She slowly nodded. “I guess so. I don’t remember telling her my name.” Liza hugged herself like she had a chill. “I’ve just had these feelings lately. Like someone is watching me. I can’t shake it. Then with what Keith said that night, and, well…”
I pulled her to me. “Baby, you’re letting your imagination run wild. Don’t worry. I’m sure this was from Jenifer and she forgot to sign the card. No one else knows we’re here or that we’re expecting, least of all Keith.”
She gave me a weak smile and was about to say something when someone knocked on the door, startling us.
“Jesus, Liza. You’ve got me on edge now, baby.”
She giggled and pulled her legs to her chest as I went to get our breakfast.
We spent the rest of the morning with poor Liza in and out of the bathroom. I felt so bad for her. We ended up checking out around nine-thirty to head back to Llano.
This morning’s note popped into my head. I was hoping that Jenifer would have been working this morning so I could ask her and put Liza’s mind to rest.
Congratulations on your new life.
One Month Later.
STANDING IN THE middle of the living room I looked around. I couldn’t believe Walker and I had our own place. I put my hand on my stomach talked to the baby.
“Welcome to your new home, baby girl. This is where we’re going to start our little family.”
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my back pocket. It was Ava. She was heading home for Thanksgiving break and I couldn’t wait to see her. Walker and I had told both her and Jase about the pregnancy over Skype. Ava had cried and Jase was already making plans to teach his nephew how to play football. Then Ava had told Jase that he was crazy because the baby was a girl and she’d be teaching Baby M everything she’d need to know about fashion. Walker and I sat back and let them two of them fight like they always had.
Ava: OMG. Wait until you see the outfit I made for the baby!
Me: You made it?
Ava: YES! It’s adorable. I have an eye for this shit. I sent a picture to mom. She cried, of course.
Me: Can’t wait to see it. Be careful driving. See you tomorrow.
Ava: Okay! Love you, sis!
Me: Love you, too!
Smiling, I put my phone back into my pocket. I went into the kitchen and took in a deep breath. I was making bacon green bean wraps—one of Walker’s favorite things. I’d taken the week off from work to fix up our new house. There wasn’t much to do. Hang a few pictures, bring in a few things to make it feel like home. The whole house was furnished, which made it easier to concentrate on buying things for the baby’s room.
I leaned against the counter and looked around. I felt good knowing that this was the house my mother had bought when she first moved to Texas. I wondered how many times her and Daddy stood in this very kitchen before she’d moved in with him. My parents’ love was amazing. They’d taught Jase and me what true love really was. I closed my eyes as a memory flooded my mind.
“I LOVE YOU, Whit. More than anything.”
My father held my mother in his arms and danced with her in the living room as the Christmas lights bounced off of all the decorations and mirrors. I was sixteen and had come down to get a glass of water. It was Christmas Eve, and my parents must have been up late wrapping gifts. The soft hum of Nate King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” filled the room. I sat at the top of the landing and watched. The way my mother looked into my father’s eyes made my stomach drop. I wanted a love like this.
My father gently kissed my mother on the lips. You could almost feel their love taking over the entire room. I pulled my knees up. My father gazed into my mother’s eyes.
That was what I wanted. That look right there.
My mother had told me a few times about when my parents met. I couldn’t imagine my father being rude to my mother or vice versa. They’d had a rocky start. My mother had also been very honest about her previous boyfriend and how he’d abused her. I was shocked at first when she told me. She was the strongest person I knew.
Her words replayed in my mind. “Sometimes, Liza. It’s what breaks us down and makes us feel weak that builds us up and makes us stronger than before.”
My father dipped my mother as she giggled. “I love you, too, Layton. So very much.”
He took her hand in his and spun her around a few times before pulling her back in. She laid her head on his chest and they danced in silence.
I felt someone behind me and looked up to see Jase smiling as he sat down. “They sure do love each other, don’t they?” he whispered.
I nodded my head. “Jase, do you think we’ll find someone to love like that?”
“I hope so, Liza. I hope that you never settle for anyone less than you deserve. You need someone like Dad.” He turned to watch my mother and father. “A guy who’d look at you with admiration and love like Dad does Mom.”
I linked my arm with Jase’s. “The same goes for you, Jase,” I whispered. “You deserve a girl who knows she’s damn lucky to have a guy like you.”
He smiled bigger. “I just hope she loves football.”
We both giggled. My parents stopped dancing and turned toward the stairs.
Looking at us with a stunned expression my mother asked, “What in the world are you two doing up?”
Jase nudged me and said, “Watching two amazing people share a special moment.”
The smile that spread across our parents’ faces was one I’d never forget.
My dad laughed and said, “Come on, let’s open presents.”
My mother spun around. “Layton! It’s two in the morning.”
Looking back at us, my father winked. “So what? The gangs all here.”
Jase and I jumped up and ran down into the living room, flopping to the floor in front of the tree. My mother laughed and started for the kitchen.
“Well, at least let me make our traditional hot chocolate before everyone digs in.”
Jase got up and followed her. His arm around her shoulders, he said, “I’ll help.”
The rest of the night was spent drinking hot chocolate, opening gifts, and laughing. Jase and I both say it was our favorite Christmas ever.
THE DOORBELL RANG, pulling me from my memory. I laughed and looked down at my stomach. “We’re going to have memories like that, too, little one.”
I headed to the door thinking it was probably a delivery from Amazon. I’d ordered some art for the baby’s room that was scheduled to arrive today. But when I opened the door, no one was there. When I looked down, I saw a flower box on the porch. I looked up and down the street. No one was walking away or driving off. That’s weird.