"What kind of decisions, Syd?" Jack asked once he and Elizabeth were alone with Syd. He hoped she didn't mean that she wanted to leave. He needed her and that grandbaby.
"Don't worry, Daddy. I promised I was staying here and I meant it." He sighed and waited for her to continue. "I want to start online classes this fall. I want to be a Counselor."
"That's pretty ambitious, Sweetheart."
"I can do it, Daddy. I know I can."
"I know you can too. I didn't mean you couldn't. I just know it may be difficult once the baby comes."
"I know. I also know that I have six months to finish my first semester. I'm not worried that it may take me longer than most to get my degree." She smiled and walked over to Jack. "What do you think?"
"I think we should go buy you a laptop."
"Really?" He nodded and she wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you. I will make you proud."
"I'm already proud, sweetheart."
Jack and Syd left to get a laptop for her. "Are you hungry, Syd?"
"Always."
"Let's go get some lunch."
"Ok." She smiled and looked out the window.
They pulled into Abigail's parking lot. "They have good sandwiches and soup here. Does that sound good?"
"Yes, it does." She didn't tell him that she used to come there with Gavin when they would sneak out to see each other. She decided that would remain her secret.
As they stood in line, some of Syd's former classmates stepped up behind her and Jack.
"Do you think it's true?" the one girl whispered. "She's pregnant?"
"I can't believe it. Doesn't she know what she's doing to her family's reputation?" the other girl whispered back.
"Apparently she didn't care about that," the first girl responded.
Jack heard the girls whispering and he noticed Syd's reaction to it. She had been happy, but now, her shoulders dropped and tears were threatening to fall. He put his arm around her shoulders and rubbed her arm. "Its ok. Just ignore them."
"Who's the new guy? He looks awfully old for her."
Syd turned around and glared. It was almost comical but she didn't want to laugh. "The new guy is my father! I made a bad choice. Didn't either of you ever do something you wish you hadn't?"
"Sure, but we know enough not to ruin our lives," the first girl said.
"I didn't ruin my life. I could never believe that my own child is a mistake. I may have embarrassed my family, but they forgave me, even if I didn't deserve it."
"I'm proud of you, Syd. So very proud. You are not an embarrassment to me, by any means." He dried her tears and hugged her. "Do you want to go somewhere else?"
"No, I'll just ignore these two now." She turned back around and looked at the menu.
The rest of the afternoon was enjoyable. They found a good laptop and printer for a lot less money than Jack expected. So instead of stopping there, they went to a clothing store to get her some "cool" maternity clothes.
She found a sundress, a handful of shirts, a pair of jeans and some sweatpants to wear around the house.
They wandered over to the baby clothes, just to look, but walked out with some pale green sleepers and onesies.
As they were walking out, she felt a flutter in her tummy. She stopped to see if she would feel it again. She put her hand on her tummy and waited. "Syd. Are you ok?"
"Yeah. I just felt something."
"What did it feel like?"
"Like a butterfly, it kind of tickled."
"I think that was the baby moving. Your Mom said that's what it felt like with you and Liam."
"Wow. I can't wait to feel it again." She kept her hand on her stomach for the rest of the afternoon hoping to feel it again.
Jack smiled at her as they drove. His beautiful baby girl, pregnant with a baby of her own. Not the ideal situation but he planned to make it as easy as possible for her. It was his grandchild in there, moving around.
He couldn't wait to meet him or her.
When they got home, Jack carried her bags to her room for her. Syd walked up and smiled. "Thank you, Daddy. I could have just used your computer."
"You're welcome. I wanted to buy it for you."
"Thank you for my clothes too."
"Well, you're still my daughter and I didn't want you busting out of your clothes, pun intended."
"Daddy!" she laughed, poking him in the stomach.
"Well, it's true. Just you wait. Oh, and when you sign up for your classes, let me know. I'll give you money."
"Dad, I can pay for my first semester."
"No, baby. I was going to pay for college anyway. It doesn't matter if it's online or in a classroom."
"I don't deserve all this."
"Yes, you do. You deserve the world, Syd, and so does that baby in there."
SIX WEEKS LATER
October rolled around. With that came Syd's eighteenth birthday. Her parents asked her what she wanted, but she insisted on nothing. They had done more than enough lately. She didn't need a party or any presents.
One morning, Syd was online doing her class work for her prerequisite studies. She was regularly feeling the baby move now and next week, she would find out the sex of the baby.
"Syd?" Charlotte peeked in the door.
"Hi, Grams. Come in."
