Then he heard pounding footsteps. Fast. Heavy. Directly behind him.
Seth’s instincts screamed. He twisted sharply, clutching the pouch tighter under his arm, eyes scanning for cover—a corner, a doorway, anything.
But there was nowhere to go.
And someone he couldn’t get eyes on yet was coming for him.
Midday sun slanted in through the kitchen window as Heavenly dried another serving platter.
The last few of Grace’s friends from church had stopped by after the later mass, staying only long enough to sip coffee and congratulate the newlyweds. Now they’d all gone. Just family remained.
In the family room, Beck stacked the last of the folding chairs against the wall while Hudson sat curled on the couch, thumbs flying across his phone, completely absorbed in whatever game he played.
The house had settled into an easy post-brunch lull.
Heavenly exhaled, but she couldn’t seem to settle in the quiet. She’d finally breathe when she was on the plane. Another eight hours…
Grace sighed contentedly. “Brunch was lovely, but I’m glad it’s over. Now I can relax a little.”
Carl set more dirty dishes beside her and grinned. “You’ll be planning another party tomorrow.”
“Hush!” Grace laughed, playfully swatting his arm with her soapy fingers.
Heavenly watched them with a smile, the thought she’d held at bay all morning drifting back in.
Pregnant.
Though Beck and Seth had told her a mere six hours ago, her feet still hadn’t touched the ground.
She was going to have a baby. Their baby.
The knowledge still didn’t feel real. But it was. A tiny life was growing inside her right now, invisible and perfect. And terrifying.
Heavenly’s hand drifted toward her stomach before she caught herself. She didn’t dare give their secret away, especially with Grace right beside her. Instead, Heavenly pretended to brush a non-existent crumb off her slacks and dropped her hand.
Some part of her wanted to tell Grace in the hopes her face would light up with pure, unguarded joy the way it had when the woman had first hugged Hudson. But Heavenly couldn’t. Not until Seth told her the truth.
A truth that might have his mother shunning their child. A truth that might cost Seth everything.
Heavenly’s chest tightened, but she did her best to tuck the worry away as she turned back to the dishes.
When she turned, she caught Beck watching her, his gaze steady and warm. When their eyes met, something passed between them—a quiet understanding that didn’t need words. A sweetly whispered secret.
We made a baby.
The corners of his mouth lifted. Just barely. But enough.
Heavenly’s heart squeezed. She ached to cross the room, wrap her arms around him, press her face into his chest, and just feel this moment with him. Instead, she settled for a clandestine smile in return.
But he understood. She saw it in his eyes.
Despite all the secrecy and uncertainty, their connection grounded her. Steadied her. Beck was her constant. So was Seth, except…
He’d bolted for the stairs when Grace asked him to run out for more orange juice, as if he’d been waiting for an excuse to escape. She hadn’t noticed it earlier—she’d been too focused on keeping the fruit and pastry platters replenished—but Seth had seemed a bit off.
Because of the baby?
After he’d lost Autumn and Tristan, she knew he’d carried a mountain of guilt. She also knew that fatherhood still terrified him on some level. She understood why.
