“Well, I might not have a shaggy beard, but I am a self-proclaiming guru of all things yoga…and I have long hair. I’m Daisy, your yoga instructor.” She holds out her hand, and I give it a shake, before she turns to Hayleigh. “Yoga isn’t for everyone, but I have a feeling with an aura like yours that you will learn to love it.” Then she turns around and beckons us to follow her.
“Well, that told you. Serves you right for opening that big mouth of yours, Hayleigh,” Emmy scolds her as she walks past, and Hayleigh has the good sense to dip her head.
When we get inside, she walks right up to the instructor. “I am so sorry, Daisy. I was a raging bitch back there, and I promise you I am not usually like that.” My heart breaks a little at how sad Hayleigh sounds; she hasn’t been right since everything that happened with Pete and Emmy.
“Apology accepted. Don’t worry, I can tell the kind of person you really are. Your aura, remember?”
“What does that mean?” Hayleigh’s words aren’t harsh but soft and quizzical.
“I teach classes on it once a week. Before you leave, you should go check out my notice board and see if it’s something you would like, but I’d love to have you there.” She smiles at Hayleigh, then points to the three mats out in front of her. “These are your mats. Lacey, please sit in the middle. Emmy and Hayleigh, pick one on either side.”
“Is it just us?” I ask, wondering if anyone else is going to be joining, just so I’m prepared and don’t fall on my backside when someone else walks in.
“Yes, just you three. Don’t worry, because it’s your first time, I don’t want to throw you in with a big crowd.” In this moment, I decide that Daisy would be our newfound friend.
We spent the next hour going through some safe pregnancy yoga moves, with Daisy promising that she will be there on ournext girls' night out. We exchange numbers and leave the yoga studio relaxed and happy.
**********
Scan Day
“So, you’re sure I’m doing the right thing asking him?” I worry my bottom lip as nerves fire all around my body.
“I think you can only try and ask him. Ultimately, it’s down to him to decide if he wants to be there or not, but I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Cole’s words are like a balm to my soul as I open my messaging app.
Me
Hey, it’s Lacey. I just wanted to reach out and remind you that I have my 20-week growth scan today at 1 pm. It would be great if you could make it, if you’re serious about being in the baby’s life but again no pressure. Just let me know so I know where I stand?
I sit and re-read the message before turning it to Cole. “This doesn’t sound bitchy, does it?”
He laughs as he pushes my hair away from my face. “No, it’s a perfectly fair message. You just have to prepare yourself if he doesn’t turn up. But if he doesn’t, Lacey, that isn’t on you, okay?” He searches my face for a moment before kissing me softly on my lips. When he pulls away, he looks hesitant.
“Cole, what is it? You can talk to me.”
“I’ve been thinking…about us.”
Dread creeps into my stomach and, like the poison it is, seeps through my body. I don’t move and I don’t say a word.
“I want you to know that I have wanted to be with you since the day you kicked that kid for me, and it isn’t because you’re pregnant that I’m with you. I’m not saying I’m perfect or that Iwon’t screw up, but I am saying that I will come to you if I need you and I’ll never leave you…or Peanut.”
I don’t realise I’m holding my breath till it spills out in a sob. Cole panics and gathers me up in his arms. Through sniffles, I hit his chest. “You s-st-stupid idiot! I th-thought you were br-breaking up with m-me.”
“What is it with us Peterson men that our women think we’re breaking up with them?” He laughs to himself. “Far from it, Lacey. You have been stuck with me since you stood up for me that day. Shall we go and see how big Peanut has gotten?”
I nod my agreement and wipe my eyes. How did I get so lucky?
**********
No matter how many times I check the door, Ted doesn’t walk through it. Part of me is thankful; all he talked about on our non-date was getting together for some fun. He isn’t interested in Peanut, and he never will be. The other part, the one who grew up with an absent father, hoped that for Peanuts' sake, she’d have her dad. But if the Petersons have shown me anything, it is that DNA doesn’t make a family, and my little Peanut has a whole bunch of family ready to rally around her.
The receptionist shouts my name. The same sonographer, Lu, who we had during our first scan, greets us. She smiles widely as we reach her. “Ready to see your baby?” I look at Cole. Love shines in his eyes, his smile wide and bright.
“We’re ready.” I smile back at her. Just before we go through, the doors to the waiting room bang open. I am not ready for who just walks through those doors. I meet Cole’s horrified eyes, and I can see my shock reflected.
I guess this is a family event after all.
Chapter 16
