Elizabeth stared out the window, a hand on her stomach. She could feel the baby against her hand. It wasn't moving yet, but she could feel her little one inside of her. She smiled slightly, cradling her child as best she could.
It had been a week since she found out about the miscarriage, and her emotions were incredibly varied. She felt a strong sadness that she would never meet one of her children, grief that their little one had been lost. She felt relief that the other baby was strong and healthy, happiness to know that she hadn't lost them both. She tried not to dwell on her sadness when it came over her, wanting to be strong for the surviving twin. Most of the time she was okay, but sometimes what could have been swept over her so strongly, she had to let herself cry.
A cry pierced the air. Elizabeth turned from the window. Though she let herself feel the sadness, she also had two baby girls depending on her to care for them. She was thankful for their sweet smiles and their neediness. Knowing they needed her helped pull her out of her grief.
She walked to the twins' room. Arianna was gripping the bars of her crib, tears rolling down her cheeks. Elizabeth picked up her, kissing her gently. "What's the matter, baby?" An odor reached her nose, telling her the baby needed to be changed. She carried her to the changing table and quickly got her into a clean diaper. "There. That's better, isn't it?" She glanced over at Cecilia's crib, noting that her other daughter wasn't in it. Picking up Arianna, Elizabeth headed for Nathan's office. She peeked inside and smiled.
Nathan was gently bouncing Cecilia up and down on his knee while he went over a report. A strong feeling of love washed over her. Nathan had been her rock over the last week. He'd made sure to care for the twins on a regular basis and had taken over cooking, in addition to his workload from the station. He did a million little things for her, things that showed her how much he loved her. Just this morning, she had woken to a vase of fresh flowers beside her bed. When she had made her way to the kitchen, Nathan greeted her with a decaf version of her favorite coffee and her favorite scone.
As she watched him with their daughter, Elizabeth couldn't imagine a better companion to travel through life with. She had been truly blessed to find him.
Walking toward him, she settled Arianna on her hip and slid her free arm around her husband. He looked up in surprise, but a delighted smile filled his face. "Hello, sweetheart," he said, accepting the kiss she placed on his lips. "How're you doing?"
"Okay," she said, settling into the chair across from him. "Still sad, but thankful to have you and the girls and this little one."
Nathan reached out to take her hand. "I'm sorry this has been so hard on you, Elizabeth. I can't even imagine how you must be feeling."
She sighed lightly. "It is hard. There's no denying that. I know we only knew about the baby's existence for a short time, but I already loved that child. Knowing we'll never be able to meet him or her is rough."
Nathan squeezed her hand. "You know you can take the time you need to grieve, sweetheart." He gestured to Arianna. "Do you want me to watch her and Cecilia for a bit? Maybe you can go visit Faith at the café or relax on the beach."
Elizabeth straightened. "Really?" She glanced at his paperwork. "Are you sure? You look pretty busy."
Nathan shook his head. "I'll be fine. The girls play very well on the floor. We'll get along while you're out." He reached out for Arianna. "Go on, Elizabeth. Take some time for yourself."
Elizabeth placed Arianna in his arms, then leaned down once more to give him a lingering kiss. "You're the best," she murmured against his lips. "Thank you, Nathan."
He smiled. "Enjoy your break."
Elizabeth went to their bedroom, changing into her swimsuit. She packed a beach bag, then drove to the private lagoon she and Nathan had spent time at only a few months ago. It was deserted. Breathing a sigh of relief, Elizabeth laid her beach towel on the sand and settled onto it. The afternoon sun shone down on her. She closed her eyes, basking in the warm rays. Though it was winter, the tropical air was pleasant and breezy. Her mind turned to Christmas, which was only a week away. With a start, Elizabeth realized she hadn't gotten Nathan's gifts yet. Her eyes flew open. With all the sadness over losing their baby, she had completely forgotten about it. They had already bought Christmas presents for the girls, but Elizabeth realized she needed to get gifts for her husband.
The momentary panic subsided as she reminded herself that there was still plenty of time. She relaxed back onto her towel, deciding that after her time on the beach she would visit some local stores downtown and see what she could find for Nathan. For now, she was going to enjoy the sun and the sand.
