Page 24 of A Bright Winter Season

“What do you mean, ‘would mean’?”

“Does mean. I mean ‘does mean.’ Oh shoot, look at the time. I’d better start on this shift.”

“Have fun.” Hazel smiled at her sister as she lifted her coffee cup to her lips and took an energizing sip. “Holler if you need support with anything while I’m here.”

“I will. Thanks, Hazel!”

The sisters exchanged a smile as Alexis stood up and went into the kitchen, carrying the basket of silverware that she’d finished rolling.

Hazel turned back to her notebook with a sigh of satisfaction. She loved working as a team with her family, and she was excited by how the Christmas event was starting to take shape.

Alexis pushed open her back door, glad to be greeted by the warm air of her kitchen. She shut the door behind her, letting out a sigh as the sound of the cold wind was muffled. She took off her snowy boots and hung her coat up on the coat rack. It wasn’t particularly cold outside that day, but it had snowed the night before, and there seemed to be an added crispness to the air.

She rubbed her hands together, warming them up, and applied an evergreen scented hand lotion that she kept in the kitchen. Her hands were always chapped after a long day at work, and she kept several bottles of lotion around her house to help combat her dry skin.

She began to heat up some water in the tea kettle, wanting to make herself another cup of peppermint tea. She didn’t feel nauseous at the moment, but she did feel tired, and nausea often accompanied her fatigue.

She sat down in one of the kitchen chairs, waiting for the water to boil. She leaned her head against the wall, staring into space. The sound of the water beginning to gurgle in the kettle was soothing, and she felt sleepy and relaxed.

She kept thinking about the conversation that she’d had with her mother, about telling Grayson about the baby. Hazel, too, had given her the same advice, and she had a feeling that Hazel had been about to ask her about it again earlier that day right when Jacob was walking into The Lighthouse Grill. Both Hazel and her mother had assured her she had nothing to worry about, and that Grayson was there to support her through the incoming changes.

I’ll need to tell him soon,she thought, closing her eyes.No matter what. Obviously, he needs to know. And I’ve had some time to process it now.

She chuckled, reflecting that at least this way, they wouldn’t both be in shock at the same time. She was starting to feel slightly less overwhelmed by the idea, and even more excited about it. She still felt hesitant to tell Grayson the news, however, since she knew it would be a lot for him to process. Even good news could be overwhelming sometimes.

The tea kettle began to whistle, and she hopped up and turned off the burner. She poured steaming water into one of her favorite mugs, and then plopped a tea bag into it. She took a deep breath, enjoying the relaxing aroma of the tea, and carried the mug back to the kitchen table.

She sat down, feeling a kind of resolve growing inside of her. Her mother and Hazel were right. She needed to tell Grayson, and there was no point in putting it off any longer. After all, even if he did feel overwhelmed by the news, she knew it was also going to make him incredibly happy. She should share it with him.

I’ll tell him as soon as he comes home,she thought.Today is the day.

As if in answer to her thoughts, at that moment she heard the sound of Grayson’s car in the driveway. She looked up with a smile, always excited to see her husband. Although she felt a flutter of nervousness at the thought of telling him about their big news, she knew that he was going to feel excited about it. She felt tingly with a variety of feelings as she stood up and got ready to meet him at the door.

Through the window, she could see that he was carrying a couple of large boxes, both of which looked heavy. She pulled the back door open in a hurry, worried that he might slip on the snow on his way to the house.

“Hey, sweetheart! Do you want any help?” she called.

He looked up with a smile, but she could tell that he was tired. “I’m okay, thank you, sweetheart. I appreciate you opening the door.”

“Okay. Be careful, it might be slippery.”

Grayson made his way carefully up to the back door, and Alexis took one of the boxes from him just before he stepped inside. Her guess had been correct, and the box was heavy. She set it down on the kitchen table and then shut the door behind her husband.

“What’s in the boxes?” she asked, giving him a kiss as soon as he’d set his box down beside hers.

“I don’t know, they were by the front door. But I’m pretty sure it’s the decorating stuff you ordered for the pub.”

“Oh!” Alexis was suddenly filled with eagerness. She hurried over to one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out a box cutter. “Thank you for bringing these inside. I’m excited to see what’s in them.”

Grayson chuckled as he sat down in one of the kitchen chairs. “I’m glad, sweetheart.” He smiled, and then covered his mouth as he was overcome with an enormous yawn.

“Rough day?” she asked, pausing in her work of opening the first box.

“Not rough exactly, just crazy. Had to put out a lot of unexpected fires at work today. And they’re all out, but I’m definitely tired.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” She kissed his forehead. “I’ll make you something special for dinner. How about lasagna?”

“That sounds amazing, but I know you’ve been tired too. Maybe we could order some takeout or something.”

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