by Debbie White
By the time they were finished, they’d tossed in restaurant menus, pictures, love notes that had been scribbled on small pieces of paper, and lastly, their wedding announcement.
“I think this is a good representation of our journey, don’t you?” Annie said as she watched him lower the box into the hole.
“Yes, I do,” he said, handing her the shovel.
Annie covered the box with the dirt and then Jack patted it down with his foot.
“I have one more surprise. I’ll be right back.” Jack ran across the front lawn toward the back of the house.
Annie furrowed her brows as she watched him run. She figured he was going to the garage, but why he was had her stumped. Her smile widened broadly and her eyes lit up when she noticed him carrying a swing.
“I made the swing,” he said, clearly out of breath carrying the wooden seat, rope, and a ladder.
“Oh, Jack, thank you. It means that much more to me now that we’re having a baby.”
He leaned the ladder up against the tree. He swung the heavy duty rope over the fattest limb and then secured the rope through the holes in the wooden seat. He then threaded a washer through the ends and tied them off with knots. He swung on it a few times, ensuring it would hold weight. He jumped off and made a sweeping motion with one arm. “Try it.”
Annie jumped on the swing and pumped her legs a few times. “This is perfect.”
Jack caught the swing and stopped it. He held the swing steady with his hands on the rope. “I love you, Annie.”
Annie slipped off the seat and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too.”
“Every time you swing on this, or every time our child does, you can also remember the day we buried the keepsake box.”
“I’ll always remember this day.” She lifted herself on her tiptoes and kissed him.
The two held hands as they made their way to the front porch of Sweet Magnolia. But not before thunder cracked and a bolt of lightning came out of the sky, followed by buckets of rain.
“Run,” Jack said, pulling Annie to safety.
The two made it and stood on the front porch and watched as the nasty storm came ashore. Annie shivered. “Coffee?” she asked, looking up at Jack with playful eyes.
“I’ll start the fire,” he said, leading her inside.
Chapter 29
“Our first major holiday with the family in our new house,” Annie said, climbing the short stepladder to get the giant turkey platter down.
“Be careful up there,” Jack called out as he set plates around the table.
“Honey, I’m only a couple of months pregnant. The doctor says everything is great. Stop worrying.”
Jack tossed her a grin and went back to setting the table. “I’m glad I made a leaf for this table.”
“It will be so nice to have all of us here. Fourteen of the best people I know,” Annie said, crossing over to Jack and placing her hand on his shoulder.
“I’m so happy our families get along so well. What would we do if they didn’t?”
Annie shook her head. “I’m just glad that they do.”
“That turkey smells great, Annie.”
“Turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, asparagus, rolls …”
“Cranberry sauce,” Jack said, nodding.
“Cranberry sauce, oh, and mashed potatoes and gravy,” Annie said, delighted she named everything.
“Dessert?!”
“A hummingbird cake, thanks to Betsy,” Annie said.
“What’s a hummingbird cake?”
“It’s a moist spice cake with pineapple and bananas—and a cream cheese frosting.”
“No pie?” Jack said, pouting.
“Yes, your mom is bringing an apple and a pumpkin pie.” Annie playfully smacked him on the shoulder.
Everyone gathered around the table. Even with the leaf inserted, their shoulders bunched up in a few places, but Danny and Mary didn’t mind sitting so close together. Annie had to remind them a few times to behave … their hands were everywhere but in their laps.
“Jack, please help me with the turkey,” Annie asked.
Annie scooped out the dressing from the bird and piled it high into a bowl. Jack carved the turkey with the electric knife while Annie dished up the mashed potatoes. She ran her hand across her forehead and wiped the beads of sweat on her apron.
“Are you okay, honey?” Jack asked as he layered the slices of turkey on the platter.
“Yes, I’m feeling a bit warm. It’ll be nice to sit down.” She took the first dish into the dining room and placed it on the table. Jack came up behind her and set the huge platter in the middle.
Once the table was set with all the dishes, Annie and Jack took their places at each end of the table. And like every meal, they bowed their heads and said a blessing before digging in. But this time, right after the blessing, Annie and Jack had a few more words to share.
“Before we start to eat, we have an announcement to make,” Jack said, gazing at Annie from across the table.
Annie cleared her throat. “Well, since I’m starving, let’s just get right to the point.” She pulled in her bottom lip as her eyes darted around the table. When her eyes landed on Grandmother, Grandmother nodded slowly and a sly grin crossed her face. She knew! Annie swallowed down the lump that formed in her throat and moved her eyes back to Jack. “We’re having a baby,” she shouted.
All of a sudden, the entire room broke out in total chaos. Everyone started talking to each other and shouting out things. Annie’s eyes widened as she watched her crazy family celebrate in the news. After a few minutes, everyone quieted down and the only noises that could be heard were the scraping of bowls and plates and the clanking of utensils as they all enjoyed their dinner.
After dinner, no one would allow Annie to lift a finger in the kitchen. Mary, Milly, and Diane, along with Richard, Danny, and Jack cleared the table and stacked the dishwasher.
“You all go sit down in the living room,” Milly said, waving her hands wildly shoeing them out.
