Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(81)

Something flickered in Cole’s eyes. Understanding. Like in light of all she’d just said, the idea of her going through with the adoption made more sense. He squeezed her hand. “But it’s what you want.” It wasn’t a question this time.

“Right.” She sniffed. “Gracie Anne deserves a better story than I can give her.” She let herself get lost in Cole’s eyes. “I believe that with all my heart.”

They were quiet for a while. Then they talked about Cole and his next few weeks at Liberty. He was going to try out for the baseball team, and based on the way he’d been hitting in his summer league games he felt good about his chances.

Elise understood. Cole was a different player than he’d been this past spring. When he was thinking he might be a father come August. The pressure wasn’t something he’d ever complained about. But it was there. That much was obvious.

“Maybe . . . you can come watch one of my games.” He faced her and took her other hand. “You know . . . if I make the team.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” Elise had expected him to say things like this. But she knew the truth. At Liberty, Cole would find someone like him. Someone good and true and pure, without the baggage Elise carried.

“I know what you’re thinking.” He leaned closer and put his hand alongside her face. “You think I’ll meet someone else and forget about you.”

No one had been able to read her the way he could. “It’s okay if you do.”

“I’m not planning on it.” He seemed careful not to make any promises. “It’s just . . . college, you know?”

Elise nodded. “I’ll be in New York and you’ll be in Virginia.” She remembered something. “Did I tell you they asked me to stay for the summer next year? I’ll work three art camps and make enough money to pay for one semester when my sophomore year starts.”

“Elise! That’s amazing!” A smile filled his face. “That’s my girl.”

Later when Elise looked back she knew she wouldn’t remember everything they’d talked about tonight or how the time went from ten o’clock to 11:55 so quickly. But she would remember forever the way Cole looked at her. The feel of his fingers between hers. The compassion in his voice.

Elise took a slow breath and glanced at the clock. “Five minutes.”

“Yes.” Cole kept his eyes on her. “You okay? You sure?”

“I am.” Elise had known every day for the past two weeks how she would spend these final minutes. She stood. “Can you hold me, Cole? Please?”

He was on his feet immediately. He took her in his strong arms and rocked her ever so slightly. The way they were standing, Elise could still see the clock. 11:56. The second hand raced past the three and on down to the six.

The way Elise wanted to spend these minutes was by simply remembering her, one more time. In the chair in the hospital room, her baby girl cradled in her arms, close to her heart. Her baby was still hers. Four more minutes. And once more she could feel the warm weight of her daughter, smell her skin and her infant breath.

Another glance. 11:58.

She was making the right decision. What she’d told Cole was the truth. Gracie Anne deserved a better life. Two parents who wanted a baby more than their next breath. And maybe one day decades from now she’d meet Aaron and Lucy, and she’d thank them. And she could tell Gracie Anne to her face how she had made this decision for one reason.

Out of the greatest love Elise had ever known.

11:59.

She could see it all again. Her baby girl opening her eyes, looking into Elise’s as if to tell her it was okay, this was the best decision. This was all going to be okay. Better than okay. And she was lifting her daughter to her face, brushing her cheek against her baby’s velvet-smooth skin. And the nurse was coming to get her and she was kissing the tiny infant’s face and her cheek.

She and Cole turned and watched the clock together as the second hand made the climb past nine and ten and eleven. And just like that it happened.

Midnight.

Elise closed her eyes and let her forehead fall against Cole’s chest. But instead of tears, she felt the most beautiful peace. As if God Himself was standing beside her, cheering her on, holding her up. She pictured Aaron and Lucy—the couple who had given her little girl the most beautiful name. Gracie Anne.

And Elise smiled. Because from this minute on Elise’s baby wouldn’t only be a child Aaron and Lucy got to name.

She would be theirs.

Forever and ever and ever more.

? ? ?

COLE HAD NEVER known anyone braver than Elise Walker, the way she had handled this night. Everything from her humor earlier to these last five minutes. Watching the clock forever erase any chance of Elise being able to change her mind.

Watching her let her tiny daughter go. For always.

It was a few minutes after midnight, and he needed to leave. Elise had to finish packing and Cole had to do the same. Their futures were waiting for them.

“You okay?” Cole felt like he’d been asking her that all night. But he wanted to know. Especially now. With the two weeks behind them.

“Yes.” Tears welled in her eyes. She blinked and shook her head a little. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.”

He chuckled. “Me, too.”

“Crazy, right?” She laughed even as two tears made their way down her face. “I’m so happy, Cole. Really. There’s no reason to cry.”