Chapter Nineteen
Gillian and Hayley stepped out of the brisk, cold winter and into Myrtle's warm living room. Their noses and faces were pink and flakes of snow hung from their hair.
The guest of honor has arrived", Myrtle said in her friendly Irish brogue. Setting a tray of cakes on the coffee table, she came over to greet them. Almost immediately, Gillian began weeping.
"Oh, darlin', is it somethin' I said?"
"No, it's not you Myrtle, it's Ryan. He, *sob* , left me."
Seeing the look of confusion on Myrtle's face, Hayley tried to explain. "It's just for two days", she said, putting her arm around Gillian. "He has a little business to take care of, then he'll be right back."
"But I miss him."
"I know," Hayley said, patting her hair reassuringly.
"Gillian, I have a special guest in the kitchen. She came a long way for your baby shower."
Gillian brightened. "Who?"
Kelsey entered and Gillian crossed the room to see her, finally smiling again.
Hayley grimaced at Myrtle. "Hormones. I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan created that business trip just to get away from her."
***************
Gillian's face lit up as the presents were piled onto her lap.
"It's Christmas twice this year."
"Open mine first", said Kelsey, handing over an oddly shaped lump of wrapping paper.
"Ok…", Gillian said, eyeing it curiously.
"Trust me, you'll love it."
She pulled back the ribbon and the paper to find a cuddly, stuffed ram.
"See, it's symbolic. Rams are stubborn. They don't give up when it gets tough, they just keeping banging their heads together. Like you and Ryan...sort of."
Gillian laughed. "Thank you, Kelsey. That's beautiful."
************
Myrtle clasped her hands together. "Well, there's one last gift to give out. Eugenia, will you do the honors?"
"Yes, I think I will." She smiled at her granddaughter, so very pregnant, her face awash with a softness and maturity that had never been there before. "Here is my gift to you."
Sliding open the small, white box, Gillian gasped. "Oh, Grandmama…where did you find these?"
In her hands were a pair of tiny, white baby slippers.
"You wore them once, a long time ago. Now they're yours to pass on to the newest member of the Andrassy family."
Gillian wiped a tear from her eye and hugged her Grandmother tightly.
The guests watched the touching display and wiped away their own tears, until Liza began refilling everyone's fruit punch and the celebration went on.
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