Six years later...
At the sound of the doorbell, Lia raced down the stairs with her four-year-old brother, Dane, close on her heels. The legs of her jeans were just a little too short, Kelly noted. Again. Her hair was so blond it was almost white, while Dane had his father’s coloring.
“Annie’s here, Mommy. She’s here!”
Kelly walked—waddled—after them. Lia’s feelings were wonderfully uncomplicated. Although they’d met Annie only a few months ago, Lia thought of her as “big sister,” period.
Lia flung open the front door and launched herself at their guest. Dane, struck by a sudden fit of shyness, looped an arm around one of Kelly’s legs.
Annie hugged Lia and turned to Kelly with a smile. “Wow, you’re—”
“Huge?” Kelly supplied with a laugh. “Yes, and getting bigger every day. I’m due on January 9.”
“Less than three weeks to go.”
“You know it.”
The baby kicked. Kelly placed Annie’s hand on her baby bump so the younger woman could feel the movement. She couldn’t help remembering all those years ago, when she was young and so very frightened, feeling Annie move inside her.
While Lia’s feelings toward Annie were uncomplicated, Kelly’s were multilayered. Although she felt maternal toward the younger woman, she wasn’t her mom. Annie already had a mom. When Kelly looked at Annie, she was filled with love, wonder and maybe a hint of nostalgia for a time that never was. Mostly she felt gratitude that Annie had had such a happy childhood, and that she’d sought out her birth mother earlier that year. Annie and her parents had spent a week in Honeygrove in August. By the time they’d left, Sara seemed to have let go of the last of her reservations. She’d hugged Kelly fiercely when they said goodbye. This time, Annie had come alone, to spend the first few days of her break with them before going home for Christmas.
“I helped a cow give birth last week,” Annie said. “I did my large-animal rotation this semester.”
They heard a door close from the back of the house.
“Speaking of large animals...” Kelly said, then called out, “We’re in here!”
Tanner rounded the corner from the kitchen. He wore his typical work clothes—jeans, a dark blue button-down and heavy boots. He looked so handsome, her heart leaped. Even after six years together, seeing her husband was an instant mood boost. Especially when his whole face lit up every time he saw her, too.
The kids ran toward him, calling, “Daddy! Daddy!”
He smiled. She knew his latest project was stressful, but he didn’t bring any of that home. The moment he stepped through the door, his focus was on the family.
He and Annie greeted each other briefly; then he turned those Malone blue eyes toward Kelly. The baby kicked, but she was pretty sure that was a coincidence.
With one warm hand on her baby bump, he pressed a kiss on her lips, filled with promise for later. “Good day?”
“Very. I had two moms in labor in adjoining delivery rooms, but the babies cooperated by taking turns.”
“Sounds like you overdid it,” he said, guiding her toward the sofa.
She knew better than to argue. He’d been just as solicitous when she was pregnant with Dane, and just as stubborn about refusing to believe her when she said she felt fine.
“Annie, don’t let her move from this spot.” He lifted Kelly’s feet onto the sofa and covered her legs with a knitted blanket. She had to admit, it felt wonderful to rest. “Keep her company while the kids and I go grab some takeout.”
Annie met Kelly’s gaze, and both women suppressed smiles.
“Yes, sir,” Annie said.
As Tanner helped the kids into their winter coats, hats, and mittens, with the kids chattering all the while about the adventures they’d had today, Kelly leaned back her head. She let the sounds of her happy little family wash over her. She was blessed in every possible way.
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