Page 34 of This Memory (Moose Village #3)

Gavin

Brystol and I sat in the examination room and held hands as we waited for Dr. Lark.

“Nervous?” I asked with a smile.

She shook her head. “No. Are you?”

“A little.”

It had been a month and a half since Evelyn and Denny’s passing.

So much had changed. There had been more heartbreak in Moose Village when Hope Turner lost her battle with cancer.

Liam and Hope had told their closest friends right before Christmas that Hope’s last treatment hadn’t helped like they’d hoped; her cancer had spread, and the doctors hadn’t given her very long to live.

She passed away a few weeks ago, and Mary, Hope’s younger sister, was in town to help Liam with Winnie.

It was hard not to notice Liam slowly withdraw from everyone.

It had hit Aurora the hardest, even though she tried to pretend otherwise.

I officially moved in with Brystol and had put my house on the market.

I’d already had an offer and accepted it.

After talking things over with my parents and Brystol’s, we decided to put the personal items from Evelyn and Denny’s house into storage to give to the baby in the future, and to rent out the house.

Everyone agreed it might be nice to let the baby decide someday what they want to do with the house.

They might even want to live there. Everything Evelyn and Denny had bought for the baby we took to Brystol’s and stored in the guest bedroom until we decided what to do for the baby’s room.

A mural was a must after Brystol saw Evelyn’s note.

“The baby just kicked,” Brystol said, placing my hand over her baby bump. It was now noticeable. Of course, everyone in town knew Brystol was pregnant—and the story behind the pregnancy. The notes of love from people in Moose Village often brought us to tears.

My big hand covered her bump pretty much entirely—and then it happened. I felt the smallest of kicks. I whipped my head around and looked at Brystol, who had tears in her eyes.

“Did you feel it?”

I nodded, unable to find the words to speak.

She placed her hand over mine, and we just stared at one another.

For weeks after our friends’ deaths, it was impossible to think of the baby as “ours.” This was Evelyn and Denny’s baby, without question.

But as the days passed, and we learned to live without them, we spent countless nights discussing how we’d raise this child.

I thought back to a conversation with our parents.

“I don’t know how to feel,” Brystol said as she wiped away a tear.

“I tried so hard for the first few months of this pregnancy to remind myself that this baby wasn’t mine, and that I’d be giving them up at the end of this all, and now…

I feel guilty that I’m happy! That this child is going to be ours.

Evelyn wanted this baby so badly and it doesn’t seem fair we get to have him or her. ”

My mother reached for Brystol’s hand. “Life isn’t fair, honey. And I know you’d rather have Evelyn and Denny here to raise this little one, just like everyone else does. I think everything you’re feeling is normal.”

“I agree with Rachel,” Nancy, Brystol’s mom, said.

“It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for you both.

No one would blame you for feeling confused, sweetheart.

But we know that Evelyn and Denny trusted the two of you to raise this child if anything happened to them.

And you’ll both love him or her as if he or she was your very own. We all will.”

Nodding, my father added, “I know a baby wasn’t something either of you planned on this early in your relationship, and things have moved fast with the two of you, but it’s happening, even if it’s not in the way all of us would want or expect.

The worst thing you can do is feel guilty for being happy.

There’s nothing wrong with being sad over the loss of your two best friends, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling joy over the gift of a child.

“This baby is yours now. Yes, it’s your responsibility to tell him or her about their biological parents.

And I truly believe in my heart of hearts that you and Gavin will be wonderful, loving, thoughtful parents.

You’ll figure out how to bring Evelyn and Denny into the baby’s life, even as you love and care for them as your own. I know you will.”

Nick Quinn was the greatest man to ever live; at least, that’s what I thought about my father. Hearing him help comfort Brystol made me realize how much I wanted to be exactly like him. But if I could be half the father he was, I’d be blessed.

Brystol’s voice pulled me from the memory. “What are you thinking about? ”

I smiled. “The conversation we had with our parents. I thought being here today, I’d be filled with guilt, but feeling the baby just now…

I desperately want to be a father, and there’s no one else on Earth I’d want by my side on this journey than you, Brystol.

I know she…or he…isn’t biologically ours, but from the moment you found out you were pregnant, something inside of me said this child was going to change our lives.

In a way, this whole situation kind of brought us together. ”

Brystol bit down on her lower lip. “That’s true; I never thought about it like that.”

