Beginnings of the Heart (6 page)

“We'll see
,
” Cole murmured as he turned for the living room.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I asked from behind him.

He answered me over his shoulder, “It doesn't mean anything other than we'll see.”

I looked around the living room. My sister was flipping through the CDs for the Christmas music, my dad was helping Mom put the lights on the tree and the inevitable debate about how to space them was beginning, and Cole was bent over a box looking for more lights.

He looked up from his task and gave me a great big smile I returned. We held each other's gaze a moment longer when my dad's voice cut in.

“Did you find those other lights?” Dad asked.

“Yeah, they're right here. Do you want me to check them before you put them on the tree?” Cole responded.

“Please, since Diane didn't check these and now we have to take them off because they don't work.” My dad teased my mom.

She stuck her tongue out at him and then ignored him completely and went to help Samantha find the music.

I knew they loved each other, and it was nice to see them so relaxed right now. Hopefully the coming holiday would be a memorable one and not just because of the announcement Cole and I would be making soon.

Just then Dad gave a hard tug to get the string of lights not working free from a branch of the tree and the whole thing started tipping over. With a strangled cry my dad and Cole caught it before it hit the floor, but just barely.

I couldn't help but say, “I guess the trunk isn't as straight as it looked, huh?” and then started to laugh.

As everyone joined in the laughter, the Christmas music started to play, and we were all trying to decide how to keep the tree upright. If only I knew how to keep my family together after my announcement I wouldn't have a worry in the world.

Fishing line saved the day. As it turned out, the tree didn't fall just once, it fell three times before we had to wrap fishing line around the trunk and nail it to the window frame.

For most of the decorating process, and then the redecorating process after the last fall, Cole held the tree so we could finish it. We were all very appreciative for his support of the tree, but none so much as my dad. Mostly because then he didn't have to hold it.

After the Christmas tree was done and securely attached to the window frame, we all pitched in and cleaned up the boxes and put everything back. Mom ordered pizza and actually invited Cole to stay and eat with us.

Dinner was a little weird. Instead of all of us being spread out around the living room like earlier, we were all around the table where you could see everyone. I think the only reason we all made it through dinner was because the warmth of the afternoon was still surrounding us.

After dinner, Cole and I drove into Riverside to go to the mall. I still needed to finish up some shopping, and this was my last chance.

We found ourselves wandering through the baby sections of some of the stores. The cost of everything the baby was going to need was overwhelming. I wasn't sure how we were going to afford it all.

Cole disappeared for a while and told me he would meet me outside the food court. I finished my shopping, finally deciding to get my sister a light grey sweater. She was so hard to shop for.

Cole was already waiting when I got to the food court. He took the bags I was holding and bent to kiss me.

“All done now?” Cole asked, as we started walking through the mall.

“Yes. Now I just have to wrap everything. Where did you disappear to?” I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

“You shouldn't try to get things out of me at this time of year. It will spoil the surprise. Now, let's get you home before you fall asleep. You look tired.” Cole said.

He was right. The euphoria of the day was leaving, and the exhaustion I felt at the end of every day was creeping up on me. It was the second worst thing about being pregnant. The first, of course, was the morning sickness. Not being able to stay awake past nine o'clock was the second.

Cole surprised me by coming inside after we got back to my house. Samantha was in her room, and my parents were in the kitchen talking. We went into the living room to watch some TV. He put a pillow on his lap and patted it.

“Lay down before you fall asleep sitting up.”

“I'm not going to do that. I'm sure I'd slump over sideways first.” I said as I put my head on his lap. He started stroking my hair and it was so soothing I didn't remember falling asleep.

“Morgan.” Cole said, “Morgan, honey. I have to go home. Will you wake up enough to say goodbye?”

I struggled through my sleep-drugged mind up to consciousness. After blinking several times I focused on Cole.

“What time is it?” I asked.

“It's only nine-thirty, but I think you should go sleep in your bed, and I'll get home before it starts snowing any harder than it already is. Besides your mom has stuck her head in here a few times, and the last time I'm pretty sure the look I got was no longer welcoming.”

