by Aubrey Wynne
“Have you changed a diaper before?”
“Sure, sort of. Pa and I do it together, but I can manage by myself. I’m an uncle, ya know.” He carefully laid JJ on the changing table, and Laura sat on the bed.
She listened to her brother-in-law talk nonsense to his nephew, goo-goos and ga-gas. Then a tickle that made Leroy laugh instead of the baby. Laura was surprised at how well he folded over and pinned the first side of the diaper. As he tackled the second pin, it dropped to the floor.
“Hold on there, fella,” he said as he bent to pick it up. His foot accidentally caught the end of the pin and sent it flying under the table. He got down on his knees to retrieve it.
Laura looked up to see JJ on the very edge of the table. He squealed and gave a big kick, sending his little body toppling off the table. Without thought, she jumped toward the baby and caught him, both of them falling onto Leroy. Holding JJ tight, she yelled, “How could you let him go like that? He might have cracked his head open!”
“I’m sorry, Beth.” Tears welled in his eyes, and the boy let out a sob. “I was just gettin’ the pin. I didn’t know.”
She clutched JJ to her breast, and then pulled Leroy close. “Oh Leroy, I didn’t mean to yell. It just scared me. Mommas get scared for their babies, that’s all.” He nodded his head and wiped at his tears.
But JJ was quiet now. His head fit under her chin as if he were the missing puzzle piece. His mouth open and closed against her chest, seeking and hungry. She closed her eyes, petrified of the fluttering in her heart. When Laura held him up, he smiled at her, kicking his little feet. Something inside her cracked. And then something like warm maple syrup spilled through her.
“I’ll take him for you now, Beth.” Leroy pulled on the baby and something snapped inside her.
“No, I’ve got him.” She clung to the child, silent tears rolling down her cheeks as he rocked him. “I’m so sorry, JJ. I’m so sorry. Momma loves you. Momma loves you.” Now that she held him, felt that warm life against her breast, she realized could never willingly let him go. Never.
“Laura Beth?” Joey stood in the doorway. “What happened?”
She shook her head, afraid to release her grip on the baby, on life. “I’m not a monster. Really I’m not. I just…”
Joey was next to her, holding them both. “I know you’re not, sweetheart. You just needed time.”
“I was so afraid of the pain, but I’d miss all the joy. How could I forget about the joy? Please forgive me.”
He wiped her wet cheeks. “Aw, darlin’, can you forgive me? You’ve been our rock since Mama passed. And when it was my turn, there was nothing I could do to ease your grief.” He kissed the top of her head. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For loving me, for being patient. For being my Joey and waiting for me to come back.” This time happy tears streaked her face. She breathed in the scent of baby powder and lotion, and it filled her with hope. It would be sad this Christmas without their daughter. But they had JJ, and he deserved every bit as much love as Lizzie.
“I hate to mess up a mushy moment,” Leroy said, his neck bright red. “But he’s only got half a diaper on. You might get real wet in a minute.”
Epilogue
“Passion is momentary; love is enduring.”
John Wooden
December 23, 1962
Joey fumbled the key and dropped it, again. They both giggled like the first time, remembering their wedding night a decade ago. The door opened, and it looked exactly as they remembered it. The big four-poster stood in the center of the room, and champagne sat iced in a bucket. He grabbed Laura’s hand and pulled her inside.
Just as she had ten years earlier, she walked over to the dresser and looked at herself in the mirror. She wore the same dark green suit, a little tighter and dated, but perfect for the occasion. Joey wore the dark gray jacket and pulled her against his chest as they locked gazes in the mirror.
“Happy anniversary, Laura Beth McCall. You still make me the happiest soldier in Texas.”
“Happy anniversary, Joey McCall. You’re still the handsomest man in Sweet Grove. And this time, you can tell Daddy we eloped.” Giggling, she turned in his arms and he kissed her—a long, unhurried, familiar kiss.
They had weathered some storms over the years and came out stronger for it. JJ was eight years old now and had two adopted siblings. Lori was six and Daniel was three. Leroy was off to college, his hands full with his niece and nephews whenever he came home.
Joe finally finished his degree and now free-lanced for newspapers across the country. He traveled often but never missed a holiday—or an anniversary. This year was special. He had promised himself that if he came back from Korea, he would bring his wife back here for their tenth, twentieth, and fiftieth anniversary. And he was a man of his word.
Her fingers pulled on his tie and loosened the knot. She stood on tiptoes and feathered kisses along his neck. Joey marveled at the passion that never dimmed when he kissed her. Or watched her stumble down the hall in a bathrobe in the middle of the night because one of the kids was sick. Or put curlers in her hair and eyelashes on eyes that she didn’t need. Or wipe baby puke off her shirt. Yep, she still had that power over him.
“What are you thinking about?” Laura Beth gave him a wicked smile and wiggled her eyebrows going back to work on his neck.
“I’m thinking how you are the Jill to my Jack. And I thank my lucky stars Roger Willard bought you a malt that day.”
Author’s Note
This was a work of love and a tribute to my in-laws, Glenn and Shirley Hall. They lost two children to the spinal atrophy disease, at that time diagnosed as Werdnig-Hoffman’s disease. The first child was 6 months old when he came down with pneumonia-like symptoms. The second child was just over a year when they discovered the genetic disease. She was pregnant at that time. Her son (my husband) was born, and she did not hold him for months except to feed or change him.
