Chapter 2: The First Night Out

Jazmine was standing in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her, when the late afternoon sun seeped through the bedroom windows, bathing the space in a warm, golden warmth. She hardly knew the woman she saw—the one with the weary eyes and the smooth black dress that hugged her curves—who had sacrificed so much of herself over the past three months that she had lost her identity.

Adia's soft coos echoed from the living room, a reminder that her baby was just a few rooms away. Jazmine felt her heart tighten. The idea of leaving Adia—*for an entire evening*—felt overwhelming because she hadn't been apart from her for more than a few minutes at a time since she was born. Huey had insisted, though. This date, their first night out together since the accident and Adia's birth, was something he had planned. Even if it was only for a few hours, he had been so happy and hopeful that this evening would help them get back in touch and make Jazmine feel like herself again.

Jazmine took a deep breath and adjusted the straps of her dress. She could hear Huey talking to Riley and Cindy in the next room, explaining Adia's feeding schedule and bedtime routine for the fifth time, his voice filled with quiet assurance. He was trying so hard, trying to make everything perfect. And Jazmine knew she should be grateful—she *was* grateful. But as the seconds ticked by and the time to leave grew closer, the knot of anxiety in her chest tightened.

What if something happened while they were gone? What if Adia needed her and she wasn't there? The thought of it made her stomach churn.

"Jaz, you almost ready?" Huey's voice called from the hallway, breaking through her spiraling thoughts.

"Yeah," she answered, though her voice felt hollow.

She glanced at her reflection once more, forcing herself to breathe. She could do this. It was just a few hours. Adia would be fine with Riley and Cindy—they were family, and they'd watched her plenty of times before. But this was different. This was the first time *she* wouldn't be there.

As she stepped out of the bedroom, her eyes landed on Huey. He was standing in the living room, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black slacks, looking more polished than she had seen him in a long time. He smiled as soon as he saw her, his eyes lighting up with appreciation.

"You look amazing," he said softly, stepping toward her and taking her hand.

Jazmine gave a weak smile in return. "Thanks."

Riley, sitting on the couch with Adia in his arms, gave them a nod. "Don't worry, Jaz. We got this. I mean, Cindy's got this," he joked, nudging his wife who rolled her eyes playfully.

Cindy, always calm and collected, smiled warmly at Jazmine. "Go, have fun. She'll be fine. If anything happens, we'll call you right away."

Jazmine's heart pounded. She glanced at Adia, who was happily snuggled against Riley's chest, oblivious to the fact that her mother was about to leave her for the first time. A lump formed in Jazmine's throat, but she forced herself to nod. "Okay."

Huey squeezed her hand gently and led her toward the door. "We won't be gone too long," he told Riley and Cindy as they left, though the reassurance seemed more for Jazmine's benefit than theirs.

As they stepped outside, the cool evening air hit Jazmine's skin, sending a shiver through her body. She glanced back at the front door, feeling an overwhelming urge to turn around, to go back to Adia. But Huey's hand was warm and steady in hers, and he gently tugged her toward the car.

"You okay?" he asked as he opened the car door for her.

Jazmine nodded, though the anxiety bubbling inside her said otherwise. "Yeah… I'm fine."

Huey gave her a knowing look but didn't push. He closed the door after her and walked around to the driver's side, starting the car with a smooth purr. As they pulled out of the driveway, Jazmine stared out the window, her heart racing. She knew she should be excited for this—Huey had gone through so much trouble planning this date, choosing a restaurant, making sure everything was perfect. But all she could think about was Adia. Every mile they drove away from the house felt like a stretch too far.

The ride to the restaurant was quiet, with only the soft hum of the car and the occasional distant sound of traffic filling the silence. Huey kept glancing at her, his brow furrowed slightly in concern, but he remained silent, giving her space to process.


When they finally arrived at the restaurant, Jazmine felt her anxiety spike. It was a sleek, modern building with warm lights glowing from the large windows, casting an inviting atmosphere. Huey had picked a fancy vegan spot, knowing how much she loved it before the baby came. He thought it would be a treat, something familiar, something to remind her of who she was before everything changed.

He parked the car and turned to her, smiling gently. "You ready?"

Jazmine swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yeah."

He stepped out and came around to open her door, ever the gentleman. As she stepped out of the car, her hands felt clammy, her heart thudding in her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but as they walked toward the entrance, all she could think about was Adia.

They were seated in a cozy corner of the restaurant, away from the other tables, which were already filling up with couples enjoying their meals. The low, ambient lighting created a romantic atmosphere, but Jazmine couldn't relax. Her leg bounced nervously under the table as she picked up the menu, her eyes scanning the options without really seeing them.

Huey, always attuned to her moods, reached across the table and gently placed his hand on hers. "Jaz, it's just us tonight. Let's try to enjoy this, okay?"

