Yesterday Without Time in the amazing life of Kali

Chapter 38. Shattered Dreams

Later that night across town, the sprawling suburban home of Nathan and Tiffany was filled with a silence that was as heavy as it was uncomfortable. The ticking of the vintage clock in the hallway echoed through the rooms, each tick a reminder of the passing seconds, the passing days. Tiffany sat on the edge of their king-sized bed, her eyes fixed on the wall, unfocused and distant. Her hands clutched a small, crumpled piece of paper, the edges worn from being folded and unfolded too many times. The words on it were seared into her mind "Negative. We recommend you consider other options." As Nathan stood by the window, his back to her, his reflection in

the glass showing a face drawn with worry. He had been the one to suggest IVF, full of hope and optimism. "We'll beat this," he had said, his voice filled with determination. "Together, we'll beat this." But they hadn't. And the failure hung heavy between them, a chasm that neither knew how to cross.Tiffany took a shuddering breath, her eyes welling up with

tears. "I really thought this would work, Nathan," she whispered, her voice hoarse from the effort of holding back sobs. "I really thought we'd have a baby." Nathan turned to her, his own eyes reflecting her pain. "I know, Tiff," he said softly, crossing the room to sit beside her. "I did too." She leaned into him, her tears spilling over, staining the paper in her hands. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice barely audible. Nathan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He didn't have an answer. All he knew was that they had to keep moving forward, somehow. They had to find a way to heal, to hope again. But for now, they just sat there, holding onto each other, their dream of a family shattered, their hearts broken.

The future was uncertain, and the path ahead was blurred by tears. But they had each other, and in that moment, it was the only thing they could hold onto.as the night drug on seeming to never end eventually they got some sleep as the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a

dull glow over the room as Nathan mechanically buttoned up his nurse's uniform. His mind was elsewhere, still heavy with the weight of last night's revelation. He picked up his phone and dialed Ryan and Jojo's number, his thumb hovering over the call button before he pressed it. Ryan answered, his voice groggy with sleep. "Nathan? What's up, man?" Nathan took a deep breath. "The IVF didn't work. Tiffany's devastated." There was a pause, then a soft rustling as Ryan presumably woke Jojo up to deliver the news. Nathan could hear their muffled whispers, the sharp intake of breath from Jojo as she processed the information. "We're coming over," Jojo said, her voice filled with determination. "Tiff needs me." Nathan nodded silently, even though they couldn't see him. "Thanks, Jojo." As they hung up, and Jojo called Coco and Jose. Nathan finished getting ready, his movements automatic, his mind numb. He kissed Tiffany goodbye, her eyes red and puffy from crying, and headed out to the car. Across town, Ryan was opening the mail, sorting through the usual junk and bills, when an official-looking envelope caught his eye. He tore it open, scanning the contents quickly. His brows furrowed, and he read it again, slower this time. "Jojo," he called out, his voice tense. "You need to see this.” Jojo appeared in the doorway, her coat already on, ready to leave for Nathan and Tiffany's. She took the letter from him, her eyes scanning the words. Her expression darkened as she read. "She's up for probation?" Jojo asked, her voice tight. "But Ruby... Ruby doesn't even know her. I'm her mom. I adopted her when she was little." Ryan ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. "I know, Jojo. But this letter... It changes things. Or it could." Jojo looked at the letter again, her fingers tracing over the words. "We can't let this happen, Ryan. We can't let her just waltz back into Ruby's life like nothing happened." Ryan pulled her into a hug, his chin resting on her head. "We'll figure it out, Jojo. Together. But first, let's go be there for Tiffany and Nathan. They need us right now."Jojo nodded, tucking the letter into her pocket. As they left the house, the envelope of uncertainty remained on the table, a silent harbinger of potential storms to come. But for now, their focus was on their friends, their family in all but blood. The future would have to wait. Ryan and Jojo headed out, the morning air crisp and cool. Jojo insisted on stopping by the store first. "I want to grab some of Tiff's favorite things," she said, her voice determined. "Chocolate, wine, and those fancy bath bombs she loves. She needs some cheer." Ryan nodded, steering the car into the parking lot of their local supermarket. "I'll go grab some beer for Nathan and me. Meet you back here in a bit." Jojo hurried through the aisles, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts about Tiffany, the letter, Ruby. She grabbed the items she wanted, adding a few extra chocolates and a plush throw blanket for good measure. When they arrived at Nathan and Tiffany's, Jojo hugged her sister tightly. Tiffany's eyes were still red, but she managed a

small smile. "Thanks for coming, Jojo." Ryan walked in with a six-pack of beer and put it in the fridge. "I'm going to do some work in the yard. You girls have your time."

Nathan left Ryan a note in the fridge that said “im grateful for you guys thanks, man. I Appreciate it. Ill see you after work" as coco and Jose came walkin in Jose headed for the kitchen as coco sat fown with her sisters. Jojo, coco, and Tiffany settled on the couch, the comfort items spread out before them. Jojo poured them each a glass of wine, handing one to Tiffany first and then to Coco "Here's to better days ahead," she said, clinking their glasses together.Tiffany sighed, taking a sip. "I hope so, Jojo. I really hope so.” Coco said “don't worry sis, we're here for you and guess what I rented your favorite movies” as Tiffany said “how did you do that?” Coco got an ear to ear grin as she said “ i caught Nathan before he went into work and he gave me his phone which was already logged in”

Meanwhile, Ryan had changed into some old clothes and was

tackling the overgrown lawn. The physical work felt good,

cathartic. He trimmed the hedges, mowed the lawn, and even

started fixing the wonky fence at the back. Sweat dripped

down his face, but he felt satisfied. This was something he

could control, something he could fix. While Jose noticed Nathan's truck sti taken apart in the garage with the new parts still in the box as he decided since aryan was working on the lawn he was going to put nathan's truck back together again. Inside, the sisters talked, cried, and even laughed a little. They reminisced about old times, shared their fears and hopes. The

wine flowed, the chocolates disappeared, and the bath bombs

were deemed a success. As the afternoon wore on, Ryan finished up the yard work. He stood back, admiring his handiwork. The lawn looked neat, the hedges trimmed, the fence sturdy. He nodded, satisfied, then

headed inside to check on the girls. And of course Jose just finished fixing The truck and taking it for a test spin to make shire all was good, as soon as he parked it he headed inside to everyone else. Just as Nathan was getting off work he was in awe when he pulled up to see alm the hard work ryan did and he noticed he teuck was out of the garage and smiled guessing Jose fixed the truck. As Nathan found them in the kitchen, making dinner together. Tiffany was laughing at something Jojo had said, her eyes sparkling. It was a good sound, a healing sound. Ryan smiled, leaning

against the doorframe. This was what families do. They show up, they helped out, they made each other laugh. And together, they weathered the storms.As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the house,

the six of them sat down to eat. The food was good, the company better. The future was uncertain, the letter still burning a hole in Jojo's pocket. But for tonight, they were together. And that was enough.