Page 126 of Playing For Keeps
I hand Avery over to Dori, studying her reaction.
Please don’t let her break.
She cradles the baby, and tears fall. “She’s absolutely flawless.”
I relax at the softness in her tone. I thought she may run out of here after seeing me staring adoringly at the beautiful creation Tera and Danny made.
Dori rocks from side to side, not taking her eyes off of Avery. I glance at her parents. They’re locked in a side hug, smiling proudly at their daughter.
Dori’s voice changes to a warm, motherly tone. “Why didn’t they tell me you were going to be here today? Huh? Don’t they know I’d want to meet you?”
Tera quietly laughs. “Jamison didn’t tell me you were so taken by babies.”
Dori pauses for a second, then forces her gaze off of Avery, and peers over at Tera. “That’s because we lost one of our own. It’s been…hard on us. I’m sure he was just trying to protect my feelings.”
My head explodes with Dori’s honesty.
Here I haven’t been talking to her about how I’m feeling, how I’m dreaming of having babies of our own because I was afraid of how she would take it. And she bravely shares one of the most painful experiences she’s had to face with people she’s met only once before this.
She’s the strongest woman I know. Pride for her erupts and flows through my veins like a volcano. Powerful, forceful,but gracefully spilling the contents of its insides out for the world to witness the beauty it encompasses.
Just as Dori did when she spoke her truth without running or hiding from the pain of it all. She continually makes me fall more in love with her with every second that passes.
At the same time, I can’t help the disappointment I have for myself for not recognizing her strength. I need to do better for her.
Tera places her hand over her heart. “I’m sorry to hear that. Danny and I have lost three pregnancies, so I honor how you must be feeling right now.”
Dori peeks down at Avery. “So this perfect, sweet girl is your…”
“She’s our miracle baby.” Tera leans into Danny.
He hugs her and looks on with a gleam in his eye that only a father can have.
I join Dori at her side and run my palm across her back. “They did a good job with this little one. Wouldn’t you agree?”
She glances at me and nods, quickly taking her gaze back to Avery. “You’re an angel. A true angel in human form.”
A lump of a hundred raw emotions forms in my throat, ranging from adoration to grief over our loss. I’m well aware Dori would be around eight or nine months pregnant right now if she didn’t miscarry. That thought is enough to make my eyes sting.
As if Avery can sense my building emotions, she squirms and starts to fuss. Dori bounces her a few times to calm her, but she cries louder.
Tera approaches Dori and gently takes her daughter in her arms. “She’s probably getting hungry.”
Danny grabs the diaper bag off the floor. “Or she needs to be changed.”
“Either way, we should get going. We’re a few minutesfrom home, and I don’t want to deal with a meltdown here.” Tera pats Avery on the back, trying to calm her down.
Danny lifts the child seat. “Here. Let me help.”
“No, I’ve got it.” Tera waits for him to put the carrier down then gets the baby strapped in. “There you go, honey. We’ll be home soon.”
The baby’s still fussing, so they rush to leave.
Dori stops Tera on the way out. “If you ever need help with anything, please call.”
“Thank you. I just might take you up on the offer.” Tera smiles warmly at her.
We say goodbye as I try to decipher what’s running through Dori’s head. I can’t read her, which hasn’t been good for me in the past. I’ve misread how she felt and made her feel like I didn’t care, so I’m at a loss right now.
