Renewed (The Fractured Series Book 3) by Holleigh James

I’m excited to have someone new to take to the museums and Broadway shows in the city. I think Eric and Rob can quote the little information cards under every painting at MoMA.” She laughed, but Eric and Rob rolled their eyes.
    “Well, I think that’s very nice of you and John to open your home like that,” Mom said.
    After dinner, Rob asked if I wanted to take a walk. I jumped at the chance to be alone with him. With our fingers laced, we walked down the block from where his aunt and uncle lived.
    “I got an answer from Stony Brook,” I said.
    “You did?” He stopped and gave me his undivided attention.
    “Uh-huh.” I nodded.
    “Well, don’t leave me in suspense. What’d they say?”
    I couldn’t hold back my smirk. “Looks like you’re going to have to tutor me.”
    “I knew you’d get in!” A smile filled his face. Embraced in a bear hug, he lifted me off the ground. “Oh, Mandy, that’s wonderful!”
    “I didn’t only get in, I got an academic scholarship.”
    The bear hug got loose enough for him to look into my eyes. They were bright with excitement. “You’re so incredible.” Soft pink lips confirmed his approval of my news.
     
    ***
     
    Once Bryan and Jennifer came back from their honeymoon, Mom gave them a standing invitation to have dinner with the family every Friday. She didn’t want to insist on Sundays because she knew they were newlyweds and wanted to be alone together. She also knew Mrs. Sutton would want to claim them, too.
    They both looked well rested , but Jennifer definitely had a little belly the next time I saw her.
    “Twelve weeks and four days,” she said, hanging out in my room as if everything was the same as before, except this time she was my sister-in-law.
    She told me all about Cancun, and the fun she and Bryan had on their trip. I was glad they were both happy.
    “Mandy, can I ask you something?”
    “Sure, Jennifer.”
    “What happened with your sister? Bryan doesn’t talk about it, and well, I’m getting scared. What if something goes wrong with the baby?”
    “That’s not going to happen, Jennifer. You’re a strong, healthy, beautiful girl. Your baby is strong and healthy, too. And I bet when he or she gets here, it’ll be the most beautiful baby in the world.”
    Jennifer smiled. “Still, could you please tell me what you know? It’ll make me feel better.”
    There really wasn’t anything to tell. “Well, I don’t know much. Mom carried us all to thirty-one weeks, which is a long time when you have a multiple birth larger than twins. She went into labor quickly , and Dad barely got her to the hospital after her water broke. In fact, it broke in the shop; Mom was visiting Dad because she was bored in the house. She was rushed to the hospital, and up to labor and delivery, and pushed us all out without a C-section or any drugs. There was no time.”
    Jennifer winced. I put my hand on her leg. “Don’t worry. You’ll have drugs. I’ll make sure you aren’t in any pain.”
    She smiled. “You take such good care of everyone, Mandy.”
    “I was born first , and I’m told I was very quiet. Bryan, on the other hand, came out kicking and screaming… literally. I guess he didn’t want to leave Mom’s safe place. Cassandra came out last, but she wasn’t breathing. The doctors had to intubate her and put her on a neonatal respirator. She did fine for a week, but then her lungs gave out and she stopped trying. The autopsy said she only had one fully developed lung. It was working way too hard for one week.”
    Tears streamed down Jennifer’s face. I put my arms around her. “But that’s not going to happen to your baby,” I reassured.
    “I know,” she sobbed. “I’m just overly sensitive about everything. I can’t even watch a candy bar commercial without crying.”
    “Those are your hormones messing you up.” I tried to change the subject. “Do you and Bryan have any names picked out yet?”
    She shook her head. “We haven’t