Page 5 of Faith Notes
But when she doesn’t say anything else, I clear my throat, place a quick kiss on her forehead, and step back. “I’m going to go change into some sweats. Why don’t you order a pizza while I do?”
Just like this morning, her face turns green at the mention of food.
“Peach, are you okay?”
She nods, pressing her lips together.
A sigh gets trapped inside my chest, not wanting her to see that I’m disappointed she won’t talk to me.
With a quick nod of my own, I spin on my heel, walking back down the path I came, but I don’t even make it to the hallway before she’s calling my name.
Slowly, I turn back around, facing her, and when I do, she has tears streaming down her cheeks. Her fingers are twisted together as she looks at me and says, “I’m pregnant.”
It takes two steps, and then I’m in front of her, holding her tight enough to keep her together.
“I know, Peach. Brooks told me, and I can’t wait to love our baby.”
She leans back, at least as much as my hold will allow her, and looks up at me. “How did Brooks tell you I’m pregnant? I haven’t told anyone.”
Red creeps up my neck, and I offer her a sheepish smile. “I might have told him that you’ve been crabby—and that you turn green at the mention of food. He told me I was dense for not coming up with my own conclusion.”
Georgia shakes her head, disbelief coloring her cheeks. “You and Brooks talked about this?”
“Yeah? Is that okay?”
Her eyes soften. “Of course, that’s okay, Gray. He’s your brother. I’m just sorry I didn’t tell you myself.”
“Why didn’t you?” I hate how much that one question reveals. Deep down, I’m okay with the fact that she waited until she was ready. But on the surface level, I’m also a little hurt that she didn’t feel like she could tell me before now.
She looks away, talking to a spot just over my shoulder. “Because I wanted to make sure that the only thing I felt when I told you was happiness. I didn’t want there to be any lingering sadness left.”
“You were sad?”
The thought that this might not be what she wants cuts me like a knife.
Turning back to me, she lifts her hand and cups my cheek. “A little…but not for the reason you think. A part of me was sad because Nate wanted this life, but he never got to live it.”
Understanding knocks me in the ribs, taking my breath with it. Loosening my hold, I place my hands on her hips and lift her onto the counter so we are eye to eye. Air fills my lungs again, allowing me to breathe.
“Listen to me, Georgia. You never have to erase your life with Nate to appease me. Nate is part of who you are, and so are the dreams you had with him. You are allowed to mourn those dreams and still be happy for the dreams we are creating together. It’s not one or the other. Just don’t mourn alone because I’m right here, willing to hold you through it all.”
Her body shakes with sobs as she falls into my arms, laying her head against my collarbone. I hold her until those sobs have long since subsided, and then I hold her some more.
And when she is finally ready, she lifts her head, staring back at me with love. “How did I get so lucky?”
My lips twitch as I lift my hand and trace her jaw. “God.”
She nods, her hair tumbling around her shoulders. “You’re right—it was God. Because never in my wildest dreams could I dream up a man like you.” There’s a beat of silence, and then she continues. “I really am excited about this baby, you know.”
A grin splits my face. “Me too, Peach.”
Chapter 3
Georgia
12 Weeks
Grayson’s foot taps a steady rhythm against the floor, and I have to slap my hand across his knee to stop it.
