“Sit with me; tell me about you and Brody. You went out on a date last night, didn’t you?” she asked, patting the stool next to her, before she began to eat her pancakes. Grinning, I picked up my plate with my pancakes and sat down.
“We went for pizza and then on to a bar for a drink. It was great.” She smiled at me as she swallowed down a mouthful of coffee.
“I can see you really like him, honey. Your face lights up when you talk about him.” She patted my hand. “I’m so pleased for you. You deserve some happiness, and I know he likes you too.”
“I hope so,” I said quietly.
“I know so, sweetie.” Just then we heard the front door open and voices coming from the hallway. Claire flew up out of her seat, meeting Ryan and Brody at the kitchen door. “I’ve been trying to call you!” she cried flinging her arms around Ryan. I saw Brody look past Claire to me, his face etched with worry.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan asked as Claire stepped out of his embrace. Before she could reply the phone on the counter began to ring and vibrate.
“Oh my God!” she shrieked as she raced across the kitchen, snatching up the phone. “Hello.”
“What the hell is going on?” Ryan asked, looking at me. I smiled and kept quiet. There was no way I was going to spoil the surprise I knew Claire was desperate to share.
“A girl! Are they both okay?” Claire asked into the phone. I watched as Ryan’s eyes went wide as he realized who Claire was talking to. Coming to stand next to her, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Brody had made his way over to me, kissing me on the head as his arms pulled me against him. “Oh, thank goodness,” Claire exclaimed, the relief evident in her voice. “You tell my baby girl, I’m so proud of her. You too, Josh. Congratulations.” Her voice broke and tears tracked down her face. Ryan reached up and took the phone from her shaking hand.
“Hi, Josh, it's Ryan. Claire’s a little emotional,” he said with a chuckle. “Congratulations, son. When can we visit?” He nodded. “We’ll be there. See you soon.”
“When can we visit?” Brody asked, squeezing me tightly against him.
“Visiting’s at two o’clock.”
“We should head into Marble Falls and get some balloons and gifts,” Claire announced, pulling herself together. “I can’t believe I have a granddaughter.” Her voice wobbled with emotion.
“Congratulations, all of you.” I looked up to Brody who was smiling wide. “You’re an uncle.” Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed his lips.
“I am!” He picked me up and swung me around and I laughed against his shoulder.
“Have fun picking out gifts and take lots of pictures when you visit.” I didn’t want to intrude on this amazing family moment they were about to have. Though I would love to see Savannah and the baby, I would wait until they were home. Looking up, I saw Brody frowning at me, but Claire spoke before he could.
“Don’t be silly. You’re coming too.”
“Oh no, really, I’ll wait until they’re home. This should be a family thing.”
“Honey, you are family.” I looked over to Brody, and he nodded.
“Sav will want you there,” Brody insisted. Looking between them, I smiled.
“Well, okay… if you’re sure?”
“We’re sure,” Claire replied. “Now go. Get showered, you two. I don’t want to be late for visiting.” She ushered Ryan and Brody out of the kitchen. I laughed and began to follow them, needing to get changed myself. Claire reached her arm out and stopped me before I got to the door.
“Thank you, Quinn. For breakfast and for keeping me company while I slowly went insane.” I reached my arms around her and gave her a hug. It was as much for me as it was for her. I missed my mom and a hug from Claire filled a little bit of the void in my heart.
“You don’t need to thank me,” I assured her before heading upstairs to change.
Half an hour later and we were on the way to Marble Falls in Brody’s truck. Claire and Ryan had insisted I sit up front with Brody while they sat in the back. I tried to protest but they ignored me and climbed into the back regardless. I wasn’t complaining, Brody was holding my hand as he drove, his thumb gently stroking the skin on the back of my hand.
After parking, Brody and I walked hand in hand along the sidewalk, following Claire and Ryan into a small gift store. Claire was talking to the girl behind the counter, ordering balloons to take to the hospital. Turning to look at Brody he was holding up a pink fluffy rabbit.
“What do you think?”
“Perfect.” I reached up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “I think pink is your color.” He rolled his eyes and walked over to the cash register, paying for the rabbit while Claire was still ordering balloons.
“We’ve got to come back in twenty minutes for the balloons. Let’s grab a coffee while we wait,” Claire suggested. Following her outside, the coffee shop was just across the street. Sitting at a booth in the window, Brody and Ryan went up to the counter to order.
“This was the first place I visited when I got into Marble Falls. I was desperate for a coffee after being stuck on the bus for two days. It’s hard to believe how things have changed since I arrived.” I looked over to where Brody was waiting to order coffee. My heart stuttered as he turned and winked at me. I felt Claire’s hand come over mine.