"I knew something was wrong," Elizabeth muttered. "He wouldn't talk or eat or anything."
"Babe, you need to stay calm."
"One of my babies is lost, Jack. How can I be calm?"
"Look, he's not ours yet. Can we really do anything?"
"Yes. I'm going to find him." She put her phone in her purse and gave Jack and Autumn a kiss. "I would drop everything to find Autumn. It's the same with Brady, Jack. I love you. I'll call you when I find him."
As she drove to town, she checked Vera's, hoping he was there, getting something to eat. He probably didn't have money but Vera would feed him, no question.
"I'm sorry, dear. I haven't seen him. But if he shows up, I'll call you and make sure his tummy is full."
"Thanks, Vera."
"And I'll say a prayer." Elizabeth gave her a kiss on her wrinkled cheek and dashed out the door.
She checked the park, the grocery store, gas station and the school yard. Nothing. Then she remembered.
As she drove up to The Nook, she had a strong feeling he was there. Call it mother's intuition or just a hunch, but her heart was anticipating finding him there.
She walked in hearing the familiar bell above the door, smelling the coffee and books she loved so much.
"Savannah?"
"Sci-fi," she whispered. "He made me promise not to tell but I was just about to call you."
"Thank you."
She texted Jack and told him and then asked him to contact Abigail before she walked to the sci-fi section.
As she peeked around the aisle she found him, in the corner a book in his hands.
"Brady." His head snapped up and her heart lurched. His eyes were red and puffy, tears on his face. "Honey. We've been so worried."
She walked over and sat down next to him on the floor. "Why? No one wants me! You have Autumn and the new baby. You don't want me either!"
"Yes I do. I want you so much. And so does Jack and Autumn but, honey, until you come up for adoption, we can only have you every other weekend. That's how it works."
"I am! I heard Mrs. Stanton tell Joe and Cindy. I also heard them say they aren't ready to adopt me." He sighed and put the book back on the shelf. "Its fine. I've heard it all before. So I ran. I figured no one would miss me anyway."
"Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll never have a family." He got up and wiped his cheeks.
"Brady. I need you to listen to what I'm telling you." She got up and stood in front of him, tipping his chin up to look her in the eye. "Are you listening?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I love you and I want to be your Mama. I am going to tell Abigail the next chance I get. You belong in our family."
"Do you mean it?"
"Yes. With all of my heart." She sat down on the comfy armchair and held out her arms. "Come here."
"Why?"
"It's past time for me to hold my son in my arms." He walked over and sat on her lap as requested. She adjusted him so her baby belly was comfortable and then she just held him, running her fingers through his hair and rubbing his back. "One thing though, Brady."
"What?"
"You can't run away again. Promise me that you will use your words and not your legs next time you get upset. Jack and I will be happy to listen but you can't run from your fears and problems. Promise?"
"I promise."
Once Joe and Cindy and Abigail were assured that he was fine, Jack, Elizabeth, and both kids went to the water park.
He did have to go back to Joe and Cindy's Sunday night like always, because paperwork needed to be completed before he could switch to living with the Thornton's. But he had a different outlook now. He knew that in a week, he would finally have a family that would always be his. That felt really good.
On Monday, Elizabeth checked her email and then squealed, scaring Jack. "What, babe?"
"My book! Jack, it's doing really well on Amazon. These reviews are great!"
"Awesome, hon."
"I'm going to talk to Savannah and see if she will put a few books in the window at The Nook."
After a few more minutes of quiet, she gasped and held her stomach, again scaring Jack.
"Babe, what's going on? Are you in pain?" He knelt in front of her and touched her tummy.
"No, I….oh my goodness. I felt it, Jack. It moved."
"The baby?"
"Yeah. It was so amazing. Like a little flutter." She smiled as she felt it one more time. "Hi, sweet pea."
In another month, they would be able to tell the sex and that was something she really looked forward to. She wanted the nursery to be perfect.
On Tuesday, Elizabeth heard a knock on the door as she and Autumn were doing chores. "I get it?"
"I will come with you." Elizabeth followed Autumn to the door.
"Who is it?"
"Aunt Julie."
"Yay!" Autumn opened the door and launched herself into Julie's arms. "Auntie Julie!"
"Hi Autumn!" She walked in and pulled her suitcase behind her, still holding on to Autumn.
"Julie? Did I forget you were coming?"
"Nope. I didn't tell you. Look at you!" She squealed, set Autumn down and touched Elizabeth's belly. "Oh wow, Beth."
"Right? It's so amazing. I felt it move yesterday."
"You did? That's so cool."
"Auntie, play…with me?"
"Of course, sweetie pie, but I need to talk to Mommy for a minute."
"Okay. I go play."
"I'll be there in a minute."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "What's up, Julie?"
"Not a lot."
"I'm guessing there's something."
"Do you have anything to drink? I'm parched."
"Sure." They walked into the kitchen and Julie sat at the counter. "So?"
"I'm here to visit."
"Because…."
"It's summer and I missed you."
"Julie, what's the real reason? Did you quit school?"
"Well, kinda."
"Julie! You have one year left. That's all."
"I'm just going to finish my degree at the University of Southern Maine."
"So you just transferred. You didn't actually quit?"
"No. I just want to be closer to you and Mom."
"Where are you staying?"
"Well, I was hoping…."
