Grace's eyes widened. Her shoulders tensed as her mouth fell agape.
Lyra rushed over to the couch and took Sorin back in her arms – she grabbed a toy before she placed her daughter on the floor.
She then squeezed her friend's shoulder. "Grace, are you pregnant?"
Tears filled her brown eyes. She slowly nodded as a sob escaped.
Lyra pulled her in for a hug. She continued to sob as she sank into the embrace.
When they pulled back, Lyra said, "Oh, Grace, I have a feeling those tears aren't just pregnancy hormones."
She wiped her eyes. "You know how much I love kids – and how I always imagined having a family with Liam – but it's too soon. I don't know if I can do this."
Lyra wrapped her in another hug. It cut short as Grace leapt up and made a beeline for the bathroom.
Lyra then scooped up her little girl before she followed her friend. Grace hunched over the toilet. She then looked up and shook her head.
"I'm okay, really. You don't have to check on me."
"I know. But we're friends, and I want to make sure you're really alright."
She then moved to the sink and wet a washcloth. She handed it to her.
Grace managed a smile. "Thank you." She then grabbed the washcloth and wiped her face before she flushed the toilet.
When she stood, Lyra offered a sympathetic expression. "I remember the morning sickness. It's not fun."
Grace only sighed as she nodded. She then ran her fingers through her hair.
"I think I need some warm - or better yet, hot - water. You two can just settle back on the couch."
"I'm actually thirsty, too. Mind if I get something for myself?"
A far-off look appeared in Grace's eyes. Lyra waved a hand in front of her face.
She jumped and stumbled back. Lyra's eyes widened as she reached to steady her.
"Grace, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
She waved her hand. "It's not your fault. I have a lot on my mind these days."
With another sigh, she then edged past Lyra and into the kitchen. She then furrowed her eyebrows.
She planted her hands on her hips as she turned toward the small hallway opening that connected the two rooms.
"Didn't you say you wanted something?"
Lyra joined her. "Only if it's not too much trouble – and I can make it myself."
Sorin squealed and wiggled in her mother's arms. Lyra giggled. "I know, sweetie. Mommy will let you play some more in just a few minutes."
"It'll actually probably be a little less than that," Grace supplied as she offered a glass. Lyra smiled as she took it.
When the pair settled back in the living room, Lyra grabbed more toys and a blanket so Sorin could play.
She then sipped on her lemonade before she took a deep breath.
"So, uh, how far along are you?"
Grace's eyes didn't meet hers. "Just over two months - ten weeks."
With a shake of her head, she returned with a question of her own: "I wanted to ask about Nolan's new job? Didn't he move precincts to be closer to home?"
Lyra furrowed her eyebrows. She then sighed and shook her head.
"Grace…I know this is hard, but you can't avoid it."
"Don't you think I know that? Between the prenatal vitamins, the doctor's appointments, the fact that my clothes are getting tighter, and that Liam is so overprotective! I can't ignore this no matter how much I want to!"
She buried her face in her hands. Lyra squeezed her shoulder and rubbed her arm. When Grace looked back up, tears streamed down her face.
"Oh, God, Lyra, I'm so sorry I snapped at you. Yes, I'm upset and stressed – but that's no excuse for yelling at you."
Lyra hugged her. She ran her hands up and down her back.
When they pulled away, she spoke, "I already have a pretty good idea of why you're feeling anxious, but do you want to talk about it?"
Grace sighed. "I'm just not ready for a baby. Liam and I haven't even been married for that long, and we're still settling into our lives together. I'm scared – scared that we're not gonna be good enough. That I'm not gonna be good enough."
The tears flowed once more. She wiped her eyes.
"It's just so much."
Lyra rubbed her back. "Have you talked to Liam about any of this?"
She nodded. "He wants the baby, but that doesn't mean he isn't any less terrified of what this actually means for us."
Grace then let out a huff. "If only I remembered to take my birth control pill like I should have, none of this would have happened."
She then started to pace. "Ugh – I know all the blame doesn't rest on me, but I-I just wish this hadn't happened."
She then sank back down into the couch. She rubbed her temples.
"I'm such a terrible person. How could I even say something like that?"
"Because you're scared – this changes everything, and you're not close to being ready for those changes."
Grace furrowed her eyebrows at the catch in her friend's throat. She squeezed her shoulder.
"Why do I get the feeling you're not just talking about me?"
Lyra leaned down and kissed her baby girl's forehead. "Let's just say that Sorin was Nolan and mine's unplanned miracle."
Grace's eyes widened. "Wait, really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
Lyra shook her head. She gestured before she explained, "The first time Nolan and I were together - on our wedding night - I got pregnant."
A blush spread across her cheeks. "I, uh, hadn't started my birth control yet – which was admittedly very thoughtless on my part – but by the time I realized it, I was already late, and I had morning sickness."
Grace sat in silence as she looked back and forth between her friend and the baby.
She then ran her fingers through her hair. "I guess I never stopped to think about the math…"
"Which is understandable," Lyra interjected with a grin. Grace smiled and shook her head.
She then continued, "But you - and Nolan - were both so incredibly happy and excited about Sorin. I never would have dreamed you were scared – not even for a moment."
"Believe me, we had our moments," Lyra admitted, "I mean, we had every fear and doubt that you and Liam are experiencing right now."
Grace gestured wildly as she questioned, "Then how did you go from that to this?" Her gaze then fell on the baby.
Lyra ran her fingers through her caramel hair. "I can tell you, but it's not exactly profound."
She only received a head tilt, so she clarified, "It really just took time and patience. And a lot of understanding on mine and Nolan's part."
Grace sighed and shook her head. She then buried her face in her hands.
"I don't know how Liam and I will get there."
She brought her eyes back up to Lyra's. "Don't get me wrong, I believe in us and our love – but this baby. It makes everything so complicated."
Lyra only nodded. A smile then formed across her face.
"But seeing - and feeling - your baby grow – and knowing that he or she is a beautiful symbol of the love that you and Liam share – is a happiness that can't be matched. And the fact that this little one is unexpected makes it all the more special."
Grace's hand wandered down to her stomach. "When you put it like that, I almost believe it's possible."
"And it can be," Lyra told her. She then took a deep breath. "If that's what you really want."
Grace took a deep breath of her own. "All of this makes me wish I was back at Serendipity with Louis and Jeannie – for a moment, I wasn't worried or stressed."
Lyra couldn't help but laugh. "They are a couple of characters, that's for sure – just like Mrs. Pam. I imagine it's just lots of laughter when you go to the diner."
Grace found herself laughing as well. "Oh, it definitely is. It's never a dull moment."
She then sobered. "But here lately, it's just been a distraction more than anything else."
Lyra rubbed her arm. "I know, I know." She then took a deep breath.
"You really do have to give yourself time, Grace. Time for the baby to grow and time to think about all the changes and what they all mean."
Grace nodded. "I know you're right – I just wish it wasn't so overwhelming."
Lyra hugged her. "You know I'm here whenever you need to talk – and I'll support you no matter what you decide."
Grace teared up as she nodded. "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Lyra squeezed her tighter. When they pulled away, she offered a smile.
"I'm so glad we're friends."
Grace offered a smile of her own. "Me too."
She then released a breath. "And now you can tell me all about that wedding you just did. It was so beautiful."
Lyra beamed. She then pulled out her phone and found the photos – her smile only grew as she told the stories behind each one.