“Aubrey, are you okay?”

“Huh?” I shake my head to clear my thoughts and turn to my mom. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”

“The doctor asked you a question,” she says to me before looking at the doctor sitting next to the monitor.

“Sorry,” I mutter.

“It’s fine,” she smiles knowingly back at me. “I asked you if you’d like to know the sex of the baby?”

I will the bottled emotions in me not to surface and nod my head. I toy with the engagement ring on my finger that Harry gave to me three months ago, wishing more than anything that he could be here with me to experience this. We’re supposed to be doing this together.

The doctor nods and looks closer at the ultrasound. “It’s a girl.”

Now, I don’t stand a chance holding back the tears. I’m excited. I’m scared. I’m happy. I’m sad. I can’t decide what to settle on.

My mom turns to me, beaming. “Oh, Aubrey, a little girl!”

I smile and imagine a little curly haired, green-eyed girl and feel like I’m going to pass out. How can I look at my daughter each day if she looks even the slightest bit like Harry?

I haven’t seen or heard from Harry since the day I told him I was pregnant. I think I cried the entire month of June, but then Sophie came up to the city to visit me, and that got my spirits up. I knew I couldn’t wallow forever. If Harry really didn’t want the baby or me more than his career, than I had to live with that. No, it’s not what I want or ever imagined, but life goes on. I’m trying to believe that, at least.

---

Since I was now officially living with my parents at their condo, I snuggled up in my bed late that evening and began reading through my anatomy text book. I decided to take summer classes to get a few extra credits—this way, I’ll be able to graduate early.

Once I finally become too tired to even read the text, I set the book on my nightstand and see that it’s already one in the morning. I knew I had to take better care of myself and get sleep because of the baby, but sleeping had become increasingly harder since I’ve been having to be in my bed alone.

As soon as I was comfortable, my phone rang. An unknown number flashed across the screen, so I ignored it. Of course, it called a second and third time. I finally answered the damn thing on the fourth.

“Hello?” I asked, a little irritated to say the least.

“Aubrey?” A man asked.

“Um, this is she… Can I ask who’s calling?”

“This is Parker from Universal Records. I’m sorry for calling so late, but is there any chance you could swing by? As soon as possible.” The man sounded on edge, like it was absolutely necessary for me to go. I was confused for a second before I concluded it could only mean one thing—Harry.

“I’m sorry, but Harry and I aren’t… we’re not together anymore,” I state.

The man lets out a single laugh. “Trust me, I know. But please—“

“Did something happen to him?” I ask, worried by the urgency of his voice.

“If you don’t come soon, I’m afraid something will. It’s bad, Aubrey.”

I had no idea who this man was, or what was going on, but I knew I needed to go find out for myself. I hung up my phone, dressed in a pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt. I shoved on my boots and grabbed the keys to my mom’s car before leaving.

Because of the time, it only took ten minutes to make it to Universal Records, and as soon as I parked, I ran inside to see for myself whatever was going on.

I rode the elevator to the eighteenth floor, and as soon as the doors opened, my heart begin to beat faster, and my stomach was a nervous mess.

Harry was slouched against the wall under shattered frames that held gold records produced by the label, and the office was in ruins. I took a longer look at Harry to see his knuckles red with blood, his hair unwashed and unruly, his clothes tattered and also unwashed, and his eyes glossed over.

I don’t think Harry saw me come in, or even notices anyone else is here. I’m startled when a man comes from my left and grabs my arm. “Aubrey, I’m sorry for calling you here like this… I’m Parker,” he extends his hand.

“What happened?” I whisper.

Parker sighs and runs a nervous hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Well I do, he’s extremely intoxicated and just came in here about an hour ago yelling and breaking things, upset about something. I tried to get him to calm down, but he just kept muttering things about you and how he fucked up. I didn’t know what else to do or call, I’m sorry.”

“No, I understand,” I tell him. My eyes are still glued on Harry, but he has yet to notice me.

“You should go talk to him…” Parker insists. I don’t say anything, because I don’t know what I would say. I haven’t talked to Harry in months, what will happen if I talk to him now? I’m not ready for rejection again. But I want to know badly what all this is for…

I finally nod and slowly walk over to where Harry sits slumped against the wall. Once I get a few feet away, I can already smell the alcohol on his breath.

“Harry,” I whisper. I stop in front of him, leaving plenty of distance between us.

He slowly looks up at me. “Aubrey?” He frowns. “What are you doin’ here?”

Harry looks at me in disbelief, as if I’m not really standing right here.

