Page 98 of A New Chapter

Chapter 43

“It’s going to be fine Em,” Zack assured her.

Emma’s parents had arrived in Clarkston two days prior to Christmas, and Emma had invited them, along with Zack and Gracie, to dinner at her house. She had decided that her parents should meet the father of her child prior to meeting his entire family on Christmas day.

Zack and Gracie had arrived early so that Zack could help her prepare the food, but honestly, she needed him more for moral support. It had been almost one year since she had last seen her parents, and their meetings were always slightly awkward. She supposed that was normal for families who didn’t interact frequently, but it still put her on edge. Hopefully, Zack’s and Gracie’s presence would help lighten the mood.

Zack tossed a salad while Emma ladled homemade meat sauce over spaghetti noodles. Gracie had been given the task of setting the table, which she assured them that she could do without help.

“They should be here any minute,” Emma said nervously while she carried a steaming bowl of pasta to the table. “I hope I didn’t forget anything.”

Zack looked up from the salad. “Gracie, I think Emma needs a hug. What do you think?”

Gracie’s response was immediate. She wrapped her arms around Emma’s legs and squeezed. “Now you’ll feel better,” Gracie proclaimed.

“Thank you, pretty girl. I do feel better now.” And she did. The comfortable comradery between the three of them warmed her heart. She could easily envision such scenes every night, although their dynamic would change once the baby arrived. Emma squashed the feeling of panic that rose within her whenever she thought about telling Gracie the news. Gracie’s reaction was more important to Emma than that of all of their other family members combined.

The doorbell rang before she could think any more about it.

“We’ll wait in here,” Zack said and gave her a reassuring nod.

Emma answered the door. “Mom, Dad, good to see you,” she said and greeted each of them with a brief hug. “How was your trip?”

“Fine. Uneventful,” her father replied. And Zack thought Damian was a man of few words!

“We’re anxious to meet the new people in your life. Where are they?” Emma’s mother asked, peering around her.

“They’re in the kitchen. Follow me.”

When they entered the kitchen, Emma’s throat swelled with pride. Zack and Gracie stood side by side, the epitome of a loving father and daughter, spit-shined and polished, while they anxiously awaited their introductions.

“Mary and Hank, I’d like you to meet Zack and Gracie.”

Zack immediately stepped forward to shake her father’s hand, and then he gave her mother a quick hug.

“Oh,” Mary said, obviously surprised by the gesture.

Gracie stepped forward next, her smile as bright and joyful as only a child’s can be. “My name is Gracie Marie Kostas. I’m four years old,” she added proudly.

If Mary and Hank had seemed a bit stiff before, Emma swore she saw them both soften.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Gracie. Do you go to school?” Mary asked, bending down to the little girl’s level.

“I go to preschool, and I go to story time at Emma’s bookstore.”

Emma smiled widely at that pronouncement. She was also happy that Gracie no longer referred to her as “Miss Emma.” She and Zack had agreed that it was time to drop the formal title.

“It’s wonderful that you like books,” Mary said.

Her mother seemed enthralled with Gracie already, and Emma breathed a sigh of relief while she ushered everyone to the table.

They were quiet while the plates were passed around until Gracie blurted, “I get to say grace!”

Zack shot Emma an apologetic look, but she just nodded. Everyone bowed their heads as Gracie began. “Dear God, thank you for letting Emma’s mommy and daddy come over for dinner. And I’m glad that we’re having noodles, because they’re my favorite! Amen.”

Their heads popped up simultaneously, and Emma looked over at her parents, who were trying to suppress their laughter.

“So, Zack, what do you do?” Hank asked a few minutes later.