Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(54)

For the first time Elise realized that her decision wasn’t going to affect only her. The baby was her mama’s first grandchild. “I’m sorry, Mama. I’m just . . . I’m not ready for this.” She felt the weight of all that lay ahead. Especially tonight, when all she wanted to do was find her way back to her mother’s arms. Back to life before she met Randy.

“We can talk about it later.” Her mother seemed content with that. “You don’t have to decide now.”

She was right. But Elise had no intention of changing her mind. Not now or when the baby was born. And not for the two weeks that followed. But there was no point talking about it further, since her mom clearly did not want her to take the adoption route.

Elise changed the subject. “Let me tell you about Cole.” She went into great detail about the guy she had fallen so fully for, the guy she was sure would only ever be a friend. She told her mother how Cole was willing to miss going away to college so he could be with her. “He even said maybe we’d get married. Next Christmas, if God was leading us that way.”

“He sounds wonderful.” Her mom sounded more relaxed. Hopeful, almost. “Maybe that’s what you should do. After graduation Cole could come here with you. He could have the guest room and—if God leads you two—you could get married and get a place not far from home.” She took a slow breath. “But if not, it worked for me, Elise. Being a single mom. You can do it. I’ll help you.” Then as if she had to say it, “If it’s what you want.”

What she wanted? Elise closed her eyes. She wanted to go back and never talk to Randy at that party. Wanted to be free and young and pure again. With a faith she had never walked away from. She had already set her mind on placing her baby for adoption. Her mom’s plan was outrageous. They were too young to play house, she and Cole.

Then why did her mother seem bent on convincing her about it?

The conversation went on another hour. They talked about her due date in mid-August and finally her mama finished the call with a warning. “If you give this baby up, Elise, you’ll never know your own child.”

Elise’s heart felt heavy. “I know that. But it’s still the right thing to do. For me.”

But by the time the call ended, Elise was less sure about her decision. Were Aaron and Lucy Williams the best parents for her baby? Or was she the best?

Gradually, as the next hour passed, her heart began to shift again. Her mother’s offer of help had made the idea of keeping her baby a little more possible. Would she regret her decision the rest of her life? Always wonder where her baby was or what had become of him or her?

Maybe she’d rushed too quickly into the adoption idea.

By the time she climbed into bed that night, she thought again about her mother’s idea. Mama would help with the baby and Cole would step in, even sleeping in the guest room until he and Elise figured out if they were supposed to get married. And if they didn’t get married and Cole left, then she’d be a single mom. But so what? Who better to help her than her own mother? And gradually, as she drifted off to sleep, the idea of keeping her baby didn’t sound so outrageous, after all.

It sounded wonderful.





16




For Aaron alone, Lucy had gotten on board and started praying once more for a child. That God would give them a baby and specifically that somehow, some way a child might come to them through the attorney. Alan Green.

The father of Brooke Baxter West’s patient.

She was headed out the door to work and this time, instead of zipping past the empty nursery down the hall from their bedroom, she stopped and stepped inside. The space felt sacred, here where her husband talked to God every morning. Where he read his Bible.

A room that had only made Lucy sad.

But if she was going to pray and believe, if she was truly intent on coming alongside Aaron and asking God for a baby, then she needed to figure out what to do with this room. She needed to hope and trust God. One last time.

With slow steps, like she was walking on holy ground, Lucy crossed the nursery to the crib. She clutched the white wooden rail and looked at the soft sheet. The pastel baby animals. On the first Saturday of every month, Aaron dusted everything in the room and washed the sheet, so the place was always clean.

A fresh smell hung in the air. Like they already had a baby and washing her bedding was a part of their normal routine. Lucy ran her hand along the edge of the small bed and closed her eyes. God, why am I doing this? Do You see me? Do You hear us?

Aaron thought hope permeated the room. But even now, all Lucy could feel was heartbreak. Help me believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. She bowed her head.

I see you, my daughter. I love you now and always.

The voice was clear and real. Chills ran down her arms and legs. The same voice she’d heard a few months ago. Was God really here, His presence all around her? And did He actually love her like the voice so clearly insisted? Whatever it was, this time Lucy knew one thing for sure.

She couldn’t ignore it.

Like she’d seen Aaron do, Lucy lowered herself to her knees and then she covered her face. “I’m here, Lord.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “If You’re the one talking to me, then I believe. I so want to believe. Help me trust You.”

Tears trickled down her cheeks as she stayed there, talking to God. Listening. Believing. Finally she stood and took another look at the baby crib. At the Winnie-the-Pooh curtains and the teddy bears on the dresser. She crossed the room and ran her hand over the still-soft fur.