Grandpa Russell and Grandpa Bert sat with Annie and Jack’s dad, Robert. Buffy sat on Grandpa Bert’s lap. She knew only too well where the handouts came from. Bert fed her bites from the table all evening, and Annie didn’t have the heart to call him out on it.
“Get used to it, honey. We only have one little one. It’s been a while since we had a baby in the house,” Grandpa Bert said.
“Yes, let’s see. Crystal and our baby will be cousins. How exciting,” Annie said.
“Are you planning on working still?” Robert asked.
“Yes, I feel fine. I’m sure this pregnancy will be as normal as they come. I’m just feeling a bit fatigued right now. This was a large crowd to feed.”
“We won’t make you do it for Christmas,” Grandpa Russell said.
“Who’s ready to get beat in Monopoly?” Jack said, clearing the coffee table.
“I call the dog,” Annie said.
After playing the game for about two hours, everyone gave in, and crowned Jack the winner.
“Here, take all my money,” Danny said shoving the play dollars toward him.
“And all of my property,” Mary said with her lower lip stuck out.
Annie shook her head back and forth fiercely. “Jack Powell does it again and the crowd cheers,” she said with a snappy tone.
“I asked ya’ll from the very beginning, who wanted to get beat. Didn’t I?” he asked, looking around the room.
Annie gawked at him. “Whatever. Who’s ready for dessert?”
Grandmother Lilly, Auntie Patty, and Jack’s grandmothers, Polly and Cora, served dessert.
By the time the family left, Annie could hardly keep her eyes open. “I’m just so tired,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t really understand it.”
“And the doctor said everything was okay?” Jack said through peering eyes.
“Yes. They did take some bloodwork. I’ll follow up on that after the weekend,” Annie said, climb
ing into bed and pulling the covers up. “Thanks for all the help tonight,” she said, leaning forward and waiting for a kiss.
Jack leaned in and met her mouth. “You’re welcome. Let’s just take it easy the rest of the weekend. You’ve been putting in a lot of hours at the bakery.”
Annie rose up and scooted toward the headboard. “Tomorrow is Black Friday. I have to go in, I’m on the schedule. The girls wanted to go Christmas shopping.” She reeled her head back, gently hitting the wood headboard.
“Okay, let me think about this for a second.” He strummed his fingers on his chin.
Annie turned slightly and giggled. “Baby, there’s nothing you can do. Betsy and I are on the schedule and that’s that.”
Jack grabbed his phone off the nightstand and began texting.
“Who are you texting?”
He stared at his phone then began to nod. He laid the phone back on the nightstand. “It’s all taken care of. You have the day off tomorrow.”
Annie lifted her brows. “Huh?”
“Peter is coming in.”
“Peter?”
“Yes, Peter. And, I promised him I would stop by and see if he needed any help.”
“If he could just hold the fort down for half of my shift, I’m sure I’ll feel much better by noon.”
“Get some sleep,” Jack said, patting her hand.
Sleeping in, sipping hot tea, snuggled on the couch, and being served scrambled eggs and toast made Annie smile. It was just what she needed. Jack knew her so well. “Thank you, Jack. This is just what I needed. How did you know?”
“Because we have that connection,” he said, taking two fingers and moving them back and forth from his eyes to hers and back to his.
Annie laughed. “Yes, we definitely have a connection,” she said, snuggling in close.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her tightly. “I love you. I want you to be extremely careful the first trimester.”
Annie furrowed her brows and reeled her neck back and stared. “How did you become such an expert on the first trimester?”
“I know these things,” he said, rocking his head back and forth.
“Uh huh.” She drew in a sip of her tea.
“Anyway, isn’t that what they say?”
“Yes, Jack, that’s what they say. But I don’t need two doctors. Let’s just do what the real doctor says. I love that you’re being so attentive, I really do, but don’t spoil me too much. I might get used to it.” She reached up and put her hands around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
“I want to spoil you. And our baby.”
“This child of ours will have so much love. Our families will see to it that you aren’t the only one spoiling him or her.”
“Annie?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think we’re having a boy or a girl?”
Annie chuckled. “I haven’t a clue. They’ll tell us when it’s time. For now, let’s just hope for a happy and healthy baby.”
Jack leaned over and kissed her again.
Even though the miscarriage was brought on by the accident, Annie knew Jack’s overprotection was a result of that sad day. If she were to be completely honest, she thought about it as well.
Chapter 30
Just as Annie had predicted and shared with her employees, the holiday time at the bakery, although extremely busy, brought happy moments to Sweet Indulgence as well. Children, along with their parents and grandparents, not to mention their furry friends, made selling cupcakes and cookies a pure joy.
Annie was feeling better as the days went on. She made sure she took her prenatal vitamins, got plenty of rest, and ate small but frequent meals to ensure her blood sugar stayed even. The bloodwork came back indicating that she was a bit low on iron, which explained her fatigue.
Fortunately for her, two people came in to inquire about the part-time hours and Annie couldn’t wait to get them on board. They were fast learners too, so before she realized, Toby and Keith, were on the schedule.
“I just have to tell you how funny it seems to have two employees with the names Toby and Keith,” Annie said, giggling as she took off her apron.
