Page 89 of Painting Her Fate

coming, he waited by the door ever so patiently.”

“He is a good boy.” I stand and pat him on the head, then glance around. To my left, Wyatt is talking with another couple and Gavin at the breakfast counter.

Hank stays by my side whist we walk through the entry to the kitchen.

I’m hoping he will remain just so throughout the night.

“Lili, you made it.” Wyatt always has a positive salesman attitude.

“Guys, this is Lili. Lili, this is Lacey and her husband Caleb.” He gestures to the African American couple in the bar stools next to Gavin.

They are both in their mid-thirties, Lacey is in a bright pink maxi dress, has these amazing tight cornrows that flow into braids and reach to her waist, her natural beauty glowing without the addition of makeup.

Her husband Caleb is just as stunning, with a buzzed haircut, trimmed five o’clock shadow, a light blue button-down dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up just enough to view his dark ink covered arms and flashy wristwatch.

During our game night I found out these two met during the massive snowstorm, nicknamed ‘Snovember’, a few years ago; over six feet of snow fell in less than twenty-four hours, trapping thousands in their vehicles and homes for days, disrupting everything right down to the post.

At that time, Caleb was part of the National Guard, rescuing many, including Lacey, from stranded cars on the motorway. He is partners with

Wyatt at the dealership now, and Lacey works in accounting there. They are still in their honeymoon stage of the marriage, but when they told the story of how they met; taken from a page of a romance novel. They are so adorable together.

We had goulash for dinner, I only had a tiny bit, but those homemade breadsticks Emma made were phenomenal. I ended up eating three. Don’t judge, I love bread.We hopped on the conversation of me needing a vehicle, and I asked if I could stop by tomorrow to test drive a couple. Wyatt went right into salesman mode until Emma smacked his shoulder playfully.

“It’s not the time for work.” She giggled. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto his lap on the accent chair, then he pecks her lips affectionately.

“Sorry babe, I got carried away there for a moment.” He kisses her with another peck and grins, then turns to me to finalize the conversation, “I have an opening at eleven, if that works for you.”

I relaxed quite a bit while here, Hank being pampered with belly rubs and ear scratches as my anxiety seem to vanish. Maybe I should talk with my therapist about an animal. Hank is pretty perfect; I can’t help thinking his owner is too.

I was pleased to find I wasn’t the only one drinking just water tonight, that is until I found out why an hour later after dinner is boxed up and game night put to the wayside.

“Should we tell them?” Lacey gazes at her husband as she sits on his lap. He shrugs, but no one could miss his huge grin. She looks to all of us announcing, “We’re pregnant!”

Congratulations and hugs abound from everyone to the happy couple, but I couldn’t help seeing a twinge of sadness from Emma before her bright infectious smile returned. I don’t think anyone else caught it, Wyatt might’ve.

After giving Lacey a hug, Emma then stepped away for a moment down the corridor to the main lavatory.I gave Wyatt a glance, but his face was passive, not giving anything away.

“Any names picked out yet? You know, Gavin is a great name.” Gavin jokes. I saw Lacey and Caleb give one another a look of doubt, then smile as if to shrug off the thought.

I felt my own pang of sadness for Emma. Not that I want children in

my near future or possibly at all, but I was told that it would be a miracle if I became pregnant, all thanks to my monster.He took so much from me.

I glance at Wyatt once more, his sadness hidden beneath a pasted-on smile. Standing, I shake my empty water bottle and head to the sink to fill it, mostly to get out of the talk of babies and the odd sinking feeling I get when they’re mentioned.

Hank follows me to the kitchen, right by my side as he has been all night. I pat him on his head and scratch down his back; him being here is just what I needed to relax.

Emma exits the lavatory a second later, sans tear-stained cheeks. Maybe I had just imagined it? I smile at her, and she gives me her same happy grin back before she’s sat back down on her husband’s lap, his hand in hers and their eyes lock as he kisses their laced fingers. I make my way to sit next to Gavin on the loveseat, Hank letting out a huff before placing his head in my lap. I run his ears through my fingers, that sinking feeling I had moments ago dissipating.

“We are going to head out, we have our first ultrasound tomorrow.” Lacey says a few minutes later, they both stand, and wave their goodbye. Wyatt and Emma stand and walk them to the door.

“Congratulations again, guys. Drive safe.” Wyatt shakes hands with Caleb and Emma gives Lacey a hug and similar sentiments as her husband’s.

I should go to, but Hank seems to be too comfortable, I didn’t want to disturb him.

“Looks like you made a best friend.” Gavin mentions. He takes one last swig of his beer before shifting to scratch Hank on the top of his head. Hank’s eyes open to peer over at him but doesn’t move.

“He wouldn’t leave you alone at mom's either.” Emma chimes in.

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