Chapter 1: Bridges Between Us
Jazmine's eyes fluttered open to the sound of soft cries echoing from the baby monitor on her nightstand. She lay still for a moment, disoriented, trapped in that hazy space between dreams and reality. She had been dreaming about the accident again—flashes of shattered glass, the sickening lurch of the car, the piercing sound of metal against metal. It always ended the same way: she woke up, breathless, trembling.
But this time, it wasn't the nightmare that pulled her back into consciousness—it was Adia.
Adia's cries were insistent but soft, her tiny voice piercing through the otherwise quiet night. Jazmine sighed and rubbed her tired eyes, her body heavy with fatigue. Three months of interrupted sleep had taken its toll, not just physically but mentally. Every night felt like a battle with herself to get up, to keep going, to pretend that everything was fine.
She glanced at the clock. 3:13 AM. Huey was still fast asleep beside her, his back to her, his chest rising and falling in the rhythmic pattern of deep sleep. He had been working hard lately, doing everything he could to make up for that night- when things were different, before the accident. Jazmine appreciated it, she really did. But some days, it just wasn't enough.
Jazmine threw the covers off and slowly sat up. She ran her hand over her stomach absentmindedly as she stood up, feeling the roughness of the skin, the reminder of everything that had changed.
The weight she had gained since giving birth felt like a constant presence, a physical manifestation of how much she felt she'd lost of herself. Her breasts, once a source of pride, felt foreign to her now—slightly sagging, marked by stretch marks, always tender from breastfeeding. Huey always told her how sexy she was, how much he loved her body, but she couldn't bring herself to see it. How could she, when all she saw were the scars and the extra pounds that clung stubbornly to her once-toned frame?
Adia's cries grew louder, cutting through her thoughts. Jazmine padded softly down the hallway toward the nursery. She liked to feed Adia in private. It was easier that way, no judgment, no need to hide how uncomfortable she felt in her own skin.
The room was dimly lit by a small nightlight shaped like a crescent moon. Jazmine could just make out the outline of Adia in her crib, her tiny fists flailing in the air as she squirmed. As Jazmine approached, Adia's cries quieted slightly, her little maroon eyes wide and searching for her mother's familiar presence.
"Hey, sweet girl," Jazmine whispered as she gently lifted Adia from the crib. The warmth of her baby against her chest was comforting, the soft cooing sounds Adia made bringing a small smile to Jazmine's lips. "Mommy's here."
Jazmine sat in the rocking chair by the window and adjusted her shirt to begin feeding. She was careful, methodical, doing it all with practiced ease even though inside she still felt so unsure. Adia latched on quickly, her tiny mouth working diligently, and the familiar sensation of breastfeeding washed over Jazmine. It was one of the few things that still felt right, still made sense in this new version of her life.
She glanced out the window as she rocked slowly back and forth, the world outside still and peaceful in the predawn hours. It was a stark contrast to the chaos inside her own head. Since the accident, she hadn't been the same. Not physically, not mentally. And she hadn't told anyone. Not even Huey.
In the first few weeks, she had convinced herself that it was normal—everyone said new mothers went through an adjustment period. But as the weeks turned into months, the feelings of unease, fear, and anxiety didn't go away. If anything, they worsened. She had constant nightmares about the accident, about the day everything changed. And though Huey had been supportive, Jazmine couldn't bring herself to talk to him about it. He had enough to worry about with work and taking care of them. She didn't want to burden him with her issues.
Instead, she used Adia as an excuse. Whenever he asked if she wanted to go back to work, she'd say she wanted to stay home with the baby a little longer. It wasn't a lie, not entirely. But the real reason was that Jazmine didn't feel ready. She didn't feel ready to face the world, to face herself.
She was scared.
The accident had shattered something in her, not just physically, but emotionally. Her body bore the scars, but it was her mind that had taken the hardest hit. She still remembered the way Huey's face had looked when they'd argued that night. She had been furious, heartbroken.
The accident happened so fast. One moment, she was driving, and the next, everything was a blur of noise and pain. When she woke up in the hospital, all she could think about was the baby. Adia had been born at 35 weeks, tiny but strong. And when Huey had seen her for the first time, something in him had changed. He fell in love with their daughter instantly, and from that moment on, he had done everything in his power to make things right with Jazmine.
