"I know we need to keep going to these appointments – but I feel stressed every time we step foot in this clinic. And that can't be good for the baby."
Grace sighed as Liam ran his hands up and down her back.
Before he could reassure her, the nurse walked into the room. She offered a bright smile.
"Hello, you two. Are you ready to see how baby Jones is doing?"
The couple each took a deep breath. Grace slowly nodded. "Sure. Let's, uh, see him or her."
The nurse nodded. She then pointed at the table on which Grace sat.
"If you'll just lie back and pull up your shirt, I'll spread the gel."
The red-head nodded once more before she did as asked. Liam squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead.
The nurse ran the wand over Grace's stomach. A black and white image soon appeared on the monitor.
"And there's your little one."
"And he - or she - is perfectly healthy. Along with mom," Dr. Rose added as she shuffled into the room. A smile made its way on her face.
Grace and Liam's eyes were glued to the image. They struggled to reconcile the life sitting before them.
She then shook her head and focused on the doctor. "That really is good news. I'm glad they're okay."
"And they'll keep growing until they're ready to meet you," the nurse commented as she wiped the gel from Grace's stomach.
Her brown eyes widened as Liam scratched behind his ear. Dr. Rose sent the nurse to make a copy of the ultrasound.
She then regarded the young couple and took a deep breath. "I can see by your reactions that you two still have some decisions to make."
Grace's eyes flitted downward as Liam ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed.
"The baby was - is - very unexpected. We're still trying to wrap our heads around it."
A look of sympathy crossed the doctor's features. "I do understand. And I will be here every step of the way and offer support however I can."
A small smile appeared on Grace's face. "Thank you – we really do appreciate it." The doctor nodded.
She then said, "Despite those reservations, I'm happy to see that you are taking care of yourself and the baby. I hope you'll keep doing it."
Liam supplied, "She will – regardless of what happens, we still want the baby to be healthy."
Dr. Rose smiled. "Well, unless you two have any questions or concerns, that's all for this visit. And just remember, I'm always here if you need anything."
The couple sounded off "thank you"'s before the doctor left the room. When they were alone, Grace groaned and fell back on the table.
She covered her face with her arms. "Is this ever going to get any easier?"
"It is still early in the pregnancy, so yeah, it will."
Grace sat up and raised an eyebrow at him. "I don't know if you're trying to convince me or yourself."
He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I think it's probably both." He then gestured toward the door.
"Ready to head out?"
The red-head nodded. She then stood before he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She laced their fingers together before they made their way out of the clinic.
Liam parked Grace's car a few blocks away from Serendipity. She couldn't help but smile as she read the sign.
"Couldn't resist dessert, could you?"
He grinned. "Actually, I thought you might have a craving for some frozen hot chocolate."
His eyes widened. "Uh, "craving" isn't quite what I meant. I mean, I did – but it now kind of has a different meaning."
Grace caressed his cheek. "I know what you meant – and I appreciate it." He smiled at her.
They then stepped onto the sidewalk. As they neared the ice cream shop, they jumped and tripped over their feet.
"Gracie! Liam! What are you two's doing here?"
The red-head turned to her husband. "You know, I would think I'd be used to it by now."
He only chuckled as Louis and Jeannie approached them. Louis clapped Liam on the shoulder. "You two got a hankering for that fancy hot chocolate?"
Jeannie rolled her eyes. "It ain't fancy – it's just frozen. We could probably pull it off, too, you know."
"We can't be copying Serendipity. It's famous."
"I didn't say we'd copy them – I just said we could do it."
"Yeah, yeah." Louis waved his hand at her before he turned his attention back to Liam and Grace.
"So, what does bring you guys here?"
The couple exchanged a glance. Grace released a breath. "We just had a few errands to run, and we wanted some dessert afterwards."
Louis and Jeannie nodded. She then surmised, "I could go for some ice cream. It's been pretty warm lately."
With an eye roll, Louis told her, "We live in New York. It don't get that hot – I don't know why you always complaining."
She planted her hands on her hips. "Well, you's can stand out here and enjoy the weather. I'm gettin' ice cream."
Liam and Grace couldn't help but chuckle as she drew her focus to them, her eyes wide. "Unless this is a date? Then we can just leave and find something else to do."
Jeannie tugged on Louis's hand when Liam reassured them, "It's not a date. You two can hang out with us."
"In that case, a hot fudge sundae is calling my name." Louis rubbed his hands together before he walked inside, with Jeannie trailing along behind him.
Liam and Grace smiled and shook their heads before they followed their friends inside.
Louis met them near the counter. He explained, "Jeannie's finding us a table. Thought it'd make things easier."
"I think I might join her," Grace began as she rubbed her arms, "Do you know what to get?"
Liam cocked an eyebrow. He then crossed his arms. "No. I was just gonna wing it and hope for the best."
She rolled her eyes while he chuckled. He then kissed her cheek.
"Of course I know your favorite. Go sit – I'll take of it."
She couldn't help but smile before she turned and headed toward the tables. She stopped until she saw Jeannie waving her over.
She sat across from her in the booth. Jeannie rested her chin in her hands. "I was just thinking –
none of us have seen your house yet. We'll have to pop by for a visit."
Grace smiled. "You guys would all be more than welcome." She then laughed. "But I'm pretty sure Mrs. Pam would insist on making dinner for all of us."
