CHAPTER 21

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Sue decided to take Levi for a walk in the park once they got home. Levi was very happy to see his friend Daisy. She was with Sam's daughter Debbie. The two chatted for a few minutes, and then Sue and Levi were on their way. Sue wanted to take a walk and think. She wandered, aimlessly for a while until she happened upon a little "mom and pop" store. After glancing in the window, she decided to stop in. Once inside, she noticed there were lots of baby trinkets. It made her smile to think she would need these things before the end of summer next year. Lost in thought, she didn't notice the woman who had approached her. Levi alerted Sue to the woman standing on the side of her.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. Lost in my own thoughts I guess." Sue said, blushing.

"I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to startle you. Can I help you find something?" The kind old lady asked.

"Not really. I was just walking and saw your store. I thought I would stop in and see what you have. There are some beautiful things here." Sue commented.

"Thank you. When are you due?" The woman asked.

"Excuse me?" Sue asked.

"The baby, when are you due?" She asked again.

"June 27th. How did you know I'm pregnant? I've only told one person." Sue said, stunned that she knew about the baby.

"Oh, Hon, I've dealt with pregnant ladies for 50 years. I can tell when they're just pregnant. I can tell before they even know, sometimes. I can even tell what the baby is… well, sometimes. I am wrong occasionally." The woman laughed.

"But, how?" Sue asked.

"God gave me this ability, I don't ask how. I can usually tell when you're glowing as much as you are. This baby is truly a blessing for you." She said.

"Babies are gifts from God. I'm blessed to have this one on the way." Sue agreed. "I've always heard it's bad luck to buy something for the baby before the first trimester has passed. What do you think?" Sue asked the older woman.

"My thought has always been, if you see something special you want for that baby, get it. If you wait until it's "safe" it might not be there. Now, if you're talking about clothing and a crib… I would wait until you're a few more months along. There's really no rush for those things." She smiled at Sue, took her hand in her own, and told her everything would work out, and this would be a blessed baby. "Babies are good things my dear." She said as she let go of Sue's hand and walked away. "If you need any help, please let me know."

After a few minutes of browsing the shelves, Sue found the most perfect thing to get for the baby. It was a handcrafted angel that can hang from a shelf, but was made for a light string. The woman wished her well as she left with her treasure.

Once at home, Sue made some dinner for herself and Lucy. She sat on the couch and unwrapped the angel. Sue decided at that point she would write to Jack in his book every day, to give him updates on everything that was going on with her pregnancy and tell him how their baby was developing and changing. Lucy came in later than expected, carrying a bag. She handed the decorative bag Sue with a big smile plastered across her face.

"What smells so good?" Lucy asked.

"I made dinner. What's this?" Sue asked.

"Just a little something… Open it." Lucy said.

Sue opened the bag and took out a big scrapbook. The front had baby colors and prints of blocks, little hands, and rattles. Inside the front cover was a picture of Sue dated 11/1, and on the bottom of that page was a picture of the pregnancy test that said "pregnant" dated 11/26.

"It's a memory book. You put all your memories in here from the pregnancy. Everything you can remember, the big things that happen. The firsts go here too… first time you hear her heart beat, feel him move, first sonogram… everything. This way you can show Jack."

"This is great Luc, thank you." Sue said.

"So… are you going to talk to D tomorrow? Lucy asked.

"Yeah, I'm going to have to. That's going to just stink. We're already short 2, now I'm out… pretty soon, they're going to make you go out with the team!" Sue said jokingly.

"Oh, I don't think so!" Lucy said, laughing. "So, want to rent a movie and get some pizza? Or do you have another odd craving?" Lucy began. "Please, ONE request! NO BROCOLLI!" Lucy asked. Both women laughed.