"Sorry to bug you, sweetie. I just wanted to say goodbye."
"Oh, you're leaving?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that I've overstayed my welcome."
"I'm sure that's not true."
"It is, ask your mother."
"Mom loves you."
"And I love her, but even I know when I'm too much for someone." Syd stood up and hugged her Grams.
"I'll miss you."
"I will be back when it's time for that baby to come." She handed her an envelope. "Just a little something to help out."
"Grams," she protested.
"Nonsense. It's a gift. I know you'll put it to good use."
After Charlotte walked out, Syd looked in the envelope. "Oh my." It was a check for five hundred dollars. She slipped the check in her purse to take to the bank later.
Jack walked into his and Elizabeth's bedroom and heard crying. "Honey?" She was in the bathroom sitting on the edge of the tub. "What's wrong?"
"I thought I was…but I wasn't. I was just late." She wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
"Honey, we have to give it time."
"Its been almost five months."
"I know. I'm sorry you're upset." He knelt in front of her and hugged her. "Wanna go out tonight?"
"Like a date?"
"Yeah. We'll get all dressed up and go to Collin's. How does that sound?"
"Sure." She dried her tears and stood up.
"Honey, it'll happen and when it does, it will be perfect. Don't worry."
She nodded and went over to put cold water on her face. She stared at herself in the mirror and saw dark circles under her red-rimmed eyes. She had tiny lines around her eyes too, although somehow Jack made his look sexy. Thankfully, no gray hair yet. Was she too old for this? To start over again? She was going to be a grandmother in a few short months after all.
Syd walked in. "Mom?"
"Hey, babe. How are you doing?"
"Ok. Hey, are you crying?"
"Don't worry. Everything's ok."
"Mom, you can tell me, you know. I'll listen."
"Its ok, sweetie." Syd's eyes looked toward the counter.
"Mom, did you take a pregnancy test?"
"Yeah." She picked up the box and the test and threw it away. "I thought I may be pregnant, but it's negative."
"So you didn't get your period?"
"No. I guess I'm just late."
"Maybe not."
"What do you mean?" It was funny that her eighteen year old daughter was telling her about pregnancy tests.
"I read about it. It might just be too soon for the test to pick up on the hormones. You could be pregnant. I would take another one in like a week."
"Yeah, maybe." She hoped Syd was right.
THE NEXT WEEK
Syd and Elizabeth made their way to the clinic to get an ultrasound. Her doctor, Dr. Rose was very sweet. She didn't judge her for being young and unmarried. She answered all the questions she threw at her. She made it a pleasant experience to go to the doctor.
"Good morning, ladies," Dr. Rose said, as they walked in the office.
"Good morning, Dr. Rose," Elizabeth said.
"How are you, sweetie?" she asked Syd.
"Nervous, but mostly excited." She had the strongest feeling the baby was a boy. She didn't know why, but she just felt it.
"Did you drink enough water before you came in?"
"Yes, and I really need to pee."
"I'm sure you do. Nurse Carter, why don't you show Miss Thornton to the room so she can change?"
"Of course. Hi Sydney. I'm Faith. Let's go, sweetie."
Thirty minutes later, Syd was lying back on the table, watching the screen next to her, as the ultrasound tech moved the wand over her tummy.
"Ok, Syd. Do you see your baby?"
"Yeah. It's so tiny. I'm at twenty weeks. So the book I found online says he's about the length of a banana?"
"That's right. You said he. Do you have a feeling it's a boy?"
"Yeah, plus it feels weird to say 'it.'"
The technician moved the wand against her tummy and smiled. "You want to know the gender, right?"
"Yes, please." She squeezed Elizabeth's hand and smiled.
"Looks like you were correct. It's a boy. Congratulations!"
"Noah," she whispered.
Elizabeth couldn't hold back her tears. Her grandson was there, on the screen, kicking and moving. "His name is Noah?"
"Yeah. I love that name. What do you think? Noah William, after Gramps."
"He will love that. Make sure you call him later and tell him, ok?"
"I will."
On the way home, Elizabeth took Syd to Baby's R Us. Syd wanted to go so she could pick out a crib. Her first purchase with her own money for the baby.
"How am I going to choose?"
"Well, can I make a suggestion?"
"Yes, please."
"We didn't have these for you and Liam, but I would get a crib that will turn into a toddler bed when he's old enough. It will save you a bunch of money."
"That's a great idea, Mom. Thank you."
By the time they left the store, they had bought the dark cherry wood crib that converted to a toddler bed.
