Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
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.
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.
When the game broke for a commercial, a soft buzz echoed in the room. Heavenly looked up to find Gene snapping to attention. He grabbed his phone, his stare glued to the screen.
Instantly, his expression shifted—relief flooded his features, followed by something else she couldn’t put her finger on. Resolve?
Heavenly wasn’t sure what that was about. A work thing, maybe? A bet on the game? She didn’t know Gene well enough to guess.
He pocketed the phone, seeming to tuck away the distraction. Then he turned his attention to the game on the big screen. “I hope neither of you are Eagles fans. The Giants are gonna take it. Their defense is too strong this year.”
Beck raised a brow. “You sure about that?”
Gene grinned. “Damn right. If Seth were here, he’d agree with me, too.”
He probably would.
Where on earth was he? Since Seth was a huge Giants fan, she knew he didn’t want to miss this game. Maybe he stopped to get something besides orange juice? Or maybe he’d run into someone he’d grown up with?
While Carl and Gene talked about players and their stats, Beck glanced at the front door, as if he wondered what was keeping Seth, too.
Heavenly tried to tamp down her concern. If he needed help, he’d call.