The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher Page B

Emma pressing her cheek against Brad’s chest. He looked at me over the top of her head. I saw my own heartache mirrored in his eyes.
    I envied Emma, believing there was safety in her father’s arms. That security had been stripped away from me. I longed for its return.
    Jason came through the ER doors, and Emma moved from her dad to her husband.
    â€œI’m sorry, babe,” he said as he brushed fresh tears from her cheeks.
    â€œI wanted our babies to play together as they grew up.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œI thought they would be great friends as well as cousins.”
    â€œShe’ll have other babies.”
    â€œBut they won’t be the same age.”
    Jason kissed her lips, then her forehead. “I know.”
    Brad sat next to me. I thought for a moment that he might take my hand. He didn’t.
    â€œDo you know what may have caused it?” he asked me.“The miscarriage.”
    I shook my head. “I haven’t talked to anyone but Emma. Steve’s still with Hayley.”
    Emma stepped back from Jason and turned toward us. “She told me she didn’t feel well all day. Then when she got off work, I guess a reporter was waiting for her. Something happened, but she didn’t tell me what. She was crying by that time, so I stopped asking questions.” Emma fell silent as she lowered her eyes to a spot on the floor.
    Could stress about her dad have caused the miscarriage? Brad’s gaze told me he wondered the same thing.
    I felt another part of what used to be “us” shrivel inside me.

    Because of complications with the miscarriage, a D&C was performed, and Hayley was admitted overnight for observation. Only once she was in her room were we allowed to see her.
    My heart felt like stone as I went to the bed and took one of my daughter’s hands in both of mine. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m so very sorry.”
    Her face was pale, her eyes ringed in gray shadows.
    â€œThe doctor says you should make a speedy recovery. You’ll be fine in no time at all.”
    She nodded. “That’s what he told me too.” Her gaze moved to her dad, standing beside me.
    â€œHow are you feeling?” he asked.
    â€œOkay.” Her voice sounded flat and lifeless.
    â€œIs there anything we can do for you?”
    â€œKeep it out of the news if you can.” She turned her head on the pillow, closing an invisible door between herself and her father.
    I didn’t allow myself to look at Brad. I didn’t want to see how he reacted.
    A part of me felt sorry for him. He was a good father, a man who loved his daughters and was devoted to them. As busy as he’d been when they were growing up—especially while he was running his construction business plus getting In Step off the ground—he’d made time for his girls. He’d attended their school programs and made it to every parents’ night, from kindergarten through high school. He’d helped them with their homework and encouraged them when they were down.
    But another part of me questioned what I thought I knew about him. It questioned my memories and everything he’d ever done or said. Perhaps he wasn’t the good husband and the good dad I’d credited him with being. Perhaps he was someone I didn’t know at all.
    Brad’s hand touched my shoulder. “We should go.”
    I hated to leave, but I could tell Hayley wouldn’t rest as long as we were there. “Yes. We’ll go.” I bent low to kiss Hayley’s forehead. “I’ll come again in the morning. You try to get some sleep.”
    â€œOkay,” she whispered without opening her eyes.
    Out in the hallway, I hugged Steve and told him to call if he needed anything.
    â€œI will.”
    Brad gave him a pat on the back, expressing sympathy without words. Then he took me gently by the arm, and we walked down the hospital corridor. We were outside, halfway to