From then on, our conversations were dominated by recipes and the new ways of fondant making that was popular today. I even promised to teach her how to do those since she was curious about it. Though she did open up about the subject of the baby, I appreciated how she didn’t probe much about if I was still going through a rough time about the previous miscarriage. The fears remained constantly in the back of my mind, and I wasn’t ready to go there yet. Maybe after I reached the second trimester, when everything was mostly secured and safe, maybe only then could I open up to anyone other than Drake.
Right after Patricia left, I was surprised to find Emma Anderson Cole walking up the driveway, appearing as if she was hiking around the area since she was geared in one of those head to foot black spandex outfits with hot pink accents. She looked like she wasn’t pregnant at all. How far along is she? I wondered as I grinned from ear to ear, meeting her halfway up the driveway.
“I just heard the news! Bass told me this morning after speaking to Drake, so I had to nag him to text your husband for your home address so I could make a house call and congratulate you myself!” she exclaimed, beaming before giving me a congratulatory hug.
“That’s very nice of you, though you didn’t have to! How far did you trek? How can you even walk in that outfit, Emma? You sure don’t look pregnant to me.” She looked like a woman who had stepped out of a sports magazine. Even though we had become close since our visit in Aspasia, I still couldn’t get over the fact that she was the most down to earth woman I knew and who also happened to be one of the most beautiful women I had ever met. Nevertheless, she seemed oblivious to the fact that she was so gorgeous. It was crazy, really.
“I’m about ten weeks, so it’s not that obvious yet.” Her blue eyes sparkled as she pet her flat tummy; looking the happiest I had ever seen her. “You don’t know how excited we are for having this second chance. Losing the first one was devastating.”
As was mine.
Moving on to a safer subject, I invited her inside my home. “I’m sure you’re parched.”
“Yes, some juice would be good.”
Strolling into the kitchen, I quickly glimpsed at her. “How’s Bass? Drake’s been so busy, and this whole bed rest thing isn’t all that’s cracked up to be. It can get very exhausting. I didn’t know resting could ever be, but it definitely is.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing we’re neighbors, ‘cause it’s getting very lonely with most of my friends back in Santa Barbara and with Lindsey deciding to stay in Athens. It’s good to have someone to talk to about girly stuff.”
Funny how I hadn’t realized how much Emma and I had in common. She had also gone through a miscarriage and was now experiencing her second pregnancy. Did she also have the same fears as I? I was tempted to ask the entire time we were conversing on the patio, sipping our refreshing drinks, but I was too scared to ever dare tread along that line.
Someday perhaps.
Chapter 10
Drake
“How did Mom’s visit go?” I asked Lily the moment I got inside the house, sitting myself down as she took her time making a tasty looking meal of green salad, baked potatoes, and pork chops.
Taking a seat right beside me, she gave me a quick rundown of what they spoke about, surprising me that Mom offered to come here so Lily could watch her bake some of the pastries that had influenced the most cherished memories of my childhood.
“That’s very nice of her to offer,” I stated before taking the salad bowl, serving Lily’s plate first before giving myself a helping or two.
She looked radiant, beaming with complete happiness as she gazed those beautiful, deep eyes towards mine. “Your mom’s a darling. It’s a good thing, though, because at least I get to learn to do something while I’m supposed to be resting and getting my skinny ass plump and fat for this little bundle of happiness.”
“Plump and fat … I love those kind of asses, too.”
“I’m sure you do,” she retorted as she gave me a piece of baked potato before adding a good dollop of sour cream and fresh cut chives sprinkled on top. It was pure deliciousness.
“I so do, Lil.” I paused while my eyes took her in, admiring. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today? Maybe it’s this glow that’s lighting up your face … I don’t know. I can’t seem to pinpoint what it is, but you look different—good different—and I can’t stop staring at you.”
There was something about her that got my heart stomping faster. It could be the pregnancy. , or it could be the happiness we were both experiencing and its reflection in her eyes. Whatever it was, I loved it.