Maybe Seth didn’t see how good he was with Hudson. Patient. Present. Then again, Hudson was sixteen—nearly grown. A baby was different. A baby was helpless. Vulnerable. A baby would need Seth in ways that Hudson never would.
But Seth wanted a family again.
True…but wanting something and being ready for it weren’t the same thing.
What if the reality of it was too much? What if his fear strangled his hopes for the future?
Maybe she was borrowing trouble.
Maybe Seth was just anxious about sitting Grace down and explaining that Heavenly was Beck’s fiancée, too.
She prayed Grace accepted them, that she wanted to be a part of their lives. Of her grandchildren’s lives.
If she refused, that would crush Seth.
Across the room, Gene yanked his phone from his pocket, dragging Heavenly from her musings. He glanced at the screen, then slid the device away. A few seconds later, he repeated the whole process again.
Was he checking the time? Wondering when Seth would be back? Heavenly glanced at the front door, wondering that herself.
Another ten minutes passed. The kitchen was almost spotless now—dishes done, counters wiped down, leftovers tucked into the fridge.
Grace hummed softly as she folded the last dish towel. “You’ve been such a help, sweetheart. Thank you.”
“Of course. Everything was lovely.”
“I can’t wait to help you plan your wedding,” Grace said wistfully. “Have you and Seth talked about what you want yet?”
Heavenly’s chest tightened. You might not care after tomorrow.
But she forced a smile. “A little. Nothing concrete yet. We’re still figuring out a timeline.”
“Well, whenever you’re ready, I’m here.” Grace squeezed her hand warmly.
With the cleanup finally done, Grace flipped off the kitchen light and gestured her toward the family room. “Come on. Let’s finally sit down and enjoy the afternoon.”
Heavenly followed her to the couch, where Hudson was still glued to his phone, thumbs flying across the screen. Without looking up, he shifted to make room for them.
Grace smirked and leaned closer to Hudson. “What are you playing on that thing?”
“Football,” he replied, stare locked on the screen.
Grace arched a brow as she glanced at Carl and Beck, chilling in the recliners near the TV as they watched the Eagles and the Giants kickoff.
Behind them, Gene stared at his phone again.
“Why not watch it?” Grace asked, gesturing to the TV.
“’Cause I’d rather play.”
Grace nodded. “A doer, like your father. So, how do you play on your phone?”
As Hudson began explaining, Heavenly sank into the couch and tucked her feet beneath her.
“C’mon, where’s the flag?” Carl barked at the TV. “That’s holding, for shit’s sake.”
“Carl,” Grace chided sternly. “We have young ears here.”
Beck snorted. Heavenly repressed a grin. And Hudson smirked as he kept right on playing.