After half an hour, Elizabeth got up and strode to the water. It was chilly, but she relished the feeling. She dove in and began swimming the length of the lagoon. Back and forth she swam, losing track of time. The cold water felt good against her skin. The motion of moving her arms and kicking her legs was soothing. It helped release some of the sadness that was lingering, making her feel rejuvenated.
She drew in several deep breaths as she made her way back to her towel. Instead of drying off, she simply lay down again to air dry, resting her hands over the small bump on her stomach.
"I'm glad you're healthy, little one," she said softly, rubbing her hands over her baby. "I'm sorry your twin didn't make it. We'll always miss that child, but I'm very thankful to know that we will be meeting you several months from now. Mama already loves you very much." Her hands stopped, a small smile softening her face. "I wonder if you're a boy or a girl. You already have two sisters, sisters who are going to love you very much, just like your daddy and I do. We'll be happy whatever your gender, sweetie. Only two more months until Dr. Carson will be able to tell us."
Elizabeth closed her eyes once more, but they flew open again when the baby shifted inside of her. She gasped, her hands going to her stomach. It was the first time she'd felt movement during this pregnancy. Tears filled her eyes as she smiled, her hands splayed protectively over the baby.
The miracle of life never ceased to amaze her. Gratitude filled her, a thankfulness that there was still joy in the midst of sadness. She closed her eyes, breathing a prayer of thanks. No one had promised that life would be easy, but there was the promise of strength through hard times. Elizabeth let that certainty fill her, leaning back once more and closing her eyes, a smile on her face.
She felt at peace.
Two days later, Elizabeth was woken from sleep by a kiss. She smiled, stretching out before opening her eyes to see Nathan propped up on an elbow beside her. He had a smile on his face as he ran a hand through her hair. "Happy anniversary, love," he said. "Thank you for the two best years of my life." He leaned down to give her a long, sweet kiss.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer. "I thank God everyday that we're together, Nathan," she said softly. "I love you."
"I love you too," he responded, settling onto the bed and pulling her into his arms. Elizabeth nestled against his chest, listening to the beating of his heart. They stayed like that for nearly half an hour, cuddled close and enjoying just being together.
Elizabeth eventually stirred, glancing at the clock. "It's getting late. We should probably check on the girls," she said, starting to push herself up.
Nathan kept his arms around her. "The girls are with Colleen," he said. "I took them over before you woke up." He smiled. "She offered to keep them overnight. We have the whole day to ourselves."
"We do?" Elizabeth gasped. "Really?"
Nathan nodded. "That was Colleen's anniversary gift to us. She wanted to watch Arianna and Cecilia. I brought over plenty of clothes and bottles of pumped milk. Colleen has a double playpen. They're set. Both of them started smiling and cooing when they saw Auntie Colleen and cousin Allie. I think they're going to have a great day."
"Wow," Elizabeth said, trying to take in that information. "We haven't had a day to ourselves since the twins were born."
"I know," Nathan chuckled. "Are you okay being away from the girls for a whole day? They've never slept overnight somewhere else."
Thinking about it, Elizabeth nodded slowly. "I think so. If we end up missing them, we can always head over to Colleen's."
"True," Nathan agreed. He stretched out beside her, a lazy smile on his face. "So, what do you want to do today?"
Elizabeth placed a hand on his chest, tilting her head to look up at him. "Let's be spontaneous today," she said, a smile tugging at her lips. "Why don't we start with brunch at Faith's café, and then figure out what to do next from there?"
"Wonderful idea," Nathan said. "I love it."
They got up and readied themselves for the day. Elizabeth donned athletic wear, knowing some kind of activity was likely during the course of their day. After her miscarriage, Carson had told her that she could increase her activity slightly but to still be careful. He had even approved hiking as long as it was easy hiking. Strenuous activity was still out of the picture.
They each packed a backpack with some provisions, then headed out the door hand in hand. They opted to walk instead of drive. The December day was sunny and cool, perfect for walking. It only took them fifteen minutes to reach Coffee and Books. Nathan held the door for Elizabeth, and they walked in to find Faith bustling around. A grin split her face as she saw her friends. She came forward, enveloping Elizabeth in an embrace. "Good morning," she said. "Hi, Nathan."
"Hey, Faith," he responded, giving her a side hug. "How are you?"
"Good," Faith said. "The morning sickness is passing, thankfully." She placed a hand on her flat stomach. Though she and Elizabeth were due around the same time, Elizabeth was slightly showing while Faith wasn't. Taking Elizabeth's hand, Faith studied her. "How are you, Elizabeth?"