"Julie, can you please stay with Mom? Brady is coming this weekend. We have a family day planned and Brady needs time with just us."
"Can I just stay until the weekend?"
"You haven't told Mom, have you?"
"Nope."
"Julie…"
"Auntie! Play?" Autumn yelled from the other room.
"Duty calls. Thanks, Beth. Love you."
"I promise, hon, she will be gone by Friday. She's just a little skittish about telling Mom," Elizabeth told Jack a bit later.
"Well, on the bright side, we have a live in babysitter for a few days," he said with a grin.
"Oh, it is time for our July date night, isn't it?"
"Yeah and if I remember right, dinner and a movie are on the agenda."
"Yep. This is awesome. Okay. Tomorrow night. You and me, Jack."
"Perfect."
The next day...
Jack knew of a park in North Portland that showed movies on a big screen so he checked what movie was playing. Pride and Prejudice. He knew that Elizabeth was definitely a fan of that one.
"Hey, pumpkin?"
Autumn looked up from her place at the table. "Yes, Daddy?"
"Wanna help me with a surprise for Mommy?"
"Yeah!"
Jack took advantage of the fact that Elizabeth was in her office working on her latest article for Tabletop and decided to make some snacks for the movie. "Let's make puppy chow."
Autumn wrinkled her nose. "Mommy doesn't eat….puppy chow."
Jack laughed. "Actually, pumpkin, the puppy chow I'm talking about is for people. It has chocolate and powdered sugar and cereal."
"Yum! I have….some?"
"I suppose we can make some for you and Aunt Julie too."
"Yay!"
Jack had Autumn stir the cereal together with the chocolate and powdered sugar. She was so cute concentrating on stirring and not making a mess. "You know what, pumpkin?" She looked up. He touched her nose with a finger, leaving behind a dot of powdered sugar. "I love you very much."
"I love…Daddy too."
Elizabeth started to walk in the room. "Freeze, babe. Don't come in. Surprises are happening in here."
"Surprises, huh?"
"Don't look….Mommy."
She closed her eyes and smiled. "What kind of surprises?"
"Yummy ones."
"Okay, well, since you are cooking up surprises, I'm going to take a nap."
"Sleep well, sweetheart," Jack said over his shoulder.
Jack and Autumn continued making puppy chow, cookies, and popping popcorn. Then Jack added a bottle of sparkling cider and two glasses and then a few napkins.
"What do you think we should name the baby, pumpkin?"
"Mmm. Elsa."
"I had a feeling you'd say that. What if it's a boy?"
"Olaf."
"What about names not from Frozen?"
"Nemo!"
Jack laughed. "Okay." He expected Marlin or Dory next.
"Stitch!"
"Now you're just being silly."
Autumn giggled. "Belle?"
"Belle…hmm. I guess it could be short for Isabelle."
"When, Daddy?"
"When what?"
"When e?"
"In December. Four and a half more months."
"Keep…baby right?"
"Yes. Forever and ever."
"Like me."
"Yep. And Brady too."
"I love Brady."
"Me too, pumpkin."
Jack took Elizabeth's hand and led her to the park where the movie was going to play. He found a perfect spot under a tree where they could spread their blanket.
When they arrived they spread out their blanket close to the tree trunk so they could lean back comfortably.
"This is great, hon. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I thought it was different than a regular movie and it's such a nice evening."
"I wonder if they show kids movies? We could bring Autumn and Brady here," she mentioned.
"Great idea. We can look it up later."
As they waited for the movie to start, they chatted about the kids. "I asked Autumn what we should name the baby."
"Let me guess. Elsa?"
"Yeah. I don't want a daughter named Elsa."
Elizabeth giggled and scooted back so she was between his legs, leaning against his chest. "Me either. I do like Eva or Lindsey."
"What about Stitch or Nemo?"
She giggled again. "I love Autumn."
"Me too. She was cracking me up."
"Do you like Eva or Lindsey?"
"How about Eva Charlotte?"
"Oh, that's so pretty. I love that."
"Excellent."
The movie started as the sun was setting behind the building where the movie screen was.
"Pride and Prejudice! Oh honey! I love this movie. And the book!"
He kissed her temple and rested his hands on her belly. "I'm glad."
Part way through the movie, Elizabeth laughed again. "What?" he asked.
"If it's a boy, Fitzwilliam?" Jack laughed along with her.
The movie and snacks went over well. About a half hour from the end of the movie, Elizabeth fell asleep and Jack didn't even mind. He loved spending alone time with just Elizabeth. It made them stronger as husband and wife and as parents too.
The next morning, Elizabeth and Autumn headed to the store. Abigail had informed Elizabeth that Brady's birthday was coming up the next week so she and Autumn went to pick out some presents for him.
"He need…books, Mommy. And games. And toys….And a puppy."
"Whoa, sweetheart. That's quite a list. I'm thinking those are things you want. Right?"
"Yep."
"No more puppies for one thing. We have Annie."
"Annie big!"
"Yes, but she's ours. We don't need another puppy just because Annie is big."
"Please, Mommy?"
"Sorry, sweet pea. We have a baby coming soon. I don't want to deal with another puppy."
"Baby soon! Yay….we keep baby!"
Elizabeth smiled. Yes, this lovely little sweet pea in her tummy was never going to go anywhere else but in her arms. What a wonderful blessing.