Hailey held Joanna’s hand as they stood at the graveside listening to Pastor Jordan reading scripture. She glanced around at her friends standing under the tent that had been erected in the cemetery and dabbed her eyes with a tissue as Joanna put her arm around her. More than anything, Hailey wanted Grant next to her; Joanna understood that she craved the feeling of his hand in hers, and she was doing the best she could to comfort Hailey in Grant’s absence. Hailey’s heartbeat quickened as she heard the pastor begin to pray; the funeral was almost over now, and Hailey couldn’t help but think how quickly the service had gone. Soon they would walk away and dirt would be piled on top of the casket; all that would be left of this day or of the life they were both celebrating and mourning would be the memories.
When Pastor Jordan finished his prayer, Nora began the procession of family and friends who had lined up to place roses on the casket. Randy offered his wife one of the tissues she had insisted that he stuff in his pocket. He reached his hand out to Rachel, steadying as she waddled back toward one of the folding chairs along the graveside. Nora blotted away her tears as David walked over and put his arm around his mother. “It was a beautiful service, Mom,” he nodded.
“It sure was,” Nora agreed.
David glanced over at the crowd of old friends that was gathering to offer final condolences to his mother. “Mom, I’m going to slip out and head back over to the house,” he said. “I want to check on Melissa. She’s got her hands full with Leah and Zach… and Grant.”
“Yes, Sweetheart, of course,” Nora nodded. “I can’t thank her enough for helping me out today. Thank you both so much for being here for Granny.”
“She’s in a better place,” David smiled.
“She is,” Nora agreed, hugging her eldest son. “It’s how I want to go when my time comes…just go to sleep and never wake up…very peacefully.”
Hailey swallowed hard. She imagined it was how most people would script their last moments if they had final edit… to live a full life, to grow old, not to suffer in the end, simply to spend their last day laughing with their family, only to go to sleep one final time.
Randy put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Are you going to make it back to eat with us? The ladies at the church have set up quite a spread I hear.”
“Hope Hull funeral food,” Hailey nodded as she slipped in to hug David. “It’s small town Tennessee at its best!”
“Spoken like a girl after my own heart,” David smiled. “It is a shame that somebody has to die for us to eat this good.”
“I’m starving,” Rachel, who was in earshot in the chair, agreed.
Nora glanced over at her daughter. “Rachel Cohen, sit up like a lady and close your knees, Darlin’, oh my lands…” She moved toward her daughter. “Come-on, Sugar, let’s get you inside. You are swellin’ up like you wouldn’t believe, and we don’t want our baby girl coming early on account of the heat.”
“No we don’t,” Rachel quipped, locking arms with her mother. “At least not until I get some banana pudding.”
Wally smiled at Hailey. “I’ve never seen you in a dress,” he nodded his approval.
Hailey paused for a moment to wonder what Grant would say as Wally, however innocently, looked her up and down. The thought alone made her giggle.
“I thought Granny would appreciate it,” Hailey smiled brightly. “I guess it’s safe to say that Grant has officially shaken a little of the tomboy off of me as Granny would put it.”
Two old ladies in wide-brimmed funeral hats walked by, sobbing into handkerchiefs. Joanna bumped Hailey with her hip. “You forgot your hat,” she whispered.
John walked up and put one hand on Joanna’s shoulder and the other on Hailey’s. “Ladies, it seems you forgot your hats,” he smirked.
Both girls cackled and then, lowering their heads, remembered to shush themselves. “You’re a little late on the hat joke there, Bucko!” Joanna rolled her eyes.
John fell easily into step with the girls as he escorted one on each arm. “Have I ever told you the story of my Aunt Wanda’s funeral?” he began as they walked. Hailey grinned broadly and made a mental note to ask Joanna why on Earth her long-time, always on-off, as obsessed with his career as Joanna was boyfriend had not yet been made a permanent part of the family.
