat her back softly. “I’m going to go grab something to drink and I’ll be back, okay?”
Melanie knew that was Vera’s standard line with patients when she needed to give them a minute to digest the news she’d given them. But Melanie was thankful for the time alone with Cameron. Cameron didn’t rush her to talk or say anything. She simply held Melanie until she was ready to talk.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Mel. I can’t imagine how you feel right now.”
“I honestly think seeing Rob anywhere else would have been easier than this.” She sat up so she could see Cameron. “But knowing he got Janet pregnant hit me like a ton of bricks.”
“I can’t imagine. I’m so sorry, Mel. You and Rob have so much history that I understand why you’re so upset.”
“It’s not that I want a baby with him now.”
“I know, honey.”
“It’s just that he and I wasted so long not being happy in our marriage that I think about how much better off we would have been if we had divorced sooner. You and I could have been together sooner.”
“Maybe, but you never know.” Cameron’s comment surprised Melanie. “Timing had a lot to do with it. Who’s to say you would have fallen madly in love with me then the way you have now?”
“I’d fall in love with you in any timeline.”
“Back at ya.”
“Thank you for understanding my crazy brain.”
“Crazybeautifulbrain.” Cameron kissed her forehead then framed her face with her hands. “I love you, Melanie. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this today. I know you’re tired from working so many days in a row and this is the last thing you needed today.”
“I just don’t know why he didn’t just tell me. Did he think I would get mad? We’re divorced. I might not have been happy for him but I wouldn’t have been mad. And did he know before we got divorced? He had to, right? I mean we signed the papers in December. If she’s having a baby now, she would have been, what? Twenty weeks? Cam,” Melanie borderline whined, “he had to have known.”
Cameron stayed quiet for a moment as Melanie watched the pain flicker in her eyes. “I don’t know, Mel. I wish I did. AndI wish I knew what to say to make this better but I don’t. All I know is that I love you and all your emotions and feelings about this are completely valid.”