But no matter how hard Huey tried, no matter how much he told her he loved her, she couldn't shake the fear, the feeling that she wasn't enough anymore.
Jazmine sighed, her heart heavy as she looked down at Adia, who was now drifting back to sleep, her tiny body relaxed against Jazmine's chest. Jazmine stroked her baby's soft light brown curls, marveling at how perfect she was, how innocent. Adia didn't know about the accident, about the arguments, about the scars her mother carried both inside and out. All she knew was love.
Jazmine wished it were that simple for her too.
Once Adia was settled, Jazmine gently laid her back in the crib, pausing for a moment to watch her sleep. She didn't know how long she stood there, but eventually, she pulled herself away, quietly leaving the nursery and closing the door behind her.
When she returned to bed, Huey stirred, rolling over to face her. His eyes were still heavy with sleep, but he reached out for her, pulling her close. Jazmine stiffened for a moment before allowing herself to relax against him, feeling the warmth of his body. He kissed her forehead softly.
"You okay?" he murmured, his voice thick with drowsiness.
"Yeah," she whispered back. "Just fed Adia."
"You're doing great, you know," Huey said, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. "You're an amazing mom, Jaz."
Jazmine didn't respond. She wanted to believe him, but it was hard. Instead, she closed her eyes and let the sound of Huey's breathing lull her back to sleep, even as the doubts lingered at the edge of her mind.
Jazmine woke again at dawn, this time to the gentle light filtering through the curtains. Her body ached, and the weight of exhaustion clung to her limbs. Huey was no longer beside her. She could hear soft noises coming from the kitchen—the sound of cabinets opening and closing, and the smell of coffee wafting through the house. He was up, already starting the day.
Sighing, Jazmine swung her legs out of bed and stood, feeling the familiar tightness in her abdomen again. She absentmindedly ran her hand over the scar beneath her shirt, a constant reminder of how her body had changed. How she had changed.
Walking slowly down the hallway, she peeked into Adia's room. Her baby was still fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. For a moment, Jazmine allowed herself to smile. Adia was perfect—healthy, happy, and so full of life. She was the light in all the darkness that had surrounded Jazmine since the accident.
But that didn't make the rest of it easier. As much as she loved Adia, as grateful as she was for her daughter, the rest of her life felt like it had been put on pause.
Huey tried to help. He really did. He'd been incredible with Adia, more hands-on than she ever thought he would be. And after the accident, after that night when everything had nearly fallen apart, he worked tirelessly to rebuild their relationship. Jazmine appreciated him more than she could say, but there were things she couldn't admit to him—things she didn't know how to talk about.
How could she tell him that she felt broken? That the woman she used to be felt like a stranger now?
As she approached the kitchen, she saw Huey standing at the stove, flipping pancakes with one hand and holding the coffee pot in the other. His hair was tousled from sleep, and he was still in his boxers and a T-shirt, moving with the relaxed ease of a man comfortable in his morning routine. He looked up when she walked in, his face lighting up as it always did when he saw her.
"Hey, good morning," he said with a small smile. "I was just about to bring you some breakfast in bed."
Jazmine managed a small smile in return. "You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to," Huey replied, setting the spatula down and pouring her a cup of coffee. "You've been taking care of Adia all night. I thought you could use a little break."
She took the cup from him gratefully, feeling the warmth seep into her hands. "Thanks," she murmured.
Huey studied her for a moment, his eyes soft but observant. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice gentle.
It was a question he asked often, and Jazmine always gave the same response: I'm fine. But this morning, the words felt heavier on her tongue. She wasn't fine, and deep down, she knew Huey could sense it. But she wasn't ready to talk about it. Not yet.
"I'm okay," she said instead, taking a sip of coffee to avoid his gaze.
Huey didn't push, but he didn't look convinced either. "You know, if you need more time before going back to work, it's okay," he said carefully. "You don't have to rush."
