Just after sunset, we pulled into Lillian’s drive. Bex pulled into the yard, and held the door open for me. Claire was next, and she and Ryan walked together up the sidewalk. They were elbowing each other and smiling, still happy and excited. Ryan didn’t seem affected in the least, and it was at that moment that I knew they were truly meant for each other.

Jared patted Bex on the shoulder as he walked by, and then took my hand, guiding me into the dining room. Lillian was expecting us, and the table was already set. She brought out a large plate of brisket, and placed it in the middle of the table. Claire disappeared into the kitchen, and Bex followed.

Lillian pulled the oven mitts from her hands, and then wrapped her arms around my neck. “Look at you! Darling, you look wonderful! How do you feel?”

“Big,” I said, only half-kidding.

“It doesn’t take long,” she said. Her smile was as warm and bright as the sun.

Lillian had always made me feel so loved and welcome. I was sad that she wouldn’t be there for Bean’s birth.

“Oh,” she said, touching my cheek. “What is it?”

“We’re leaving soon.”

She offered a comforting smile. “I know. But the next time I see you, you won’t just be my favorite daughter-in-law, anymore. You’ll be the mother of my grandbaby.”

I leaned into the crook of her shoulder, and she hugged me tighter. “You probably haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a few days. Let’s eat.”

At the table, Claire and Bex were chattering excitedly about the encounter with the Army trucks, and Ryan was busy stuffing food in his mouth. Lillian cut her food into small, bite-size pieces, smiling as she listened to her children talk about their day.

Jared smiled, amused at how Claire and Bex took turns with each sentence of the story. He held a fork in one hand, and touched my knee with the other. I noticed the end of the table had an extra, empty place setting.

I leaned into Jared’s ear. “Is Lillian expecting someone else?”

Jared looked down to the plate, and then shrugged. “Er...Mom? Is someone else coming to dinner?”

Lillian’s eyes brightened. “Yes. I didn’t have much notice, so I extended the invitation a bit late.”

The doorbell rang, and everyone at the table traded glances. Lillian patted her mouth quickly with the napkin and then pushed her chair away from the table.

The familiar sound of clicking heels echoed through the entry, down the hall, and into the dining room.

“Oh, Nina, dear!” Cynthia said, her arms outstretched.

I stood, a bit startled when she took me into her arms. “Hello, Mother.”