Maeve turned. “Tell me about it. They are noisy, though. Lacey was smart to get out of here early today. Are you feeling okay? You’re normally working by now.”
“I have an OB/GYN appointment.”
“The usual check up?”
“Actually I’m getting an ultrasound. Hopefully, I’ll find out whether I’m having a girl or a boy. I’ve been in for one before, but the baby was turned the wrong way.”
“So you don’t want it to be a surprise?”
“No.” Bess barely suppressed a grin. “Enough about this baby is a surprise already.”
Maeve laughed. “Do you want a boy or a girl?”
“I know I’m supposed to say I just want the baby to be healthy, and that’s true. But I have to admit, I’m hoping for a girl. I figure if the baby is going to grow up without a father, maybe it would be easier for a girl.” There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “I don’t know. It’s my theory.”
“Well, then I won’t mind telling you I’m praying for a girl. If we’re going to turn the design scheme of this house upside down, then by God, I hope it’s done with a feminine flair.” She then added kindly, “But don’t worry, I can make blue work, too.”
“Maeve, you really don’t have to do anything special. I’ve been saving up for a security deposit and Lacey has been letting me look online for apartments on her laptop.”
“You’re not going anywhere unless it’s a smart move for the both of you,” she said giving a nod to Bess’s belly. “Juice?”
“Yes, please. And thanks, Maeve.”
Maeve poured a large glass of orange juice and gave Bess a plate of scones without even asking.
Some days, like today, Maeve could swear she felt her grandmother’s presence in this house. Even over the roar of a power saw in her living room, she could almost hear Gram shuffling into the kitchen in her slippers and morning robe. “In for a penny, in for a pound,” Gram’s voice seemed to whisper in her ear. Maeve nodded to herself. “So, you want company?”
“Company for what?” Bess asked cautiously.
“For the ultrasound.”
“Really? You’d really go?”
“If my life is going to be infiltrated by the male sex, then I want to be the first to know.” Maeve forced a laugh. “I’m kidding, you know. Of course, I’d like to go. I’m not expected in the office till noon today, anyway.”
“I’d really love the company. I get so scared about these things. I’m always terrified they’re going to find something wrong.”
“All the more reason for me to come. Nothing goes wrong around me.”
“I’d love that then. Thanks.”
With that, Maeve felt the warm presence of her grandmother disappear, content with her granddaughter. Content and proud.
***
Several hundred calories later, Lacey stepped out of Edith’s house, stuffed with French toast and brimming with pleasure at the thought of her business cards being passed around among Edith’s decidedly wealthy friends. She had stayed longer than she had planned, but there was something so comforting in sharing that extra cup of coffee with Edith and talking about nothing in particular.
Her cell phone rang and she glanced at the number. “Hey, Maeve.”
“It’s a girl!”
“What?”
“It’s a girl! Bess’s baby is a girl!”
“That’s fabulous! Did she call you from the doctor’s?”
“No, I went to the doctor’s. Honest to God, Lacey, it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen the pictures from sonograms, but this was different. They had this 3-D imaging thing and I could actually see her move. I swear I think she smiled at me. And her feet. Oh, Lacey they are so tiny and precious. I can hardly wait to take her shoe shopping.”
Lacey laughed. “Is Bess there?”
“Well, of course she’s here. I wasn’t going to leave her there, was I?”
“Put her on.”
“Hey, Lacey.” Bess sounded exhausted.
“I bet you’re happy.”
“Happy, but even more relieved. I get so stressed out over these things. But she’s developing right on target. And a girl, too. I’m feeling pretty lucky. I think Maeve is even more excited than I am, though.”
“Of course she is. She gets to experience all this without the vomiting and aching knees and labor pain.”
“Of course. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I wish I had been there.”
“It’s okay. We have pictures. They even gave us a DVD of it, would you believe?”