Emily sat on the edge of her bed, dressed in a sleeveless, lavender dress and working to fasten a dainty, silver bracelet around her wrist as Rachel gently ran a brush through her long, shinny hair. Both girls were quiet. Graduation day for Hope Hull’s senior class had finally arrived, and Dr. Lassiter, after a round of tests, had okayed Grant’s limited participation, but the mood around the house that morning was subdued to say the least.
In just a couple of hours, they would all watch Grant graduate from high school. For a handful of eighteen-year-old kids who had waited for this day since they set foot in their kindergarten classrooms thirteen and fourteen years earlier, the day would be a celebration, a celebration of where they had been but, more importantly, a celebration of where they were going. It was going to be a day filled with inspiring speeches full of promise and hope for the future. For a gymnasium of graduating seniors, this would represent the first day of the rest of their lives, but for Grant it could well be a day when he would stand in front of his family and friends, wear a tacky cap and gown, walk across a stage and get a diploma, so that all those who loved him could remember the day once his time on Earth was through.
Though he tired easily, Grant had put on a brave face all morning. He and Hailey had posed for pictures in their green and white caps and gowns, and Grant had been admirably upbeat.
With tears in her eyes, Rachel watched Nora straighten Grant’s tie and kiss his cheek. Nora turned to Rachel when they were alone, hugged her, and, swiping at her tears, said, “I always knew I’d cry when this day came.” She forced a smile braver than any Rachel had ever seen and added, “but I always thought it would be because I’d be so much older than all the other moms at his graduation.” Nora dismissed her tears with a shake of her head. “I will have to color my hair until we get Zach through high school; my heavens, I’ll be a sight by then, won’t I?”
“It’s almost time to go,” Emily said quietly as Rachel helped her and Jessica refresh their makeup.
“Jess?” Hailey said, appearing in the doorway with Zach’s pacifier in one hand and his special teddy bear in the other. “Do you have the camera? Nora dressed the baby, and Grant wants to get some pictures of him.”
“Rachel brought him a new outfit for the special day,” Emily’s face brightened. “It’s so cute, Jessica; you will love it!”
“It has a little necktie,” Rachel said, bringing her hands to her heart. “I had a fit over it!”
Jessica took the camera from the top of the dresser and walked toward the door. Hailey reached for the camera but Jessica shooed her away. “I’m coming. I will take some pictures of the three of you.”
“Did you buy anything pretty for Miss Victoria?” Hailey grinned at Rachel.
Rachel moved her hands to her stomach. “Oh my goodness, Wally would lose it if he knew how much I’ve bought…but the dresses are just too adorable, and, of course, I had to get her matching bows and bloomers and little, frilly socks.”
“Hailey?” Grant called. “He’s smiling; where are you?”
Jessica grabbed her sister’s hand. “Aunt Jess is coming, Zach!”
When Emily looked back at Rachel, she realized Rachel was crying. “Are you okay?” she gulped.
Rachel nodded as her hands unconsciously stroked her belly. “I was just thinking about Mom and how hard all of this is on her.”
“She’s holding up pretty well,” Emily said proudly. “She’s pretty amazing that way. I mean, with everything that has happened recently: Grant getting sick, Zach being born and Granny passing away unexpectedly… she’s tough.”
“Zach is so blessed to have her,” Rachel nodded. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot…and, of course, it makes me think about everything she’s done for me…for us.”
Rachel tried to stifle her tears but found that she couldn’t. “Pregnancy hormones,” she rolled her eyes, fanning her hands in front of her eyes as she fretted about her mascara. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry, Emily.”
Emily was visibly stunned. “You don’t have anything to apologize for,” she gasped. “You were so young…”
“I know,” Rachel sighed. “It wasn’t an ideal situation…but I feel like I should have done more…like I should have been less selfish and…”
“No,” Emily interrupted. “Rachel, you were so brave; you gave me the greatest gift that I could ever ask for…you gave me life. After everything that happened to you, you chose not to terminate your pregnancy; you chose to love a baby that was the result of something so awful. Then, you gave me to Mom and Dad…you gave me a wonderful life…you did all that for me.”
