Page 27 of Blank Canvas

Erin glimpses my way and I spy the subtle, quick wince. I want to say,“I feel you, girl.”But I keep my lips shut. Jonas rambles because his nerves are shot and his thoughts are scattered. Although Erin and I are definitely not the same women we were three years ago, neither of us is in a romantic relationship or expecting a child. His comment isn’t meant to offend, so I don’t take it as such.

“We’re adulting,” I tease. “You guys”—I point down the hall, then between Autumn and Jonas—“are just adulting hard core.”

Erin laughs and we follow suit. Then Autumn stands up with anoh-shitlook on her face.

“Where’s the bathroom?”

Jonas is at her side immediately. “I’ll walk you.” I love how sweet my friend is. How attentive he is with Autumn. Jonas has always been such a good man. And it makes my heart happy he and Autumn found each other.

For years, I worried about him. Long before Gavin returned to Florida, I watched Jonas pine for Cora. And Cora almost gave in to the idea of a romantic relationship with him. Almost. But Jonas was the bigger person. He put aside his feelings for her and encouraged her to follow her heart.

Karma, in return, brought Jonas and Autumn together. And I honestly believe everything went according to plan.

Sometimes you have to deal with pain and heartache before you get your happily ever after. Which is what I keep telling myself. One day, I will get my happy ending too.

Elizabeth dashes into the waiting room with the biggest smile on her face. Peter—a.k.a. Mr. Davies—appears out of thin air.Has he been here the entire time and I ignored him?His smile is as big as Elizabeth’s and I have my answer. Obviously, he arrived before us and was in the room.

“She’s here!” Elizabeth says louder than ever before. “Seven pounds, eight ounces. And she is perfect.” She steeples her fingers in front of her lips. Her smile locked in place. A smile that will never fade.

“When can we see them?” Erin asks.

“In about fifteen minutes. They’re getting cleaned up and settled,” Peter states.

By the time Jonas and Autumn return, we are allowed to see Cora, Gavin, and Clara. We wander down the hall and, one by one, enter the room.

The hospital room is unlike any I have seen. So spacious and welcoming. Cora lies in a hospital bed that looks more comfortable than most regular beds. A rocking chair and stool take up the corner by the draped window. A small sofa and table sit opposite the bed. And tucked in the corner near the door is a collapsible bed. The room has everything for the new family.

A small, clear bassinet sits parked next to Cora’s bed, empty. I step farther into the room and locate my best friend. And she is positively glowing. Baby Clara rests peacefully in her arms, snug to her chest, fast asleep. Cora stares down at her in what can only be described as pure amazement. Gavin watches them both with similar awe in his eye.

And I want to cry. Shed a million tears for my friends and this newfound joy in their lives.

Cora peers up and sees me near the foot of the bed. “Hey,” she whispers.

“Hi.”

“Does Auntie Shelly want to hold her niece?”

I nod because I can’t seem to find my words.

Elizabeth appears at my side then guides me to the rocking chair. Gavin scoops up Clara so gently, I mentally gasp at how different he is as a father. Such a beautiful sight. He sets Clara in my arms and reminds me to support the back of her head. And we just rock.

Clara doesn’t wake. Her eyelids flutter now and again. Her lips twitch just as often. She makes the sweetest little sounds. And she smells amazing. All I do is stare at her and whisper how lucky she is to have such a wonderful mommy and daddy. That she is loved by so many. And when she gets older, I will do all the fun stuff with her.

“Do you want a picture?”

I peer up to see Jonas waving his phone in the air. “Please.”

He snaps several pictures and then Clara goes to the next set of arms as I evacuate the chair. Jonas sends me the pictures and I ooh and awe over them. Then, I send a photo to Devlyn.

Shelly:My best friend just had her baby. Isn’t she precious?

The small bubble pops up and dances a beat.

Devlyn:Two beauties in one masterpiece.

I stare down at the screen. Read his response. Then read it again. And again. Question if I misunderstand the message. But no matter how many times I read it, I decipher it the exact same way. Each time I read it, I hear Devlyn’s voice telling me I am beautiful. That I am a masterpiece.

And it confuses me.Devlyn confuses me.

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