Chapter 27 : I Do , Take Two The late afternoon breeze rustled through the curtains as I sat by the window , a steaming mug of chamomile tea warming my fingers . I rested my hand over the slight curve of my belly - three months , and I was starting to show . Neil kept telling me it was a beautiful sight , that glow I never noticed in the mirror , but I still felt like I was holding my breath every day , waiting for something - someone - to catch up with me . Then came the unexpected call . " Ms. Green , " Dr. Beltran assistant's voice was unmistakable . Calm . Gentle . " It's time for Liam's annual check - up . I know you're no longer in Aspen , but I'd still recommend seeing me personally , if possible . There are a few markers I'd like to keep an eye on . " My chest tightened . Aspen . Zach . I turned to Liam , who was sprawled on the couch , doodling a dragon on his sketchpad . He glanced up at me with eyes so much like his father's it made my throat ache . " Sweetheart , " I started , my voice cautious . " Would you want to go see Dr. Beltran ? In Aspen ? " His eyes lit up . " Really ? Like ... fly there ? Will we see Dad too ? " I hesitated for a second , but he didn't wait for my answer . " Mom , please . I miss him . And you said it yourself - he's getting better , right ? I want to see him . " I nodded slowly , the fear inside me curling like smoke - but my little boy smiled wider than I'd seen in months . I have no heart to say no . We arrived in Aspen two days later , under a canopy of golden leaves . The city looked the same , but I had changed . I wasn't just the woman who once fell apart here - I was a mother again , with another heart beating inside me . I carried more than memories now . Neil had offered to come , but I politely declined . This was something I had to do on my own . For Liam . For myself . For the truth that still haunted me in quiet hours . We checked into a modest hotel . The next day , I held Liam's hand as we entered Orion Record Label , the place where Zach had once built his dreams and , eventually , unraveled them . But today ... it was different . The lobby had been redesigned . More light , more life . The receptionist greeted us with a warm smile . " Are you here to see Mr. Hatton ? He's in Studio B. He's expecting you . " " He's ... what ? " I blinked . " I think Dr. Beltran gave him a heads - up ," she smiled . " Right this way . " As we walked through the glass corridors , I could hear faint laughter . Guitars . A hum of activity . The studio was alive again . And then I saw him . Zach stood at the center of the room , headphones slung around his neck , guiding a young singer through harmonies . His posture was different - straight , grounded . His face was sharper now, his jaw more defined . No longer lost . He wore a simple black shirt and jeans , but what caught me was the focus in his eyes . Redemption looked good on him . Liam ran first . " Dad ! " Zach turned - and time froze . " Liam ? Arianne ? " His voice cracked just slightly . I stood there , uncertain , one hand instinctively brushing over my belly . He knelt and embraced Liam , lifting him off the floor with ease . " You've grown , buddy . You look like a rockstar already . " " Mom says I draw like one too ! " Liam laughed , showing his sketchpad . Zach's eyes lifted to mine , and for a second - just a second - he forgot to breathe . I knew that look . I had lived inside it once . " Can we talk ? " he asked quietly , motioning to a quieter lounge just beside the studio . The door clicked shut behind us . Liam was safe outside , already chatting with the receptionist , showing her his dragons . Inside the lounge , silence hung between us . " You look ... good ," he finally said . " Healthy . Glowing , actually . " I looked down , instinctively covering my bump with my scarf . Zach didn't miss it . " Ari ..." he stepped closer , his eyes searching mine . " Are you- ? " I nodded , slowly . The air left his lungs in one slow exhale . He sat on the edge of the couch , burying his face in his hands for a second before lifting it again - eyes glassy , not with regret , but something closer to reverence . " You didn't tell me ," he whispered . " I didn't know how ," I admitted . " We were already so far apart . I didn't even know if you wanted me around , let alone ... " " I always wanted you , " he cut in , his voice low . " Even when I was too broken to say it . Even when I thought I didn't deserve you anymore . " I sat beside him , uncertain . " I've changed , " he said . " I know that sounds like a line - but I swear to you , I've worked on myself . Therapy . Rehab . Morning runs instead of whiskey . I've signed four new artists this year , all clean , all hungry for music . I kept this label alive ... because I wanted something to give Liam . Something that didn't come with damage ." I bit my lip . " He's proud of you . " " And what about you ? " he turned , eyes blazing . " Are you proud of me too ? " I couldn't speak . He reached for my hand gently , as if afraid it might dissolve in his grasp . " I didn't think I'd get a second chance . But here you are ... carrying our second child . " The tears I had fought for months finally fell . " I'm scared , " I admitted . " So am I , " he said . " But I want this , Arianne . Not just to be Liam's dad . I want to be your partner again . Your family ." He stood and gently knelt before me , placing his hand on my bump. " I missed so much . But I won't miss this . " He scooped me in his arms and kissed me fervently . Later that day , after Liam's check - up with Dr. Beltran which went smoothly . His heart is doing good and that is such a blessing . We walked through the familiar park where Zach once proposed years ago . The trees had begun to blush in early autumn . Liam ran ahead , chasing leaves , laughing without care . Zach reached for my hand . " So ... do we start again ? " he asked . I looked at him . " We don't start again , Zach . We keep going . With all the scars . All the love . All of it . " He smiled - and in that moment , I saw not the man who broke me , but the one who had been trying all along to heal . A year later , under the same canopy of leaves , Zach held Jasmine , our daughter , in his arms while Liam danced around us with a ukulele , half - tuned but joyful . Aspen wasn't just a place of endings anymore . It was where we wrote the next verse of our song . -END- Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!