“I didn’t know if I could do it,” Rachel admitted.
“You must have been so scared,” Emily gulped.
“I was,” Rachel sighed. “I was scared of what people would say. I was scared the nightmares would never stop. I was scared of what having a baby would mean for the rest of my life. I was scared of actually giving birth.”
“But you did it. You made it through all of that,” Emily smiled.
Rachel pulled Emily into her arms and held her there. “I wish that things could have been different between us,” she cried. “I don’t know if it’s being pregnant that has stirred up all these old emotions inside of me or what, but I can’t imagine Victoria not being a part of my everyday world…and it has forced me to face a lot of regrets. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved being your sister…but I’m not your sister, Emily…you are my daughter…I’m your mother…”
The door opened, and it was Wally, looking uncharacteristically dapper in his suit with his hair all pulled back. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m interrupting?” he apologized.
“No, come-in,” Rachel motioned him inside. “It’s almost time to leave, but there is something I want us to do first. I want to tell Emily our news.”
“Em,” Wally smiled. “I love Rachel; you know that…you’ve always been supportive of our relationship, and I love you for that, so you should be the first to know… I asked her to marry me.”
“Oh Wow!” Emily exclaimed. “Congratulations!”
“Actually, there is just one more thing, Emily,” Wally shook his head.
“What?” Emily asked curiously.
“She hasn’t said yes,” Wally shrugged.
“You haven’t told him yes yet? Emily turned to Rachel.
“No,” Rachel smiled.
“I don’t understand,” Emily shook her head, staring at Rachel and her belly that was about to pop and then back at Wally.
“Emily,” Rachel smiled. “When Wally told me that he wanted to get married, I told him I couldn’t answer him until he asked you. Because before I can move on with the next phase of my life and become a wife, I feel like I need to first become the mother that I should have been for a very long time. I will never truly be able to have a family of my own unless you are an intricate part of it. Victoria needs her sister.”
Wally put his arm around Rachel. “So what do you say, Emily? I know it’s a lot to think about…”
“Yes!” Emily exclaimed confidently. “Yes, she’ll marry you!”
“Emily, aren’t you even going to ask to see the ring first and make sure you approve?” Rachel chided playfully. “Goodness child, I still have so much to teach you!”
Emily wrapped her arms around both Rachel and Wally and smiled brightly.
Wally kissed the top of Emily’s head. “I’m not your father, Emily…but you know that I love you and that you can come to me for anything, right? I don’t have much, but what I do have, Rachel and you and Victoria can have it all.”
“I love you, Wally,” Emily nodded. “Thank you for loving Rachel; thank you for everything you have done for Grant and our family since he’s been sick; thank you for being the doting father I know you will be for my baby sister.”
“You’re easy,” Wally laughed. “I hope your new sister is just as sweet as you are.”
Emily put her arms around Rachel and rested her hand on Rachel’s belly. “I promise to be the best big sister I can be!”
“Speaking of,” Rachel nodded. She took a deep breath. “Let’s go watch my baby brother graduate from high school.”
Grant stood at the podium looking out at the crowd, all wearing white surgical masks that had been provided to them at the door. In a town meeting a week earlier, the parents, family and friends of Hope Hull High School’s graduating class had unanimously voted that they would do whatever it took to make it possible for their class valedictorian to be a part of their special day. Misty had brought markers to the ceremony, and, thanks to her, several of Grant’s friends were sporting special masks! On Hailey’s Misty had drawn big, pink puckered lips! For Billy Wayne, a big, goofy smile with a couple missing teeth, and, for Paul, a big zipper, zipped shut.
