“He loves you, too. I can see it all over him.” Kelly sighed, and that made Anna nervous.
“How do you feel about that?”
“Contrary to my terribleness yesterday, I’m happy. I jumped to conclusions, got my feelings hurt, and let pregnancy hormones take over.”
“Are you sure?”
Kelly nodded. “I am, but even if I wasn’t, that wouldn’t matter. Your happiness and Jack’s is what’s important.”
“Thank you.”
“Friends?”
Anna got up and hugged her Kelly. “Best friends.”
“Tommy and I talked for a long time when we got home last night.”
“What about?” she asked when Anna didn’t elaborate. She opened the cookies, offered one to Anna, then took one for herself.
“This pregnancy has been a lot different than Reagan’s. I’m constantly tired, depressed, and not a nice person. Tommy, in as gentle of a way as possible, let me know I’ve not been myself for a month.”
“I’m so sorry, Kel. I had no idea you were experiencing that.” She sat down next to her.
“I thought I had hidden it well, but apparently not in my own house. Tommy is doing well at work, and we can afford for me to step back from work if needed.” Kelly set her cookie down and fidgeted with her thumbs. “He suggested I could start my maternity leave early if I wished. I thought about it and decided I would. I’m so tired of being tired. My family deserves better from me.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re an amazing woman who goes above and beyond for everything. Even superheroes needed an occasional break.”
“Thank you.” Kelly picked up the cookie and took a bite. “I’m blessed to have a wonderful, supportive husband. Anyway, I won’t keep you long. I saw the school was closed today, so I thought I’d stop by and share that with you.”
“Why don’t you stay? We don’t often get girl time anymore. I’ll make popcorn and we’ll watch a chick flick and giggle at the ridiculous lines the men use.”
“You want me to stay?” Kelly asked hesitantly.
“Of course. How many times do I have to tell you yesterday is behind us.”
“One condition, then.” A smirk tugged on Kelly’s lips.
“Let me guess, you’ll make the popcorn?”
“You get impatient and pull it from the microwave with too many unpopped kernels.”
Anna burst into laughter. She had no defense because Kelly told the truth. “You have a deal.”
Chapter Thirteen
A small crowd gathered in his parents’ living room for the second day in a row, with more people added tonight. Mom had brought in chairs from the dining room to have enough seats for everyone. Jack stood behind the chair that Anna sat on with his hands on her shoulders.
Tommy’s grandfather sat in an armchair as the guest of honor. With his permission, all of Jack’s family had been invited to hear the story of Tommy’s great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather.
At eighty-years old, Seth Anderson still had a headful of auburn hair that had never turned grey. Despite employing a cane, he maintained an agility that defied his age. His voice was strong and commanded authority and respect. He looked up after reading the letter Jack had handed him.
Tears glistened in the older man’s eyes. “I never knew my grandmother wrote this. If my grandfather knew about it, he never told anyone.”
He took a breath and continued. “My grandparents were wonderful people who lived long, mostly happy lives, but they weren’t without their struggles. Davinia was only seventeen when she met Edwin, who was five years her senior. In their day, that age gap was common and Davinia was at a marrying age.
“They were engaged to be married, but Davinia’s father insisted Edwin have a year’s worth of wages saved before permission to wed would be granted. My great-grandfather was a hard man with little compassion. I met him once and he hadn’t changed according to my grandmother.
“Edwin and Davinia got carried away with passion, and Davinia became pregnant. They weren’t yet married, and a scandal would follow her once the world found out. She kept the pregnancy a secret, even from Edwin, until the day Fay was born.
