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I let her words sink in and hope like hell she's right. After a few minutes, I speak again, remembering Alice's question. “She needs a name. Don't you, baby girl? You need something besides baby girl, I think.” I look up at Audra. “What are you thinking? Maybe I can test a few names out and if she kicks after one, then we know that's what she wants.”
She laughs. “She kicks almost every time you open your mouth. We aren't letting her choose her own name, Neil. Who knows what we'll end up with.”
I press my lips to her stomach. “Fine. Have it your way, but you let me know if she starts to go crazy in there.” Audra chuckles. “What names do you like?”
She shrugs, the corners of her mouth dipping slightly. “I haven't really thought about it. I'm going to be terrible, aren't I? I haven't even thought of names for our baby yet.”
“You are not going to be terrible, Audra. If either of us is going to fail, then it'll be me.” That doesn't really make her happy, so I keep going. “Do you want us to pick a name all on our own or do you want to name her after someone?”
Audra thinks about it. “I don't want to name her after anyone. Do you? Like Candace?”
For a moment, I stop breathing. She's asking if I want to name our baby after Candace? I glance between her and her stomach before shaking my head. “No,” I answer softly. “I can't do that. I don't want to.” My eyes squeeze close, easily overwhelmed from her name.
“I didn't know and thought I should ask. I'm sorry for upsetting you.”
“It's okay,” I say without opening my eyes. “I loved her and still miss her like crazy sometimes, and I...I don't want to link that to our baby girl. That sounds terrible, doesn't it? It's like I think it would be a disgrace or something, but that's not it, I swear.”
Audra's hand moves in my hair. “
You don't have to explain it to me, Neil. I think I get it. Tell me what names you like.”
“Hmm,” I hum. “What name do you want, baby girl? Victoria? Bailey? Olivia?” I put my hand over her stomach. “No? I don't think those fit either. Pearl? Mabel? Grace? Eva? Cora? Nellie? Ethel?”
Audra starts giggling. “Are we choosing names from another century now?”
“Does that mean you don't like any of them?” I pout my lips, making her laugh some more.
“Grace maybe,” she yawns.
“Let's lay down for that nap.”
THANKSGIVING CAME AND went with everyone but Neil going home for the holidays. He's been more absent than he was before. I don't know where he is, but he doesn't stay here often. As far as Lucy, things have been pretty normal between us since she told me. I've been running with her for the upcoming 5K. December has brought even colder weather, too much snow, but plenty of opportunities for Lucy to press herself into me, so she can warm up. I'm pretty sure I love winter even more now.
Her brothers have still been touch and go, but I don't expect that to ever change much. Today, we're meeting them for lunch. All three. Yay, right?
“Don't look so enthused, Grant,” Lucy laughs from the passenger seat.
I reach over to take her hand, resting our interlocked fingers on the console in between our seats. “I don't look excited?”
“Not really.”
With a smile, I glance at her. “Don't worry. I'm perfectly okay being around the crazy Kennedy brothers for a meal.”
“They're only a little crazy,” she laughs. “Oh, we're going to be late. Corey hates when people are late.”
“I know,” I grin.
“Grant! You're terrible,” she chuckles as I pull into the parking lot. “At least we aren't too late.”
I park, get out, and open the door for her, reclaiming her hand once again. We cross the lot carefully, Lucy is already leaning into me because of the bitter cold. Once we step onto the sidewalk, we see all three brothers standing near the entrance, waiting for us.
“And you thought I didn't look excited,” I whisper to her upon seeing the varying degrees of frowns.
She giggles, but doesn't get to say anything before we're standing in front of them. They mutter hellos to me and give hugs to Lucy before ushering us inside. We're seated at a round table, and I get lucky enough to sit between Lucy and Jonathan, my favorite.
“Are you doing well in your classes?” Corey asks her.
“Yeah, and finals shouldn't be too terribly hard. Are you doing well in your classes?” she teases.
