With Paxton and Julie gone, Jace, Brooke, and Miranda are the only ones accompanying me to my parents' house. Today’s my baby shower, a day I should be happy to celebrate. Except I’m not overly excited. I asked my mother to do a Jack and Jill shower, hoping that Paxton would be here to celebrate. Paxton’s only been gone for a few days, but it feels like a month. It could be that I’m miserable, grumpy, and tired. There’s so much pressure in my hips that I don’t want to move. Yesterday before leaving work, I went to talk to David about starting my maternity leave a week earlier than I’d planned. We both agreed that I can do some of my work from home, allowing me to still be in the mix. Thankful for his gesture, I snagged up the opportunity. On Monday, I’ll start working from home in the comfort of my lounge pants. Okay, my leggings and an oversized shirt with no bra. That’s what I tried to wear today, but was shut down by Brooke and Miranda. Jace walked away holding his hands up in the air mumbling something about not fighting with the hormonal one. Poor Jace. This week’s been the roughest on him and Brodie as they’ve been checking in on me at all times of the day and into the evening.

Brodie was a little sad that he was going to miss the shower, but we promised to bring him cake and pictures. This seemed to satisfy him as he pushed us out the door this morning. My mother has gone through the guest list with me about a million times. I’m shocked that Frank West, Paxton’s father, RSVP’d. I didn’t even know that Paxton had told him about the baby. Maybe our communication needs to be worked on. Since the night I told him, everything’s happened so fast.

“Belle, you’re quiet,” Brooke says from the driver seat.

“Just thinking.” My voice is flat with no sign of emotion as I stare out at the passing cars.

“About?”

“Stuff, life, Paxton, the baby. Do I need to go on?”

“No, but you need to snap out of this. Get over it. I know it sucks, but what was he supposed to do?” Brooke lashes out.

“I don’t know, and I do know he had to go. It’s just…” I stop, taking a moment before I reveal the truth about my feelings. “It’s just a part of me feels that things got rocky and he ran. I know in my heart that’s not the case, but my head tells me to protect myself.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” comes from Jace’s mouth in the back seat.

“I’m with him on this one,” Miranda states.

My eyes drift over to where Brooke’s hands are gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than she should be.

“Annabelle, get your head out of your ass. Paxton is so in this that he can’t focus on a thing. If you would just open your eyes and notice, you’d see it. Yes, he’s worried and scared like you are. But this is out of his control. He can’t help that his job requires him to travel. This isn’t new, and I’d bet a million dollars that this won’t be the last time either. He supports you, and you need to do the same to him. You have it in that pretty little head of yours that he’s going to walk away from all this. Not in any of the years that I’ve known you two has he ever given me that impression. Yes, it took him longer than I expected to wake up and realize that he loved you and vice versa, but give the guy a break.”

“Wow, have you been rehearsing that?” I ask as I try to figure out where all that came from.

“Honestly, yes, I have.”

Miranda responds, “She’s right, and I agree with everything she said. We love you, Annabelle, and want you happy.”

“Thanks, guys, and I am happy. I just hate he has to miss the shower.”

“Oh and she hates the no sex until he’s back,” Jace spits out, causing us all to laugh. He might be right about that.

Brooke turns in to my parents' neighborhood, and I brace myself. I’m not one who likes all the attention on her. Today will have to be the exception.

---

I mingle around the room, thanking everyone for coming as I make my way over to the drink table. Scooping up a glass of punch, I stop as soon as a hand lands on my shoulder and that familiar voice floats toward me.

“Annabelle,” he says, causing me to turn around. When I do, I’m taken aback at how much Mr. West and Paxton resemble each other.

“Mr. West, it’s good to see you,” I say as I wrap my arms around his waist. When he returns the gesture it almost feels as if Pax is here with me.

“Please, I think it’s time you call me Frank.”

“It’s good to see you, Frank.”

“I wanted to see if I could steal you away for a brief moment?”

“Sure, what’s going on?” I question as I notice how nervous he seems.

“Nothing, sweetheart, I just need to do this before everything gets crazy. Come.” Frank motions for me to follow him out to the porch. When he opens the door, I step out and wait.

“I’m sorry Paxton couldn’t be here today. I’m sure he’d have loved to see you.”

“Yes, but I saw him before he left.”

“Really?” My voice hits a new level as I question him. Paxton didn’t mention anything to me, which throws me off my game a little.

“I was in the city, and we had lunch one afternoon. He’d already told me about the baby over the phone. I have to say I’m not surprised as I’ve been waiting for this day for some time now.”

“I think everyone was.”

“Annabelle, have a seat, will you.”

I take the closest rocker and brace myself.

“I wanted to give this to you here where we could have a moment alone. Your mother already knows what I have, and agreed that we need this.” I watch as he slides over a giant cradle that looks as old as I am. Turning my head to the side, I examine it. Taking in the way the workmanship is exquisite.

“This was Paxton’s when he was a baby. I spent eight months building and carving this before he entered this world. I kept it all these years hoping that one day I could pass it along to his child. When the two of us had lunch, I told him about the cradle still being in the attic. He gladly accepted but made a point to let me know that it was up to you. I went over it and made sure it’s sturdy and still intact.” I cut him off by standing abruptly and engulf him with my arms wrapped around his chest.

Mumbling into this shirt, “I love it and can’t wait to bring our baby home to sleep in it.”

“You sure, Annabelle? You don’t have to if you have something else.”

“No, this is perfect and I’m honored.”

With a pat on my back, he squeezes me a little harder before speaking.

“You know, that boy of mine has been head over heels in love with you since the day we moved here. He might not know how to show it all the time, but you’re all he talks about. You’ve always owned his heart.”

“I’ve loved him for that long too.”

“Give him the chance; he had it rough with me and his mom for a long time. But with your guidance, he’ll make you the happiest person in this world.”

“He already does,” I reassure Frank as I pull away and walk over to his gift to us. My hand runs along the edge of the mahogany wood. Picturing a young Paxton lying in the middle sleeping, I smile. It’s not just a normal smile, it’s special. It’s meant just for Paxton as he did this for me… us. A little piece of the past has been given to the two of us as we celebrate the future. We might be miles apart once again but, like always, he’s here with me in spirit.

Frank leads me back in. He’s a man of little words. I’ve learned over the years that when he does speak, you listen because they mean something. His emotions are usually masked and often not shared. Today on my parents' front porch, he’s shown me more than he ever has over the years. That was more of a gift than the cradle that once belonged to his son. I don’t know how Paxton did it, but I feel him with me here today. Maybe all I needed were the familiar eyes that match his to show me how special life is.

My mother smiles as she nods her understanding. The rest of the day goes by with laughter, food, friends, and family. The only thing missing was Paxton and my sister.