PROLOGUE
My heart was pounding. How could it come to this? I had sworn under God, and vowed in front of witnesses that we would spend forever side by side. And I promised him that there would be nothing so insurmountable, that it would have to come to this. My heart continued to pound, as the ink from his pen hit the dry paper. I looked down at my ring, which I didn't feel like taking off just yet. It was still shining like the first day I saw it. He lifted his pen and sighed. My eyes were red from how much I cried. He could tell, too. And I could tell that he was holding back for the sake of his sanity. We were both going to go even madder though, had we not signed these papers.
"Okay, so it's agreed? Demetri will get Gwen every Wednesday night so you can go to your meetings, and also alternating weekends."
The lawyer looked at both of us, while we nodded our heads. This was the end.
"Anything else to add?"
I could feel my tears beginning to form again. I shook my head.
And that was it.
We would never be sleeping in the same bed again. The vows we made to each other were nothing, but meaningless murmurs. And while we still deeply loved each other, our spirits were pulling us in different directions, never to meet in the middle again.
The Next Week
"No, you can't have that before you have your dinner."
My voice was strained, and the man behind the counter could tell that I was stressed. Gwen continued to look through the display glass on her tip toes, pointing to each pastry, asking if I would buy it for her.
"I said no. We're only here to pick up the cake for your Auntie Meg's baby shower."
Rummaging through my purse, I finally stumbled upon my credit card. The name still needed to be changed. I sighed again.
"How can I help you, Miss?"
The baker behind the counter smiled, as he rubbed his flour covered hands on his apron.
"Hi, I'm here to pick up a gender-reveal cake, under the name Daaé."
"Oh, yes, I have it right in this fridge."
The baker smiled again, grabbing the cake from behind him and placing it on the counter where the register sat. He adjusted his glasses, and entered the check number.
"Thank you. Do you take credit?"
"Yes, ma'am... And it will be... $42.87."
Nodding along, I handed him my card, keeping a close eye on Gwen. The baker smiled once again, and placed the cake in the bag. Handing my card back, I gave a small smile and turned on my heel.
"Um, it's for a girl right?"
I paused in my tracks and looked down at the cake.
"Yes, the gender of the baby is a girl."
I took a sigh of relief.
"Okay, Gwennie, let's go. We have to go to the party now."
"But I don't wanna!"
The five year old bellowed from beside me, pouting her infamous pout.
"Well, I'm sure Carly will be there, you love her."
"I do, I do, I do!"
Hand in hand, we walked to the car, and began our journey to the baby shower.
"BOY OR GIRL?"
I looked at the sign hanging above the door, and smiled to myself. Grabbing my daughter's hand with my free one, I opened the door to find more people than I would like to have to host.
"Christine?!"
Meg's loud voice pierced, somehow, through the sea of people. Her blonde curls bouncing up and down with equal excitement. She was very pregnant.
"Meg! Wow, you look fantastic."
"Ugh, only seven more weeks to go, I'm freaking out!"
Meg and I walked into the kitchen, hand in hand just like when we were kids. God, I love her.
"I bet, but hey, you look great. Where's your husband?"
"Oh, I don't know. Probably mingling out by the grill with his work friends. Did you bring Gwen?"
"Yes, but she ditched me to go find your other kid."
I laughed softly to myself, as I placed down the cake. Leaning against the counter, I folded my arms in front of my chest. I couldn't tell if I was happy, or extremely jealous.
"Well, there is someone here I would like you to meet!"
"Meg, I-"
"I know, I know, you JUST got divorced like last week, but come on! You need to get back out there, and I promise you'll like him."
I shrugged my shoulders, making room beside me for my pregnant friend... More like a sister to me. She looped her arm through mine, and dragged me out to the backyard. My heart was pounding again, and not in the good way. We made our way through the sea of people, and finally halted our steps by the pool.
He was sitting with his back to us, alone. I could tell that he was tall, by his excellent posture and long torso. His shoulders were broad, and his hair was jet black. A mystery indeed.
"Erik, hi, hi!"
He turned around and stood up, smiling while his facial expression was also curious. He held out his hand to mine.
"Ah, hi Meg."
"Hi dearie. Now, now this is the girl I told you about. My best friend, and someone I think you would definitely hit it off with - my friend Christine."
He smiled at me, my eyes feeling as though I was in a trance. My body was frozen. He put his hand down, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side. He cleared his throat, and smiled awkwardly. Meg looked at us both and stepped back. And it was then when I knew, he was very special.
"I'm Erik. The pleasure is mine."