I leaned over and kissed her. The brief knock on the door had me pulling back just in time for Dr. Lark to walk in.

She smiled after she greeted us. “Everything okay?”

We both nodded. “I just felt the baby kick,” I answered.

“What wonderful timing.” Her smile faded a bit before she said, “I’m so sorry for the loss of Evelyn and Denny.”

“Thank you,” We both replied at the same time.

After a few moments, she grinned. “Are you ready to take a peek at your little one?”

“Yes!” Brystol and I replied at the same time.

Dr. Lark laughed and helped Brystol onto the table. Once she was comfortable, the doc pulled up her shirt. She squeezed gel onto Brystol’s stomach, and we both stared at the large screen where Dr. Lark was projecting the ultrasound.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, as I saw our little peanut.

“Okay, so right here is the tip of the baby’s nose. See that?”

“I see it,” Brystol said, a giant grin on her face.

“The chin is right here, and the top and bottom lip. ”

I let out a disbelieving laugh. “That is crazy!”

Dr. Lark moved around a bit more. “There’s one eye and the other.”

“Is she sucking her thumb?” I asked.

Dr. Lark nodded. “Sure is. Oh, now they’re grabbing their hands.”

The next thing we heard was the sound of the baby’s heartbeat filling the room. I blinked rapidly to keep my tears at bay. When I looked at Brystol, she was smiling at the screen.

“Heartbeat is good and strong. Let’s look at all the organs.”

I held my breath as she showed us each organ, and when she said everything looked normal, I exhaled loudly.

“I was holding my breath too!” Brystol laughed.

“Do we want to know the gender?” Dr. Lark asked.

“We do,” Brystol said, as she squeezed my hand.

“Guesses?” the doctor asked.

Brystol looked at me and winked. “We both think it’s a girl.”

Dr. Lark smiled. “You’re both right! You are growing a healthy baby girl.”

Brystol lost her battle and started to cry. I leaned over and buried my face in her neck, crying as well.

“Evelyn would have been so happy!”

I kissed her on the forehead. “I love you.”

She placed her hand on the side of my face and brushed a tear away. “I love you too.”

Dr. Lark handed us both tissues.

“I know this is a happy and sad time for you both. Do either of you guys have any questions for me? ”

Brystol shook her head.

“Not that I can think of right now.”

Dr. Lark reached for Brystol’s hand. “Congratulations, Mom.” Turning to me, she said, “And Dad. You’re going to make wonderful parents.”

It took everything I had not to cry again. Christ, who was the pregnant one here?

As if reading my mind, Dr. Lark winked at me.

“I printed out a few photos for you here. One of them says ‘it’s a girl’ on there. I also made a video; Carol, at the desk, will give it to you when you check out.”

After cleaning up Brystol’s stomach, Dr. Lark hugged us both and told us to go celebrate.

We walked out of the office hand in hand with our printed ultrasound photos and video.

“I think we should celebrate,” I said as I opened the car door and Brystol slipped in.

When I got into the car, Brystol asked, “Please tell me your celebration involves food. I’m starving.”

I laughed. “Yes, it involves food. First, tell me how you’re feeling.”

She smiled. “I’m so happy, Gavin. I mean, sometimes I still can’t believe we’re going to be raising this child. I think the best thing we ever could have done is agree to therapy.”

“Me too.”

“It’s really helped me to navigate these mixed emotions. There are so many. I mean, neither of us was ready to be a parent yet, but here we are. I’m happy, and still so sad. I feel blessed, yet I can’t help but wonder why Evelyn and Denny didn’t get this opportunity. ”

Reaching for her hand, I gave it a slight squeeze. “We’re figuring it all out as we go along, but as for your last question, I don’t even think the therapist has that answer.”

She nodded. Then grinned. “Who do we tell first?”

“A part of me wants to drive up and scream from the mountains that we’re having a little girl, and the other part wants to keep it all to myself. Who do you want to tell first?”

Laughing, Brystol said, “Same. But maybe we should invite our parents to dinner and tell them first.”

I let out a sigh. “Thank God you didn’t want one of those gender reveal parties.”

She smiled. “Simple is better.”

Kissing the back of her hand, I replied, “Agreed. In the meantime, I’m starving too.”

