Page 62 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
Looked as if the Butterflies were out in full swarm tonight.
Hamilton House was packed. Morgan had envisioned a small gathering of friends, but Sarah had apparently invited half of Pine Hill.
It didn’t seem to matter how many others were there, though, as Morgan and Andrew kept ending up next to each other all evening. There had likely been some Butterfly manipulation behind them ending up at the same dining table to eat and then finding themselves sitting on the corner of the living room fireplace hearth next to each other, but Morgan didn’t mind.
She wasn’t even sure that the Butterflies were responsible as she and Andrew had both seemed content to fall in together.
Because she had missed Andrew in the week since she’d seen him.
Because they were friends. Had she hoped he’d correct her and tell her they were so much more? That although he didn’t date single moms, she and Greyson were the exceptions because he’d grown to care so much about them?
He did care about them. She could see it in his eyes when he looked at her and her son. What she saw there made her long to let her fears go and embrace the Christmas morning bubbliness she felt inside when she was with him.
“Better watch out, Morgan,” Andrew warned, leaning in close. “You’re smiling again and someone is going to assume it’s because you’re sitting next to me.”
“We’d know the truth,” she said, still smiling at him.
“You’re right. We would. You like me, and I am why you’re smiling.”
“Because you’re so goofy,” she said, wondering if her eyes sparkled the way his did. She was prevented from saying anything further by Sarah clearing her throat and calling the room to attention.
Sarah and Bodie stood in the midst of the living room, looking at each other with grins on their faces.
“Bodie and I have a big announcement to make tonight,” Sarah said, smiling so brightly that she looked as if she were about to burst with happiness. The few people who had still been talking immediately quieted. “As many of you know, Bodie had some difficulties transitioning back to civilian life after his military career was cut short by his injuries.”
Morgan’s gaze went to Bodie. She could see no external evidence of injuries, but thinking back, she recalled him walking with a slight lilt to his gait after sitting for too long.
“For some time, we’ve been thinking of ways we could help others who, like Bodie, struggle to make that transition,” Sarah continued, taking her husband’s hand.
Morgan felt a pang of envy at what the couple shared, especially when Bodie lifted her fingers to his lips and pressed a kiss there. “What my wife is trying to say is that we are officially dedicating one of the guest rooms at Hamilton House into a Bed for Vets suite. It will be free to military members returning to civilian life who need somewhere to go for a few weeks or months while they figure out their next steps.”
“Oh, Sarah, that’s wonderful,” Sophie and several others said.
“My friend Lukas is working with Walter Reed Military Hospital to help guide the right guests our way. We want our Stars & Stripes suite to be more than a place to stay, but rather a place to heal and rediscover one’s self and worth.”
Morgan heard the unspoken words in what Bodie was saying. He and Sarah wanted to give to others what Pine Hill had given to him.
“Beds for Vets—what a wonderful idea and outreach program. I’m so proud of you both,” Sarah’s father, Pastor Smith, said.
“Agreed, but I’ll admit that there for a minute I thought they were going to tell us they were pregnant,” Maybelle said with a laugh. Several others chuckled with her while nodding.
But rather than join the laughter, Bodie and Sarah looked at each other and Harry let out a proud yelp.
Morgan’s mouth curved into a smile, happy for the couple even before Sarah said, “Well, Bodie and I do have one other announcement to make.”
Rosie gasped. “You aren’t.”
Sarah nodded. “We’re having a baby. We’ve known for a while but wanted to get past the first twelve weeks before announcing. Baby Lewis is going to arrive next summer, and we couldn’t be happier.”
A flurry of hugs, handshakes, back slaps, and congrats took place as everyone converged on the couple.
“A baby!” Maybelle exclaimed while hugging Sarah. “Oh, how I wish your aunt was here. She’d be over the moon.”
Sarah kissed Maybelle’s cheek. “I know she would. I’m glad she gave me such a great example of how to love and nurture a child and left me her fellow Butterflies to see me through life’s good times and bad.”
Sarah’s watery eyes triggered something deep inside Morgan and she couldn’t help but think back on when she’d discovered she was pregnant, recalling how ecstatic Trey had been. She’d been terrified at the thought of being responsible for a new little life while still trying to juggle nursing school, but he’d seen having a baby as another great life adventure. He’d been right. Greyson was her greatest adventure.
“No worries, babe,” Trey had told her, pressing his cheek to her still flat belly and looking up at her with awe. “We’ve got this parenting thing. Together, there’s nothing we can’t do, even if this little guy is a mini-me.”
