Cody can tell I’m on edge, frustrated even. The way he keeps glancing over, asking if I need anything, being extra attentive. Emma, thankfully, is being an angel. She’s content in the high chair, quietly eating her fruit.
Once we clean up a little, we all drift into the living room. The tree is lit, the woodstove’s throwing off a steady heat, and soft Christmas music hums in the background.
We set Cora and Emma in front of the tree for pictures. Everyone’s trying to get them to look at the camera and smile at the same time. Emma keeps reaching for the ornaments, and Cora’s determined to walk off. In the middle of the chaos, Cody leans in, hand to my back and whispers in my ear. “We can tell them during gifts.”
I nod just as both babies finally flash a smile in the right direction. He’s right. The day isn’t over; we can tell them soon.
The living room’s full, everyone scattered in their usual spots as we take turns opening gifts. Addison’s on the floor in front of Wesley, leaning forward as he massages her shoulders. I’m sitting with the babies, cross-legged on the rug, and Cody’s right beside me. Mason and Megan are on the couch next to Wesley, while Jesse, Ella, and Maureen have claimed the other one. Leonard’s kicked back in his recliner, calm and happy as ever, Santa hat back on his head.
Maureen unwraps the sparkly green paper carefully; Ella said it was fragile. She smiles when she catches a glimpse ofwhatever’s inside, but then her jaw drops as she peels back more of the wrapping.
“What!” Maureen gasps with a laugh, and everyone’s attention shifts her way. Addison asks what it is, but Maureen turns the gift for Leonard to see first. His eyebrows lift, and he smiles over at Jesse and Ella.
Then she turns it around for everyone else. It’s a picture frame. At the top, in bold lettering, it saysGrandkids. Inside is a photo of Cora holding an ultrasound.
My eyes dart to Ella. Jesse’s smiling, his arm around her still.
“You’re pregnant?!” Addison blurts out, hands flying to her mouth, already halfway to standing.
Ella nods, her eyes glassy. “Just found out a few weeks ago. Jesse insisted we waited until Christmas to tell.”
The room erupts in clapping and congratulations. Addison practically launches herself across the room to hug Ella, while Maureen wipes at her eyes, already tearing up as she moves in to embrace them both. Cody leans to shake Jesse’s hand and he clasps it tight, both of them nodding in that quiet brotherly way.
I’m excited for them but…darn it!Looks like we’re not the only ones with something big to share, once again. Now it’s just going to get more awkward, the longer we wait.
I feel Cody’s hand slide over mine, his palm warm as he gently covers my ring. When I glance over at him, his expression is softer than before, something quiet in his eyes. He gives a small, quick shake of his head, barely noticeable to anyone else. Just for me. Silently telling me we should wait, again.
My heart hurts but he’s right. This moment belongs to Jesse and Ella, to that little ultrasound picture that’s already got Maureen crying and Leonard asking how far along she is.
We’ll wait. Our moment’s coming, it just isn’t today, and that’s okay.
Chapter 37
Cody
Karissa’s sitting beside me in her soft cream dress with a red sweater, hair curled, makeup light. Her hand’s in mine, and that ring I gave her three days ago? Hiding in her purse.
Because my family still doesn’t know I proposed a few days ago. We agreed not to take away from Jesse and Ella’s news about the baby on the way. So we came up with a better idea after we left.
They don’t know it yet, but if they stick around after the sermon today, they’ll be able to watch us get married. Just as we are. No bridal party, decorations, expensive clothes. Just us, standing before God and the handful of people who love us most. That’s all we want.
When the last song ends and we’re dismissed, people start talking, moving toward the doors.
I give Karissa a small smile and we stand, following my family out of the pew and the sanctuary.
Jesse’s holding Cora in his arms, talking with Mason, Dad, and another man. Ella’s over by Maureen and Megan, who, honestly, I was surprised to see show up so soon after Mason announced their relationship. Good for her. She’s showing them something on her phone, all three of them smiling. Across theroom, Addison’s standing with Wesley, deep in conversation with Blake and Sierra.
I don’t realize it until now, that I’m not gonna be able to make the announcement until we leave.
So, fifteen minutes pass by, and Karissa doesn’t leave my side. I can tell she’s nervous, tense, unsure if I’ll be able to stop everyone from getting in their cars. Wes and Addie are way ahead of us in the parking lot, my parents behind by what feels like a mile.
“Hey, uh, y’all got a minute?” I ask, slowing to a stop. My grip on Karissa’s hand tightens, Emma balanced on my hip with the other.
Everyone turns, attention on me.
“We’re, uh…” I glance at Karissa, who gives me a little nod of encouragement. “We’re getting married today. Back in the church.” I gesture behind me. “If you wanna stay, we’d love to have you.”
It takes everyone a second to let it sink in.