The two young guys laughed. “Yeah, we hear that a lot,” they said, referring to the country singer Toby Keith.
“Well, I won’t forget your names, that’s for sure. And with pregnancy brain looming, that’s a good thing.” She smiled, her eyes meeting first Toby’s then Keith’s. “I’m headed out for the day. Ms. Walker is here if you need anything,” she said, looking at the schedule. “And Morgan will be in later.”
“Have a good evening,” Betsy called out.
Annie stepped back around and poked her head in the kitchen. “How’s the wedding cake plan coming along?”
Betsy sighed, lifting her shoulders up and down. “Good, except she’s changed the order three times.”
Annie laughed. “Brides, they can be so fickle.”
“It’s a good thing I love that Rebecca or I’d tell her to go find another baker,” Betsy said, tipping her head back and forth.
“I know, she’s stressed—her wedding and a new restaurant opening. I feel her pain.” Annie turned to leave.
“Oh, Annie?”
Annie stopped and whirled around. “Yes?”
“I’m a little concerned about Lilly.”
Annie tilted her head. “Why?”
“Her breathing is becoming more labored, and she’s wheezing a lot more. I think she should be checked out.”
Annie’s eyes grew wide. Her heart dropped like an iron anchor to the pit of her stomach. She’d not been paying attention. With the bakery, holidays, and pregnancy, she’d forgotten about some of the people she loved the most. “Betsy, I’m ashamed of myself. I should have paid more attention. Of course, I’ll make the appointment right away.” She lowered her head.
Betsy put down her spatula and moved toward Annie. “It’s not your fault. They’re getting up there in age. It’s probably nothing, but better to have the doctor confirm it. And, on a positive note, we’re all going to the Christmas musical at the performing arts center and have dinner afterward. Does that sound like the evening for someone who is sick?”
Annie shook her head. “Grandmother won’t give up until she has to.”
Betsy nodded. “Can you blame her?”
As soon as Annie got in her car she called Grandmother’s doctor. And while she had the appointment clerk on the phone, she made an appointment for Auntie Patty, too. No reason to take any chances.
“I don’t know why you insist on taking me to the doctor,” Lilly said, clearly upset by the visit.
“I want to make sure you and Auntie are okay. It’s been a while since you’ve been. You might need some shots or something,” Annie said, quickly trying to cover the real reason for the visit.
“Shots? You say that like we’re some family pet,” Lilly said.
“Well, you’re my family and I also love my Buffy, too.” Annie giggled.
Lilly heaved her shoulders back and forth, up and down. “Well, I feel fine.”
The doctor called Annie in first to ask her why the visit. She told him their observations. She waited out in the lobby while he examined her. While Auntie was examined, Lilly and Annie waited.
After the examinations, the doctor called them all in together. “First of all, I think you both are in pretty darn good shape for your age. I’m going to have you go to the lab and have some blood drawn. After we get the results, I’ll know for sure what to do. In the meantime, keep doing what you’ve been doing. If you feel any pain or sudden feeling like you can’t breathe, call 9-1-1.”
The day of Rebecca and Michael’s wedding proved to be challenging. It rained all day, and Betsy, alarmed about the cake becoming a ruined mess, consulted with Annie about the best way to transport the cake.
Jack came to the rescue like he did on most challenges, and backed the van up to the back door of the bakery. With Jack on one side and Annie
on the other, they quickly carried the round disc with the cake on top to the van while Betsy held a clean plastic garbage bag high above it. Once it was placed safely inside, Betsy rode with it in the back, ensuring it didn’t topple over.
They arrived at the restaurant, The Black Eyed Pea, where the reception would be held. Although not yet open to the public, it was the perfect place to host their reception. Annie, Morgan, Betsy, Milly, and Diane, along with some of Rebecca’s family and friends, decorated the restaurant and when they were satisfied with how it all looked, they headed to the church.
Everyone gasped and oohed and awed when she walked down the aisle, holding her dad’s arm. Everything from her gown to her hair exuberated perfection and glamor. The ear to ear smile on Michael’s face showed his excitement and his love for Rebecca.
A warm feeling traveled up Annie’s back and made her face blush. She laced her arm with Jack’s. “They look so lovely together.”
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Yes, they do. I’m so happy for them.”
After the ceremony everyone headed over to the restaurant. When it came time to toast the happy couple, Annie drank apple cider. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was worth it. There’d be other moments when she could celebrate with champagne. Like after the birth of their baby.
On Christmas morning, Jack and Annie sat on their couch staring at the lit tree with presents underneath it, sipping hot cocoa. After a breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls and bacon, the two were cozy and full. Annie leaned her head on Jack’s shoulder with Buffy curled up at her feet. “I’m so happy your family convinced me to let them host tonight’s dinner.”
“Me, too. They’ll be plenty of times for more hosting here.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Ready to open some presents?” He leaped off the couch and left the room. Annie watched as he ran down toward the back of the house. “I’ll be right back.”
Annie sipped on her hot chocolate while she waited. Soon she could hear him breathing heavy as he approached them. Her eyes lit up when she saw what he carried in. “A cradle!”