"I'm doing better," Elizabeth said. "It was a rough week, but I'm in a good place now." She smiled. "Thanks for asking."
Faith nodded. She smiled again, looking between Nathan and Elizabeth. "Happy anniversary, you two," she said. "Why don't I whip up something special for your meal? Go have a seat and relax. I'll be back in a bit."
"Thanks, Faith," Elizabeth said. Faith waved and headed for the kitchen. Nathan held Elizabeth's chair out, helping her sit. He took his seat opposite her, then reached out to clasp her hand.
"You and Faith should have a girl's day soon," he said. "With Rosemary. The three of you haven't had quality time together in a while. Lee, Carson, and I can take the kids for a day."
"That would be lovely," Elizabeth admitted. "Rosemary mentioned wanting to have a spa day at some point. Maybe we can make that happen."
"Done," Nathan said, giving her a wink. "Maybe we can take a Saturday when Carson and Lee are both off."
"Thank you, sweetheart," Elizabeth said, squeezing his hand. "You really know how to spoil a girl."
Nathan laughed. "Perhaps. And I hear that spas are great for stress relief. It could be just what the doctor ordered."
Faith came by with two coffees. "Peppermint white mocha," she said, placing one in front of Elizabeth complete with a candy cane. "And one black coffee." She put another in front of Nathan. His cup also sported a colorful candy cane. He looked up at Faith with a raised brow. "Peppermint, Faith?"
She grinned. "Don't be a grinch, Nathan. It's almost Christmas. Everyone needs a little Christmas cheer in their coffee."
Nathan gave her a dubious look, but he took a sip. "I suppose this will do," he said with a smirk.
Faith slapped his shoulder. "It's delicious and you know it. I'll be back soon with your food!" She whirled around and headed for the kitchen once more.
Elizabeth watched her go. "For being pregnant, she has a ton of energy. I'll have to ask her what her secret is."
Nathan chuckled. "I think you have lots of energy yourself, considering the fact that you're pregnant and caring for our two small daughters as well. If I was in your shoes, I'm not sure I'd be able to get out of bed in the morning."
"You'd be able to," Elizabeth said, laughing. "It's amazing how the body can adapt to its circumstances."
Faith soon came back, carrying two plates with eggs benedict, toast, and fresh fruit. "Enjoy!" she chirped, giving them a wide smile before vanishing once more behind the counter.
"Mmm," Elizabeth murmured after her first bite. "This is delicious."
"Very good," Nathan agreed. "Faith is a wonderful cook." They ate for a few minutes, then Nathan put his fork down and wiped his mouth. "I know we're going to play things by ear today, but was there anything in particular you'd like to do?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said immediately. "I'd love to go for a hike." Nathan looked like he was about to protest, making Elizabeth hold up her hand. "An easy hike," she amended. "Carson said that would be okay. Maybe we could find one of those paths through the woods that's more of a walk than a hike. I know there are a few that lead to some beautiful waterfalls." She smiled. "Why don't we go find a waterfall today?"
Nathan smiled back. "That sounds perfect."
They finished their breakfast, then headed back to their house to get the car. They drove to a secluded section of the island where there were beautiful walking paths unknown to tourists. Choosing one, they set out hand in hand down the tree-lined path. The sun shone through the branches, warming them gently. They soaked in the silence, happy to be in each other's company. Words weren't needed between them. Their hearts were joined in a gentle communion that was stronger than dialogue.
Eventually they heard the roaring of water. Coming around a bend, they saw a tall, beautiful waterfall cascading into a crystal clear pool. Trees surrounded the water, creating an oasis in the middle of the forest.
"Oh!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her hands going to her heart. Nathan stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her as they stood taking in the beauty before them. Elizabeth rested the back of her head against his chest, feeling secure in his embrace. After a while, they sat at the edge of the pool, dangling their feet in the water.
"This is so peaceful," Elizabeth said, resting her head on Nathan's shoulder. "I'm glad it's not highly trafficked. It's nice being the only ones out here."
"I agree," Nathan said, pressing a kiss to her head. "Just you, me, and nature." He smiled. "I rather like that combination."
Elizabeth smiled up at him. "Me too."