She looked up at him, her stomach churning with guilt. He was trying so hard, and she was ruining it. But the thoughts kept coming, unbidden. What if Adia was crying right now? What if something went wrong?

"I know," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "I'm trying. It's just… it's hard."

Huey nodded, his eyes understanding. "I get it. But you deserve this. We deserve this."

The waiter came by to take their order, and Huey quickly ordered their favorite vegan dishes while Jazmine barely glanced at the menu. She couldn't focus. Her thoughts were elsewhere—back at home with Adia, wondering if everything was okay.

As they waited for their food, Huey tried to keep the conversation light, talking about funny things that had happened at work, mentioning shows they used to watch together before the baby came. He was trying so hard to reconnect with her, to bring her back to the surface of herself. But no matter how much she wanted to, Jazmine couldn't shake the anxiety tightening in her chest.

After what felt like an eternity, the food arrived—beautifully plated, colorful, and aromatic. But Jazmine barely tasted it. She took a few bites, her stomach twisting with anxiety, her thoughts running wild. Finally, it became too much. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think straight.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice shaking as she stood up abruptly. "I need a minute."

Huey looked startled, worry flashing across his face. "Jaz, wait—"

"I'll be right back," she said quickly before he could stop her.

She hurried toward the bathroom, her heart racing as she pushed open the door and locked herself inside one of the stalls. Her breathing came in short, panicked gasps, and she pressed her hand to her chest, trying to calm herself down. But it wasn't working. Her mind was racing with all the worst-case scenarios—what if something happened to Adia? What if they needed her, and she wasn't there?

Her vision blurred, and she leaned against the cool tile wall, her chest heaving as the panic attack took hold. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she bit down on her lip, trying to hold back the sob that threatened to escape. This was supposed to be a good night. She was supposed to be enjoying herself, reconnecting with Huey, but all she could think about was her baby, her sweet, fragile baby, and how far away she was.

She stayed in the bathroom for what felt like forever, trying to regain control of her breathing, trying to stop the tears. But when she finally felt composed enough to leave, her body was trembling, her mind still reeling with fear.

When Jazmine returned to the table, Huey was waiting for her, his face etched with concern. He stood up the moment he saw her, gently pulling her into his arms.

"What's wrong?" he whispered, his voice filled with worry.

Jazmine shook her head, unable to meet his eyes. "I just… I can't stop thinking about Adia. I feel like I'm failing her. I shouldn't have left her."

Huey cupped her face in his hands, his touch warm and grounding. "You're not failing her, Jaz. You're a great mom. And it's okay to take some time for yourself. She's in good hands with Riley and Cindy."

"I know," she said, her voice breaking. "But it's hard. I feel like I'm supposed to be there for her all the time."

Huey looked at her, his eyes filled with understanding. "You are there for her. Every single day. But you need to take care of yourself too. And I need to take care of you."

Jazmine looked down, guilt gnawing at her. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't apologize," Huey said softly. "I love you, Jaz. I know this hasn't been easy. But I'm here with you, every step of the way."

She nodded, her throat tight with emotion. He kissed her forehead gently and pulled her into a tight embrace. For a moment, everything else faded away, and all she could feel was the warmth of his love surrounding her.

"I have one more surprise for you tonight," Huey said after a few moments, his voice soft and filled with affection.

Jazmine looked up at him, surprised. "What?"

"Come with me," he said, taking her hand.

He led her out of the restaurant and back to the car. They drove in silence for a while, the tension in Jazmine's chest slowly easing with each passing minute. She didn't know where they were going, but somehow, she trusted Huey to know what she needed, even if she didn't.


When they arrived, Jazmine's breath caught in her throat. It was the hill. Their hill—the one where they had first met, where they had shared so many moments together before everything became so complicated.

Huey parked the car and got out, coming around to her side and opening the door. He took her hand and led her to the top of the hill, where the city lights twinkled in the distance like stars.

"This is where it all started," he said quietly, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "I wanted to bring you here because no matter what happens, this is always going to be our place. A reminder that we're in this together."

The peaceful hum of life below contrasted with the rapid pace of her heartbeat, still thudding from the aftermath of the evening's tension. But as they stood there together, just the two of them, something about the place—the stillness, the memories—began to calm her frayed nerves.

Huey stood behind her, his arms gently circling her waist, holding her close. His warmth seeped into her body, anchoring her in the present. She could feel his steady breath on the back of her neck, the rise and fall of his chest against her. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to lean into him fully, letting go of the tension she'd been carrying for months.

"I remember the first time we came here," Huey murmured, his voice soft and soothing in her ear. "It was a night like this. You were stubborn, wouldn't admit you liked me yet." He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest.

Jazmine smiled faintly at the memory. That had been a different time, a time when her worries felt small and her future seemed wide open. Back then, everything had felt simple.

