The Bound Between Us

Autumn was just about to leave when she heard Daria was sick, and all her plans flew out the window.

She turned to Katelyn, worry etched on her face. "Katelyn, what happened to Daria? Is her fever bad? Did you check her temperature?"

Katelyn finished giving instructions to the nanny and hung up. "She's running a fever. I didn't ask how high. Autumn, don't you have things to do? Go on, take care of them."

But Autumn couldn't make herself go. Daria was her granddaughter, and Katelyn didn't seem the least bit bothered. That was her family-of course she cared.

Still, she'd already said she was leaving. She couldn't just backtrack now. Honestly, Autumn felt like Katelyn was going to be the death of her today.

She remembered Katelyn telling the nanny to take Daria to Hope Hospital. Without another thought, Autumn grabbed her bag and hurried out to the hospital to wait for them.

***

Hope Hospital.

Anastasia was tagging along with Monica, who was getting a check-up. Monica had woken up feeling nauseous and immediately worried she might be pregnant, so she'd dragged Anastasia with her for backup.

Monica didn't dare let Jason come. She was too nervous, not ready for him to know if there was even anything to know.

Anastasia was scrolling on her phone in the hallway when Monica finally came out of the doctor's office, clutching her test results.

"Well?" Anastasia's eyes were wide with curiosity. "Are you?"

Doc says it's just a stomach bug, probably from eating

"What, you

been together that long. Then again, Anastasia had married Herman practically

it's right, it's

be so bad. I mean, Jason would actually make a great dad. He'd be the type to show up with

get married, just

I'm bringing it

scoffed. "He can

And it better

just

a little pang. Herman had never proposed to her properly. She used to imagine someone

on one knee,

even with a flash mob or a

but honestly it hardly ever

do it

absolutely right. The

smiled. "Definitely. But it'll have to wait till Jason's done with this case. Ana, could you wait

Anastasia said, taking Monica's

it over

toward