Elizabeth ordered a matching dresser and changing table when Syd had gone to use the bathroom.
BACK AT THE THORNTONS
Jack looked up as Syd and Elizabeth walked in. "Well? Is it a girl?"
"It's a boy, Daddy. His name is Noah William Thornton."
"A grandson. Imagine that. Papa Jack will have a grandson."
"Papa?"
"Yes. No Grandpa or Gramps for me, baby girl. Papa."
"Ok, then. Papa it is."
Elizabeth waited until Jack stopped daydreaming to speak. "Sweetie, can you bring the crib in from the truck?"
"Sure, babe."
When he brought the crib in, he went into the spare room which was going to be the nursery. He sat on the floor to put it together. Two hours later, he was done. "Elizabeth, Sydney. Come in here please!"
"Oh, that looks wonderful, Dad. Thank you."
"My pleasure. Now if you can tell me where you want it to go, I will move it."
Syd looked around the room. She pointed where the dresser and the changing table would go. "So, I guess, this wall would be perfect for the crib."
He stood up and moved it where she pointed. "There."
"Wait, Honey. I have a suggestion," Elizabeth said.
"Ok, go ahead."
"Can you move it about five feet this way?"
"Sure, but why?"
"Well, we need room for the other crib."
"Ok." He started to move it and then stopped. "Is she having twins?"
"No."
"Then, that means that you….?"
"Yes." She nodded and screamed as he picked her up and twirled her around the room. He put her down and smiled. "Are you happy, Jack?"
He nodded and then kissed her over and over again.
"Congratulations!" Syd said as she watched her parents, a tiny bit jealous that her experience hadn't been quite so happy, but she had no regrets.
THAT NIGHT
Elizabeth slept easily that night. She was in her very early stages of pregnancy so she was easily tired.
She didn't experience nausea yet, but that would come soon, she knew.
She had wanted this for so long, and now she'd have it and she was going to love every minute of it.
Every ache and pain, the countless trips to the bathroom, no matter the reason. The cravings, the growing stomach. Everything meant so much and she was very grateful.
She moved in her sleep and Jack pulled her close. What a day it had been. Finding out he was having a grandson and a child of his own. It certainly didn't happen very often.
He kissed her lips, softly so as not to wake her up. She needed her rest more than ever now.
"Jack?"
"Shhh. Sleep, babe."
"Did you kiss me?"
"Yes, sorry. I tried not to wake you."
"Don't ever apologize for kissing me." She rolled onto her side and put her head on his chest. "Love you."
"Love you."
THE NEXT MORNING
Jack woke up early to make breakfast. Liam apparently had the same idea because he was in the kitchen setting the table.
"Hey, Dad."
"Hey. You're up early."
"It's a school day and I figured with two pregnant women in the house, we might have to fend for ourselves."
"Good thought. More accurately, we need to fend for them. They will need us to care for them now, more than ever."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, for instance, eggs are out of the menu for at least the next few months. Just the smell of them can make a pregnant woman run to the bathroom."
"Really?"
"Yep. Bacon and coffee too. Sometimes other things can trigger it too. When your Mom was pregnant with you, pickles were all she wanted, but she couldn't stand tuna fish."
"Pickles huh? We should buy a lot of those."
"Maybe, but they may make her throw up this time. We just have to see what happens."
Syd walked in, her tummy now pronounced under her t-shirt.
"Morning."
"Morning, sweetie." He kissed the top of her head and smiled. "How is Noah this morning?"
"Sleeping now. He was pretty active last night."
Liam brought her a mug. "Decaf is almost ready, sis."
"Thank you, Liam. Do we have any leftover steak from last night? Oh, and mashed potatoes?"
"Steak for breakfast?"
"Yeah…like steak and eggs, minus the disgusting eggs."
"I'll heat it up for you."
"Thanks."
Fifteen minutes later, Liam brought her food. "I made it into a potato pancake and then heated the steak in the pan too."
"That was sweet. Who are you and what did you do with my annoying little brother?"
"I want to take care of you and mom."
Her hormones brought tears streaming down her face. "Liam, I appreciate that."
"Don't cry. I wasn't trying to make you upset."
"Just hormones, Liam," Jack told him. "Babies cause lots of changes in pregnant women, including giving them the magical ability to cry at the drop of a hat."
"Ok, no eggs, maybe no coffee, they may cry and might crave pickles, or not. Good grief, how will I remember all this?"
"You're doing good so far."
THAT AFTERNOON
"I'm not tired Aunt Libby," Quinn whined.
