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LUCY, EMILY, AND ELIZA Jane spent Saturday morning together in the living room drawing and coloring. Lucy watched and listened as Eliza Jane and Emily asked each other questions about their pictures. Long after the muffins were gone and their coffee cups were empty, Annie came in and said, “We’ve got plenty of chicken salad if you guys want to eat lunch with me. Then, I’ve got to get to work on some grading after. Could you run Eliza Jane by the nursery?”
“We can, sure,” Emily said. “Chicken salad sounds great. I didn’t realize how hungry I am.”
Eliza Jane shook her head and asked, “Can’t I go home with Auntie Em? We’re having so much fun.”
Annie looked at Emily and Lucy and said, “Well, it’s really up to your Aunt Emily and Miss Lucy. They might have other plans.”
Lucy and Emily looked at each other, and they both smiled. Emily responded, saying, “We can keep her busy today, Annie. You get work done. We’ll bring her back this evening and bring pizza for everyone. That way, you don’t have to worry about dinner, and neither does mom.”
Annie hugged Emily and said, “You are the best sister-in-law and Auntie ever.”
By the time they headed back to the farm for dinner, Lucy was utterly smitten with Eliza Jane. As the family gathered around the large round table, she asked Annie, “So, it must be a little bittersweet to have EJ growing up so fast. She starts school next year?”
Annie nodded. “It is bittersweet. I’m glad she’ll be starting classes, as that makes all of our schedules easier, and she has been begging to start.” She took a sip of water and added, “But it still seems like yesterday she was my tiny baby girl.”
“She’s already a great reader,” Lucy said, “So I can see why she’s excited to start. I had a great time listening to her stories about her pictures today.” She noticed EJ squirming and smiling at the compliment. “You’re already quite the storyteller, kiddo.”
Annie smiled and said, “She’s always loved books and being read to. And she learned to read so early—it was like us reading to her wasn’t enough for her. I’m a little worried she’s going to be bored with the elementary curriculum at first since she’s so far ahead. But, I am friends with the kindergarten teacher, and we’re going to be sure we keep her engaged.” She took a deep breath and said, “Fortunately, she’s starting school this year, too, because,” she looked over at Abe, “we are expecting another little one sooner rather than later.”
“You’re not. . .” Mary started to ask, excited at the prospect of another grandchild.
Abe laughed. “Well, we were trying to plan it out just right for a summer baby. Looks like we might just make it.”
Annie nodded and said, “We didn’t think anything was happening, but I was so busy with school starting that I didn’t realize I was late. And that bout of what I thought was stomach flu? Well, it wasn’t.” She broke out into a smile. “And, before anyone worries, I went to see Doctor Harper yesterday afternoon, and everything is fine so far. I’m just past the ten-week mark. I know we should wait until the first trimester is over, but it’s been killing me not telling all of you.”
The table erupted in congratulations and questions all around, with Eliza Jane not fully comprehending what the fuss was about until the commotion died down enough for Abe to gently ask, “EJ, what would you think about having a little brother or sister?”
“Oh, that sounds fun. Where do we go to get one?”
After dessert and bedtime for Eliza Jane, Lucy and Emily headed back into town, holding hands as Emily drove. “It’s so wonderful about Annie and Abe,” Lucy said as they turned onto the road from the farm’s driveway. She squeezed Emily’s hand and said, “Their kids not only have fantastic parents and grandparents, but also such a wonderful Auntie Em.”
Emily returned the squeeze and said, “I hope so.”
Later, while they enjoyed a nightcap on Emily’s front porch and Leo slept at their feet, Lucy asked, “Have you ever thought about kids, Em? You’re so great with Eliza Jane, and I saw your face light up at the prospect of being an aunt a second time.” The moment the question was out, Lucy felt the old panic she’d felt anytime she tried to bring up anything serious related to family or relationships with Sam. She realized she was anxious because she feared the answer—-as it had always been with Sam—wouldn’t be what she hoped.
Emily took a sip of her wine and said, “Yeah, I did at one time think a lot about kids. Jillian humored me, assuring me we had time, and when the time was right we’d talk about options. I guess we see how that turned out. That’s been one of the hardest parts of the break up for me—realizing those plans weren’t happening.” She took another sip and said, “I’m only 36, so I know I still have time, and I could have a baby regardless. My family would be there for me, but I just never saw myself having a baby on my own, you know?”
Lucy nodded. “Boy, do I ever.”
Emily asked, “What about you? You’re great with EJ, too. Don’t think I didn’t notice you jotting down notes today when you were interviewing her about her drawings. She thinks you’re awesome.”
Lucy smiled and admitted, “I want to write a book for her based on her drawings and what she told me about them as her Christmas present. I was thinking you can scan some of her drawings for me. And you’re a much better artist than I am, so don’t be surprised if I enlist your help in picking out the pictures and formatting.” She took a deep breath and said, “I’ve been thinking a lot about kids lately. Sam always said no kids, so it wasn’t an option when we were together. Now, though, my reset button has been hit.”
Emily laughed and wiggled her eyebrows at her, teasing Lucy with, “Glad to be of service. I pride myself on knowing where the button is.”
“And you do, naughty girl,” Lucy leaned into Emily and added, “Seriously, though, now that I’ve got a house, I know where I want to live, my career is stable enough, I really want to consider it.” She took a drink of wine and patted Leo on the head. “I’m not trying to rush things, Em, but at the same time, I want to make sure we’re on the same page—that this is an option and that we can discuss it. I don’t want either of us to invest a lot of time into a relationship only to find out we want different things.” Her old fears rose up again, and her eyes welled up at the thought of the two of them not working out.
She felt Emily’s arm slide around her shoulders, pulling her closer as she said, “Hey, now. I see the look in your eyes. Babe, don’t ever be afraid to ask me what I want. Right now, I want this—I want you and me.” Leo scratched his ear, thumping his leg against the porch boards. “And Leo. And for the record, a little Lucy or Louis running around would be an awesome thing. I can only imagine how honored I would be to be part of that little person’s life because that also means I’m part of yours.” Before Lucy could say anything, Emily wiped a single tear from Lucy’s cheek and kissed her.
Lucy returned the kiss, her hands on either side of Emily’s face, holding her there for a moment when the kiss was over. Then, she said in a whisper, “Are we on the same page right now? Because I want you to take me upstairs and make love to me in your bed. And then I’m going to get up in the morning and make pancakes while you read the Sunday paper.”
Emily laughed and said, “Yes, ma’am,” as she stood up and pulled Lucy toward the door, Leo following them inside.