She said a prayer for the young woman. She prayed for the baby boy. She and Jimmy had thought of a name, but they hadn’t told anyone. She walked to the end of the aisle and saw a display of pacifiers, and the sight took her breath away. Each had a child’s name on the ring, and a third of the way down the display she saw one with David on it.

She reached for it and then held back, not daring to presume that God would do what she asked, but at the same time believing He had heard their cries. Slipping the pacifier from the metal holder and placing it atop the flowers in her cart felt like an act of faith akin to walking on dry ground through the Red Sea.

As she walked toward the checkout, she saw movement outside the exit door. Two girls stood by a table filled with boxes of cookies. Susan smiled.

Jimmy sat at the kitchen table with his father-in-law, Roy, a five-hundred-piece puzzle spread out in front of them. They were hunting straight-edged pieces to give the border of the puzzle. It was methodical to do it that way and it helped him focus on the task, rather than think of all the things that were out of his control.

Gail, his mother-in-law, was in cleaning mode. She had stored the boxes of decorations and had moved to the kitchen. She was at the sink when the phone rang and Jimmy answered it.

“Mr. Colton?”

A woman’s voice. She sounded familiar.

“Yes?”

“It’s Jennifer. I’m at the hospital with Melissa. Congratulations—your son is here.”

He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. “I have a son?”

He could tell from her voice the woman was smiling. “Yes. You have a son. Now, I know how long of a drive you have, but if you and your wife could come up as soon as possible . . .”

Jimmy turned and looked at Susan’s parents. Their faces lasered on his own. “I have a son.”

The two gathered close to him. He wanted to ask Jennifer the most important question, the question he knew Susan would ask. Before he could, Jennifer told him the news.

“She’s signed the papers, Mr. Colton. Do you think you can drive up this afternoon?”

“Sure, yes. We can leave right away.”

“Your son will be waiting,” Jennifer said.

“Okay, thank you.”

Jimmy put the phone down and turned.

“Congratulations,” Gail said.

“We have to leave right now,” Jimmy said. “The suitcases. I’m going to get the suitcases.” He ran toward the bedroom.

“I’ll take care of the kitchen,” Gail said.

Jimmy stopped in the hall and turned, a hand to his head. “I forgot to install the car seat.” He reversed course toward the living room. “I’ve got to get the car seat!”

“The car’s not there,” Roy said. “Susan has it.”