As Grant stared out at the crowd, all wearing their Sunday best, with their faces covered by masks, he had to lower his eyes to the podium in front of him, overwhelmed by their show of support. He brought his hands up over his eyes, unable to look up, sure he didn’t have the strength to deliver the speech he had prepared.
“I remember driving into town for the very first time,” Grant said with carefully measured breath, “and I’ll be honest…I thought you were all just a bunch of crazy, country hicks.” After a long pause, he shrugged, “and you are.” Laugher and applause danced throughout the room. Grant wiped a tear from his cheek with the palm of his hand before straightening his microphone. “The thing is I had no idea what was in store for me here and how much I would learn from each of you. I had a whole speech planned, the kind of speech I always imagined delivering when this time came, but somebody once told me that sometimes fancy words are overrated, so I’m just gonna get straight to the point. Today, we graduate from Hope Hull High School, and, as the only member of our graduating class who did not spend his entire academic career in the Hope Hull school system, I may seem like the least appropriate person to be delivering our commencement speech. However, as the only member of our class who didn’t spend kindergarten to senior year going to school here, I think I offer the most perspective when I tell you that there’s a whole world out there waiting for us. Whatever awaits you after today…whether you’re staying close by in Memphis or moving to Knoxville or even Massachusetts, I hope you all take a piece of Hope Hull with you when you go. Take it from a guy who has been a little bit of everywhere…this podunk town you folks call home…it’s a special place. It took me a long time to realize it, so maybe I’m not as smart as you guys all think, huh?” Grant smiled. “There are a lot of things in my life right now that I can’t be certain of, but, as I look out at all of you, looking ridiculous in those masks, I am overwhelmed by the love and support this whole town has shown to a guy who doesn’t deserve it.” Grant wiped his eyes again. “I can’t thank you all enough for everything you have done for me and my family. Thank you for loving Hailey and for loving me because I am a part of her. It’s no secret that one day I hope to take her away from Hope Hull and chase some dreams…but, there is one thing I am sure of…when I leave this place, each and every one of you will go with me.”
Remission was the sweetest word Grant had ever heard spoken when Dr. Lassiter informed him that tests showed his body was completely Leukemia free.
Hailey and Grant sat out on the back porch, enjoying a beautiful day before Grant was due to check into the hospital. Hailey couldn’t help but notice how bone thin he had become recently; it had happened gradually as a result of new medications, but today was the first time she noticed how defined his jaw line had become and how sunken his chest seemed. It broke her heart to see him this way, but today her heart was so full of hope and joy. Grant’s battle was far from over, but it had finally come to this…the next day he was to be admitted to the hospital to begin being prepped for the transplant that could ultimately save his life.
Hailey had learned to treasure the good moments, knowing that tough moments would follow. But now, with Grant in remission and a life-saving transplant in the foreseeable future, she finally felt like she could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“So, I know that the doctors said that even if the transplant is a complete success, you won’t be able to go to Boston for this coming school year,” Hailey said, “so I was thinking that I might start classes at the University of Memphis. My dad looked into getting me enrolled there for this coming up semester. You know, just to get some basics under my belt, so I won’t be so overwhelmed when we do go to Boston. I know you, and I know you are planning to pile up on your class loads, but I won’t be able to manage that.”
“I think that sounds great,” Grant agreed.
Hailey smiled. “I’ve been doing some research about AML and about St. Jude too, even though that isn’t where you’re receiving your treatment. It’s a disease and an institution that are close to my heart. St. Jude is right here in my home state, and the more I learn about what goes on there, the more I want to find ways to give back. I want to get involved because I’ve never directly experienced cancer myself, but cancer has played a huge role in my life twice now. From Leukemia to Autism, there are social issues I want to address and causes I want to champion. I don’t want to just sit back any longer, Grant; I want to do something to help. If the past year has taught me anything, it’s that I’m not a kid anymore. What I’m going to be, I’m currently becoming, and, for the first time in my life, I honestly believe that the possibilities are limitless.”
