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Cath stood in the doorway from the kitchen, looking at the chaos in their living room. Little Emily Rose Williams had been christened earlier that day. Now the families and friends were celebrating. The party’s honored guest was being passed from one adult to another, and thus far had slept through most of the day’s events.
Her sister Becky had been there earlier with her new baby boy and her two other children. Sam and Marilyn and Abby were still there, along with Cath’s mother and dad. Sophie and some other friends from work were talking near the windows. Trace’s friends congregated near the wet bar.
Cath nodded with satisfaction at how well everything was going. Then she looked back at her daughter. Her heart swelled with joy. She had managed to deliver a healthy little girl. She still couldn’t believe it. Emily was starting to get fussy, however, and Cath was about ready to cross the room to get to her when Darlene commandeered the baby.
“My precious granddaughter needs some peace and quiet,” she said, heading toward the nursery.
“She needs her grandpa to rock her back to sleep,” Edward Williams said, rising with more alacrity than Cath had ever seen.
He followed his wife.
They had been staying with Cath and Trace in Trace’s apartment for two days, and the relationship had improved immensely, just as Trace predicted.
It wasn’t all due to Emily’s birth, either. Once his parents saw how happy he was married to Cath, their attitude had undergone a dramatic change.
She almost laughed as the senior Williams went off with the baby.
Trace joined her from the kitchen.
“I thought you were going to get Emily away from the commotion,” he said, encircling her waist and pulling her closer.
“I was, but your parents seem to have taken charge.”
“Did I tell you Dad’s talking about retiring—and moving to San Francisco?”
“No. Good grief. I mean, we’re getting on fine, but to have them living here?”
“I told him we may be moving to Brussels,” he murmured, kissing her on the cheek.
Cath laughed at that.
“We are not. You know I’m going to stay home with Emily at least for a few months. Why tell them that?”
“To keep us alone in our own city without relatives nearby. Maybe we could interest them in Stockton. That seems a good distance.”
“You’re lucky my folks have other grandchildren, or they’d be talking about moving here, too.”
“On the other hand,” Trace murmured, kissing her again, “think of the opportunities—we could dump the kids with one grandma and grandpa one weekend and the other set the next and have weekends to ourselves.”
“And do what?” she asked, flirting back.
“Fortunately for you, Mrs. Williams, I am a man of many talents who excels in planning activities. The ones I’m thinking of involve our bed and a closed door.”
She giggled again and hugged him.
“I love you, Trace.”
He grew instantly serious.
“You are the heart of me, Cath. I love you. I could never have the happiness I have without you and our baby. Thank you for giving me the child of my dreams.”
“Oh, Trace, I’m the happy one. I have you, our precious baby and the marriage beyond my dreams,” she said before he kissed her again.
Their future was bright with promise.
