"Why are you smiling so big?", Jeff asked her. He loved her smile. He is amazed that his heart still does flip-flops when he sees it.
Ginger was always a softy when it came to her family, "Did you see how happy Linda looked?" not waiting for Jeff's response, Ginger continued. "Jeff, this was the first time since Anne's funeral that the entire family has been together. It felt good!! I think I should call Linda just to see how things are goi.."
Jeff grabbed Ginger while she was taking the receiver off the base. "I think they are doing fine, besides I thought we'd enjoy the evening in a different way."
"Oh, Jeff." Jeff kissed his wife before she started thinking about Linda & Becky again.
*******
"Honey, I am back," Charlie walked into the front door of the Hailey home.
"She ran to the store, Grandpa, she wanted to get some ice cream for dessert!" Hailey ran up to her grandpa & gave him a hug.
"Hailey, I didn't know you were here. How's my favorite granddaughter?"
"Stop that, Grandpa, I am your only granddaughter!," Hailey enjoyed being teased by Charlie. She felt very fortunate, most 16 year old girls weren't close to their Grandpa's.
"Tell me about your first week at the newspaper Is Judy treating you right?"
"Aunt Judy is always nice, Grandpa! I love the paper. It is the coolest place. Did you hear about Aunt Linda's surprise today?"
"No, I didn't," Charlie wondered what could surprise Linda.
"Becky showed up at the Park thing Aunt Linda had today.Oh, I hear Grandma coming in, I am going to see if she need some help."
"Okay, Kiddo!" How about that! Charlie thought, Linda could sure use some happiness.
********
Linda sat back waiting for Becky's reaction. After a few minutes, Becky hugged her. "Oh, Mother, I have been so stupid all these years. I blamed you. That is why I spent so much time at Grammy's after Daddy died. & after we lost her last year, I just couldn't cope with anything. It was easier to stay away. But I had to come back, I had to get past this."
"Becky, not that I am not grateful that you are here, but why now?" Linda's journalistic curiousity got the better of her.
"Well, I was in Maine visiting Billy Hailey & I met the most wonderful man, Mother. He has asked me to marry him." Becky noticed the look of excitement on her mother's face.
"Becky, that is wonderful! Where is he? Who is he? What does he do?."
"Wait, Mother, there is more.You are going to be a grandmother."