Twenty-eight

2 weeks later

My mom has been around a lot more, and it's been nice. It's like she is trying to have a relationship with us. I love that, and so does Jen.

"Are you going to watch Jen's first class?" I eye Corey, who lies on the couch.

He looks at me with a smirk. "Do I have a choice?"

I shake my head.

He gets up from the couch. He wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead.

"I didn't think so."

I lay my head on his chest, and he holds me tighter. "I love you so very much," he tells me.

I smile. "I love you."

******

In moments, we pull into the dance academy in my pink car. My mom gave it back to me last week. Dropping it off and then catching a ride with Adam. I feel weird being in the car again.

I take a deep breath, and for some reason, I feel out of place here. It was a strange feeling.

Corey places his hand on my leg. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I haven't been here in so long."

"We can leave, baby"

I shake my head. "This will be good for us."

I watch as Corey fixed his backward hat in the car mirror. I love how his style never changed. Though he did stop smoking. I am so proud of him.

I open the handle of the car door and push it open. I see Adam and Carly pull into the dance academy. Seems like they started dating, I observe them holding hands.

Corey holds Jen's hand and we walk inside. Once inside, I feel everyone's eyes on me.

I was the rich girl who ruined her life by getting pregnant.

The faces I recognize, just not the looks on them. We move towards the studio. Once inside, a smile hits my face.

I missed the music, the laughter, and seeing the children dance. We walk towards the dance room. Jen looks so adorable in her black jumper and pink tutu.

The girls look at Jen strangely. It's hard being the new dancer, especially at her age. Many of these girls have been dancing since they were two. I smile as Jen takes her place in front of the mirror.

I watch Mandy lead the dance. She does a good job teaching the class. Jen looks reasonable for never dancing before.

I walk over toward Corey, who watches Jen dance. He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips.

"She looks so happy."

I smile. "She does."

*******

An hour later, I am happy Corey made chicken noodle soup, my stomach just wasn't having it today. The soup tastes and felt amazing on my nauseated stomach.

Jen plays Candy Land with Corey. I smile watching her roll the dice and stick her tongue out at him.

I hear a knock on the door. I have no clue who that could be. I frown, hoping it's not confrontational.

Corey gets up from the floor. I listen as he moves over to the door.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

What the heck?

I try to fix my face and mood. We had no idea she was even out of treatment. I can't imagine how Corey is feeling.

I sit up on the couch, creating room for others to sit. His mom eyes me, probably shocked by my pregnant belly.

She takes a seat next to me. I can't help but feel out of place.

Jen eyes her mom. I can tell she is hurt. Corey seems to want nothing to do with it.

"I have been out for a few weeks and I am doing wonderful," his mom says with a smile.

Even being a drug addict, she was a beautiful woman. She has beautiful blue eyes and red curly hair. Her pale face makes her rosy cheeks pop.

"You're just now coming to see us?"

"I've been busy making housing arrangements."

He nods.

"I was hoping Jen could come to stay with me."

Corey takes a deep breath. "Mom Jen's adoption was closed, you have no rights."

"Please Corey, I miss my daughter," she cries.

"I want to stay here with Corey and Sadie," Jen yells.

His mom's eyes are on me. I smile shyly.

"Mom, this is Sadie, she is my girlfriend."

"Hey," I smile.

"And the baby?" She looks shocked.

"It's mine." Corey smiles at me.

"Wow, I am so surprised but overjoyed."

"Maybe Jen can have supervised visits. We will start small."

I think that's a wonderful choice for Jen. A daughter should have something to do with her mom.

"Thank you, Corey, for everything, for stepping up for Jen."

"Mom, it's been hard. But I love her with all my heart."