“What happened?” I ask.

“Aubs, I…” His voice trails off and he buries his face in his hand, muttering incoherent words. Then his body shudders and he begins to cry. No, not cry, sob. Loud sobs rack his body, and I’m frozen in my place. I haven’t a clue what to do.

I look back to where Parker was, but he’s disappeared. Great.

“Harry, what’s going on?” I ask again, crouching down so that I’m on eye level with him.

“I fucked up so bad. Oh, shit, Aubrey, my life’s over. I can’t take this anymore,” his words slur together, further indicating his alcohol intake.

I feel myself begin to get emotional as I step closer to him and place my arms around his body. I don’t know what else to do. “Harry, talk to me.”

“I’m pathetic, I’m worthless,” he murmurs over and over again as he cries.

I look around the office for anyone, but of course, we’re alone. I look at the disarrayed office and a terrible thought runs through my mind—will they kick Harry off the label for trashing the place? Just as his career is starting out?

I finally decide I need to get Harry out of here. He needs to sleep the alcohol off so we can talk. It’s time.

“Harry, put your arms around me. I’m going to take you home.”

He complies and puts his arms around my shoulders. I struggle, but I get him to stand up with me. Like a miracle, Parker shows up and offers to help me bring Harry to my car outside.

“I’m so sorry about the damage and for his behavior, Parker.”

“It’s fine, Aubrey. Well, no it’s not, but Harry’s a good kid. I’m sure whatever’s going on is just giving him a hard time. I’ll have a talk with him next week. Just make sure he gets some rest.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“It’s no problem. Oh and Aubrey? Whatever he did to you, or whatever happened, know that Harry hasn’t been himself since June. I don’t know if that means anything to you, but it’s like he’s been depressed or something. And all the songs he’s been writing are… well, you get the point.”

I nod through my fresh tears as I round the front of the car. “Thanks again.”

“Sure. Drive safe.”

As I drive through the city, I realize I don’t have the key to Harry’s apartment anymore. I ask Harry if he has his, but he just mumbles random words. Great. Looks like we’re going to my place.



Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling off Harry’s shoes and jeans and getting him into my bed as quietly as possible. There’s no way I can wake my parents—if they find out Harry is here they’ll freak. They weren’t the happiest with him after I told them what happened.

“I missed you, Aubrey,” Harry says sleepily once I get him in bed.

I choose not to respond, but he continues, “I’m such a dick, I know that. I’m sorry baby, so sorry.” He rubs his face with his hands and I think he’s going to start crying again. But then he does something that makes me want to cry.

He sits up and scoots to the edge of the bed, so he’s sitting in front of me while I stand. He rests his hands on my stomach and pulls up my sweatshirt to expose the small baby bump. “Hi lil guy,” he says to it.

I’m crying at the sight by now when I say, “It’s a girl, Harry.” I’m sure he probably won’t remember anything tomorrow, but I felt like I needed to tell him.

“A girl?” He chokes out and looks up at me. “A little girl just like her mummy.”

He stands up wraps his arms around me. “Aubrey, I’m sorry.”

“Let’s get some sleep okay?” I say before my heart breaks anymore.

He nods sadly and returns to the bed. I reluctantly follow after him, but make sure to stay as far away as possible. He passes out in a matter of minutes. Me, on the other hand, I’m up until the sun begins to rise.

---

I wake up as the sunlight creeps into my room, and nearly have a heart attack when I see Harry, his hands resting on my bare stomach, and his eyes fixed to the small baby bump. “Are we really going to have a daughter?” He asks, swallowing.

Does he really remember me telling him that?

“Yes,” I whisper.

“You’re still wearing the ring.” He states, flicking his glance to my left hand.

I nod.

“Aubrey…” He begins. He shakes his head and closes his eyes, like he’s trying to find the right words. I don’t know why, but I let him continue. He doesn’t deserve me taking care of him while he gets drunk off his ass, and he surely doesn’t deserve my time.

“I’m sorry. Sorry for last night… for what everything I said to you when you told me you were pregnant… I can’t say it enough, but I need you to know that I am.”

“Harry—“

“No, let me finish. Please.” When I remain silent, he continues, “I know you’ll probably hate me for the rest of my life for what I did to you, and trust me, I’ll hate myself too, but I didn’t mean any of it. You probably don’t believe that, you have no reason to, but I was caught off guard and scared. I was selfish and only thought of myself, but as soon as you left, I knew I fucked up. I didn’t think about as much as I should before I jumped to conclusions. I’ve spent the last three months trying to think of how’d I’d get you back, how I’d make it up to you. I know I don’t deserve you, but please let me show you how sorry I am. I want this. I want us.”

