Page 70 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Sometimes, but not always. You need some rest, Amanda. Use those free days to read and take long naps. You won’t get much sleep once the baby comes.”
Ifthe baby comes.
Amanda wanted to work as long as she could. McKenna didn’t understand. She was single and able to pay for her flashy orange jeep. Christmas had made a dent in their budget. They’d agreed not to spend much on gifts this year. The family understood, and they’d all been so generous anyway with this shower. The presents heaped under the tree would probably take care of a lot of the baby’s basic needs. Her dad didn’t expect any payments for a while, if ever. But Connor was proud. He wanted to repay her parents, sooner rather than later. Payments of any size were bound to stress their finances further, but Connor could be headstrong.
“Thank you for organizing this party,” she whispered to McKenna when the two of them found seats in the dining room where Maureen had added extra card tables.
McKenna’s green eyes sparkled. “Harper and I had so much fun planning this. A baby for Christmas? Can’t beat that.”
“But no stupid games?”
“As much as we wanted to gross Connor out, we aren’t having any games.”
“Where’s Logan today?”
“He’s on call. I think he ended up delivering a baby.”
Amanda’s heart leapt right into her throat. “It’s not…”
McKenna gave a shake of her head and led the way to one of the long tables set up in a hallway. “Oh, no. Besides, I’ll be delivering her baby. And you and Connor will be in the waiting room.”
They sat down and Amanda began to nibble her English muffin.
“Have you decided what your relationship will be with Angie once the baby comes?” A hearty eater, McKenna was having no trouble with her appetite today.
“Since this is an open adoption, I don’t have any problem with Angie having visitation rights. Of course, I wouldn’t even try to explain the relationship until he…Sean…is much older.” Amanda felt a glow just saying the name. They’d been holding back on telling the family.
Saying the name made it seen real.
Made it seem possible.
Suddenly hope glimmered.
“Sean.” McKenna seemed to turn the name over on her tongue. “Perfect. We need a Sean in this family.”
Amanda hadn’t mentioned the name to Angie. Sometimes she wanted more boundaries. Angie’s baby but their son. Her mind circled back to visitation. “Do you think the open adoption might create problems? If we let Angie see the baby whenever she wants, maybe she’ll want him back someday. That could happen, right?”
“Chill out.” McKenna patted her hand. “My bet is that Angie is going to move her life along. She has plans to become a legal secretary. Someday she’s going to meet the right man and have her own family.”
The words calmed Amanda. “You have so much common sense McKenna. One of the reasons I love you so much. You can talk me off the ledge.”
McKenna gave Amanda’s shoulder a soft squeeze. “Right. Just remember that when I’m the one on the ledge.”
Settling back, Amanda began to chat with Janie who’d sat down on her other side.
When everyone had trooped out to the kitchen to exchange an empty plate for chicory coffee, Harper motioned Amanda and Connor to the two chairs positioned to one side of the crackling fire.
Gosh, this felt surreal. If she blinked, would she wake up? The love of their family and friends cocooned them. Their baby would feel this devotion too, a comforting thought. When she glanced over at Connor, the love in his eyes soothed the raw edges of their recent argument.
Amanda tried darn hard to overlook her parents’ absence and concentrate on all the positive things happening, but their absence still stung. They were going to be grandparents and didn’t seem to have any idea how much this baby meant to her.
Connor squeezed her hand. “You zoning out? Did you eat anything?”
“You bet.”
Connor knew her too well. “Babe?”
Heat stung her cheeks, and she shifted her gaze to the tree. “It’s just the excitement of everything right now.”
