Page 89 of Finding My Forever

They were so in love and so blissfully happy. Of all of the people I knew, they deserved it the most. They’d been through so much pain and loss in the past few years that I wasn’t sure how they endured. This baby would be their world and I couldn’t wait to spoil him or her.

Liam returned to his seat with a small shopping bag. He tucked it on the floor by his feet and immersed himself in the conversation as if he’d never left.

“Do you have names picked out yet?”

Beth laughed. “Not quite. We can’t agree on anything.”

Finn shot me an exasperated look. “What she means is that she says no to every name I suggest.”

She leaned into him and laughed harder. “I think it will be easier once we know the gender.”

Liam laughed with everyone else. I tried to smile along, but my curiosity was distracting me. What had he brought?

Elise started talking about a case study involving children’s development and the conversation drifted to the classes Elise and Dallin were taking.

“Liam, are you taking any interesting courses this semester?” My dad leaned forward to meet his eyes.

Liam grinned. “Yes, but they all have to do with acting. I’m taking one on breaking down plays by their acts then studying the beats of each scene. It’s interesting.”

Everyone nodded, looking mesmerized. Acting, or the arts in general, wasn’t someone my family was familiar with so they were eating it up.

“And April said you’re in a performance this semester as well?”

Liam looked bashful for the first time since I met him. “Yeah, it’s a student production though, so it’s a bit rough compared to what you’re probably used to.”

Dad laughed. “Beth was in theater in middle school. I’m sure NYU’s student productions are an improvement over that.”

“Hey!” We laughed at Beth’s mock outrage. “We did a fine job.”

Dad laughed louder. “You didn’t have to watch it.”

Liam smiled and seemed to relax a bit.

“Do you like NYU?” Elise looked genuinely interested. That surprised me. She’d never shown any interest in any other school besides Lincoln since we were kids. I was shocked she knew other schools existed.

“Yes. I love it.” He paused and smiled at me. “I think I converted April while we were there.”

I blushed. I hadn’t told my family how much I loved it. I mentioned to my parents that I applied when they asked for an update, but I listed it along with several other schools. It was a long shot, a dream, so I covered my bases with other options.

Elise grinned conspiratorially. “I could picture April there.”

Beth agreed, but Mom and Dad scoffed.

“My baby can’t be that far away.” Mom sighed.

I smiled at her, relieved I applied to a few local schools as well.

“So if she got in, you wouldn’t let her go?” Liam’s face was a mask of indifference. He sounded completely casual asking, but I narrowed my eyes at him. This wasn’t the place or time to start a fight.

“Of course, I would let her go! If that’s where she wanted to be and she got in, I’d support her.” Dad was nodding next to Mom.

“Thanks.” It was a bit surprising to hear her say that and to have Dad agree, but I appreciated their faith and trust in me and my decisions.

“That’s good because…” Liam reached under the table and pulled up the bag. “I have a surprise.”

He handed me the bag and watched me. I looked around the table and my family seemed equally confused.

“What is this?”