Midnight Mistletoe Book 2: A Year Later
highlight_author
Elfy G
highlight_reads
319K
highlight_chapters
23
The Aftermath
Book 2: A Year Later
KATHERINE
This year has been a whirlwind. The first quarter was pure bliss with Derek, and I couldn’t fathom a life without him. But then, something shifted, and our relationship took a hit.
I found out I was pregnant, but sadly, a month later, I miscarried. That day, something inside me shattered. I had invested everything into our relationship, but the loss clung to me like an unwanted shadow, impossible to shake.
Until then, I had been unsure about having kids. The loss made me realize how much I wanted them. When my mom found out I had left Derek, she warned me I would regret it.
And of course, she was right. Derek had his own battles, but I was so wrapped up in my own emotions that I overlooked his. Now, I see how unfair I was, oblivious to the emotional burden he bore.
Even after we split, his name remains tattooed on my right butt cheek. I just can’t bring myself to erase it. About a month ago, I found myself at his apartment.
That day is etched in my memory, and I can’t seem to shake it…
“What are you doing here, Katherine?” Derek asks, surprised to see me on the other side of his door.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I was driving and somehow ended up here.”
He doesn’t seem thrilled to see me, but when he sees me drenched from the rain, he looks worried. “Come in,” he says.
He walks away without another word and heads to the bathroom.
Derek returns with a towel, and instead of handing it to me, he starts to dry me off.
“What were you thinking? You could catch pneumonia,” he says.
“I’m sorry.”
He stops what he’s doing, and his eyes study me. “You’re sorry for what?” he asks.
“For everything!” I don’t wait for his response. I leap into his arms and kiss him, showing him how much I’ve missed him.
This isn’t my intention. But seeing him again, I can’t resist being near him. I let my emotions take over.
Derek doesn’t push me away. He kisses me back just as passionately. He even playfully squeezes my butt where his name is tattooed.
He pins me against the wall and starts undressing me as I do the same to him. We both know we can skip the small talk. We want this, plain and simple.
My name is still tattooed on his chest. That gives me hope that he still loves me. I trace it with my fingers, feeling a surge of joy.
Derek lifts me in his arms and carries me to the couch. He bends me over it and, without hesitation, he enters me.
I let out a scream—it’s been so long since I felt his touch.
The last time we were intimate was before the miscarriage. I couldn’t let him touch me after that.
Derek slaps my right butt cheek, bringing me back to the present. “Fuck, my name on your ass still drives me crazy.”
My fingers clutch the couch cushion as he continues to thrust. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
One more thrust from Derek and I climax, coating his shaft. As I said, it’s been a long time since I last had him inside me.
He quickens his pace and the couch starts to scrape the floor. Derek grunts as I feel him release inside me.
Derek wraps his arms around me, holding me close as we both pant for breath.
But then reality hits us. We’re aware of what just happened between us. While I feel joy, Derek feels the opposite, and I can’t blame him.
He tells me it was the best way to end our story so we could both move on. I leave his apartment after that…
That’s when I realized I didn’t want to lose him. The damage was done, and I knew it was too late to ask for forgiveness and win him back.
My phone rings, and I roll my eyes as my mom’s name flashes on the screen. I answer, “Hi, Mom.”
“Are you okay, Katherine? You sound a bit off.”
Seriously, that woman can read me like an open book. I press my fingers against the bridge of my nose. “No, Mom. I’m okay,” I assure her, even though it’s a lie.
But it’s not the first time I’ve lied to her, and what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.
“Are you certain?” she questions, her voice laced with doubt.
I want to scream at her, No, Mom, I’m not okay! The man I love doesn’t want me anymore, and it’s all my fault! But I swallow the words.
“Yes, I’m certain.”
“All right. I just called to ask if you’ll be joining us for Christmas this year?”
“No, Mom, not this year. I know the Sawyers are hosting, and I’m not ready to face Derek.”
She’s unaware that Derek and I crossed paths last month. If she knew, she’d be over the moon.
“Oh, I forgot to mention, the plans have changed. We think it will be better to celebrate Christmas closer to the nursing home, considering Grandma’s age.”
Clever Mom. She’s trying to guilt me into seeing Nana for Christmas.
“He won’t be there anyway.”
“Who?” I feign ignorance, even though I know exactly who she’s talking about.
“Derek, of course. Jenna told me herself. He’s spending Christmas with Nick, and nothing will change his mind.”
That changes the game. I’d love to see Nana and confide in her. She’s the only one who understands. Mom can be a bit much at times.
“Okay, Mom, you win. If you promise Derek won’t be there, then I’m in.”
“You know, you should have never let him slip away. You and Derek were good together.”
I run my fingers through my hair, frustration bubbling up. “Mom, enough!”
“All right! All right! I’m hanging up. See you in two weeks.” And she does.
In two weeks, it’ll be Christmas. If Derek and I were still together, we’d be celebrating our one-year anniversary. And now I’m returning to where it all began.
Fantastic!
I push myself off the bathroom floor and reach for the pregnancy test on the counter. I need a moment to brace myself before I look.
I take a deep breath. My lips part in shock as I clearly see the word PREGNANT on the test.
What the hell am I going to do now?
