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“I’m sorry, Mom, but that won’t work. Rick’s parents are flying in from Arizona for Christmas. They’ve already booked their flights. Besides, that’s too close to my delivery time. The doctor thinks the birth date may have been miscalculated, and the baby is due sooner than we thought.”

“Could you change the date of the hotel stay?” asked Rick.

“No,” said Emmie firmly. “This is what Earl wanted, and I’ll respect that. No worries. Something will work out. Maybe Tony and Gemma can join me.”

Lauren gave her a dubious look. “Dad didn’t know that Gemma would be married and part of a family that owned a very successful restaurant. Gemma has already told me that being part of Tony’s family for Christmas is a big deal for all of them.”

Emmie ignored the disappointment that ate at her. She was not going to be a selfish mother who guilted her kids for having a Christmas with in-laws.

“Aw, Mom, it was very sweet of Dad to do this. If we could, we’d join you. But it’s too late. We’ll definitely be here for Thanksgiving, though. I’ve already ordered dessert for everyone. We’ll still have Thanksgiving with Aunt Kate and Uncle Brad’s family. Right?”

“Yes. It’s a tradition that we’ve promised to keep,” said Emmie. “It started when you kids were toddlers and will continue for as long as possible. It will be at their house this year.”

“Oh, I’m glad,” said Lauren. She turned to Rick. “We wouldn’t miss it for anything. Right?”

He wrapped his arm around her. “It works for me, with that great group and all the delicious food.”

“Well, that’s settled then,” said Emmie, rising. “Let me show you the state of Earl’s office, Rick. And then, Lauren and I need to discuss the next stage of it.”

The three of them walked to the office. Computers, a printer, two monitors, and other equipment lay on the floor. Otherwise, the room was empty. Three boxes remained in the closet.

“I have a box of things you might want to look at. Especially if you’re having company for the holidays. It’s a lot of kitchen equipment, some holiday items, and other things you might want to keep. I’ll let Gemma look through the things you don’t want and give the rest away. There is a box of fine china, which I thought she could use because of all the family gatherings.”

“I can’t use the dishes,” said Lauren. “We have a beautiful set for both everyday and special occasion use. But thanks, I’ll take a look at the other box of stuff.” She pulled some paint chips out of the pocket of her jeans. “Let’s look at these and decide which color we want.”

Emmie looked at several samples of blue and gray paint chips. Together, they held them up to the light at the window and decided on a blue with a touch of gray that would give the walls a rich color suitable for any kind of decoration.

“I brought a notebook for you to look at with me,” said Lauren. “It’s filled with pictures and ads.”

Emmie followed Lauren into the kitchen, and they sat, looking at all the ideas that Lauren had gathered and posted in the book.

Lauren gazed at her mother. “Mom, I’m very grateful that you’re excited about the baby. I wish Dad could’ve known about it. He was such a big part of my wedding. How are you managing the upcoming holidays?”

“I have to be honest. I was dreading another Christmas without your father. Last year was difficult. But I feel that his surprise gift to me this year is his way of urging me on in my life. That’s how I’m going to get through the holidays, with the idea of a new beginning.”

“That’s such a healthy thought,” said Lauren. “I’m hoping this baby will be part of your new beginning.”

Emmie chuckled. “He already is. How are you feeling? You’re looking as if the doctor might be right, and you might be a little early. But I carried my babies like that, too. Don’t be disappointed if the baby comes later than you may think.”

Lauren caressed her stomach. “Right now, I feel fine, and I’m excited about buying maternity clothes. But many of my friends tell me to enjoy my pregnancy while I can, that I’ll reach the stage where I will just want the process over.”

“Everyone is different, but it’s an exciting time, for sure.” Emmie got up and checked the soup. It was almost time to add the noodles. “After lunch, let’s go to a couple of baby stores and look around. One of the women at my office told me all about the furniture and equipment they’re buying for their baby.”

“That would be fun, Mom. What else did she say?”

“Their color theme was pink and green for their baby girl. I think your idea of using blue, yellow, and other primary colors will work well with the blue walls you want. Especially with a hot-air balloon theme.”

Lauren clasped her hands. “It’s going to be adorable! Because the baby’s room in the city will be smaller, I’ll have to be careful about overdoing the décor there. When we get the chance to move, we want that room to remain fairly neutral for a quick sale.”

“Well, let’s enjoy doing whatever you want with the baby’s room here,” said Emmie, thrilled to be part of the decision-making process.

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Walking into one of the baby stores, Emmie felt as if she were entering a wonderland of new baby products, practical items, and a variety of things never offered when her daughters were babies. Organic sheets, body creams for nursing mothers, even a snot sucking kit for babies with colds, were all new to her.

She willed herself to bypass the adorable clothing for little girls and went to the boys’ clothing. They were cute, too, even without the ruffles and the color pink she’d used for her girls.

Emmie and Lauren looked at the baby carriages but decided they’d order one online. Emmie chose a handsome but practical crib for Earl’s office. Lauren bought the matching dresser/changing table.