“Merry Christmas,” Clara called as we walked into their house, the last to arrive.

“Merry Christmas, Mum,” grumbling, I set Fern down and she started exploring, going to say hi to everyone.

“What's up?”

“Day.”

“What did he do?” She sighed as Dara came into the house, his hands in his pockets.

“We're fine, we're just not seeing eye to eye on something,” I shrugged.

“I stand by what I said,” Dara wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I shook him off.

“I don't really give a damn. My answer is no. I don't want to argue on Christmas. The answer is no, and I stand firm on that.”

“Fine,” he scoffed, going to the living room to sit with Mario on the couch.

“It doesn't seem like nothing,” Clara whispered, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“It is, I swear. He wants to look into getting a motorcycle, and I'm not comfortable with that right now. Fern is so little, what if something happened to him? I know I'm a little unreasonable, but I don't want to lose him like Eddie, and he doesn't even have a motorcycle license. I told him when Fern's five, we can revisit it, and he's just being pushy.”

“Sounds about right,” she rolled her eyes, “He'll get over it.”

“I know.”

The tension between Dara and me slowly faded as the Christmas celebration kicked into high gear, louder and more exciting than it ever had been, thanks to the extra company. Fern got the most presents, but nothing over the top, as I had made it clear I didn't want to spoil her. By the time we left, Fern was fussy and overstimulated, making it hard to get her to sleep.

It took an extra half an hour, but when she was finally out, I left her room and went to shower, my body fatigued for a reason I couldn't place.

“Mmm,” I groaned, a sharp pain in my pelvis hitting me, “Shit what is that?”

I looked down and noticed blood trickling down my thigh, panic immediately settling into my chest.

“N-No,” I whispered, turning off the water and rushing to sit on the toilet, unsure of what else to do, “D-Dara!”

He opened the bathroom door as he had been watching television in our bed, a small smile on his face, “What's up, baby? Need toilet paper?”

“I think I'm miscarrying,” I sniffled as another pain hit me.

“Oh. Oh my God. Okay, what do we do?” He squatted down and I gritted my teeth, trying to breathe through the discomfort.

“Hospital.”

“Oh, I'm sure that's not necessary. People miscarry all the time at home, you'll be fine. You're strong. Besides, we can always try again soon.”

My breath stopped as I stared at him, trying to understand how he could act like us possibly losing our baby was akin to me having my period.

“G-Get out,” I stuttered, “get the hell away from me! Go sleep in the guest room, I'll figure it out myself.”

“Ren, this is normal; it happens to a lot of people. I'm here to help, but we shouldn't just rush to the hospital.”

“Get away from me, Dara!” I screamed, and he bolted from the bathroom.

Carefully, I slid my briefs and a pad on, taking shaky steps to the bedroom to get my phone and call Halley.

“Hey, babes, what's up?” She answered immediately with a giggle.

“Can you come take me to the hospital? I think I'm miscarrying, and Dara won't take me. If you don't mind taking Fern to Clara too,” I replied in a shaky voice, the cramps never slowing.

“Oh shit, we'll be right there! Can you meet us outside?”

“I can't walk that far until you're here, it hurts so bad. You have the spare keys, just let yourself in.”

“I'm out with Mario, we'll both be there in a minute.”

“Thanks.”

I ended the call, grabbed a sweater from the chair next to my bed, and put it on. My wallet was on the bookshelf, and I slid it into the pocket of my sweats that were lying on the floor, unable to do much more after pulling them on, as the pain was overwhelming.

Halley came running into the bedroom five minutes later, Fern on her hip, “Oh. Oh shit, come here,” she started to help me stand but my legs gave out and I fell back on the bed, “Mario!”

Mario joined us and immediately picked me up without a second thought, cradling me to his chest to take me to Halley's car.

We passed Dara, who was sitting on the couch, refusing to look over.

“Yo. Dipshit,” Mario scowled and Dara glared over his shoulder, “Your fiance is losing your baby and you don't care?”

“I told him we could handle it here at home, I don't see the point of this. He's always so dramatic,” Dara scoffed.

“Get your shit,” I whispered, my hand shaking on Mario's chest, “and get out of my house. Go stay with your parents until I call. You aren't treating me like this. You swore to always be here for me, you clearly lied.”

“Fine,” he shrugged, and Mario carried me outside, helping me into Halley's car as Halley pulled Fern's car seat from mine, setting it in the backseat with Mario.

“You settled, and I hate you for it,” Mario muttered as Halley sped to the hospital.

“Love you too,” I groaned, gripping my stomach, “Did I really settle?”

“You've only been with the people in your tiny circle. Yeah, you settled for Dara. I don't think you notice, but the rest of us do. He treats you like property. You deserve better than that. Break the engagement at the very least.”

“I can't think of that right now, I'm dying.”

“You'll be okay. We've got you, babe,” Halley smiled, patting my arm as we reached the hospital.