Jazmine bit her lip, her fingers tightening around the mug. Huey had been supportive about her decision to stay home longer, but she knew he didn't fully understand why. She'd told him it was because of Adia—that she wanted to be with their daughter for as long as possible. And while that was part of it, the truth was more complicated.
She wasn't ready to face the world again. The thought of going back to work, of trying to pretend that everything was normal when she felt so far from normal, was terrifying.
"I just… I'm not sure yet," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "I'll figure it out."
Huey nodded, his eyes softening as he stepped closer to her. He reached out and gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. "Take your time, Jaz," he said quietly. "You don't have to do anything you're not ready for."
His words were kind, reassuring, but they made Jazmine feel even more guilty. Huey was doing everything right, and she felt like she was failing him, failing herself. He deserved the truth, but how could she explain everything that was swirling inside her? How could she admit that she felt like a shell of the person she used to be?
"I appreciate it," she whispered, leaning into his touch for a brief moment before stepping back. She didn't want him to see the tears that threatened to spill over. She didn't want him to know how close she was to breaking down.
"I'm going to check on Adia," she said quickly, turning toward the hallway.
Huey watched her go, his expression a mixture of concern and understanding. He wanted to help, but Jazmine could feel the distance between them, a gap that had opened after the accident, and despite all his efforts, she couldn't seem to close it.
She slipped into Adia's room and found her still fast asleep, her tiny fists curled against her cheeks. Jazmine's heart ached as she watched her daughter. She loved Adia more than anything in the world, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing herself in the process of becoming a mother.
Jazmine stood there for a long time, watching her baby, lost in her thoughts. She knew that eventually, she would have to talk to Huey, that she couldn't keep pretending everything was fine. But for now, all she could do was take it one day at a time. One step at a time.
As the sunlight filtered into the room, Jazmine leaned over the crib and kissed Adia's forehead softly. "I love you, baby girl," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll figure this out. I promise."
Huey stood in the kitchen, watching the pancakes bubble on the stove, but his mind wasn't on breakfast. It had been three months since the accident, three months since Adia was born, and while their lives had changed forever in ways both wonderful and challenging, he could feel the weight of something unsaid lingering between him and Jazmine.
He wasn't sure what to do. No matter how hard he worked to make things right, there was a distance between them now. It wasn't that Jazmine didn't love him or that he didn't love her—he loved her more than he ever had. But something had changed in her after the accident, something deeper than the physical scars she carried.
He had tried to be patient, to give her space. After all, they'd both been through so much. That night when they argued had been one of the worst of his life. The accident had shaken him to his core, and when he first laid eyes on Adia, his heart cracked wide open. From that moment on, he had vowed to be there for both of them, no matter what.
But lately, he could see the sadness in Jazmine's eyes, the way she held herself, the way she looked away when he complimented her. He knew she was struggling with more than just motherhood, but she wouldn't talk about it. And that was what scared him the most—knowing there was something wrong but not knowing how to fix it.
When Jazmine had walked into the kitchen this morning, he'd noticed the exhaustion in her eyes, the tension in her body. He tried to help, tried to give her space, but he could feel her pulling away. He watched as she left the kitchen to check on Adia, and after a few minutes of standing there, indecision gnawing at him, he set the spatula down.
He needed to check on her.
Walking quietly down the hallway, Huey peeked into Adia's room. There, standing over the crib, was Jazmine, her back to him, her body tense. Her shoulders were hunched slightly, and she didn't seem to notice him watching her. Huey could tell she wasn't just checking on the baby—something was weighing on her.
"Jaz?" he called softly, stepping into the room.
Jazmine jumped slightly, turning to face him. Her eyes were wide, and she quickly wiped at her face, as if trying to hide the emotions that were threatening to spill over. Huey's heart ached at the sight of her—so vulnerable, so unsure of herself.
"Adia's fine," he said gently, walking over to stand beside her. He glanced down at their daughter, who was still sleeping soundly in her crib, oblivious to the turmoil her parents were feeling. "She's perfect."
Jazmine nodded, but her expression didn't soften. She looked lost, as though she wasn't sure how to express what was going on inside her. Huey reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently.