Grant smiled proudly. “Every single time I start to believe that it’s not possible for me to love you more than I already do…I am proven wrong.” He shook his head in awe of her. ”You have been so incredibly strong through all of this.”
“No,” Hailey shook her head sheepishly. “I am definitely not the strong one…that would be you.”
Grant leaned in and kissed Hailey. The kiss was long, and it contained an unspoken urgency that neither of them wanted to face.
“Hailey,” Grant pulled away, “I want you to know something.”
“No,” Hailey kissed him again. “Don’t talk, Grant…just kiss me.”
Grant held Hailey’s face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. “No matter how this turns out, I want you to know how lucky I feel.” Tears filled Hailey’s eyes as she listened to Grant’s words and felt his sweet touch against her skin. “So many people live a lifetime, Hailey, and they never find love like this. I’m eighteen…and, even if I never see nineteen, it’ll be alright…because I’m looking at my soul mate, and I honestly don’t know how life could ever get any better than it has already been.”
Hailey’s chin trembled, and her lips quivered as tears dripped from her eyes. She took Grant’s hands in hers, and, squeezing them lovingly, she leaned in and very gently kissed his cheek. “Then you’re in for a big surprise, Grant Cohen,” she whispered. “Just you wait and see.”
Grant sat nervously waiting for Dr. Lassiter to return. He tapped his fingers against his watch while his legs, dangling from the table, swung back and forth. “What’s taking so long?” he groaned.
“It hasn’t been that long, Sweetie,” Nora reassured him, glancing again at the wall clock across the room. “Why don’t you just rest?”
Randy glanced at his own watch and grumbled something to himself. He recalled the sick feeling that had come over him when Grant came jogging toward him that afternoon, his t-shirt to his face, and Hailey trailing behind. Randy and Zach were rocking in the shade of the front porch when Randy saw the blood on Grant’s white t-shirt. Zach, as if sensing that something wasn’t right, began to wail. Randy fought the urge to break down and join him. Instead, he ushered Grant inside, knowing that they were headed to the hospital earlier than they had planned.
“Baby, hopefully we don’t have anything to worry about,” Nora smiled toward Grant. “A nosebleed doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Some people have nosebleeds all the time for no good reason at all.”
“Too bad I’m not one of them,” Grant rolled his eyes, unpersuaded. A rattle of the doorknob made Grant cut his eyes toward the door in time to see Dr. Lassiter walked inside with the answer Grant needed written all over his face. “It’s exactly what we feared, isn’t it?” Grant gulped.
“I have bad news,” Dr. Lassiter said forthrightly.
Grant’s eyes turned quickly to his mother, and Nora could feel her heart sink with his.
“The Leukemia’s back,” Dr. Lassiter said, clarifying his statement with an explanation no one needed.
“I can’t believe this!” Randy grabbed at Dr. Lassiter’s clipboard, stared at it a moment, and, realizing he didn’t understand a word of it, handed it back to him. Randy’s tone softened. “Just like that…it’s back?”
Dr. Lassiter nodded. “I’m so sorry…that’s the nature of this disease.”
“What do we do now?” Nora asked hurriedly. “What is the next step?”
“We’ll need to start another round of chemotherapy,” Dr. Lassiter said with professional precision.
Grant jumped off the table. “No, I won’t go through all that again…what are my other options?” He reached for his father, dizzy from his abrupt move.
“I’m sorry…there are no other options, Grant,” Dr. Lassiter shook his head.
Randy steadied his son and helped him back onto the examination table.
“Hey now,” Nora tried to soothe her son. “Let’s be positive.”
“I hate to tell you this, Mom,” Grant shrugged, “but the most positive attitude in the world won’t cure cancer…just ask Jillian.” Then, exhaling loudly, Grant flung himself back onto the table, running his hands over the short growth of hair he knew he was about to lose again and muttering a soft, frustrated curse before closing his eyes and wondering how he was ever going to find the strength to get through another round of treatment.
