Surviving the Pain (A Baby Saved Me Series Book 1) by P. J. Belden

“The place is destroyed, though. You guys need to get out of here.”
    “No, I’m not leaving. But if you don’t mind, will you stay here until I can get Hudson to my mom’s. He doesn’t need to see this. I’ll get it all cleaned up after I buy a new door and locks on my way back.”
    “Emmy…”
    “Don’t,” she snapped. “This is my home, and I’ll be damned if I lose it because some punks want a quick buck.”
    His eyes widen in shock. The truth be told Ember didn’t really want to stay here for another minute, but at the same time, she didn’t want to fail either. She wouldn’t move back home. Turning around, Ember headed to the closet. After several minutes of convincing him that the dinosaurs left, she gathered her keys, put a coat over his head so he didn’t have to see any of the mess that she knew would be there and carried him out to her car.

    One month later…
    It took a long time for Hudson to be able to sleep at night after the break in. Even now he’ll come into her room to sleep in her bed. It didn’t bother her, though. Hudson was a heat box, and it helped lull her to sleep at night. Today, Ember was going to take Hudson to the park. The gang said they’d meet them there. It should be a lot of fun for Hudson. His favorite thing is the jungle gym. It, of course, was where she had the most heart attacks.
    “Park!” Hudson cheered as they pulled up in front of a city park. “Oooo, dair Jaja Mommy!”
    “Yes,” Ember chuckled. “Everyone came today to play with you.”
    “Yay! Yay! Yay!” he cheered loudly.
    The minute he’s set free from the car, he’s off like a light toward Jada. Ember laughed as she watched Jada hurry to catch him when he launched himself at her the minute he was close enough. Her son definitely did not lack for love that was for sure. He had three incredible aunts, three protective uncles, and grandparents that thought he hung the moon. What child could possibly want more than that?
    He needed a father, his father , the thought popped into Ember’s head before she could stop it.
    Just then Grey yelled out Hudson’s name. She watched as her son froze and looked in the direction his name came from. A smile so big and so blinding spread across his face before he ran full pelt into Grey’s outstretched arms. Grey stood up, hugging him tightly and spun around. His laughter was joined quickly by Hudson’s. The whole thing just broke Ember’s heart.
    Turning away from the sight before her, she found the bench near the jungle gym and sat the bag down and pulled out a water bottle before sitting down. Everyone strolled over hugging Ember hello. Hudson squirmed out of Grey’s arms and ran over for a drink. Grey moved over next to me, hugging me tightly. It was quiet, and she almost missed the words that he whispered in her hair.
    “Damn, you are so beautiful. I miss you so much.”
    Pulling back, Ember thought it best to ignore him. However, her son had no problem making things awkward.
    “Grey, why don’t you stay the night anymore?”
    Ember could feel her cheeks burning as she turned to busy herself. Holden did nothing to hide the fact that he was laughing at Hudson’s bluntness. Grey coughed a few times before she watched him kneel down in front of him.
    “Buddy, I’d love nothing more than to be at your house,” he looked up at me as he said, “…forever.” Then he turned his attention back to her son. “But see, only people in love with each other stay over at each other’s house and your mom and I realized that we don’t love each other enough to do that. Do you understand?”
    “Nope!” Everyone started laughing. Hudson’s face fell. “I want my daddy, though. Or can you be my daddy?” He asked Grey.
    Tears burned her eyes. She mumbled something about needing something from her car and walked off. The whole journey to the car, she struggled with her breathing. Tears fell silently and fast down her cheeks. Nothing was easy anymore. Hell,