Page 20 of Threads of Kindness
Julia nodded emphatically.
Aaron handed Maggie the book and left the room.
“I’ll be with you in a sec,” Susan called from the kitchen. “I’m putting the finishing touches on the au gratin potatoes before I put them in the oven.”
“Take your time,” Maggie said. “We’re doing fine.”
“Angelina Ballerina,” Maggie said, reading the cover. “This was one of your mom’s favorites. Mine too! Is it okay if we start over at the beginning?”
“Yes!” Julia said, burrowing deeper against Maggie’s chest.
They were turning the last page when John and Aaron entered the room. Julia sprang off Maggie’s lap.
John set the Christmas packages he was carrying down by the tree and opened his arms to her. She threw herself into them, and he lifted her high, swinging her around.
“How’s my best girl?” he asked, beaming. “Feeling all better and ready for Christmas with us?”
“Feeling better!” she declared.
Maggie smiled at the joyful grandfather-granddaughter reunion. “I’ll go get Susan,” she said. “We need her out here to open presents.”
She found her daughter gripping the counter with both hands, arms rigid and white knuckled. “Honey, are you okay?” Maggie asked, hurrying to her side.
Susan took a deep breath and straightened. “I’m fine,” she said. “It was just a wave of nausea. It’s passed.”
Maggie pursed her lips, swallowing the question that hovered on the tip of her tongue.
Susan met her mother’s eyes, and a smile bloomed, wide and radiant. “We couldn’t stand not knowing,” she said. “I took a pregnancy test two days ago. We’re trying to keep it a secret until I’m past the first trimester, but I had to tell Sunday yesterday.” She grasped Maggie’s hands and whispered, “I’m pregnant!”
Maggie pulled her daughter into a tight hug, both women clinging to each other. “I’m overjoyed,” Maggie finally managed to say.
“We are too,” Susan replied, tears prickling the back of her eyes. “Despite all the morning sickness and fatigue, we couldn’t be happier.”
“And you told Sunday?”
“She asked me to be her matron of honor,” Susan said. “And I was thrilled to accept. Since they’re planning a spring or summer wedding, it’s only fair she knows I’m expecting, and that my due date is mid-August.”
“That was thoughtful of you,” Maggie said.
“I’m so happy for them—and honored to stand up for her.”
“You and Sunday are becoming close friends, aren’t you?”
“We are,” Susan said. “We just click. It’s so nice to have a best friend again, besides my mom, of course. You’ll always be my BFF.”
The patter of little feet interrupted their moment.
“Mom, Grammy—Daddy sent me in here to get you! It’s time for presents!”
“Lead the way, sweetheart,” Maggie said.
They followed Julia into the family room. Aaron helped the little girl play Santa as she handed out gifts.
“I’ve always wanted one of these!” Maggie exclaimed when she unwrapped the beautiful Fair Isle sweater in soft tones of cream, beige, and taupe. She hugged Julia, Susan, and Aaron. “I’ll wear it tomorrow. Thank you!”
John admired his new watch. Aaron loved the hiking boots he’d been hoping for. Susan wrapped herself in her new plush bathrobe with a delighted laugh.
“I think it’s time for someone else now,” John said. “Those two big boxes are for you, Julia.” He rose from the sofa and handed her one.