But fate finally smiled on them. And when Danny did not die, but grew stronger, they counted their blessings. Later, they adopted a girl. Shirley worked hard to make up for the time she had wasted in those first few months. She and her son had a bond that was resilient and loving.
I cannot imagine the pain they endured. I do know that these two people had the strongest marriage I have ever witnessed. They have been my inspiration in my own.
Shirley and Glenn have both passed on, but they live in our hearts every day. I still talk to her, especially when I’m irritated with her son. She always sides with me, even now—or so I tell my husband.
About the Author
About The Author
Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule and barn cats. She is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. Obsessions include history, travel, trailriding and all things Christmas.
Her short stories, Merry Christmas, Henry and Pete’s Mighty Purty Privies have won Readers Choice Awards and Dante’s Gift received the 2016 Golden Quill, Aspen Gold and Heart of Excellence awards, as well as being a Maggie finalist.
In addition to her Chicago Christmas novellas, Aubrey will release “A Vintage Romance” series inspired by tales of her stepfather, who served for the British Air Force in WWII. The stories will be set in the 40s & 50s. Her medieval fantasy series launched in 2017 with Rolf’s Quest, winner of the NTRWA Great Expectations and a Rebecca and Fire & Ice finalist.
KEEP IN TOUCH:
Website: http://www.aubreywynne.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnificentvalor
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubreywynne51
Subscribe to Aubrey’s newsletter for new releases and exclusive excerpts and free stories: Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/k3f1z5
Join the Ever After group: A place of handsome knights, dashing gentlemen
, beautiful, sassy women, and romance from the past to the present. You’ll also have some opportunities to help promote Aubrey with her upcoming releases if you feel so inclined. There is fun to be had, prizes to be given, and heroes and heroines to fall in love with. Come join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AubreyWynnesEverAfters/
Also by Aubrey Wynne
Aubrey’s Amazon Page
A Chicago
Dante’s Gift (A Chicago Christmas #1)
**Winner of the Golden Quill, Aspen Gold and Heart of Excellence awards**
“Wynne has crafted a a beautiful short story guaranteed to warm your heart and make you sigh.”
Kishan Paul, author of Second Wife series
“…a wonderfully poignant holiday romantic tale that intertwines two love stories…”
Jersey Girls Book Reviews
“A lovely sweet romance!”
Book Addicts
Paper Love (A Chicago Christmas #2)
**Bragg Medallion recipient, Golden Aspen and Golden Quill finalist**
“This author has a knack for love stories that make your heart flutter.”
Reads2Love
“Aubrey Wynne is a talented author weaving a descriptive setting, cultural details, historical facts, and inspirational romance into a delightful read.”
Renate, Goodreads Review
Merry Christmas, Henry (A Chicago Christmas #3)
**Preditors and Editors Readers Choice Award**
“Captivating Christmas Choice!”
Kindle Book Review
“Short, sweet, and stunning!”
Great Reads
A Small Town Romance
Saving Grace (A Small Town Romance)
“I would definitely recommend Saving Grace, and its author, to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, even if they are not fans of historical reads. Kudos to the author for putting together a story that leaves you guessing until the end, and educates the reader just a bit along the way!”
Amazon Review
“I am becoming a pretty decent fan of the author I would say at this point. She managed in such a short amount of pages to thrill me with some lore, romance, and suspense.”
Amazon review
A Medieval Encounter series
Rolf’s Quest (A Medieval Encounter #1)
**Great Expectations winner, Fire & Ice finalist**
“Romance, destiny, family values & betrayal all played parts in this intriguing novel that had me turning each page in anticipation.”
The BookTweeter
“I enjoyed the flow of the story and the sweet, charming romance. There were unexpected twists and turns that kept my pages turning until the very last page! I highly recommend taking a read through Aubrey’s tapestry of Merlin, magic, and true love.”
Amazon Reviewer
A Just for Sh*#$ and Giggles Short Story series
To Cast A Cliche (A Just for Sh*#$ and Giggles Short Story #1)
“…a fractured fairy tale with humor and tongue in cheek…to use a cliché.”
Nancy Pennick, author of My Highlander Husband
“Fairy tale lovers will delight in this short story… It’s a fun read that will have you playing “count the cliches” until the cows come home.”
Reads2Love
Pete’s Mighty Purty Privies (A Just for Sh*#$ and Giggles Short Story #2)
**Preditor’s and Editors Readers Choice Award**
**Goodread’s Top 100 Laugh Out Loud List**
“The author has a gift for clarity and humor and I can’t recommend this short story enough. Hilarious!”
N.N. Light Book Reviews
“Expertly written and hysterical. You can’t go wrong with this one.”
Renea Mason, author of The Good Doctor trilogy
More from First Street Church
Start with the series by Melissa Storm
Welcome to the tiny town of Sweet Grove, TX, where neighbors still care deeply about each other and the little white chapel on First Street is the heart and soul of all who live here.
It’s a simple life–a good life–yet many here are suffering invisible pains. From alcoholism to divorce, hoarding, and even suicide, the struggles are real but so is the God who loves this town and all its residents. Through the darkest of times and the deepest of tragedies, each day provides a new chance to find faith, hope… and even love.
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