Unbidden

Chapter 7

Robin pulled her Jeep into BJ’s drive, surveying the vehicles already taking up space.  She appeared to be the last one to arrive.  She’d been surprised to find the voicemail on her phone inviting her over after church to meet the baby.  It had only been five days since Natasha was born and Robin could only imagine that BJ had to be exhausted – even more than she’d been when she finally made it home the night before.  Obviously, no one was passing up the chance to see the new baby.

Armed with her gift and the pictures from the trip she climbed the porch steps and let herself inside.  “Hello!”  She could hear voices drifting her way from the kitchen.

“Robin, that you?”  Matt’s voice met her ears before he appeared in the hall.

“It’d be me.  How are you?  I can’t believe you guys are up for company so soon.”

“We’re doing well.  We’ve had a lot of help this week and we couldn’t wait to see you guys.  Come on back.”

Robin kicked off her sandals and followed him into the hubbub of the kitchen.  Lisa sat the table, cooing over a wide-eyed Natasha while Daryn stood behind her, fascinated by the baby.  Everyone else stood gathered around the island as Sam poured wine.  The table overflowed with gifts while pink balloons floated above the baker’s rack.

BJ glanced up as they entered and hurried over to give Robin a hug.  “Welcome home!  How was the trip?”

“Astounding!” Robin declared, motioning to her pictures.  “I brought pics to share.”

Quinn laughed.  “So did I.  Had them one-hour developed after church.”

Robin grinned.  “Me too.”  She took her gifts to add to the table and paused to study Natasha over Lisa’s shoulder.  “Oh, you guys, she’s gorgeous.”  She had BJ’s blonde hair with soft wispy eyebrows to match.  Her tiny features were perfect and her skin looked pink and creamy.

“Thank you.  We like to think so,” Matt teased.

Robin straightened, glancing back at her friends.  “And BJ, look at you!  You look terrific for just having a baby.  I’d think you were ready to go running.”

BJ laughed.  “I don’t think just yet.  Give me a few weeks to adjust to the sleep deprivation, then we’ll talk.”

Robin smiled and moved back to the island, accepting a glass of wine from Sam.  She noticed Shelly and Quinn stood together at the end, but their expressions and body language gave nothing away.  She had no idea if they’d talked or worked anything out.

“Well, I propose a toast,” Todd announced, lifting his glass.  “To Matt, BJ, and Natasha.  May God bless them and keep them close as Natasha begins her journey through life.”  He was met with a chorus of “Here, here!”.

As they all sipped at their wine Matt suggested BJ take a seat at the table and work on unwrapping the gifts.  She settled in and sifted through the mound, selecting something to open.  She made a big deal out of everything whether it was diapers or a handmade blanket.  Robin had always loved that about her.  She was always truly appreciative of those around her and not afraid to show it.

Todd came to stand beside Robin where she leaned against the end of the island.  “We’re soon going to lose her behind a pile of wrapping paper,” he joked, leaning close enough for his breath to tickle her neck.

Robin gave him a smile, doing her best to ignore the tingling spreading through her body.  Being home and back in her normal routine had done nothing to change the direction of her feelings for Todd.  She had hoped it had just been the atmosphere in Grenada messing with her mind.  Maybe she hadn’t been home long enough.