Page 17 of A Baxter Family Christmas
The news was all they talked about for the rest of the night. Their mom shared how her pregnancies were all different, and Bailey talked about wanting a natural birth—as much as possible.
“That’s wonderful.” Their mother had moved next to Bailey at the table, and now she ran her hand over Bailey’s back. “Just keep an open mind about the process. If you need medical help, God will show you.”
As the conversation continued, Connor tried to grasp exactly what he was feeling. He was thrilled for his sister, obviously. A few months ago Bailey and Brandon had asked the family to pray. They’d been trying to have a baby for a year, so this was the greatest news. Definitely an answer.
But it was also a change.
For all their lives growing up, Bailey was his best friend. They did CKT together and stayed up late talking about life and relationships and God’s plans for their futures. Connor thought Brandon was the best guy ever, the perfect husband for Bailey. But a baby would take Bailey one step further from the days when she had time for Connor.
He brushed away his feelings. No one was happier for Bailey than he was. But how many years before he would find his wife? Before he would once again have more in common with his sister and best friend?
Half an hour later, Bailey found him in the kitchen doing dishes. “Hey... can you believe it?”
“No.” Connor grinned at her. “You still seem like you should be in high school.”
“And not like that was five years ago already.” Bailey grabbed a dishtowel and started drying.
“Exactly.” Connor shook his head. “I’m starting to feel like Mom and Dad. Always asking where the time goes.”
They both smiled, the moment appropriately pensive. “What about Maddie?” Bailey raised one eyebrow. “The two of you seem like you’re having a lot of fun.”
“We are.” Connor had thought about Maddie off and on throughout the day. “She’s amazing. But there’s something she’s holding back. I can’t figure it out.”
“Maybe she’s a little overwhelmed. You know... since you’re a college guy and all.”
Connor grinned. “I don’t know. I guess there’s no point really. After Christmas I’ll be busy at school and she’ll be here.”
“I don’t know about that.” Bailey finished her work and hung the towel on the handle of the dishwasher. “If me and Brandon found a way with him living his crazy life in L.A. and me here... then anything’s possible.”
“Not everyone gets what you and Brandon have.”
“Connor!” Bailey looked like she wasn’t sure how to take his statement. “Tell me you’re kidding. You’re only nineteen years old. Whoever she is, she’s out there. And when you find her, you won’t have any doubts. Okay?”
“Okay.” Connor smiled and gave his sister a quick hug. “You’re right.”
“I am.” She looked straight into his eyes. “God’s plans for you will be different than mine. But they’ll be perfect for you.”
Her talk encouraged him, and that night after Bailey and Brandon left, Connor went outside on the back deck and called Maddie. He shivered while her phone rang.
She answered just before the call went to voicemail. “Hello?”
“Maddie. It’s me.” Connor was suddenly not sure what to say. The cold air took his breath for a moment. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Thanks.” She sounded slightly uncomfortable. As if she was working at what to say next.
“Who’d you have dinner with? Just you and your parents and your sister?” Connor paced the length of the deck. Why did this feel so difficult?
“No. We went to my aunt’s house. All my aunts and uncles and cousins were there. I think it was like twenty-seven of us.”
“Wow.” Connor thought about telling her Bailey’s news, but he changed his mind. Bailey might not want it public yet. “So you had a good time?”
“We did. How about you?” There was the sound of a girl’s voice in the distance. She seemed to be talking loud.
“It was good.” Connor stopped and stared at the snowy backyard. “Just the nine of us. But we had fun. Best turkey my mom ever made.” He heard the voice again. “Do you have friends over?”
“No. That’s my sister.” Maddie must’ve moved to another spot in her house because the background sounds faded.
“Oh.” Again the conversation felt stuck. Which was strange, because the first few days during auditions, he had felt a crazy chemistry between them. “So... tomorrow maybe we can have coffee again? Or are you doing the whole Black Friday thing?”