“Okay, call me tomorrow though. Drive safe and stuff.” I mumbled.

He stood up and towed me to my feet as well. “I will drive safe, and I'll call you tomorrow.” He kissed me too briefly and then bent to my ear. “I love both of you. Now go to bed and take
care of the both of you.” Cole said.

“I love you more, and I will take care of us.” I said.

Cole made me stay inside, but I peeked out the front window beside the tree and waved as he pulled away.

I went down the hall to my bedroom after telling my parents goodnight. I changed into my pajamas, brushed my teeth, and crawled into bed.

The next morning, after I had hauled myself out of bed and didn't have to run to the bathroom, I started cleaning my room. It had been far too long, and my laundry was piling up and overflowing from my hamper.

I grabbed the jeans I had worn the day before and felt something crinkle under my hand. I felt in the back pockets and pulled out the pictures I had slipped in there.

The happy faces of my parents drew me once again. I wanted those expressions for Cole and me. Not having to worry about what your parents were going to say when they found out you were sixteen and pregnant. To be able to bring your new baby home to a happy place. I wished it could be us.

I tossed the pictures onto my dresser and took my dirty clothes to the laundry room to start my wash. I looked out the window after I loaded the washer and was blinded by the sun reflecting back off of the snow.

Freshly fallen, undisturbed snow was beautiful. Those unique snowflakes reflecting the light and making it appear there were thousands of tiny crystals shining brilliantly dazzled the eyes.

I was glad Cole had gone home when he did. It looked like we had gotten about a foot of snow overnight. Living here, you learn how to drive in the snow, but there are on occasion the freak accidents.

I went back to my room to satisfy the need to speak with Cole and dialed the number after closing my door.

Cole's mom Cecilia answered. “Hi, Mrs. Williams, it's Morgan. Is Cole there?”

“Hi, Morgan, yes he is, just a minute.”

I let out the breath I didn't know I had been holding until just then.

“Hey Morgan, is everything alright?” Cole asked, concern creeping into his voice.

“Yeah, I just needed to be sure you had made it home safe last night is all. What are you doing?” I asked.

“Well, I was just going to call you. My parents were hoping you might be able to spend the day down here today and help us decorate. They want to get to know you a little better. So, what do you say?” Cole asked.

“I say yes, but let me run it by my parents, and I'll give you a call back. I love you.” I said.

“I love you more and call me back soon so I can get you down here.”

“Okay. Bye.”

After I hung up I went immediately out to the kitchen. My dad happened to be the only one there, and I ran the idea by him.

“It's alright with me, but try to be back before eight o'clock. They are calling for more snow tonight, and I don't want either of you out on the roads.” He said as he looked at me with his eyebrows slightly raised. This was his serious face, and you always paid attention to it.

“I will be, thanks. I'm going to call Cole so he can come and get me.” I said over my shoulder as I left the room.

“Hey, my dad said yes as long as I'm home by eight because there's going to be more snow tonight.” All of this being said as I rummaged for some clothes. “But you're going to have to wait to come and get me because I have nothing to wear. All of my clothes are dirty, and I'm in the process of washing them.”

“It's okay. I'll come up and wait for your clothes to get done. I want to be there just in case your parents think about changing their minds. It's harder to do if I'm waiting for you.” Cole said.

“Alright, come up when you're ready. I'll see you soon.” I said, smiling.

“On my way. Bye.”

I ran into the bathroom to brush my teeth and put some order to my hair. If only it would do something besides lie so flat. Oh well, we can't all have what we want.

Cole showed up a few minutes after I had transferred my clothes from the washer to the dryer. He sat at the kitchen table while I ate my breakfast of toast and juice and then shook his head when I was done.

“Do you think you've eaten enough to keep you healthy?” Cole asked.

“Don't start in again today or I'll have to kill you before all of this is over. It just so happens it's the only thing my stomach will take in the morning and not revolt against.” I answered with a glare.