They stayed for nearly an hour, talking softly and enjoying their time alone. Finally, they made their way back to the car. Elizabeth looked at Nathan before he started it. "You know, we've never driven around the island together."
"True," he said. "Are you trying to tell me something?"
She chuckled. "Yes. What would you think about doing that now? There's some delicious shave ice in Waimea; maybe we could stop there on our way."
"Sounds great," Nathan said. "Let's do it." They rolled the windows down and started driving. The winding roads sloped gently around the island, giving them perfect views of both the ocean and the mountains. They drove for several hours, stopping at the shave ice shop in Waimea to stretch their legs. Elizabeth ordered strawberry while Nathan had grape. They strolled down the main street arm in arm, eating the frozen treats and taking in the Christmas decorations and the pretty window displays in various shops. The quaint town was full of people doing their Christmas shopping. After an hour, Nathan and Elizabeth headed back to their car to finish the drive around the island.
"You know what sounds good for dinner?" Elizabeth said, smiling at her husband.
Nathan raised a brow. "Is this a normal craving or a pregnancy craving?" he asked, looking slightly wary.
Elizabeth laughed. "I'm not sure, but don't worry, it's nothing crazy." She stretched her arms as they got out of the car in their driveway. "Seafood. From one of the food trucks near the beach."
Nathan blinked. "Really? You don't want to go to a fancy restaurant to celebrate our anniversary?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "All I need to celebrate is you, Nathan. It doesn't matter where we eat. What matters is that we're together."
Nathan smiled, wrapping his arms around her in a hug. "That sounds perfect, sweetheart. Do you want to walk to the food truck?"
Nodding, Elizabeth took his hand. "It's only a few minutes away. Have we ever gotten food from one of those trucks together?"
"You know, I don't think we have," Nathan said as they settled into a comfortable walking pace. "How have we never done that?"
"I have no idea," Elizabeth replied. "But there's no time like the present to remedy it!"
They made it to the food truck quickly. Placing their order, they sat at one of the picnic tables under a large umbrella. The owner brought out their food when it was ready. Their plates were piled high with crispy shrimp, flaky fish, white rice, and macaroni salad. Elizabeth's mouth watered as the scent drifted up to her. "Yum!" she said, digging in after their quick prayer. "This is perfect."
"Delicious," Nathan agreed. "Great suggestion, Elizabeth."
She took a bite of her fish, then looked out over the ocean. "Today has been wonderful. Thank you for going with everything, sweetheart. I appreciate that."
"Anything for you," Nathan said. "Have you missed the girls at all?"
"Yes," Elizabeth admitted. "I'll be glad to have them home again tomorrow. But I have to admit, it's been lovely having you all to myself today."
Nathan smiled. "Same."
They finished eating, then took a post-dinner walk, looking at all the Christmas lights in their neighborhood as dusk settled over their town. When they finally made it back home, Nathan made hot cocoa while Elizabeth looked through their Christmas movies. She picked out Miracle of 34th Street and put it in the DVD player. Nathan came out from the kitchen with a tray. On top were balanced two mugs of cocoa and a bowl of popcorn. He placed them on the table, then stood with his hands loosely on his hips. "I'm no gourmet chef," he said, grinning, "but I found a nice popcorn shop in town and decided to buy some earlier this week. I hope you like it."
Elizabeth took a piece, popping it into her mouth. Her eyes lit up. "Peppermint white chocolate! I love it!" She wrapped her arms around Nathan, reaching up on tiptoe to kiss him. "Thank you."
Nathan's arms slid around her in return. His lips found hers once more, kissing her with a passion that took her breath away. Elizabeth let herself get lost in his kiss, loving how he made her feel. She was so thankful for this amazing man in her life. The last two years had had their struggles, but they were still the best years of her life. Nathan was the greatest gift she had been given. She would never take him for granted.
When he broke away, he smiled into her eyes, bringing up one hand to cup her cheek. "I love you, Elizabeth Grant," he whispered, his thumb sweeping back and forth over her jaw.
"I love you too," Elizabeth responded. They settled onto the couch, snuggled in each other's arms. Nathan pressed play for the movie, then handed Elizabeth a mug of cocoa. Snuggled safely in Nathan's arms, the cocoa warming her stomach, Elizabeth felt a strong sense of peace. There was nowhere else she wanted to be.
It was the perfect end to their anniversary.