“Grant, you have to be strong, Son,” Randy said, forcing Grant to sit up. “This certainly isn’t the news we wanted to hear, but we can get through this.” Randy pulled his son into a hug and held him there tightly. Grant began to cry, and Randy uncharacteristically kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “Just let it out.” Randy gritted his teeth and kept his arms firmly around his son as an unspoken promise that his daddy would remain his rock even when faith was tested and hope was shaken.
Long, southern, summer days were gone, but days seemed longer than ever as Grant struggled to fight his disease into remission again.
Hailey started classes at the University of Memphis, and, though she missed playing basketball, she knew she had made the right decision by giving it up. She simply didn’t have the time that she had once dedicated to her sport. College basketball required a full commitment, and there were more important demands on her time these days. Between going to classes and spending time taking care of Grant, Hailey began volunteering at the hospital. She prayed with families of loved ones who were suffering with an empathy she found invaluable; not only did she understand the range of emotions those families went through in a single day, but they were the people who best understood her. She had struggled to find the good in her current circumstance, and she found it in being a blessing to others in similar situations.
During the summer, Rachel gave birth to a beautiful and healthy, seven pound baby girl named Victoria “Tori” Pate. Emily and Jessica spent a couple weeks of their summer in North Carolina visiting Rachel, Wally and the baby. Jessica had been thrilled to sing cover tunes as the opening act for Wally’s band at several shows at small clubs and local summer festivals throughout North Carolina. Emily and Jessica began making plans for their move to Nashville after their senior year. They would share an apartment; Emily would attend Belmont University, and Jessica would pursue her dream of becoming a country music recording artist.
Nora and Randy renewed their wedding vows in a small, private ceremony. Obviously, they planned to remain in Tennessee as Grant battled his illness, but soon the next phase of their life together seemed so clear. With Randy officially retired now, Nora treasured the idea of giving Zach the life her other children never had. She dreamed of raising him the way she had been raised, in a small town where life is slow and simple, yet has all the possibilities you make of it.
Jack and Randy worked all summer, remodeling Granny Miller’s house. Rusty Cobb, Dale Munk and all the Harper boys had been more than willing to pitch in and help a neighbor. The men made repairs, added on additional rooms, picked out interior and exterior paint, put down new flooring, put in new light fixtures, updated appliances and turned Nora’s childhood home into a cozy, modern farmhouse where Zach would grow up and her grandchildren would create some of their best memories.
Hailey stood in a corner of the waiting room bouncing an eight-month-old on her hip as Grant walked their way. He was wearing a camouflage baseball cap and a giant grin as he reached for his brother who giggled as he went to him. Grant leaned down and kissed Hailey. “Where are your parents?” she asked.
Grant shrugged. “They’re coming.”
“Why are you smiling?” Hailey asked.
“Can’t a boy smile without something being up?” Grant asked as he showered Zach’s face with kisses.
Hailey’s smile stretched across her face. “It’s time, isn’t it?” she gulped.
Grant nodded. “We did it,” he said softly as he kissed Hailey again. “We’re gonna beat this thing, Hailey. As we know, the transplant is no guarantee; even if it’s successful, life won’t automatically return to normal. It’s a long process, and the recovery won’t always be easy …but it’s somewhere to start…”
Hailey wrapped her arms around Grant and hugged herself close to him, letting out a relieved sigh. Zach mimicked her by resting his head against his brother’s chest. Hailey rubbed Zach’s arm with the tips of her fingers. “Thank you, Lord,” she exhaled, overwhelmed with emotion. She rubbed Grant’s back with her hand as she let her nose rest gently against the back of Zach’s soft, blond hair and take in the scent of pure perfection.