"Well, I am. I need you to try, please." She picked him up so he could lay down next to Connor.
"Libby, seep?" Rylee asked, her arms up.
"Yes, Sweet pea. Time to sleep." She walked out of the room, shut the door, and sat in the recliner with Rylee in her arms.
"Song?"
"Ok." Elizabeth picked the lullaby she always sang, and soon, they were both sleeping sound. Until the bell jingled. She looked over at Quinn and Connor, both staring at her.
"Boys? Why are you awake?" She used her free hand to ask Connor.
"I'm not tired," Quinn replied.
Elizabeth was exhausted but she couldn't sleep if they were awake. She stood up and put Rylee in the playpen.
"Boys, how about we watch a movie?"
"Yeah! Legos!" Quinn said excitedly.
"Ok, but you have to lay down and watch it." She waited until the boys were settled in the guest room/nursery on the bed and then she turned the movie on. She shut the door again and sat back on the recliner to close her eyes.
What seemed like five minutes later, Syd walked in causing the front door to jingle. Elizabeth's eyes popped open. "Hi, Mom."
"Hey."
"Sorry I woke you."
"That's ok."
"Do you need help with anything?"
"I really just need to sleep."
"Go lay down. I'll watch the kids if they wake up."
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth hesitated to put all her responsibility on Syd.
"Yeah, of course. It'll be good practice plus you need your rest."
"I only need an hour. Wake me up at four, ok?"
"Of course."
"If you need help, please wake me up."
"Mom, don't worry. It'll be fine."
"Thank you, so much."
Two hours later, Elizabeth wandered out of her bedroom. "Syd?"
"Yeah, Mom. In the nursery."
She walked in and smiled. Syd was sitting on the bed, watching Finding Dory with all three kids, a bowl of popcorn and Rylee in her lap.
Connor looked up and smiled, making the sign for popcorn. "I see," she signed back.
"You didn't wake me up," she mentioned.
"I tried, but you didn't hear me, so I let you sleep. Besides we are doing just fine."
"Yes, I see. I guess I just don't want to put my responsibility on you. It's not your daycare."
"No, but I'm sure I owe you for something." She smiled and kissed Rylee on her forehead.
THE NEXT DAY
Elizabeth heard a knock on the door, but no jingle. It was time for Lee to drop Rylee off but he normally just walked in. She stood up and opened the door. "Mom, Dad? What are you doing here?"
"We are here to visit," Grace Thatcher said simply.
"Oh, ok, well, come in."
She kissed her father and hugged her mother. "It's good to see you. How have you been?"
"Just fine, dear. Where is everyone?"
"Liam left for school about ten minutes ago, Jack is getting dressed, and Syd is doing schoolwork."
Elizabeth looked up as Lee and Rylee knocked and then walked in. "Libby! Yay!" Rylee ran up and held her arms out to be picked up.
"Hi, sweetie. How are you this morning?"
"Libby, eat?"
"You're hungry?" She looked up at Lee.
"She refused to eat breakfast this morning. She kept saying, "Libby eat."
"Lee, you remember my parents William and Grace, right?"
"Yes, Lee Coulter. Nice to see you both."
Jack walked in the room and paused. "Oh, William, Grace, good to see you. What a surprise." He hugged them both.
"Don't you look handsome, Jack," Grace said.
"Thank you," he replied.
Elizabeth busied herself getting cereal for Rylee. "Want Cheerios?"
"E-Os, E-Os! Ya pease." She smiled and clapped her hands.
Elizabeth had Rylee on her hip and Cheerios in her hand when Jack walked over. "Bye babe. Talk to you at lunch, ok?"
"Ok." He kissed her and smiled.
"Love you."
"Kiss kiss!" Rylee said, watching Libby and Jack. Jack kissed Rylee's nose.
"Bye sweet pea."
"Jack, I agree. You look handsome," Elizabeth whispered, kissing him again.
"Beth, there are children present," Grace said.
"Well, yes, this is a daycare, Mother."
"Yes, so maybe your displays of affection should be held until later?"
"There is nothing wrong with kissing my husband goodbye. Kids need to see that people love each other. It's better than the opposite, don't you think?"
Lee raised his eyebrows at Jack and motioned to the door. "Bye, everyone," Jack said as they walked out the door.
Elizabeth put Rylee in her chair and poured Cheerios on her tray. "Here you go, bugaboo."
Rylee smiled and made the sign for "Thank you."
"Good job!" Elizabeth told her.
She sat down at the table and looked at her parents. "So what's the real reason you're here, all the way from Boston?"