Page 18 of Faith Notes
His grin is conspiratorial, and a light blush paints his cheeks. “I watched a YouTube video.”
Throwing my head back, I let my laughter flow freely. “Of course you did.”
We spend the next few minutes enjoying the food and the silence, letting it wash over us in a peaceful wave.
When we are finished, we push back our plates and sit happily, Grayson sipping wine while I sip my water.
My hand falls to my stomach, where a small bump is starting to form, and Grayson’s eyes follow the movement, resting where the baby is tucked safely inside.
“We have the twenty-week ultrasound this week.”
I nod, remaining quiet. I’ve tried to keep my mind off of the upcoming appointment. After our last ultrasound, I should be excited, but for some reason, it fills me with anxiety. After Nate’s death, it’s hard not to wait for the worst thing to happen. And maybe that’s no way to live, but it’s also hard not to when you lose someone at such a young age.
Grayson leans forward, placing his elbow on the table and reaching for my other hand. “Are you excited?”
“Yes. Under all the nerves.”
His thumb strokes against my skin, offering me comfort.
“What are you nervous about?”
I can’t meet his gaze when I answer him. “What if something is wrong?”
Even though it’s a whisper, the worry still sounds loud against the night sky.
Grayson’s face softens as he stares at me. “Nothing is going to be wrong, Georgia.”
“You don’t know that, Grayson.”
He shakes his head, “You’re right. I don’t, but I know a man that does. And right now, the only thing we can do is place our worries on his shoulders. Do you want to pray with me?”
A lump forms in my throat. Unable to answer him, I nod instead.
He bows his head and closes his eyes, and when he squeezes my hand, I follow.
“Dear heavenly father, we come to you today to place our baby in your hands. We know there are many ways we won’t be able to provide protection. But you can, Lord. You know the baby that is meant for our family, and we pray that you give us your perfect peace for our ultrasound. In your name, we pray. Amen.”
His prayer ends, but I don’t open my eyes until I add a silent prayer of my own. “Help me trust in you, Lord.”
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“I’m going to murder him in his sleep,” Mia growls, rushing into the restaurant and plopping down at the table where Emryn and I are already sitting.
It’s been a while since we’ve gotten together. With my morning sickness, I was afraid to be in a restaurant. Now, it’s starting to fade, and I realized I missed my girls.
I know Mia through Emryn. Mia teaches at the school where Emryn subs. They became good friends through work, and then when Emryn and I became friends, they drug me into their little group. It’s been nice having girl friends. I grew up with Nate and Grayson. I will never regret their friendship, but it was also different than what I get from Emryn and Mia.
“I’m going to take a stab in the dark and assume you are talking about my brother,” Emryn says casually, stuffing her mouthful of watermelon, and she’s not the least bit surprised when Mia nods her head, confirming her suspicion.
If I had a dollar for each time Mia threatens Tayte, I’d be rich. Each time we get together like this, which is at least twice a month, Mia comes in with a new threat. At this point, it’s kind of comical. Tayte drives Mia crazy, and as neighbors, he pushes her buttons as hard as he can. But I have a hunch that Mia secretly likes it. She just doesn’t realize it yet—not with her good-for-nothing boyfriend still hanging around, stringing her along every chance he gets.
“What happened this time?” I ask, setting my fork down to give her my full attention.
“He’s like a puppy. He sticks his nose into places it does not belong.”
Emryn lifts her fork, still inhaling watermelon.
“As his sister, I can confirm,” she pipes between bites.
