A Mrs. Miracle Christmas(48)

The tears that had been so close to the surface flooded Laurel’s eyes, and her throat closed so all that she could manage was a watery smile.

Their caseworker cleared her throat. “Lizzy’s parents, John and Abbie, are here. They would like to see you. I wanted to meet with you first to explain a few things before I introduced you.”

“I’d like that,” Zach said.

Still unable to speak, Laurel nodded.

“Lizzy is with her mother in the labor room, but her father is nearby.”

Zach’s hand tightened around Laurel’s.

Mary took the next several minutes explaining the back story. Lizzy had made the difficult decision that she wasn’t emotionally or mentally prepared to raise a child. The baby’s father, also a teenager, had signed over his parental rights. As soon as he’d learned Lizzy was pregnant, he’d broken off the relationship and was no longer in the picture. Mary then detailed the terms of the adoption, explaining that Lizzy and her family would prefer an open adoption, which would help Lizzy deal with the grief she’d feel afterward.

    The details flew over Laurel’s head. She heard everything, but none of it felt real. She felt like she was living in a dream.

When Zach and Mary stood, Laurel did, too. She blindly followed behind them, ready at any minute to pinch herself back into reality. Only after she met Lizzy’s father, John Bancroft, did any of it feel real.

“We’re sorry to hit you with this news at the last minute,” John Bancroft said after exchanging handshakes with Zach and Laurel. “As you can imagine, Lizzy, her mother, and I have struggled with this decision. Once it was made, we needed time to prayerfully consider which family would be best for this baby.”

“You chose us?” Laurel whispered.

“Lizzy was the one who chose you to raise her baby. Her youngest sister, Bella, was in your class last year when your first adoption fell through at the last minute.”

That seemed like far longer ago than a year. It was another lifetime.

“My wife was a classroom volunteer and she saw how wonderful you were with the children. When you were forced to give up the baby boy, she and Bella witnessed your grief. When Lizzy recently made the decision to put her baby up for adoption, Bella and my wife thought of you, and suggested it to Lizzy.”

    A nurse appeared and looked over to the caseworker and John Bancroft. “It’s getting close.”

John focused his attention on Zach and Laurel.

“Lizzy and my wife wanted to know if you’d like to be in the room for the birth.”

“Very much,” Laurel answered, tears now running down her cheeks.

“Yes,” Zach replied with enthusiasm.

The delivery room nurse indicated otherwise. “Only one of you will be allowed. There’s room for two in the delivery room, and Lizzy wants her mother by her side.”

Laurel and Zach exchanged glances.

“You go,” he said.

Laurel was about to follow the nurse when Zach held her back. Taking hold of her by the shoulders, he touched his forehead against hers and smiled, tears glistening in his eyes. “Welcome our daughter into the world for me,” he whispered, his voice breaking.

Laurel nodded, then followed the nurse behind the secure doors.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN




Mrs. Miracle stayed with Helen for a short time after Laurel and Zach headed off to the hospital. Helen’s head was spinning with what had happened. She’d grown impatient with Zach, afraid he was going to ignore the phone call.

“This is it,” she said, giving her home companion a high-five, the sound of their hand-slapping echoing through the silent house. “My great-granddaughter is about to be born.”

“Are you surprised?”

“Why should I be?” Helen replied with confidence. From what Mrs. Miracle had told her, it would be any day now. She hadn’t expected it would be this day, though.

“Shall I make us a cup of tea before you head up to bed?”

    “That would be lovely.”

Helen made her way to her chair. Once seated, she closed her eyes and whispered a heartfelt prayer, beginning with a request for the safety of baby and mother during delivery, and that the birth mom and her family would feel comfort in knowing that they’d made the right decision. She then thanked God for sending this special angel to her as a comforter and an encourager. Mrs. Miracle had arrived at the perfect time. She ended by asking God to allow her to live long enough to enjoy her great-granddaughter for a little while.

A few minutes later Mrs. Miracle returned, carrying two delicate cups of tea. “Careful, it’s hot,” she warned.

Helen held the cup with both hands. She closed her eyes for a moment, reliving the look on her granddaughter’s face when Laurel got the news about the baby. She held on to the surprise and joy in her granddaughter’s eyes for several moments.

“You knew all along the baby would be born this night, didn’t you?” she asked, opening her eyes toward her friend.

“Not exactly,” Mrs. Miracle clarified, as she took her normal seat next to Helen. “I knew it would be sooner rather than later, though.”

Helen marveled at the timing. “How absolutely perfect that this babe would arrive on Christmas Eve.”