Hope in Our Hearts by Lydia Proffitt

Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The wings of hope carry us, soaring high above the driving winds of life.

- Ana Jacob

There are days within a person's life that he or she will never be able to forget. Jason knew he would never forget the day he ran almost ran into Lucy's car. It was the day that spun his life onto a completely new course.

Kathleen always told him, "The best things in life seem to happen by accident."

As Jason grew up, he learned that statement was so true. He almost ran into Lucy and now the love of his life was pregnant––which wasn't really planned. He knew he was blessed in more ways than one.

Today, they were going to their first ultrasound to see the baby. Jason remembered holding Lucy's hand and seeing baby Meg on the screen. Jason was already a father to both Caleb and Kale, but seeing Meg that day was when he realized he was going to be there for all of it. The long nights, the dirty diapers, and the hissy fits––he would get to be there for all of it. He couldn't wait to be able to help Lucy, and now he would get to do it all over again.

Meg was eighteen months old now and growing like a weed. Jason and Lucy hadn't been on Dr. John's office in a about two years. Jason was giddy with excitement.

"You guys seem excited," the nurse said, putting gel on Lucy's stomach.

"We are," Lucy said, giving Jason's hand a warming squeeze.

Jason smiled at her and brushed the hair off her face and kissed her forehead. "We are super excited," Jason agreed.

The room they were in was small. It had white floors and grey walls with health posters on everywhere you looked. Jason felt it was warmer outside (which was crazy since it was winter) but it was chilly in the little room. Jason wasn't sure if it was his nerves or the ambiance of the room making him cold. Jason could tell Lucy was cold too. Goosebumps were covering her arms––though, that may have been from the cold gel and not the room.

Jason thought Lucy was vibrant. He had always heard people telling pregnant women they were glowing, and well, he thought Lucy was blinding. Lucy loved carrying a life inside her. She loved children and working with them. Lucy truly believed working with children was one of the greatest blessings––which is why teaching is the perfect job for her besides being a mother.

Lucy smiled at Jason. She loved how excited he was and just how happy they were. Jason was the best father in the world even to kids their kids. He stepped in and with such grace-filled a role within Lucy's household and within her heart. The love she felt for him grew everyday––it was truly ceaseless.

"And how are the kids? I'm sure they are just as excited," the nurse said.

"They are great just oblivious. We haven't told them just yet. Meg loves her baby dolls so we are hopeful she will feel the same way about the baby," Jason said.

They were working on teaching Meg how to be gentle. She was gentle with Chloe, but the way she tossed her baby dolls could give Lucy nightmares picturing her with a real baby.

"I feel like it was just yesterday you guys were in here to see Meg," the nurse said, looking at the monitor.

"Because it was! She has grown so fast so, so, fast," Lucy said.

On a door frame within their home, Lucy marked the kids' heights. Of course, Caleb's didn't start till he was almost eight, but you could already see Meg was taller at eighteen months then Kale was at two. She could be tall, at least that's what Jason was hoping for. He was already thinking of varsity volleyball and basketball.