Making My Way to You

Chapter 27

Delilah was sitting at the counter silently when Cole came in. Tears were streaming down her face. "Baby?"

She didn't say a word but just flung herself into his arms.

Cole knew it was bad by the way Delilah was clinging to him. "What happened?"

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." She cried.

"What for? Why are you sayin you're sorry?" Cole lifted her chin.

"Dr. Jameson.... at my appointment today...."

He sat her down on the bar stool. "What is it?"

"There is a lot of scar tissue. Dr. Jameson wants me to see a specialist. She doesn't think I can get pregnant without surgery to remove it and even then there's a chance it won't work." She wiped her eyes. "There's a very good possibility that I won't be able to carry a baby."

Cole felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He stared at her for a second. His wife, his entire world was in pain. She had just told him that their dream of having a family may not happen. He swallowed hard and pulled her into his arms.

"There are other options. We will face this together. Nothing is going to change that. We will get through this. And if we need to see this specialist then we will. We will do whatever it takes. Whatever you want us to do. I love you and you will have a baby. We will have a baby."

He held her as she cried and closed his eyes. The hits just kept on coming. He didn't know how much more she could take. Thanksgiving was three days away. "Are you sure you wanna go to Georgia? We can stay home..."

"No." She shook her head. "We have to go. But I want to keep this between us. For now anyway. I need time to process it."

"Ok." He lifted her chin. "Do you want to see the specialist?"

"Not right now. I want to concentrate on the holidays. Then your album. Can we talk about after the album comes out?"

"Of course. Whenever you want. No pressure."

Thanksgiving came and went and Delilah seemed to come to grips with the news. She started to smile and laugh again. She was becoming his wife again. The one he fell in love with. The one he married. Christmas was a few days away and he wanted to get something to bring that spark back to her eyes. So he recruited Luke, Mike and Joel to help with the surprise.

Mike turned the camera on as Cole walked into frame. "Ok, ya'll, I have a surprise for Lila and she has no idea. None. Christmas is a couple of days away and her mama is here. The rest of the family will be up tomorrow but I can't wait to give her this so it's happenin a little early." He opened the door to the house. "Where are ya'll?"

"Kitchen." Delilah yelled back.

Cole motioned for Mike to follow him. Delilah was wearing a Christmas apron and rolling out cookie dough. His mother in law, sister in law and nephews were decorating cookies at the counter.

"Where's Luke?" Caroline winked.

"He'll be here in a bit." Cole grinned. "He had to run and get something."

"Why's Mike here?" Delilah asked.

"Christmas version of Swindell Vision."

"I see." Delilah laughed. "You want a cookie?"

"No but you look cute." Cole came around the counter and pecked her mouth. "Whatcha makin?"

"Thanks." She pressed a cookie cutter into the dough. "Sugar cookies for the children's hospital. It's a tradition in this family. We'll deliver them tomorrow."

"Yes we will." Cole looked at the camera. "I think Luke just pulled in."

"K."

"Lils come with me for a second." Cole tugged on her hand.

"Why?"

"Come on."

She looked at her husband curiously but wiped off her hands and pulled the apron off. He led her onto the porch as her brother stepped from his truck with a brightly covered box. "What's that?"

"It's for you. From Cole." Luke handed it to her.

"Can I open it?"

"Yes. It's an early Christmas present."

Delilah saw her mother and Caroline share a smile as she bent to take the lid off the box. She gasped and looked up at Cole. "Oh my God." She pulled the puppy from the box. "Cole..."

"I thought he would make you smile."

Delilah buried her face into the soft fur to keep the tears from falling. She looked up. "I love him."

"What's his name?"

"Bailey." Delilah looked at Cole with tears. "His name is Bailey."

Cole pulled her into his arms. "Merry early Christmas, baby."

After everyone had left Cole snapped a picture of Delilah on the couch with the puppy in her arms. She pressed a kiss to the puppy's head. "We just added a new member to our family. Say hello to Bailey Swindell. He's an early Christmas present for Lila.@lilaswindell. #merrychristmas #chocolatelab #newbaby #sheloveshim #ivebeenreplaced."

Delilah shared a picture of the puppy sleeping on Cole's lap a little bit later. "My boys. #besthusbandever #newpuppy Meet Bailey. The newest love of my life. @cswindell2 I love you! Best Christmas present ever!"