We argued for the last time.

And not in a good way.

After a remarkably short marriage, I am now a divorcee.

I was alone, sobbing, pregnant and I have never felt worse in my entire life. I blamed myself. I tried to save it, but I couldn’t. Silas stayed out that night and returned in the morning, saying nothing about our relationship, but only informing me that he was finding another place to live.

He moved out quickly, just leaving me as quickly as he had found me.

I was an idiot.

But at least I had someone who cared for me.

I felt guilty when he came over. Like I was taking advantage of his kindness, but he assured me he was doing this of his own accord. To help me. I was nearly bursting.

It felt strange, and oddly right having him near me. The baby wasn’t his, but he kicked when Puzzle touched my belly.

Maybe he was kicking for another reason, though!

We rushed to hospital together.

And he held my hand and helped me more than I could have ever asked of anyone. I didn’t ask. He just did it. Because, like he kept saying through the labour, he’d always be there for me. Because it’s him, and I’m me, and really, this is all it has to be.

And he was great. Letting me sleep, looking after baby Evan.

Because it’s him.

Silas came over and demanded to see the child. I knew that I couldn’t stop him, and that he should see him, but the breakdown of our relationship was so fresh and raw that it burned my heart and I hated it. I hated the sight of him with my child.

With our child.

And I felt terrible for that, because he’s Evan’s father and he needs to see him.

Puzzle didn’t like it either. He hated that Silas had left me while I was pregnant. I had to go out and stop them from attacking each other!

Silas left after that. I didn’t know if I should have felt happy for it.

Puzzle and I talked that night. The island was nice to grow up on, but there was a child to think about now, and jobs weren’t too good around the town. Bartending earned scraps, and our sports teams had no openings.

It was a hard decision, but we decided to leave together to move to Bridgeport.

Together.

It’s a nice word. I like it. I like the way it makes me feel.

It makes me feel hopeful for the future.

Because through thick and thin

Through arguments and mistakes

And through hard work

We’ll make it together.