Why'd You Leave Me? [Book 2]

Chapter 1

"Mom." Tucker whispered, and I blinked a few times before looking at my son. 

"What time is it?" I asked, quietly.

"5. Do you want me to get Jade for dinner?" He asked. I looked down at the food I had attempted to cook, but I hadn't gotten far.

"Um, can you get her shoes on? I didn't get far here." I breathed. He nodded.

"I can do anything." He smiled. He stood on his tip toes and placed a gentle kiss to my cheek. I smiled softly and turned back to the food. I sighed and started to clean up what I had started.

It was hard doing this all by myself, especially since I can barely do anything for myself anymore without wanting to cry.

The kids were quiet on the drive over to a local diner. My phone rang as I was driving, and I grabbed it and handed it back to Tucker. He answered it.

"Hello?"

He said 'Mhmm' a few times, before smiling.

"Sure. I think she'd like that!" He exclaimed before hanging up. He held my phone as I pulled into the parking lot.

"Who was it?" I said plainly.

"Aunt Sadie is gonna come and go to dinner with us." He smiled. I nodded slowly.

"Alright."

I climbed out of the car and opened the back side door. I smiled at Jade, as she swung her legs and looked at me.

"Hi, Momma." She giggled as I unbuckled her.

"Hey, Jadey. How are you?" I asked, and she wrapped her arms around my shoulders as I carried her towards the building.

"Momma, can we go to the park?" She asked, and I swallowed hard.

"I don't know, princess." I spoke, slowly.

"Mom, I can take her. You can wait in the car, and I can play with her." Tucker spoke, and I looked over at my son. He looked so much like Lark, and it gave me almost a sense of comfort. I could look at Tucker and see my husband in every little detail.

"Thanks, but I can do it." I spoke, but I was still unsure.

I hated leaving the house, and I hated driving long distances. 

=~=

We ordered drinks, and after a few minutes, Sadie came in, and the kids smiled largely at their Aunt. She sat down next to me, while the kids sat on the other side.

"So, how are my three favorite people?" Sadie asked.

"Good!" Tucker spoke, a smile still spread over his lips.

"Great, Mister! So, Jade, what about you? Got any boyfriends yet?" Sadie teased, and Jade stuck her tongue out.

"Boys are icky!" She cried.

"What about me, dork?" Tucker spoke, as he reached over and tugged on Jade's pig tail.

"I love you, brudder!" She exclaimed, and I smiled.

"Alright, what can I get you four?"

"Um, I'll have the bacon cheese burger." Sadie spoke, and Tucker laughed.

"Can I get that too?" Tucker asked me, and I looked at the waitress.

"Does it come in like a kids order?" I asked, and she smiled and nodded.

"We can make it smaller." She chuckled. Tucker smiled and looked over at Jade.

"I want pudding!" Jade squeaked.

"She'll have the chicken tenders." I smiled, and Jade frowned.

"You can pudding for dessert tonight." I spoke, and she nodded.

"And for you?" The waitress asked.

"I'll just have the Caesar salad." I spoke.

"Side or main?" She asked, and I bit my lip. I wasn't hungry.

"Side." I whispered. She nodded and took the orders off to the kitchen.

"Harper, you need to eat more." Sadie frowned.

"I'm just not hungry." I replied.

"Harper-" Sadie started again, and I shook my head.

"We can discuss this later. I want to just have a nice dinner with my kids and sister."

=~=

We took the kids to the park after dinner, so they could run off their energy, and Sadie and I sat on a bench, watching.

"Can we talk about it now?" Sadie asked, and I bit my lip.

"I'm a 30 year old who is a widow. I have 2 kids. I'm suffering from depression and anxiety. I can barely leave the house, and when I do, I have to have Tucker by my side because he can help me when I have a panic attack." I spoke, and she frowned.

"Maybe try dating." She spoke, and I shook my head.

"I would feel like I'm cheating on Lark." I admitted.

"He's been dead for three years, Harper."

"He may be dead for 30 years, and he is still going to be the love of my life. How do you think I can just move on?"

"Because you need to be happy! You've always wanted a big family, and you can still do that!" She exclaimed, and I frowned.

"I can always adopt."

"Noah is an amazing little brother, but do you really want to just adopt?" She asked, and I sighed.

My parents adopted a little boy named Noah, who is 7. It was almost starting over from scratch. But he fit in perfectly, and is best friends with Tucker.

"Sadie, can we just not do this?" I begged, and she frowned.

"Okay. Can I take the kids for a night? My boyfriend is in town, and he wants to meet them." She smiled, and I swallowed hard.

"I don't know." I whispered.

"Mom, can you come push us on the swings?" Tucker asked, as he came over, his hand hold Jade's.

"Sure. Aunt Sadie is gonna come with us!" I exclaimed, and my kids smiled and ran towards the swing set.

"I'll set you up on a date. Somebody smart and cute." She spoke, and I rolled my eyes.

"I'll disown you, Sadie." I threatened, and she laughed.

=~=

I took the kids home and gave Jade a bath, before Tucker took one himself. I put Jade into her little bed with butterfly sheets on them, before kissing the top of her head. I read her a story and left the room once she was asleep.

I then went next door and opened Tucker's door. He was getting up off the floor after saying his prayers, which was something he didn't get from me. I smiled.

"Ready for bed, little guy?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Mhmm, Mom." He smiled. He climbed into bed and I covered him up. I kissed the top of his head before walking over and turning on his night light.

"Can I tell you something, Mom?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Of course, darling." I spoke, as I sat down on the edge of his bed. I gently pushed his hair away from his forehead, and he sighed.

"I prayed that you would find someone to make you happy. I miss seeing you happy, Momma."

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Book Two! Hope you all enjoy! :D