Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(47)

“I mean we need to wait. Because you matter more to me than that, Elise.” He exhaled. “And that’s how I’m going to treat you. Whatever happens for us in the future.”

Somehow his words actually made her feel special. He hugged her again, but this time he didn’t linger. They rode their bikes to Foster’s Ice Cream and then back to Cole’s house. For an hour they talked about school and studying and summer vacations. The subject of the baby and marriage and forever didn’t come up again, but Elise could see it. There in Cole’s eyes.

That night long after Cole had taken her home, after she’d talked with Aunt Carol and Uncle Ken about school and college and the things they liked to chat about, Elise turned in early. She wasn’t ready to tell her aunt and uncle about the baby. Her poor mom didn’t even know.

Instead she wanted to replay everything about the day with Cole. The more she thought about it, the more she could picture keeping the baby. Not that she was ready to be a mom, but with Cole at her side anything was possible. They were young, but Cole would marry her. That’s what he’d said, right?

So they would get married and Cole would work and take classes online and together they would raise this baby. Elise smiled as she lay in her bed in the dark. She could paint from home, the way Cole’s mother did, and everything would turn out like a dream. Cole was the perfect gentleman. And even if they weren’t official he was the best boyfriend.

So maybe she should welcome this baby. Because as wonderful as Cole was now, Elise could only imagine him in the future.

He would be the greatest daddy any child ever had.





14




Ashley heard the familiar pounding of Cole’s feet running down the stairs, the way he’d done every night and day for most of his life. Not many more months of this sound, she told herself. She loved the way it filled her heart and reminded her that he was still here. Still living under their roof.

For now.

But this time when Ashley turned around what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Dressed in a black tux with a fitted jacket, white button-down shirt, and a pale blue bow tie, Cole looked like he’d stepped out of a bridal magazine. Don’t go there, she told herself. Relax. This wasn’t his wedding. Not yet. Not anytime soon if God answered her prayers.

This was Cole’s prom. His very last one. She stood and met him near the base of the stairs. “Honey.” She held out her hand and gently squeezed his. “You look incredible.”

“The bow tie matches Elise’s dress.” He paused as if he could read her mind. “And no, she doesn’t look pregnant. I’ve seen pictures of her dress. She still looks just like Belle.”

“I’m sure she’s stunning.” Ashley smiled at him. “I’ll get the corsage and boutonniere.”

Ashley ignored Cole’s statement about Belle. She had heard him make the comparison more than once. How Elise looked like the Disney princess. It was true, Elise was beautiful. And yes, she favored the sweet girl who befriends a beast.

But it wasn’t healthy for Cole to think this was some fantasy playing out around him. Elise had stepped into his life not from a fairy tale, but from Louisiana. And her struggles were very different than those of a fictional princess.

Never mind. Tonight was a celebration. His last high school dance. “When will you pick her up?” she called back to the living room.

“Ten minutes.”

Like before so many other dances, Ashley snapped a few pictures of Cole by himself near the stairs before he left. Less than half an hour later her son brought Elise by the house for more photos. By then Landon was home and he stood with Ashley while she captured the perfect few shots. Elise pinning on his boutonniere and Cole giving her a wrist corsage.

Amy and Devin and Janessa came in from outside and watched, too. “Wow.” Devin had the basketball under his arm. His eyes were wide as he took in his brother and Elise. “You two look like movie stars.”

Ashley took another picture. “It’s true.” She smiled. It was easy to pretend this was any other dance, and Elise was any other girl Cole might’ve asked to the prom. “You’re beautiful together.”

“You seem like a princess.” Amy’s eyes shone as she took in the sight of Elise. “You’ll be the prettiest girl there.”

“Thank you.” Elise looked from Amy to Ashley and then to Cole. “Have I mentioned how much I love your family?”

Even Landon laughed this time. “I don’t think I was dressed this nice when I married your mom,” he told Cole. “Hey, have a good time, you two.”

Before they left, Cole hugged Ashley and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom. For understanding.” He smiled at her. “You’re amazing.”

Amazing. She slipped her arm around Landon’s waist and nodded. “Thanks, Cole. You, too.”

Elise hugged Ashley, and then in a blur of goodbyes, they were gone.

When the other kids were upstairs getting ready for dinner, Ashley turned to Landon. “Please pray.”

He kissed her forehead. “I already know what you’re going to say. And I’ve been praying the whole time.”

“That they won’t get married?”

“Right.” He pulled her into his arms, slow and tender. “Our son will make a wonderful husband and father one day. But not before he’s twenty.”