Santa Soldier Bear - Meg Ripley Page 0,44

face. Somehow, even as rational of a person as she normally was, she hadn’t even thought about that. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Emersyn’s face was challenging. “Is there even the slightest chance?”

“Well, I mean, yeah…”

The doctor forced the plastic cup into Melody’s hand. “Then pee.”

A couple of minutes later, Melody shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she awaited the results. “I hadn’t really thought about this, you know. I mean, I always wanted children, but what if—”

“Save the what-ifs for just a minute longer,” Emersyn advised, “until you know for sure. I know how much you like to plan things out, but in this case, whatever will be will be.”

“Yeah. I guess so.” It was impossible not to think about it, though. Melody had found one of Ruby’s little pink rompers mixed in with the laundry. Her parents had shown up unexpectedly, and the item had been missed. Melody had taken it back to her room and tucked it away in a drawer, unsure of what to do with it. She couldn’t possibly go visit them with the outfit as an excuse; it would hurt too much.

“Mel?”

“Yeah?”

Emersyn turned the test around so she could see. “You’re going to be a mother. Congratulations.”

Melody clapped her hands to her mouth. “Oh, my God. Are you sure?”

“Are you questioning my medical degree?” Emersyn retorted, laughing. “Of course, I’m sure. This is so exciting! You’re going to have a little one!”

“Wow,” Melody breathed. Just a second ago, she’d been making plans for the next eighteen years of her life, but in that moment, she just wanted to quiet her brain and take it all in. This was it. It hadn’t happened the way she’d imagined, but it was most certainly happening.

“That’s one heck of a Christmas present,” Emersyn said with a smile as she put everything away and stripped off her gloves. “I’m so happy for you, Melody.”

“Thanks. I—I don’t even know what to think or do or say.” Melody wandered out to the living room, where Lucas was still happily watching TV. She looked down at him and his adorable face. That would be her life from now on. She wouldn’t just be watching someone else’s child, but her own. There would be late nights and long days and tons of diapers and more laundry than she could ever keep up with. There would be times when she’d be so frustrated, she wouldn’t know what to do next, but the one thing she was sure of was that she’d be the happiest woman in the world.

“If you don’t like the color, just let me know and I’ll make you a different one,” Melody said.

“Are you kidding me?” Emersyn ran her hands up and down the length of the bright red scarf she’d just pulled out of the gift bag. “It’s so pretty and so soft!”

“I just have to wonder when you had time to make it,” Gabe added, reaching over to touch it. “You’re too busy for something like that.”

Melody waved off the compliments. She was already feeling a glow unlike anything she’d experienced in her life. As much as she loved Christmas and seeing her friends get their gifts, she knew it wasn’t from that. It was from the miracle that was growing inside her, the one that would change the rest of her life. “Hey, I’ve been planning this holiday for months. And don’t be too flattered. You’re just my guinea pigs for learning how to knit.”

“I think you did just fine,” Alessia marveled as she also pulled out a scarf, hers in a pale green that matched her eyes. “I’ll be wearing this all the time!”

Lucas was just as enthusiastic as the others as he took out the thick blanket she’d made for him. He immediately rolled himself up in it and pretended to take a nap on the floor, much to the delight of all the adults watching.

The morning went far too quickly, with everyone up early and ready to get started. The ring of presents around the tree that had extended halfway across the living room was soon reduced to shredded paper and boxes, all headed for recycling, as everyone gathered their prizes and took them off to their respective rooms or packed them into their vehicles to head home.

Melody lingered, touching a little glass ornament on the tree and wishing it didn’t have to be over with so soon. There was a thrill to seeing all the decorations up at the end of