Grant glanced around the room, taking a mental picture of the moment, so he could remember it forever… all the people he loved gathered there, their faces so full of hope, and their hearts so full of faith in the One who already knew the answers to every question running through their heads. Finally, through the long, plexiglass window that separated them, Grant’s eyes fell on his father, his arms crossed and his face stern. In typical fashion, Randy had his game face on; today was the sort of day that required it; everything had come down to this. Then, unexpectedly, as Grant’s eyes shone the sort of courage his father had taught him, Randy uncrossed his arms and slowly, deliberately lifted his hand to salute his son. Grant’s mouth fell open in disbelief of the gesture. For a moment the two of them were alone in a room full of people. Then, swallowing back tears, Grant raised his right hand and, with crisp precision, he saluted his father as they wheeled him away.
In a lonely, churchyard cemetery, a breeze blew gently through Hailey’s hair as she crouched next to the grave, tracing her finger with delicate affection along the beautiful, marble headstone. It still hurt so badly after all these years; being home in Tennessee always reminded her of those memories that were stored away in her heart forever. Hailey was twenty-three now; she’d graduated from college; life had gone on, but, as long as she lived, she would never forget that year when she was eighteen, and the real world was introduced to her so forcefully that it left scars on her heart. As tears of joy replaced the tears of sadness she was working to suppress, Hailey remembered everything about the two years during which she truly learned to believe in miracles.
Hailey turned to Grant and squeezed his hand as he crouched next to her. Grant patted the top of the headstone as Hailey arranged brightly colored flowers. “We will never forget you, Jillian,” he promised.
Hailey kissed Grant’s cheek. “Let’s go home,” she smiled.
Hand-in-hand Hailey and Grant walked through the shaded, Memphis cemetery and across the churchyard. As they crossed the street to their car, they left the shade of the oak trees and stepped into the bright, afternoon sunshine.
Hailey glanced out the window of the service station across the street from the church as Grant pumped gas into their rental car. He had a look on his face that said he wished he was pumping gas into his Hummer back home instead of the dinky, white rent-a-ride they were stuck with, and Hailey rolled her eyes. She grabbed a pack of yellow Zingers and added them to her purchase on the counter. “It looks like my husband could use these,” she smiled as she handed the attendant her credit card.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cohen… you have a nice day,” the man behind the counter smiled as he handed Hailey back her card.
Hailey smiled as she quickly signed the receipt and took her bag of snacks. Mrs. Cohen she mused as she walked outside. She had been married for nearly a year now, but the sound of someone calling her Mrs. Cohen still sent shivers up her spine.
Randy and Jack were in front porch rockers, drinking sweet tea and enthralled in conversation about their golf games when Grant and Hailey pulled into the driveway of Granny Miller’s old house.
“Will that sight ever get less weird?” Grant raised his eyebrow toward their fathers.
Hailey laughed. “Who would have thunk it?” she shrugged happily.
Zach, his blond hair flopping, came running around the side of the house; Tori was close behind and giving chase.
Nora came rushing out the front door, still drying her hands on a dishtowel that she tossed onto the porch rail as she hurried down the stairs for hugs. “Rachel, Wally…the kids are here!” she called chipperly.
Zach ran to Grant and leapt into his arms; Grant raised him high in the air before showering him with kisses.
“How was the flight?” Nora asked Hailey.
“Awful,” Hailey wrinkled her nose. “Truly awful.”
“Oh, Grant, you’ve got your hands full with this one,” Jack laughed, shaking Grant’s hand before pulling him into a hug. “You finally talk her into flying from Boston instead of driving, and she’s already made up her mind ahead of time that she doesn’t like it.”
“No, Daddy!” Hailey said defensively. “It truly was awful…tell him, Grant!”
