Page 42 of Never To Forever

“Take a seat,” she says. “I just made a pot of tea. I’ll get you a cup.”

“Thanks.” I settle on the couch as she disappears down the hallway toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, she returns holding two cups of steaming tea and hands one to me.

Once she’s made herself comfortable in an armchair next to me, she lets out a little sigh and gives me a sleepy smile.

“You’ve finally finished your class,” she says. “You must be so relieved.”

I nod. “You have no idea.”

“Good, good,” she murmurs. “I’m proud of you.”

I take a sip of my tea and she stares down into hers, seemingly lost in thought.

Frowning, I ask, “Hey, you okay?”

Blinking, she jerks her gaze back up to mine. “Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Seems like you’ve got something on your mind.”

She shakes her head and says, “It’s nothing, I’m good. Just, uh, tired. Pregnancy fatigue.”

Concerned, I furrow my brow. “Is that unusual? Is everything okay with the baby?”

“Everything’s fine,” she assures me. “It’s just hard work growing a human, you know?”

“Yeah, I suppose it is.” I take another sip of my tea. There’s another subject I want to bring up with her, but I don’t know how to do so in a casual way that won’t raise her suspicions. “So, uh, what did I miss while I was locked away? How’s Christian and Oliver?”

“Christian’s good,” she says. “Busy with work, but since he’s got an office in town now, he doesn’t have to go to the city nearly so often. Oliver is a little fireball. He’s excited for the new baby, but I also think he’s feeling a little anxious. It’s a big change, after all.”

“Uh huh. I’m sure. And… Marie?”

To my surprise, Haven looks away from me and her expression becomes unreadable.

“Marie’s good,” she answers simply.

That’s it? That’s all I get? Have is usually more forthcoming than this. Why’s she so tightlipped now? I thought Marie and I were good. Did something happen that I don’t know about?

“Have you talked to her lately?” The question feels silly because the two talk to each other daily. Still, I want to see if I can dig out any morsel of info about Marie that I can.

“I have…” She slowly replies, but again, she doesn’t expand on her answer. It’s like she really doesn’t want to talk to me about Marie at all.

“Okay,” I murmur, feeling awkward as I take another drink of tea. I want to press the issue, but I also don’t want to seem like I’m desperate and digging for information… even though that’s exactly what I’m doing. Instead, I let the issue drop and change the subject instead.

“Getting ready for the baby?” I ask.

She immediately relaxes and her face lights up. “Yes! We actually just finished putting the nursery together. Do you want to see it?”

I grin, her enthusiasm infectious. “I’d love to.”

Standing, I help Haven to her feet and she leads me out of the living room, up the stairs, and down the hall to a closed door with a little sign hanging on it. The sign has lambs and flowers and says ‘Nursery’ in rainbow letters.

“This is it,” she says, pushing open the door.

The nursery is bright and cheerful, painted a soft, buttery yellow. There’s a crib in the corner, a rocking chair by the window, and shelves already filled with stuffed animals and books. Sunlight streams in, highlighting the playful decals of clouds and stars that Haven must have painstakingly placed on the walls.

“It’s perfect,” I say, and I mean it. “You and Christian did a great job with this.”

Haven beams, her hand instinctively going to her belly. “We wanted it to feel warm, you know? Like a little haven—pun absolutely intended—for the baby.”

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