Free Circle of Friends, Part 2 by Susan Mallery

just burst in. But this was different. Now she didn’t live here anymore.
    Her mother answered, then laughed. “Noelle, you might be all grown-up and married, but you’re still my baby girl. You don’t have to knock.”
    Noelle opened her mouth to answer, then shocked herself and probably her mother by bursting into tears.
    Five minutes later they were both on the worn sofa in the small living room. There was a box of tissues in her lap and her mother’s arms around her.
    â€œShh,” her mom whispered as they rocked back and forth. “I’m here, honey. I’ll always be here. Whatever it is, we can fix it together.”
    â€œI m-messed up,” Noelle said, her voice breaking with sobs. “I messed up so badly.”
    â€œThe first few months of any marriage are difficult. You and Dev will get through it. I know it seems impossible now, but in time, things will get better. The most important thing is you love each other.”
    â€œWe d-don’t,” Noelle said as she tried to control her tears. “I mean, I love him, but he doesn’t...”
    Her mother straightened and cupped her face. “Of course he loves you. Why else would he marry you?”
    Noelle swallowed, then cleared her throat. “Because he thought it was the right thing to do.”
    She told her everything. She talked about dating Jimmy and how fast everything had moved. That he’d gone into the army and then been shipped overseas. She glossed over that single night they’d shared, then confessed her pregnancy and how Dev had found out only seconds after she’d seen the truth, herself.
    â€œHe took charge,” she said as she wiped her face with another tissue. “I’m not saying I don’t have responsibility in what happened. Of course I do. It’s just I was terrified and he was there, telling me exactly what we should do. He made it sound easy and sensible.” She clutched her hands around the damp wad of tissue. “How disappointed are you?”
    Her mother smiled. “I’m not disappointed, Noelle. You gave in to a boy in a moment of passion and emotion. It happens. It’s happened for thousands of years. Smart girls make impulsive decisions that change their lives forever.”
    â€œI thought I loved him,” she admitted. “Or maybe I was just trying to convince myself I did to make my actions seem less stupid. But I didn’t. I love Dev, only he doesn’t want me to. He says we have a deal and that’s the most important thing. Our agreement.”
    â€œTell me about the agreement,” her mother said.
    Noelle explained the details of what Dev had offered. It was hard to admit she’d taken money for having a child she would have had anyway, but...
    She stopped. Instead of being angry and shocked, her mother was smiling.
    â€œWhat are you so happy about?”
    Her mother hugged her. “You’re having a baby. My very first grandchild. I was kind of hoping I could be at least forty-five before that happened, but under the circumstances, I’m willing to go with it.”
    Noelle blinked. “You’re happy about the baby?”
    â€œOf course. Noelle, you have no idea how wonderful it is to have children. Your life will change forever, but in the best way possible. How far along are you? When are you due? Have you seen a doctor?”
    â€œThree months, early March and yes, Dev and I have been to a doctor. We’ve also signed up for parenting classes and we have every book on pregnancy ever published.”
    They hugged again. “Yay, you,” her mother said. “I can’t wait to tell your father.”
    â€œI’m not sure he’ll be as understanding as you’ve been.”
    â€œYou might be surprised.” Her mother patted her arm. “Okay, where were you? You married Dev because of the baby. You know you could have come to us and told us what was going