Open Case File [COMPLETED]

A Step Forward

Steve hugged Carter, holding onto her like he could take away all the loss she felt for a kid that could never be. A son Donovan would never have. A sister that Kennedy could never share secrets with him.

"You could have told us," he said.

She blinked back tears.

"It felt too unreal," she said. "Besides we had Kennedy, it seemed selfish to ever want more."

Her father held onto her shoulders.

"You're not selfish. You are blessed to have Kennedy and we all know that. That doesn't mean you didn't want to have more. But for all it's worth I'm happy you have a daughter because raising one is the best gift anyone could be given." He smiled. "I know first hand."

Carte swiped at her tears and nodded. "Can you tell Maggie, I don't think I can."

"Of course."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she leaned her head on his. They remained there, simply knowing what they had been given was worth it.

*******

The bedroom was dark except for the faint light coming through the window. The only sound was the soft breathing of Kennedy as she lay asleep on Donovan's chest. Her cheek was pressed against him, mouth hanging open. A line of drool escaped her lips and stained his shirt. He didn't care. Carter lay on her side, staring at her daughter, one hand tucked underneath her head.

"Do you ever wish that we'd had a boy?" she whispered.

Donovan peered down at his daughter.

"No," he said. "When you were pregnant I wanted a kid that was as stubborn-" Carter hit his arm making him chuckle. "Smart and strong as you. I also wanted them to look like you as well. I got my wish."

Carter reached out and traced the curve of Kennedy's round cheek.

"She has your face shape," she said.

"Yes, and your eyes."

"Your hair."

"Your chin."

"Your knuckles."

Donovan blinked at Carter, a smile caught halfway to his lips. "What? How can she have my knuckles?"

Carefully, Carter lifted Kennedy curled fingers. "See, they have the same roundness as yours."

Donovan let out a low laugh and kissed Carter's head.

"Okay, if you say so."

Carter shifted closer and laid her head on Donovan's shoulder. In return, he rested his head against hers. They remained there enthralled with watching their daughter simply sleep.

"I had wanted her to have a sibling," Carter said. "I grew up alone, and the way you talked about your brothers made me wish that for her. I think she would have made a good sister to a younger brother."

"How about this," Donovan said, speaking against her temple. "We'll steal Harrison. Link and Maddy don't seem to love him all that much."

Carter laughed lightly, snuggling closer to Donovan's warmth. Kennedy stirred, making a soft cooing noise. She wiggled and fell back asleep, her fingers hanging out of her mouth.

Carter stared at her, imagining all the things that she would have had with a sibling. The loss of it made her heart ache. Sensing where her mind was taking her, Donovan fumbled around until he found her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

"We're going to give this kid the world," he said.

Carter nodded. Yes, they were.

**********************************************************************

You lookin at me, fool!

(Well, obviously not, you're looking at your screen 🤦🏽‍♀️ gosh what was I thinking)

Okay, so that was a strange mix of cute and completely depressing, had no clue it was going to end up like that. What did you think?

Are you still with me or are you a puddle of tears on the floor? If so just bubble or gurgle your answer and I'll understand, I'm fluent in both as well as sarcasm and denial.

Can we all just admit that Kennedy would make a great older sister! I'm bummed she won't get to be one.

Any who if you can still see the screen and your thumbs aren't broken vote, comment, follow!

I have a question for you cause I'm curious! What assumptions or ideas have you formed about me and my life from reading my books and author's notes?

Also if you have a semi-working heart I could use your help and support with getting an agent so go follow me on twitter at _joymoment_