Michelle Gross

I wanted Hadley—all pieces of her.

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I wanted Hadley—all pieces of her.

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I wanted Hadley—all pieces of her.

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I wanted Hadley—all pieces of her.

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I wanted Hadley—all pieces of her.

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I wanted to be always there Elijah… Never leaving Elijah… Husband Elijah… Stepdad Elijah… Forever Elijah…

“Please,” she whispered as she closed her eyes. A tear slid down her cheek, and I caught it with my thumb. “Don’t hurt me. Most of all, don’t hurt Lucy because my little girl likes you, and I don’t want her to wonder why you’re not there one day like her dad.”

“That one percent of you… I want it.”

“For you, anything.”

Maybe I already did. I pictured Hadley with a rounded belly like when we first met. Only that child would be a part of me and Hadley. Suddenly, I realized I wanted that life.

I couldn’t deny it anymore. I wanted that. I wanted them. With me. As my family.

I wanted Hadley—all pieces of her.