Jeannie shook her head. "You ain't kidding about that. But we wouldn't know what to do without her."
Grace folded her arms on the table. "I've always wondered what your family is like – you're considerably quieter than everyone else."
She chuckled. She then crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't know, the longer Louis and I are married, the louder I get – and the thicker this Brooklyn accent gets."
"I know what you mean. Liam's dad is English, so lots of "bloody hell"'s are dropped. I found myself saying it the other day."
"Family'll do it to ya." With a tilt of her head, she then commented, "But the two of you been glued to each other's sides since you were kids, right? Although, you two still seem like kids to me."
Grace giggled. "I think everyone seems like a kid to you. No matter the actual age difference."
With a shrug, Jeannie offered, "Mrs. Pam says I'm an old soul." She then smiled, earning one in return.
Louis and Liam then joined them, desserts in hand. The former then spoke, "I think our sweet tooth will be happy after this."
Chuckles ensued. The guys then slid into the booth and handed out the desserts.
Louis took a bite of his sundae before he waved his spoon at Grace. "Liam was trying to tell me somethin', but it's about him so he don't know. That's why I'm gonna ask you."
Liam rolled his eyes while Grace tilted her head. "Alright, sure. What is it?"
"He says because of the big age difference, he and Anna Elizabeth always got along."
Grace cut her eyes toward her husband and raised an eyebrow. He shook his head.
"I said we got along most of the time, not all of it."
"That I can vouch for – you did annoy and embarrass her sometimes. And I think we all know that your temper can be volatile."
Louis clapped his hands. "I knew it! You's know I love my baby brother, but he drove me crazy."
Jeannie hummed as she swallowed. "You two still get along like cats and dogs some days."
"I think that's true of any family though. That closeness can also mean it's easier to push buttons because you know each other so well."
"And in the case of our family, those buttons mean yelling across the restaurant."
Louis opened his mouth to refute but shrugged instead. "I can't really argue with that."
Laughter then bursted out around the table. As they sobered, a familiar voice spoke, "I knew I recognized those laughs."
Louis beamed. "Tony! Where ya been? Ain't seen you in the restaurant in a while."
The older man rubbed the back of his head. "My middle boy's marriage broke up, so he moved him and the kids back from upstate. Been getting them settled."
"Oh, I'm sorry about Danny! Give him our love, won't you?" Jeannie offered. Tony nodded, a small smile crossing his features.
He then gestured back toward the counter. "Let me grab some sweets for the kids. I'll bring everyone by soon."
He waved goodbye before he left them. Jeannie sighed. "That's awful about Danny – I hope things look up soon. Really puts things in perspective, don't it?"
"Look at you's being sentimental," Louis teased. She shook her head before he kissed her cheek.
"I's just kiddin' ya. It really does make me appreciate how lucky I am."
He leaned over, and she met him for a sweet kiss. Liam and Grace couldn't help but smile as they caught each other's stare.
They entwined their fingers before they shared a kiss of their own. Liam cupped the back of her head with his free hand.
When they pulled away, Liam placed his thumb under her chin. "You know, the longer we're together, the less I care about PDA. Which is really saying something."
Grace only giggled – but she couldn't help the sigh that escaped. "I just wish…"
She then shook her head. "Never mind, I'm fine. Really, I am."
Liam squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead. He lowered his voice so only she could hear.
"We can make an excuse if you want. I know Louis and Jeannie would understand."
She shook her head. She opened her mouth to speak when Louis let out a whistle.
"I guess we all actin' like newlyweds, ain't we?"
Jeannie shook her head while Liam and Grace laughed. The former then tapped her fingers against her chin.
"And Cody and Rikki will be joining us pretty soon – if Mrs. Pam don't drive 'em up the wall first."
Liam and Grace chuckled while Louis rolled his eyes. He gestured with his spoon.
"Ma ain't that bad, and she means well. She just wants everything to be perfect."
Grace swallowed her chocolatey treat before she spoke, "I know we appreciated the help with our wedding – especially since our parents are seven hours away."
Liam hummed before he added, "Yeah, Phillip and Mrs. Aurora…" He trailed off and scratched behind his ear.
"Uh, I mean Aurora - couldn't stop saying how grateful they were to her for looking out for Grace."
"For both of us, really," she added with a smile as she squeezed his arm.
He smiled back before Jeannie teased, "And we're back to the two of you being glued to each other's sides since you were kids."
Liam couldn't help but chuckle. "Can't say I ever thought my elementary teacher would be my mother-in-law."
He earned laughter in response. Louis ate a few bites of his sundae before he surmised, "Well, you know, that's how life can be sometimes. It throws ya curve balls."
Grace swallowed thickly as Liam stared down into the hot chocolate. Jeannie tilted her head while Louis raised an eyebrow. The pair then shared a look.
He then asked, "You two okay? Didn't know if I should say nothin', but you been acting a little different lately. And Ma's been even more Ma than usual."
Liam's gaze fell on Grace, whose hand moved to her stomach. She then locked eyes with him and shook her head.
He cleared his throat and scratched behind his ear. "Just been a little under the weather lately. Nothing to worry about."
Grace squeezed his hand before Jeannie narrowed her eyes. "You sure that's all it is?"
The red-head managed a smile. "Of course! Everything's okay."
Jeannie stared at her. She then nodded, seemingly satisfied.
The four of them then continued sipping on frozen hot chocolate and eating ice cream sundaes.