Lucy:I knew you would say that, but I think it’s cool. Also, it means ‘unity’ or ‘one’ in latin and I thought that was kind of appropriate seeing as how this little one is unifying us as a family. Or you know, the whole ‘two-becoming-one’ thing.
Noah:You had me until the Spice Girls reference.
Lucy:1) I can’t believe you know that song!
Lucy:and 2) Eww!! I didn’t quite mean it like that, more like together we make one perfect little person.
Noah:Yeah, okay, I do like the significance of that.
Noah:Alright, Ace can go on the list.
Lucy: :-)
???
The drive into the city is almost two hours long, so we’d saved it until I’d had time to properly research everything we might need and formulated a complete list of all the items to purchase before we made the trip. Lucy kept insisting that we could order more stuff online, but I feel more comfortable being able to see certain things, like the stroller, in person. I want to be able to try out the various functions for myself before committing. She likes to tease me, but ultimately she agrees that my overanalyzing is a positive in this case.
I hold her hand as we wander through Little Sprouts. We’ve already purchased two car seats and a playpen from Cutie Pies. BabiesBeloved is up next for the stroller I have in mind.
Lucy is absolutely glowing today and I can’t take my eyes off her, although I guess that’s not all that different from any other day. When she’d stepped out onto the landing of her apartment this morning my breath had caught in my throat. She’d smiled down at me with sparkling eyes and waved, and I’d watched in awe as she descended the steps, carefully maneuvering herself while cradling her ever-growing bump. The sun had caught the chestnut highlights in her dark hair and gilded her curls as they’d danced around her face in the soft breeze. It’s a mild day for December, but the forecast is calling for snow later this evening.
I make a mental note to make sure to salt her steps when we get back.
Lucy was excited to be getting out of town for the day and sang along–badly–to the country music on the radio, bouncing adorably in her seat. After a while, she’d hooked her phone into the Bluetooth and took over the music selection. I’d managed to hold out through six questionable rap songs–and I use the word ‘rap’ loosely– before I finally drew the line. She’d schooled me on the difference between rap and hip hop, which then led to a somewhat heated debate about the talents–or lack thereof–of Pitbull before we’d both agreed to turn the music off. Luckily Lucy’s good mood wasn’t derailed by my disdain for the artist (again the term used extremely loosely–wordsmith and musician he isnot), and I couldn’t keep the grin off my face as she’d chattered away to me about the things she wanted to get for the baby, and the Christmas shopping she hoped to squeeze in afterward if there’s time.
I watch her now as she rifles through a rack of onesies making appreciative noises and humming happily at the selection. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I nod in agreement at every tiny item of clothing she holds up.
“Has Aidan said any more about Riley?” she asks out of the blue as we stand in line to check out.
I shake my head. “Only that he’s a dick.”
“What did you make of him storming out like that?”
I sigh. “We’ve already talked about this, Luce. I don’t know what to think, but it’s really not our business.”
“I know, but I’m worried about Steph. Piper says she called in sick for several days after Thanksgiving and that she’s basically been avoiding her whenever their shifts overlap at the library. I’ve tried calling her but she sends me straight to voicemail and then just texts that she’s busy and will call me later. But then shedoesn’t.”
Thanksgiving had indeed been as tense as we’d anticipated. At least until Riley had left. He’d been unpleasant and confrontational with pretty much everyone aside from Piper. It was actually a surprise to see how polite he’d been with his new sister-in-law, even going so far as to give her a quick peck on the cheek when they arrived. Lucy and I were deemed unimportant and were categorically ignored, which was fine, but Riley and Aidan had sniped at each other throughout the drinks and appetizers. When Mrs. Walker–Nora, she keeps insisting I call her–had pleaded with her sons to cut it out he’d snapped at her which in turn got the chief’s back up.
Steph had remained quiet and kept her eyes down throughout the dinner while Riley had continued to stare not only at her but at her sons. Matt and Alex had seemed oblivious to the attention, as teenage boys tended to be, with Alex mostly distracted on his phone and Matt enthusiastically quizzing Aidan and I about our illustrious high school football careers. We’d laughed, sharing amusing anecdotes about our rivalry, pleased that the memories were no longer tainted by the animosity of our youth.
Their conversation soon turned to cars and Matt was excited to hear about how Noah had rebuilt his old muscle car himself along with his pops. When Matt spoke about his plans to buy an old beater to fix up for his seventeenth birthday in May Riley had spilled his beer. Steph glanced up and their eyes had locked across the table. I’d watched as the color had drained from her face. Something passed between them, something that I couldn’t read, and then he’d gritted out her name through clenched teeth and shoved away from the table, knocking his chair over in the process. He’d stumbled out of the room and Steph had followed silently. They’d had heated words in the kitchen before Riley had then stormed out–stomping down the hall and slamming the door behind him. Steph slipped back into her seat and resumed eating, though she’d remained pale and, from what I could tell, mostly just moved the food around on her plate.
Up until that point, I’d actually been wondering if dinner with my parents might not have been so bad after all, but once the pall of Riley had lifted we’d enjoyed our meal, laughing and joking and enjoying each other’s company. Lucy had eaten almost as much as I had and Aidan had called me out for the goofy, adoring looks I’d been shooting her throughout most of the evening.
I amnotgoofy.
Steph and the boys had left early and according to Aidan, Riley hadn't returned home for several days afterward causing Nora to worry.
“Well, whatever’s going on,” I muse, “it sounds like she’s still not ready to talk about it. You said yourself she’s not usually one to discuss her personal life. I think you and Piper should both respect her space.”
She sighed again as we advanced in line to the cash. “I guess.”
“You can still make it known that you’re there for her and available to listen if she needs it, but then you should back off. I think she’ll come to you when she’s ready.” I reach out and tuck a loose curl behind her ear, brushing my thumb against the soft skin of her cheek in the process.
Lucy leans into my caress and smiles.
“That was very emotionally mature advice.” She quirks a surprised brow at me and I wink in response. “Andyou’re right. Thanks, Noah.”