I was seen and finally released 6 hours later with the confirmation that I had lost the baby. The doctor told me I seemed to be in fine health, nothing was wrong with my uterus, and simply attributed it to the fertilized egg no longer growing. I was given an emergency D&C to remove anything and sent home with painkillers.

Mario and Halley stayed with me the entire time after Halley took Fern to Clara, telling her what was happening. Apparently, Dara had never shown up at their house, and when I got home, I found all of his things gone, his keys to the house and shop sitting on the counter next to a note that Mario read to all of us.

Ren.

Maybe this is foolish. But I'm leaving. You constantly break the one rule of a healthy relationship. You don't fucking listen to me. I'm the head of our family, I'm the one that makes the decisions and you go behind my back all the time to change shit. Even when you consult with me, you don't care what I want. You're selfish and dramatic, willing to give it up to anyone who so much as looks at you. I'm tired of seeing you flirt with our clients. I'm done pretending I enjoy being a father to a baby that isn't mine. I don't even believe you when you say you didn't fuck Kipling. I'm sure you've had fun with Mario and Nick at this point. Don't call me. Don't try and find me. Don't worry, my parents won't even care that I'm gone. I'm sure they'll finally cut ties with you. If you had just fucking listened to my tonight, I wouldn't have left you. This is your fault. I'll be in Tennessee. I was already planning to go here before we shacked up. I have a job and studio waiting for me, as well as my girlfriend. Bye.

I feel bad for whoever you rope into loving you after me.

“Jesus,” Mario whispered, “I knew he was a narcissist, but this is… a lot.”

“Huh?” I hiccuped, wiping my eyes on my sweater, “What do you mean?”

“Wait, you don't know? Kipling warned Nick and me a few years ago that Dara was diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder as well as bipolar disorder. He's been… I don't know what word to use here… manipulating you for his enjoyment. Was he all happy yesterday?”

“Thrilled we were having a baby.”

“And then this,” he held up the letter, and I nodded, “as well as refusing to take you to get looked at. He was trying to guilt you into listening to him. We thought you two were happy, that you knew how he could be and accepted it. But… he's been gaslighting you for years. I'm so sorry,” he cradled my face and pressed a kiss to my forehead, “We don't need him in our little family and you sure as fuck can do better. Let us,” he gestured to Halley, “and Nick find you someone when you're ready. You've only been with people you've known since childhood. We've all had different people in mind for you since we started working together, but you fell for Dara, and you're our best friend. Your happiness is what's important, but we should have done more to protect you. I'm sorry we failed you, Ren.”

“I'm not your responsibility,” I laughed sadly as Halley joined our hug, the two of them cradling me, “You guys are the best. I'll be okay. I swear,” I looked at the ring on my finger and slowly took it off, dropping it into the trash can, “It was only six months. Maybe someday Dara will grow up and realize what he lost. But my guardian angel,” I looked at the photo of Edward I had on the wall by my fireplace, something Dara always hated, as he didn't think we should have any trace of him in the house outside of Fern, “told me I'd find someone and have four kids with them. I believe Eddie. I also believe he would have killed Dara for treating me this way. Kipling may have made a lot of shit choices but he was always good to me.”

“Because Kip truly loved you,” Halley whispered, “You have to fully let go of those brothers, though. Kipling will be in prison for the rest of his life, and Dara is a piece of trash who has made his true colors known. Give your body and mind time to heal. When you're ready, we'll make notes of the guys we think you'd match well with and do blind dates with whoever you're interested in. It'll be fun,” she giggled, “Some are friends, two are family from me or Nick, and then there are a couple of clients that Mario has known for years that would make a great match for you.”

“It'll take time. I want to learn to be on my own first. Maybe for the next six months, and then I'll be stable again. Just after Fern turns two. What a shit Christmas…”

“Oh, we can fix that!” Halley checked her phone and ran to my front door, throwing it open to reveal Jo, Nick, Crystal, Gem, and Jett, “We're here to celebrate Ren having his true freedom! Fuck Dara and anyone that wants to hurt our sweet baby boy. Also, to mourn the loss of our next little one joining the family. They're safe and loved, waiting for you with Eddie. Let's get fucked up.”

“I'm on pain killers, I can't drink,” I started to laugh before I finally broke down, letting my pain rush through.

I was dog-piled by all of my friends, the eight of us holding each other in my dining room as I wept.

“New plan,” Jett called, “Find every blanket Ren owns. I'll make hot chocolate and snacks. You six set up a massive bed in his living room. We're watching Christmas movies and talking for the rest of the night until Ren can wake up tomorrow morning and realize just how loved he is without a man at his side. You have earned better than what you've been given, Renny, and we'll prove it to you.”

“I love you guys,” I hiccuped, trying to smile.

“We all love you, babe,” Gem kissed my cheek, rubbing my back gently, “You've got us. Fern has all her aunts and uncles. You'll meet the right man who adores you two for everything you are and not expect you to change.”

“I believe you.”