Page 54 of Can We Try?

“Pastry Heaven is already closed for the day, but we can stop at the grocery store and find something. Maybe a small gift bag with some blue fabric, or blue baby clothes or something.”

“I’m in. Eat up, and we’ll stop at Grandma Doris's first since she goes to bed earlier. Then we’ll go to my parents’.”

She peels some of the breading off an onion ring and pops it into her mouth. “We need to start thinking about names too.”

“I have some ideas. Well, one really.”

“Really?” Her eyes light up.

“Yeah, I was thinking we could name him after our dads. Yours in honor of him, and mine for the man he taught me to be, and the dad he taught me to be when he didn’t have to be. Sean Alan Noble or Alan Sean Noble. Sean for your dad and Alan for mine’s middle name.”

Her bottom lip quivers, and tears race unchecked down her cheeks. “I love that, Lachlan. Either or both, I don’t care, but I love that so much. Thank you.”

“We’ll let it simmer and decide. I kind of like Sean Alan better, but I’m easy.”

She nods. “Sean Alan Noble.” She looks down at her belly. “Mommy and Daddy love you so much, baby Sean.”

“Did we just name our son, Mags?”

She nods. “Yeah, we did.”

I move to stand between her legs and gently cradle her cheeks, wiping at her tears. “I—My heart is so damn full, Maggie.”

“Mine too, Lachlan. Mine too.”

I kiss her softly, knowing that my entire world is right here in this room with me.

“Oh, heavens, what are you two doing here?” Grandma Doris asks. She’s in her recliner, with the TV on low and what looks like a hot cup of tea in her hands.

“We brought you something,” Maggie tells her.

“You did?” Her eyes light up with surprise. “I have everything I need,” she tells us.

“Well, you don’t have this.” I hand her the small white gift bag. “Open it.” I step back and stand next to Maggie, wrapping my arm around her waist while we watch.

Doris pulls the small tissue-wrapped frame out of the bag and slowly unwraps it. “Is this the baby? Oh, goodness, look at that.” She runs her fingers over the frame. “Wait, the frame is blue. You’re having a boy?” she asks.

“We’re having a boy,” Maggie confirms.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Grandma Doris goes to stand, and I rush to help her. She pulls me into a hug and waves for Maggie to join us. The three of us stand in a small circle, celebrating the life of our son.

“We have a name,” Maggie says, pulling back.

“Tell me.” Grandma Doris smiles.

“Sean Alan. After Dad, and Lachlan’s dad.”

“Oh, my.” Grandma Doris places her hand over her mouth and tears well in her eyes. “He’d be so proud of you, Maggie. They both would be. He’s smiling down on you right now.” She wipes at her tears, then looks at me. “Lachlan, thank you for taking care of our girl, and that little one, the way you do. I know in my soul that my son and my daughter-in-law would have loved you. I’m so happy for both of you.”

I swallow back the lump in my throat. “Thank you, Doris.”

“That’s Grandma to you, young man, and soon-to-be great-grandma!” she exclaims.

We spend another half hour with her before we say our goodbyes and head to my parents’ place.

“What ya got there?” Dad asks, watching as I set the white gift bag on the floor next to where Maggie and I just took a seat on the couch.

“Just a little something we picked up for the two of you.”

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