"I was trying to figure you out," she whispered. "You had this way of making me feel like I couldn't quite catch up to you, like you were always two steps ahead."

Huey's arms tightened around her, his chin resting on her shoulder as he gazed out over the city with her. "You were always right there with me," he said softly. "And you still are."

Jazmine closed her eyes, letting the weight of his words settle over her. But a part of her still felt like she was slipping away from him, from everything that had once made sense. The woman who had stood on this hill with Huey all those years ago, bold and sure of herself, felt so far away now. She wasn't sure if she could find her way back.

Huey sensed her quietness, the unspoken thoughts swirling in her mind. He turned her gently in his arms, bringing her face to face with him. His eyes, dark and thoughtful, searched hers, and in that moment, she felt seen—completely, wholly seen.

"You're still the same woman I fell in love with," he said, his voice steady and full of love. "Even if things feel different, even if you don't feel like yourself right now… you're still you, Jaz. And I'm still in love with you."

Jazmine blinked back the tears that had been threatening to fall all night. She looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm not the same, Huey. Since the accident, since Adia… I don't know who I am anymore."

Huey's hands cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the tears that finally spilled over. "I know it's been hard. I know it's been scary. But I need you to hear me when I say this—you don't have to be who you were before. You're allowed to change, to grow. You've been through something huge, and you're still standing. That's what matters."

She shook her head, her tears falling freely now. "But I feel like I'm failing… like I'm failing you, failing Adia. I don't know how to do this."

Huey leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. His breath was warm and steady, a grounding force as she trembled with emotion. "You're not failing, Jaz. You're doing the best you can, and that's all any of us can do. I see you, every day, taking care of Adia, giving her everything you have. You're an incredible mom. And you're still the woman I love."

His words wrapped around her heart, slowly chipping away at the wall of guilt and fear she had built up. For so long, she had been convinced that she wasn't enough—that her scars, both physical and emotional, had somehow diminished her. But standing here, in Huey's arms, in the place where their love had first begun, she started to believe that maybe, just maybe, she was still worthy of that love.

She pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, her breath catching in her throat at the depth of emotion she saw reflected there. Huey wasn't just telling her what she wanted to hear. He believed in her, in them. And in that moment, she wanted to believe too.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"You don't have to know," he replied softly. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

Jazmine's heart swelled with a mix of love and relief. She leaned up, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that felt like a promise—a promise to herself, to him, to their future. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but soon it deepened, becoming more urgent, more real. It was as if all the unspoken fears and doubts between them melted away in that moment, leaving only their love, raw and undeniable.

Huey's hands slid down her back, pulling her closer as they kissed under the blanket of stars. The world around them seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of them, standing on the edge of something new—something stronger.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless and smiling, Huey rested his forehead against hers again, his hands still cradling her face. "I love you, Jazmine," he whispered. "More than anything in this world."

Jazmine looked up at him, her heart full in a way it hadn't been in months. "I love you too," she whispered back, her voice full of emotion.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Jazmine allowed herself to feel the warmth of Huey's love without the weight of fear or guilt. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy—there were still so many challenges to face—but standing here with him, in the place where their love had started, she felt a glimmer of hope. She could do this. They could do this.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the sound of Huey's phone ringing broke through the quiet moment. Huey frowned, pulling the phone out of his pocket and glancing at the screen. The name "Riley" flashed across the screen, and Jazmine's stomach dropped.

Huey answered quickly, his expression growing serious as he listened to Riley on the other end. "Her fever's 104?" he repeated, his voice tight with concern.

Jazmine's breath caught in her throat, the warmth and peace of their moment shattering in an instant. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Huey's eyes met hers, and she could see the worry etched on his face. "Adia has a fever," he said, his voice strained. "They're taking her to the hospital. We need to go."

Panic surged through Jazmine's body. Without another word, they hurried back to the car, fear and adrenaline replacing the calm that had filled her moments before. The drive to the hospital felt agonizingly slow, each second ticking by like an eternity. Her mind raced with worst-case scenarios, her chest tightening with fear.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, Jazmine barely waited for the car to stop before she rushed inside, Huey close behind her. Riley and Cindy were already there, looking anxious as they stood in the waiting room.

"She was fine, and then suddenly her fever spiked," Cindy said, her voice filled with guilt. "We're so sorry…"

Jazmine barely heard her. Her thoughts were consumed by Adia, by the fear that something was seriously wrong.

"I'll never leave her again," Jazmine whispered, her voice trembling as she clung to Huey. "Never."

A/N thank you so much for the reviews! I've had so many private messages since uploading and I am so excited that so many people love my stories. I cant wait for everyone to see what I have in store for you! Until next time

P.S Finally updated my name on here to truly represent my favorite couple ever! JueyForever and ever!