"Come on," he said softly, his voice calm and steady. "Let's go back to bed. Adia's okay. You need to rest."
For a moment, he thought she might resist, that she might brush him off like she had so many times before. But to his surprise, she didn't. Jazmine hesitated, then nodded slowly, her eyes flicking between him and the crib. Huey gently guided her out of the nursery, his hand on the small of her back, leading her toward their bedroom.
Huey silently shut the door behind them as they returned to the room. He could see that she was still nervous and the weight she was carrying weighed down her every step. However, he also noticed the significant bone-weary fatigue that has been a part of her since Adia was born.
"Sit," he said, his voice gentle but firm.
Jazmine looked at him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"I'm serious," Huey said, guiding her toward the bed. "Sit down. I'll bring you your breakfast."
Jazmine hesitated again, but this time she didn't argue. She slowly lowered herself onto the bed, looking at him with uncertainty. Huey smiled softly at her before heading back to the kitchen. He quickly plated the pancakes, adding a bit of syrup and butter, and poured her another cup of coffee before returning to the bedroom.
"Here you go," he said as he set the tray on her lap. Jazmine looked down at the food, her hands resting in her lap. She looked tired, overwhelmed.
Huey sat down at the foot of the bed, facing her. "I know you're exhausted, Jaz. I know it's been a lot," he said, his voice soft, filled with the love he felt for her. "But I just want you to know that I see you. I see everything you're doing, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you."
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Huey, I... I don't know if I'm doing enough," she whispered. "I don't feel like myself anymore."
Huey felt his heart break a little at her words. He reached out and gently took her hand, squeezing it. "You're more than enough, Jazmine. You've been through so much, and you've come out stronger than ever. You gave birth to our beautiful daughter, and you're doing an incredible job raising her. I know things aren't easy, and I know I can't take away everything you're feeling, but I'm here for you. Every step of the way."
She sniffed, her tears finally spilling over. "I just... I don't feel like me anymore," she said, her voice cracking. "My body, my mind… everything feels different."
His heart ached for the suffering she was bearing, so Huey got up and walked toward her. He knelt at her feet and took one of them in his hands, rubbing it slowly with a kind, affectionate touch. He muttered, "I don't care if things are different." "Jazmine, you are loved." You are just the way you are, and I love that. You don't have to face this alone, even though I know you're going through a lot right now.
Jazmine watched him, her tears falling silently as he continued to rub her feet, his hands warm and comforting. It was such a small gesture, but in that moment, it felt like everything she needed. She hadn't realized how much tension she had been holding in her body, how much she had needed his touch, his reassurance.
"You're beautiful," Huey continued softly, his hands working gently along the arches of her feet, kneading away the knots. "You're sexy. You're strong. And you've given me the most incredible gift in Adia. But even if we didn't have her, even if things were different, I would still love you just as much."
Huey looked up at her, his gaze steady and full of love. "You're still you, Jazmine. You're still the woman I fell in love with. And no matter what, I'm going to be here, by your side. We'll get through this together."
She nodded, her tears flowing freely now. The weight she had been carrying, the loneliness, the fear—it all began to lift, just a little. Huey's words, his touch, his love—they were slowly breaking through the wall she had built around herself.
Jazmine started eating gently as Huey continued to rub her feet, enjoying the comfort of his company and the warmth of the food. She gave herself permission to experience optimism for the first time in a long time—hope that things would improve and that she wasn't the only one going through this.
After completing the massage, Huey got up and leaned down to give her a gentle forehead kiss. Once more, he muttered, "I love you."
"I love you too," Jazmine said, looking up at him with a full heart and a voice that was almost audible.
A/N Hi everyone, thank you so much for supporting my previous story and this new one as well. It will be filled with sexy scenes, dark situations, and topics that may be triggering for some so this story is definitely rated M. I will try my best to update this as much as possible (I am a nursing student with two jobs so please forgive me if a chapter takes longer than expected to write) this will be a much longer story than unspoken truths ( a minimum of at least 30 chapters) and I want each chapter to be at least 3K or more so definitely more for you all to read. Please continue to leave your reviews as it really pushes me to get the next chapter out! Thank you all again!