I look away from him and wipe the tears from my eyes. “I can’t just accept your apology, Harry. Do you know how badly you hurt me? You broke my heart!” I cry.

“I know,” he cringes. “I’m so sorry, Aubrey. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but please let me try to prove to you I’m ready. I’ll be here with you forever. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I can’t—“

“Please, just give me a chance.”

“You should go before my parents know you’re here,” I say. This is too much.

“Aubs—“

“Please.” I slip the ring off my finger and hand it to him. He hesitates before taking it.

Harry sighs in defeat, collects his things and leaves.

---

Five months later


“Oh fuck.”

“What is it?”

“Either I just pissed myself, or my water just broke.”

“Don’t joke about that, Aubrey.”

“No I’m serious.”

Harry looks at me, studying my face to make sure I’m being honest, then looks to the floor beneath me and sees the evidence.

“But it’s early? She’s not due until next month!”

“I know,” I say, feeling the first contraction, “but she’s ready now!” I wince.

“Oh fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.”

Harry runs around his apartment collecting everything he thinks we might need while trying to get ahold of my parents on the phone. He finally reaches them and tells them to meet us at the hospital.

“Harry!” I yell through the increasing pain. Oh shit. I’m so not ready for this.

“I’m coming baby, just take a deep breath.”

I try to take his advice, but the pain just gets worse and worse. So I try to think of a good memory to block out the pain.

I think about the last few months, and how Harry has finally proved himself. Once I gave him the ring back, I didn’t hear from him for another two weeks. Then he went all out to make sure I knew he was sorry. I eventually told him we could start as friends again, and one thing led to another. He proved himself by supporting me through everything, taking me to all of my doctors appointments and getting me whatever I needed. A month and a half ago we officially started dating again, and I was glad things were almost back to normal.

We were doing this. We were going to have a family together.

---

Hours later, Harry and I lay in my hospital bed with the newest addition to our family in sleeping in my arms, soaking up our blessings.

Everything was perfect again, and we were so happy.

“What about Nora?” I whisper.

“Nora?” Harry hums, thinking it over. “I like it.”

“Hi Nora,” I coo, kissing my daughter’s nose.

“It’s perfect,” Harry says. “Just like her.”

“I love you, Harry.”

“I love you, too, Aubrey…”

“But…” I say, only because his statement sounded more like a question.

“No but’s. I just… I have a question for you.”

“Oh yeah?”

Harry shifts on the bed to remove something from his pocket.

My engagement ring.

“Aubrey. I know these last months haven’t been the easiest, but I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am you gave me another chance, and how things turned out. I love you more than ever, and I’m couldn’t have wished for a more amazing woman to mother my child. I will always be here for you and our daughter, and I want show you that I’m committed. Aubrey Flynn, will you marry me?”

A happy tear slips from my eye and I nod without hesitation. I lean closer to Harry to kiss him, but first I mutter, “I thought you’d never ask. I missed my ring,” against his lips.

“I love you,” he laughs.

“I love you too. I can’t wait to be your wife.”





Make a wish, and place it in your heart. Anything you want, everything you want.

Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true.

You never know where the next miracle's gonna come from.

The next memory. The next smile. The next wish come true.

But if you believe that it's right around the corner...

You open your heart and mind to the possibility of it, to the certainty of it.

You just might get the thing you wishing for.

The world is full of magic. You just have to believe in it.

So make your wish. Do you have it?

Good. Now believe in it.

With all your heart.


Three years ago, I wished that Harry and I would love each other for the rest of our lives. I’ll be the first to admit that I had my doubts, and I lost hope at times, but opening my heart to him was the best decision I’ve ever made. I believed we would one day share a life and a family, and look where that got me.

You really never know when the next miracle, the next memory, the next smile, or the next wish come true will happen, but if you believe, if you just open your heart and mind, you just might find what you’re looking for.

Believe in your dreams and follow them. Whatever they may be, or wherever it will take you, never let anyone stop you.

Notes

Wow. Can't believe this story is over. New in Town was the very first story I posted on here, and it's sad to see this series end. I want to thank all of you that have read since chapter one of New in Town, and for sticking with me :) I love you all, and I am so thankful for your support!

I'll be starting another story soon... I'll post a link here once I post it so y'all can read it :)
In the meantime, you guys should check out my other stories Too Much & Can't Remember to Forget You.


THANKS FOR READING! XXXXX