When I started Lucy and Kale's story, I had no idea where it was going to end up. I wrote the prologue and Chapter 1, and then delved into the past. To where Lucy and Kale first met. I loved them upon their first meeting. Their chemistry was undeniable, and it became so clear that these two people were meant for each other, even if they didn't know it.
And they found that as time went on. Lucy tried to move on. Kale thought he could forget her. They were both fools. Clearly. Have you ever seen two people more perfect for each other? Okay, maybe you have, but in my universe? Kale Montgomery and Lucy Dawson? That's a one in a million love.
So let me fast forward into the story. Y'all thought Kale was all sunshine and flowers didn't you? So did I. And then his back story snuck up on me. I originally had a very different outcome for Kale and Tara. Tara was never the villain. I still don't think Tara is the villain. I stand by Kale's statement. To him, she is a cunt. It was a long time coming for that tirade. She deserved it. And Kale needed to let it out. At the same time, I agree with Lucy. Tara was young, alone, and scared. What would you do? That's the thing. I cannot answer that question. Lucy can't answer. Kale can't.
That was the scariest part about writing this book. I didn't want anyone to get to the last page and think... Tessa Teevan is a pro lifer. Tessa Teevan is for abortion. It's NOT about that. My beliefs are my own, and they will never be in the pages of my books. I hope most readers will see Kale's reaction as that of a father, and not of a male. If that makes sense.
Kale makes this statement in the book:
What should have been the mother of my child decided, without me, that our
child didn’t deserve living. Because I wasn’t there to protect him. And I know
all the ‘it’s a woman’s body bullshit,’ but that was my child, too. What
should’ve been my firstborn… But because I don’t have a uterus and can’t carry
a child, I had no say so in whether or not my child was brought to full term,
even though I would’ve gladly taken all parental control after birth. She
wanted him before. I didn’t get how she could change her mind all of a sudden,
and I just kind of snapped.
Kale is really dear to me in this part of the book, and I felt his pain. Honestly, it wasn't that long ago that I lived his pain. One of my best friends was Kale. He found out that the love of his life was carrying his child, and he was over joyed. He could not wait to start a family. And in the blink of an eye, that family was taken away from him, without his knowledge. He lived through this pain, this agony, and my heart ached for him every single day as he grieved for his lost child. The child he had no say so in what would happen to him, even though he would've done anything for that child.
This is why I never give my stance on an issue. There is no black and white answer. When Kale talks about the woman's body issue, that's Kale. When Tara so coldly tells Kale that she terminated the pregnancy, that was her way of getting out of it. When I set out to tell Kale's story, there was no agenda. None at all. Tara isn't a monster. Kale was never perfect.
But the happily ever after that Kale, Lucy, and Sprout have? That's worth a million smiles.
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