Middle of a Memory

Chapter 14

Cole took a deep breath as he put his truck in park. It was time he faced his fear. He had to do this. He owed to not only himself, but to Lila. He slid out of the truck and stuck his hands in his pockets as he headed towards his father's headstone. It was the first time he had been back since they buried him two years before. "Hey dad." The lump in his throat got bigger. "It's been a while. I'm...I'm sorry I haven't come before now." He couldn't stop the flood of emotions. He sat down on the ground. "I couldn't come. I couldn't bear it. If I did then it would be real. I mean, I know it's real. But to me, comin here, to this place... it meant you were really gone. Things are good. Really good. But you know that don't you? I know you're up there lookin over me. Watchin. I hope I'm makin you proud with all of this. Mama says I am but it's not the same without you. Lila, she's...well she's Lila. She's good. Amazing. I know how much you loved and adored her. She loved you too. She's been my rock through all of this. She's handled all the attention with such grace. Always smiling and polite and friendly to the fans. Hell, I think they love her more than me."

He gave a watery laugh. "But then again you knew she would be didn't you? You told me the day I told you I was gonna ask her to be my wife that she was the best thing for me. And once again you were right. She is. I couldn't do this without her. I wouldn't want to. I don't think I would have survived you being gone without her. She says she sees you in me. It makes me proud to hear that. I just hope I'm as good as a husband and father as you were. They're big shoes to fill but I'm gonna do my damnedest to fill them like you did.  I wish you could be here for this. You should be here for this. I miss you so much. I miss your voice. I miss talkin to you. It's hard without you. But I'm doin my best." Tears fell down Cole's face. " I miss you, dad. Every day and I hope you are lookin down and proud of me." He laid a picture of the two of them on his dad's headstone. "I promise to come back more."

He stood up. "I love you, dad. Merry Christmas."

He headed back for the truck. He wiped his eyes as he headed back for his parent's house.

Delilah was coming down the stairs when Cole came in. He flashed back to their last night in New York.

"Lils?" Cole entered the bedroom. "What are you doing?"

"Cole." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. The test was in her hand. She hadn't looked at it yet.

"Is that a pregnancy test?" Cole swallowed hard.

"Yes. I realized this morning I am four weeks late. I haven't had a period in a while. I haven't looked at it yet."

He took it from her hand. "Look at me." He lifted her chin. "No matter what this says... I love you and we still have our plan right?"

She nodded. "I love you too."

He looked down at the test then back up at her. "Lila...."

"It's negative isn't it? I should have known... I mean..."

He silenced her with a kiss. When he pulled away and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Looks like margaritas are going to have to wait for a few more months....No more nightly glass of wine for you."

"What?" She searched his eyes. They were twinkling. "Are you serious? Don't play with me, Cole..."

He shook his head and focused on his wife.

She locked eyes with him as she reached the bottom. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly. "I love you."

"I love you more." She whispered. He placed his hand on her belly. "How are you feelin?"

"Good." She smiled and laid her hand over his. "We're great."

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you."

"I mean it. You do have that glow."

"What are you two whispering?" Betty stuck her head out of the kitchen just as Cole pulled his hand back.

"Nothin, mama. When's dinner gonna be ready?"

"In twenty minutes. Why don't you come set the table? Lila, can you take the rolls out of the oven? I'm finishing up the mashed potatoes?"

"Sure."

Cole set the table and smiled when he caught a glimpse of his wife in the kitchen. The black tank she was wearing almost masked the small bump. She had told him the other day that her jeans were too small so she was forced to wearing leggings. He promised to take her shopping when they got back to Nashville. She looked breathtaking in her black leggings with black riding boots and a red cardigan. She had left her hair down and looked about eighteen instead of thirty two. The pregnancy announcement was going to blow the family away. They had gotten his mom an oneies that said "When mommy says no, grandma says yes."

Delilah caught Cole's gaze and smiled. He had been extra loving since they found out they were pregnant again. Once they hit thirteen weeks her fears had eased. They had made it through the first trimesterwith no problems. She was nearly seventeen weeks and they had decided to tellhis family first.They were in their second trimester and everything was looking great. The baby was growing and looked like a baby at their last ultrasound. Dr. Evans said they could even find out the sex of the baby at their next visit. Cole wanted to do a gender revel party for New Years and invite everyone so they all could find out at the same time. She agreed and called Shanna. The plans were underway. All they needed was the magic envelope. She put the bowl on the table.

After dinner they went into the family room to open presents. They were leaving the next day to drive back to Nashville to spend Christmas Eve with her family. They were telling them about the baby on Christmas.

All the presents were opened and there was wrapping paper everywhere. "There's one more gift. And it's for you, mama. From me and Lila." Cole handed his mom the box.

"Ya'll didn't have to get me..." Betty opened the box and gasped. She looked up at Cole then at Lila. "Are you serious?"

"Yes." Delilah laughed. "Very much so."

"What is it?"

Betty pulled the baby onesie from the box. "Lila's pregnant."

Everyone rushed towards them. "For real?"

Cole nodded. "Yes. Lila's nearly seventeen weeks. We wanted to make sure everything was ok before we told anyone. Ya'll are the first to know."

"You don't look pregnant." His sister grinned.

Delilah stood up and turned to the side pulling back her sweater showing the small baby bump. "Thank God for black." She grinned.

"There is it. You look so cute!" His sister hugged her tight. "Congrats. Do you know what it is?"

"No. Not yet. But we are hoping ya'll will come up to our house New Year's Day. We're having a gender revel party."

"We will be there. Nothing could stop us." Betty pulled Cole in for a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you. And thank you for my gift. It's the best one yet. I can't wait to meet this blessing."