Grant laughed. “You wouldn’t believe it,” he rolled his eyes as they walked toward the house. He lowered Zach to the ground and bent down to give Tori a kiss on her forehead before the kids resumed their game. “The ride was bumpy; she was freaking out, and I kept saying, ‘it’s just turbulence, Baby’…well, we hit this major air pocket… and you know how you can usually kind of glance at the flight attendants to gauge the appropriate level of fear…well, this poor woman must have been new; it was possibly her first flight too…because I swear she was one step away from breaking into the sign of the cross. That was all it took! Hailey closed her eyes, started prayin’, and it’s a wonder I now have feeling back in my hand!”
Inside, Grant and Hailey were greeted with hugs from Rachel and Wally, who were also just in town for the weekend.
Rachel stared at her brother. “Look at you,” she said proudly. “You look amazing! My goodness, do you live at the gym?”
Grant shrugged as he did a playful twirl.
“Don’t think he doesn’t know it,” Hailey laughed with a dismissive swat of her hand. She cackled as her husband jokingly flexed his muscles.
“Look at him,” Rachel marveled proudly. “I mean it! Baby, you look healthy and fit and oh so grown-up!”
“You have a glow about you yourself, Rach,” Hailey commented as she reached for a bottle of water from the fridge. “Anything you want to tell us?”
“Well, we weren’t going to say anything yet,” Rachel beamed, “but, yes, I’m five weeks pregnant!”
“Oh, Rachel!” Nora exclaimed, hugging her daughter with a squeal.
There were hugs all around, then Randy nudged Hailey with his elbow as he chided, “how long before you two decide to add to our troops?”
“Whoa, kids are not on the table for us… at least not until I finish law school,” Grant scoffed.
“Well,” Hailey mimicked Rachel’s response, “I wasn’t going to say anything yet, but…” She glanced back at Grant, his forehead wrinkled, his eyes wide and his jaw slack. She slapped him playfully on the chest and laughed. “I’m just jokin’…breathe, Baby.”
A little over a year later, the moment Grant had scoffed at not so long before had arrived. At a hospital in Boston, Hailey was in the delivery room, her nails sinking into the skin of Grant’s hand. Grant had been studying when the baby blatantly disregarded Daddy’s plans and decided to make his entrance a week ahead of their agreed upon date. Now, standing next to his wife, trying to do his best to help her with her breathing exercises even if she wasn’t listening to him, Grant tried to shake off thoughts of school and focus on the undeniable fact that his life was changing right before his eyes. Ready or not…Hailey had started to push…his son was coming today!
Grant had never seen anything so amazing as the slippery, squirmy baby boy who was trying out his well-developed lungs for the very first time. Grant stared at the little creature…this new life, this fresh slate, this clear canvas, so innocent and pure of heart. In his father’s arms for the very first time, the baby seemed to startle; he stopped crying, and his eyes popped open. What Grant saw were his own eyes staring back at him.
Hailey gazed in awe at the life she and Grant had created. It didn’t seem real that this perfect baby she was holding could be hers. Her husband was a miracle…their baby was a miracle, a precious gift from above. It just didn’t seem possible that her life was this perfect.
Sitting next to his wife in bed, Grant watched his son sleeping in his mother’s arms. No make-up on and a tired smile that came from a place deep inside her, Hailey radiated true beauty as she held their child.
“This is unreal,” Grant said after a moment.
“I know,” Hailey cried.
“He is just a really good looking kid, right?” Grant said, intentionally making it into a question.
Hailey laughed.
“I mean it,” Grant shrugged honestly. “People always say that all babies are cute, but our kid’s gorgeous. It’s not just me, right? There is something different about him! He’s exceptionally handsome for a baby, right?”
Hailey laughed again, truly delighted.
“What?” Grant sighed.
“I just think it’s funny, that’s all,” Hailey shook her head.
“He is a pretty baby…that’s all I’m sayin’!” Grant declared.
“And you don’t see the humor in that at all?” Hailey smiled at her husband.
“Humor?” Grant raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, my dear,” Hailey kissed her husband before staring back at their baby boy. “He is gorgeous…and he absolutely looks just like you.”