“I’m kind of craving a hamburger.”

“Hamburger, it is.”

“Does everything look okay?” Brystol asked for the hundredth time.

“Babe, take a deep breath. Everything looks beautiful. Everyone will be thrilled, and this evening will be magical.”

“You’re right,” she replied, before kissing me quickly. “You’re absolutely right. I need to just calm down.”

“Should I put Tay on?”

Brystol laughed. “I listened to her earlier in the storage room at the store, while doing inventory.”

“You didn’t lift anything, did you?” I asked.

“No, Dad , I didn’t. ”

The doorbell rang, and we both turned to face the front of the house.

“Here we go,” Brystol said on an exhale.

“Do you want me to answer it, or you?”

Wringing her hands together, she shook her head. “Let’s open it together.”

“Are we going for a 1950’s vibe?”

She let out a nervous laugh while hitting me in the stomach.

I took her hand, and we headed to the door. When I opened it, I saw both sets of our parents standing there.

“Hey, Mom, Dad,” I said and kissed my mother on the cheek when she walked by. “Nancy, Drake, how are you both?” I kissed Brystol’s mom as well.

“Hi, Rachel and Nick!” Brystol said, giving both my parents a hug and kiss, followed by her parents. “Thank you for coming over for dinner.”

My mother and Nancy both smiled, and I knew they were dying on the inside to find out the baby’s gender.

“I’m starving!” Drake said as he made his way toward the kitchen. “Tell me you have beer, Gavin.”

“He’s my son, Drake,” my father stated, following right behind. “He’ll have beer.”

“Wine?” Nancy asked Brystol.

“In the wine fridge,” she replied.

The four of them set off.

“Well,” Brystol said, folding her arms over her chest and tilting her head. “I see where we rank in the grand scheme of things.”

I placed my arm around her shoulders and said, “Booze first, then food, then life-altering news. ”

Turning to look at me, a wicked spark filled her eyes. “I’m half-tempted not to tell them.”

My head fell back on a laugh. “Please, you’re chomping at the bit to tell them.”

Sighing, she replied, “I am. Damn it.”

“Come on, let’s join ’em.”

She tugged on my hand. “You’re not going to drink, are you?”

I blinked several times. “We have both sets of parents here, Bry. Please tell me you’re not about to ask me not to drink.”

She huffed. “If I can’t drink, you shouldn’t be allowed, either.”

Moving my lips to her ear, I lowered my voice.

“Both. Sets. Of. Parents. That’s four people asking me when I’m gonna ask you to marry me.

The last time your father inquired when I was going to—and I quote—‘get around to asking’, he inferred he knew people in the Mafia.

What in the hell was that supposed to mean? ”

She waved off my concern. “He doesn’t know anyone in the Mafia. Now my mother , on the other hand…”

I was sure my eyes went as wide as saucers. “Dear God…I’m already afraid of her. Don’t put things like that in my head.”

“Gavin! Do we have cause for champagne tonight?” Nancy called out.

Stopping in my tracks, I pointed at Brystol. “You see? It hasn’t even been five minutes! Don’t worry, I’m not going to drink beer. I’m gonna make me a whiskey.”

Brystol covered her mouth to keep from laughing .

Suddenly, my mother was at my side. “Are we celebrating something else this evening and you didn’t tell me?”

Slowly turning to face her, I forced a smile. “We’re only celebrating the baby’s gender.”

A look of disappointment crossed her face. “I see. You know, you’re halfway through this pregnancy.”

Brystol choked on a cough in a sad attempt to cover her laugh.

“Mom, not now.”

“I’m just saying. Wouldn’t you two like to be married before the baby arrives?”

I looked at Brystol, who simply smiled.

“You’re not going to help?”

“Nope!” she replied. “I am, however, going to go pour you a double.”

When Brystol headed to the kitchen, I turned to my mother. “Did you make the arrangements?”

She looked offended. “Of course I did.”

I kissed her on the cheek. “You’re the best mother a guy could ever want.”

When I stepped back, she patted my cheek and whispered, “I saw the ring. It’s beautiful.”

I smiled, but inside, my heart was breaking. “Denny helped me pick it out.”

“And he’ll be smiling down on you when you ask her. They both will.”

I quickly hugged her. “Thanks, Mom. And tell Nancy she’s one hell of a good actress!”