Seven months pregnant and very tired, I trotted into my apartment, dumping my keys on the table. Once Ms. Trimble found out about my triplets, she managed to pull some strings with the apartment manager who, at the moment, was going out with her. Now, I had a free board as long as I helped around the apartment with cleaning and fixing and just odds and ends. I threw my backpack on the ground and leaned against the door, letting out a sigh of weariness. "Tired?" a voice asked, all to familiar and calm. "D-Derek?" I stammered, staring as a figure slid into the mud room where I sat. "In the making," he answered back, smiling a smirky look at me. "What are you doing here?" I was breathless and I felt dizzy with shock. "Did you miss me?" he asked and I stepped away from him. "How did you get in here?"
"Oh come on, Shey! Why do you act like I'm a monster?" He took a step towards me and I pulled back. "You left me! How was I supposed to react?" I accused and I watched as his face fell, his eyes growing sad with acknowledgement. "I'm sorry, Shey. I didn't mean to leave you all alone with this. I-I," he stammered, unable to meet my gaze. "I was scared of how much I hurt you and I was worried about what would happen to you. So, I went out to search for a werewolf nurse who had helped many werewolves in giving birth." He looked up at me, hopeful, and I felt my heart breaking once again as we eyed each other awkwardly. "You missed so much," I breathed, tears stinging my eyes. "You missed the first kick, the ultrasound, everything. What makes you think I want you back now?" Derek turned solemnly away and nodded. "I don't expect you to forgive or even to give me a chance but the least you can do accept my help." I didn't want his help. I didn't want anything to do with him, knowing he would probably just hurt me again. Still, a small part of me wanted him back, wanted to just hug him and snuggle with him and to have him never leave me again. Torn by my emotions, I just brushed past him and went to my room, slamming the door shut behind me.
"Shey!" he called from outside my door, knocking softly on it. "Come on out and talk with me." "Go away!" I cried tears, sliding down my cheeks. Why now? Of all the times that he could've come, why did he have to interrupt my life now? I was doing just fine without him. I don't know how long I sat in my room before Derek gave up and left my house. I let myself out of my room to find myself looking down at a perfect red rose lying at the base of the door, a cream envelope underneath it.
Allowing myself to retrieve it, I picked up the rose and held it carefully because of the thorns, lifting it to my nose to smell it. Picking up the envelope, I opened it and read it.
"Dear Shey,
Every rose has their thorns and I know I have done a great deal of wrong towards you. I am sorry. As every rose needs its gardener to take away the thorns, I need you to fix my faults. I'm not perfect without you. Anyways, just thought I'd tell you that I'd be living in my apartment if you ever want to come talk to me. I want to be in our baby's life and I want to help in anyway I can.
Love,
Derek"