Evelyn and Douglas stood next to the hospital bed as they cooed over the small bundle in Laura's arms.
Laura had finally gotten herself a good job and settled down with a nice young gentleman named Kenneth. He'd certainly been a good influence on her. She was making better choices in life and investing in things she could actually keep track of. In fact, Kenneth had been an accountant for a few years, so he, no doubt, helped her in that area. He was now working for a major banking company and Laura had been promoted to manager of one of the branches. She was doing very well for herself and Douglas was so proud that she'd finally found her way in life. Evelyn was proud of her as well. She was just as proud as she would have been had Laura been her own daughter.
In fact, Laura had, in past months, taken to calling Evelyn "Evie", which Douglas assured her meant she'd officially become part of the family. When Laura told them the big news, Douglas couldn't believe his ears. He sat in stunned silence for about five minutes before he found his voice again.
About 7 months prior…
"So Laura… how are things going at work?"
"Fine… except we've got a new intern who can't figure out the computers, so we've basically just kept her in the mailing room until one of us can find the patience to go over the database with her again."
Evelyn smiled. "I'm sure she'll catch on sooner or later."
"Hopefully," Laura sighed. She smiled as Evelyn set her plate in front of her. She'd made her favorite dish to celebrate her promotion to manager. "Thanks, Evie."
Evelyn looked up sharply.
"You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"
Evelyn shook her head. "No. I just haven't heard that nickname since I was a girl."
"If you don't want-"
"No. It's alright. I like it," Evelyn smiled and sat down next to Douglas.
"Well, that makes it official," he smiled.
"What?"
"You've been granted a nickname. You're officially part of the family. You can't be rid of us now," he winked.
"I wouldn't want to be," she leaned over and kissed him gently and Laura giggled.
"Clearly the Paris romance hasn't left either one of you."
"I think it's sweet," Kenneth smiled at the couple over the table.
Evelyn smiled back. "Thank you, Kenneth."
"Oh wait… you don't have a nickname, dad."
"Doug, maybe?" Kenneth tilted his head. "Doug and Evie. Could work..."
Douglas rolled his eyes. "That makes us sound like one of those old couples on a seaside postcard."
Evelyn chucked. "It does a bit."
"Alright…" Laura paused. "Well, what about granddad and nana?"
Evelyn was about to take a bite of her food when her fork froze in midair.
"What?"
Laura couldn't help the smile creeping across her face. Evelyn dropped her fork with a clatter.
"Are you…?" she trailed off. Laura nodded. "Oh my god!"
She squealed and leapt out of her seat to hug Laura and Kenneth. She couldn't stop herself giggling with excitement.
"How long have you known?"
"We only confirmed it last week. We thought since we were coming round to dinner anyway, it might be an opportune time to tell you." Kenneth smiled and Evelyn hugged him again.
Evelyn looked across the table at Douglas. "Darling, say something."
Douglas just looked back and forth between Laura and Kenneth.
"So… you're telling me… that you're pregnant?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"Yes, dad. You're not angry, are you?"
"I'm going to be a grandfather?"
Laura nodded.
Douglas sat in silence for a few more seconds and then he began to laugh.
"I'm going to be a grandfather!" He leapt up and hugged the two of them before kissing his wife. Evelyn laughed and hugged him.
"So you're not angry?" Laura asked.
"No! Of course not!" he laughed and bent down to kiss the top of her head.
They all got settled at the table again and Evelyn began asking them all sorts of questions; if they'd thought of baby names yet, were they hoping for a boy or a girl, would they let her help decorate the nursery.
Evelyn and Douglas had flown back to England during the last months of Laura's pregnancy to help her along. They were able to get a small flat quite near where Laura and Kenneth lived so they wouldn't have to impose on the couple, but they could easily come over when they needed to.
Evelyn smiled down at the squirming little bundle in Laura's arms. She couldn't believe how quickly time had flown. It seemed like they'd only just heard the news yesterday, and now here they were, with a new grandchild to welcome into the world. Evelyn giggled as the baby yawned and it's little nose wrinkled.
They all looked up as Kenneth came back into the room with his scrubs still on, holding an ice pack to his forehead.
Evelyn bit her lip to stop herself laughing and turned her focus back to the baby. Douglas patted him on the back when he came near enough.
"You did well, son."
"Yes and he only fainted once," Evelyn smirked and then gasped as the baby grabbed her index finger.
Kenneth stepped closer and looked down at his new daughter, Emily. They'd chosen a name beginning with "E" in honor of Evelyn, who'd been so helpful throughout the whole process.
"She's so tiny," he cooed.
"For someone so tiny, she sure packed a lot of pain. But it was worth it." Laura smiled down at her baby, who'd finally relinquished her hold on Evelyn's finger and had grabbed on to her mother's hospital gown instead. "I didn't call you any horrible names back there, did I?"
Kenneth shrugged and gently moved the blanket away from his daughter's face to have a better look.
"No more than usual."
"Good." Laura smiled and tilted her head upward to kiss her husband.
A familiar voice drifted in from the doorway of the hospital room.
"Well it looks like everyone's here."
Evelyn froze at the sound.
She felt Douglas turn and since she was in his arms, she had no choice but to move with him. She kept her eyes fixed on the floor for a moment. She silently hoped she was just getting old and was beginning to hear things. But she knew she couldn't be so lucky.
She slowly raised her gaze to see Jean standing in the doorway of the hospital room.