“Oh. I guess I didn't realize.” Cole said, scowling at me. “I think I need to be better informed…“

I cut him off. “If you read anything else, you really will drive me nuts. I'm sure you've already read hormones can make you go a little crazy. You never know what I might do.” I finished, walking to his side.

He got a big smile on his face. “All I was going to say was maybe you could tell me more. I really do want to know.” He looked around to make sure we were still alone and then pulled me down onto his lap. “If we were going about this in the usual way, you know together and married, I'd know all of this because I'd be with you all the time. I just feel… a little left out.”

I studied his face for a minute and then gave him a brief kiss. “Sorry, I guess I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

“We'll just chalk it up to hormones.” he laughed.

I glared at him as the buzzer on the dryer sounded, and I got up to go get my clothes. I folded them into the basket and then had to pass through the kitchen to take them to my room. Cole was no longer at the table. I scowled a little thinking he would be there waiting for me, but then I figured he was probably in the living room watching TV.

I dropped the basket on the floor and dug through it to find something to wear. I had met Cole's parents before but had never really spent a lot of time there. They had always been very welcoming and gracious, so why was I nervous?

Maybe it was just the impending announcement making me feel like this. After all, I didn't want them to think I was ruining Cole's life or tying him down when he was still so young.

I thought about all of this as I got dressed, and the worry made me a little nauseous. I sat down on the edge of my bed, and after several deep breaths I managed to push the feeling away and finished getting ready. When I deemed myself presentable I went to look for Cole.

He was in the living room watching TV, but he wasn't alone. He and my dad were sitting side by side on the couch watching the sports channel. I stood staring at the both of them and waiting for someone to notice me. Finally, I cleared my throat to get their attention. Cole looked and then reluctantly got up.

“I don't mean to pull you away from anything here, but this was your idea.” The sarcasm in my voice was clear.

“No, I'm ready to go if you are.” Cole said, looking back at the TV. “I'll have her back by eight, Mr. Taylor. Thanks.”

“You two have fun and be careful driving.” My dad said.

When we arrived at Cole's house we could barely make it through the front door. My eyes widened as I took in the chaos of his house. It wasn't confined to just the living room either. It appeared to be spread throughout the whole first floor of the house.

Cole helped me off with my jacket as I continued to stare around me. I was afraid to move in case I stepped on something and broke it.

“My mom tends to go a little overboard with the whole decorating process. I know it looks like all of the boxes exploded, but she knows where everything is.” He whispered in my ear.

“Oh good, you're both here. Your father deserted me about thirty minutes ago with some excuse about checking the jobsite. I don't know what there is to check at the site today. It's just going to look like a big lump of snow. Morgan, thank you for agreeing to help out today. It shouldn't take more than about four hours or so.” Cecelia said with a smile.

She reminded me of a mini-tornado. Blowing in one way and then back out another and always moving. She was petite, only a few inches taller than my five-foot-one. Her eyes were the mirror of Cole's, and her short, cropped, dark hair framed a round, kind face. Her smile lit up not only her face, but seemingly the whole house.

“Umm, just tell me where to step and what you need me to do.” I smiled.

“I think I'll just go and check on something upstairs. Ouch! What?” Cole said, rubbing his ear.

“There is no way you are sneaking off and leaving us alone to do all of this like your father did. Now take Morgan into the dining room and start hanging the garland. You know how it goes, and then you can move onto the table and chairs. I'm working in the kitchen, and we should be able to meet in the living room and finish together.”

And she was off again. I felt a little stunned and I looked at Cole, who started to laugh.

“You look like you don't know what to do.” He laughed.

I glared at him, stuck my tongue out for good measure, and then tried to pick my way to the dining room. I got there without falling or breaking anything and then got a good look. There were decorations covering every available surface and most of the floor.

“Where does your mother think all of this is going to go? I don't think the room is big enough to hold all of it.”

Cole came into the room behind me carrying a step ladder. “Well, most of it is garland we hang from the molding around the ceiling. After we get all of it up and out of the way, the rest is pretty simple.”

“She does this every year?” He nodded his head. “And you help every year?” Another nod of the head. “Okay… well tell me what to do then.”