Twenty minutes later she returns to her room. She takes a seat on the edge of the bed, and Zoey returns the baby to her arms. He is now wide awake. He looks around, in silence.
"So did you manage to come up with a name, in ten minutes?" Zoey questions.
"No. Why don't you just name him whatever you see fit?"
Zoey rolls her eyes, "Because you are his mother. It is not my place to name him."
"I certainly don't know what to name him."
"I already told you that you should call him Cruz."
"That is not happening."
"I don't think I can help."
"What do you think he looks like?"
"A baby with half of your genetics, and the rest from Mike Cruz."
"That is not helpful."
"He's cute, with all of his dark hair, and his chubby cheeks."
"That does not help me with a name."
"He is your baby, you name him."
Jackie looks down at the little boy in her arms. He stares up at her. "Hi, handsome boy. What are you looking at, huh?" she says in a soft tone. His eyes search for the source of her voice, "Listen buddy I need a little help here. I don't know what to call you."
"The girls will be here soon," Zoey points out.
"Go down your list again," she begs.
"No. You have to decide."
She looks at the sweet baby in her arms. His eyelids start to flutter as she tries to stay awake. "Caleb," she whispers. His eyes flutter open, and look at her.
"What did you say? I didn't hear you," Zoey admits.
"Caleb," she answers.
Kevin brings the girls by after school. Fiona bounds into the room, with a smile of determination on her face. Grace meanders into the room, unsure that she wants to be there. Kevin walks in, behind the both of them. Fiona reaches the bed, and looks up at Jackie. Jackie holds the newborn in her arms. She scoots over, and pats the seat next to her, giving Fiona permission to sit.
"Can I hold the baby?"
"Did you wash your hands?"
Fiona nods. "You just saw me," she reminds her.
"Make sure that you hold his head," Jackie instructs as she carefully places the baby in Fiona's arms.
"His? It's a boy?" she questions carefully examining the baby.
"Yes."
Grace finally reaches the bed. She stands a couple of feet from the edge. She watches Jackie, Fiona, and the baby in silence. Kevin steps past her. He reaches for Jackie, and gives her a hug.
"Congratulations."
"Thanks," she smiles.
"Does he have a name?" Fiona inquires with a smile on her face.
"Caleb," Jackie answers.
Grace looks over, making eye contact with Jackie. She says nothing.
Fiona has gone to bed, but Grace, and Jackie sit on the couch watching a movie. When it finishes Jackie turns the TV off. The lamp in the corner of the room is the only light. She briefly glances at her stomach, but her eyes quickly turn to her stomach.
"Grace you're being to quiet."
"I am just thinking," she admits.
"About the situation?"
Grace nods, "You're too old to be having a baby, don't you think?"
"Absolutely," she agrees.
This brings a smile to Grace's face. Grace's eyes fall from Jackie's face. Her glance lands on her ever expanding stomach. Jackie scoots towards Grace. She stops when she reaches the cushion next to her. She looks at her daughter, who stares back at her in uncertainty. She reaches for her hand. Grace doesn't pull away.
"Go ahead," Jackie gives her permission.
Grace hesitantly places her hand on Jackie's stomach. The baby moves under her hand.
"What am I touching, right now?" Grace questions.
Jackie smiles, "That is the baby's butt."
Grace laughs, "Are you serious?"
"Yeah."
"That wasn't the answer that I was expecting," Grace admits.
"Grace I know that this is tough for you. I want you to be ok with this."
"I don't know if I can be."
"Grace I am not trying to replace you, you know that, right?"
Grace nods. "I know."
"This was not planned."
"Obviously. Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"When you told us, you were scared, weren't you?"
"Yeah. This is all kind of scary," she admits.
"What are you going to name it?"
Jackie shrugs "I don't know."
"Do you know what it is?"
"I do."
"But you're not saying?"
"I think it is better as a surprise."
"You really don't have a name?"
"No," she shakes her head.
"When is it supposed to be here?"
"Soon."
"Like three weeks, right?"
"Yeah," Jackie confirms.
"And you don't have a name?"
"Nope. Do you have any suggestions?"
Grace nods, eagerly, as if she has been waiting to be asked for months.
"What are they?"
"I like the name Harper, or Amelia, for a girl."
"Harper is a pretty name."
"And for a boy, I like Jase, Gavin, and Caleb."
"Interesting."
"You aren't going to tell me which it is, are you?"
"No, but I will take into consideration the names that you like."