Page 54 of Awakening

“Thank you.”

“And good news,” Ethan says, “as of today, she’s home for good.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. We’re very glad to hear it,” Edwin says with a wide smile.

Ethan’s mom greets me with a smile next, but hers resembles sympathy more than it does a greeting. She takes my hands and stares into my eyes for a moment. “Olivia, I’m Caroline. Oh, honey, you must be so devastated,” she says, hugging me as my stomach sinks. She means about the baby.

“Mom, we discussed this,” Ethan warns.

Caroline pulls back and looks at him then back at me. “Oh, I know. I just can’t stop thinking about it, though. We’re just so heartbroken.”

Tears burn at the back of my eyes. “I know. I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else to say.

“Let’s go have dinner,” Edwin says, gesturing toward the dining room. “Please sit, everyone.”

The dining room is decorated beautifully with crisp linens and fine China. Ethan pulls a chair out for me, then sits down next to me. He takes my hand under the table and draws soothing circles with his thumb while he gives me a reassuring smile.

“So,” Edwin says as the meal is served by a man wearing a pressed white shirt and a green apron, “how are you feeling, Olivia?”

“I’ve been doing my best to adjust,” I reply with a timid smile.

“I hope Ethan has been doting on you,” Edwin says with a wink.

I smile bigger this time and nod. “Yes. Ethan is doing anything he can to make me feel at ease.”

“That’s good,” he says. “I like to hear that. You’re home now. Please know you can lean on any of us.”

“Do you remember anything yet?” Caroline asks before I have a chance to reply to Edwin.

“No. Unfortunately, not yet,” I say.

“Does anything even feel familiar yet?” Caroline asks with a frown and accusing tone, obviously disappointed in me.

With wide eyes, I shake my head. “I wish I could say yes.” What does she expect from me?

“Mom,” Ethan starts, but the conversation is taken over by Edwin who sends us in a more positive direction. The rest of dinner is mostly spent telling me about Sullivan Development and their current projects, as well as Vanessa telling me about some great boutiques and offering to take me shopping one day. Any interaction with Caroline feels awkward and strained. I thought Ethan said she and I grew close during my pregnancy. Does that mean we weren’t close before? Now that I’m no longer pregnant, it seems her feelings may have changed.

“So, when is the service going to be held for my granddaughter?” Caroline asks as dessert is served.

“I want to talk to you all about that,” Ethan says, taking my hand again. “I think it’s time to move forward with laying her to rest here in the family cemetery. I spoke with the hospital administrator. Olivia and I can sign papers to have her released as soon as tomorrow.”

My mouth drops open as his puzzled eyes search mine. How could he bring this up now at a family dinner? I don’t even know these people. Tomorrow? He didn’t even talk to me first. He had plenty of opportunity when I discovered the nursery, and he said nothing. He’s putting me on the spot, and I feel my face heating up with anger as I stare back at him.

“I assumed you would want me to take care of the arrangements,” Ethan says, seeming to understand my surprise.

“Well, you wouldn’t know because you never asked,” I snap back at him.

“Olivia, the hospital has been very kind, but they can’t keep her forever. It’s time. We haven’t even seen her yet,” Ethan says.

Caroline gasps, her hand flying to her chest in shock. “You haven’t seen her yet? Why in the world not?”

“Mom, it’s complicated. We talked about this.”

“Oh, honey…I know, but,” she says, shaking her head with a sigh until she’s interrupted by Ethan again.

“Mom, stop.”

My heart pounds in my chest and my hands start to sweat. I feel like I could throw up.

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