GRACE
One Month Later
“What is this?” I put one hand out in front of me and support my ever-growing belly with the other, while Jack leads me outside.
“Just a little something I’ve been working on,” he explains, sounding excited as he adjusts the blindfold I’m wearing and ensures I can’t peek.
“Jack, just tell me what it is,” I giggle, suspicion killing me. Pregnancy and patience do not go well together.
“Here.” He places something in my hand before taking off the blindfold, and when I see where we are, I stare up at him in confusion. We’re standing in front of the wooden door that leads to the other side of the mysterious wall. It's brighter in colour than it was a few weeks ago, and all the weeds are now gone.
“What is this?” I look down at the pretty brass key in my hand.
“The original lock was rusted over, but I managed to find a locksmith who could make one just like the original.” Jack beams back at me. “Are you going to open it or just stand there staring?” I can see the excitement on his face, and it’s infectious.
“Jack.” I shake my head, still unsure of what's happening. The last time I asked him about what was on the other side of this door, he was so defensive. Now, it’s looking very much like he wants to share it with me.
“Just open the door, Gracie,” he whispers, his voice full of anticipation, and I do as he says, sliding the key into the lock and turning it.
The door creaks when I push it open, and as I step inside, I become so mesmerised by everything around me that I can’t form words.
“Do you like it?” Jack asks as I take in all the bright-coloured flowers and the beautiful climbing plants that cover the wall. There's a path right through the centre of the enclosed garden that leads to a huge fountain in the centre.
“I noticed you were reading The Secret Garden.” He takes my hand and starts leading me up the path while I remain speechless.
“I didn’t know what your favourites were, so I planted as much in here as I could.”
“Jack, it’s beautiful.” I stroke my fingers over one of the pink roses.
“You have a herb garden.” He points it out to me. “It smells amazing here, especially when it rains.” He moves us on excitedly. “There’s lavender; I thought you might like to pick some to put in your room when you start getting uncomfortable at night, and struggle to sleep.” I smile at how thoughtful he is. “And, of course, there's this.” He leads me up one of the freshly gravelled paths to the quaint little summer house that sits in the top corner.
“I got you a new chair, and took some books you might like from the library. I also put some kids' books in here, too, just in case you want to read something to him.” His hand makes a circle over my swollen stomach. “He can hear us now, I Googledit…Here, sit down.” He helps me into the chair, and when I see The Secret Garden resting on the table beside me, I pick it up and try to hold in my tears.
“Hey, we can change anything you don’t like.”
“My mum used to read this to me.” I smile, remembering those rare moments we got to be together. She worked most evenings, and I loved it when she’d have a night off, snuggle into bed beside me, and read my favourite story.
“I liked the way you smiled while you were reading it, and I figured I could give you a secret garden of your own.”
“You did all this for me?” I put the book down and stare at him.
“I wanted you to have a space of your own; somewhere you could come and relax, maybe make some memories with him, too.” His eyes drop to the hand I have soothing the side of my bump. The bigger it gets, the more I seem to find myself stroking my belly. It feels so natural to comfort the little life growing inside me.
“I don’t want to change anything, it’s perfect,” I tell him. Picking up one of the books from the table beside me.
“I take it this one's for the baby?” I pick up The Cat in the Hat.
“That's one my mum always read to me,” he says fondly as he crouches down beside me.“You don’t have to read to him. It was just an i–”
“It’s agreatidea. I love it, all of it.” Everything makes sense now; all that work he’s been doing outside, all the secrecy. He was fixing up this garden for me.
“This was where my mum fell in love with my dad.” He looks a little fragile as he sits on the floor and rests his back against the wall.
“Your mum lived in this house?” I can’t imagine that would be something Cecelia would tolerate.
“She got a job here as a gardener, a year before I was born. This was one of her projects.” He looks out the door onto the garden.
“I guess here is where it all started for them,” he explains, laughing to himself and pretending he’s not hurting.
