Lovey threw her arms up in the air and hugged him again.

“I’d feel blessed beyond belief.”

He grinned. “Then, thanks, Mom.”

Lovey beamed. “You’re very welcome, my son.”

Melissa walked back into the foyer and caught the last bit of their conversation, which made her think of how this news would spread.

“How are you guys going to reveal this?” Melissa asked.

Lovey and Sully stared at each other.

“I don’t know,” Sully said.

Lovey patted his arm. “I do, and it will save having to repeat the story over and over as the news spreads. People nowadays are having big baby reveals to announce the sex of their babies. How about we have a Reveal the Birth Mother party? Everyone knows why you came. Let’s let them in on it together!”

Sully grinned. “I’m in!”

“Then we’d better do it fast because I’m bursting with joy for the both of you and horrible at keeping secrets,” Melissa said.

“I need a cell phone number so I can text the date and time to you after I figure it out.” Lovey said, and opened Contacts on her cell phone. Sully gave her his number. “Got it saved,” Lovey said. “We host parties all the time in the banquet room, but we can open the whole restaurant up at the dinner hour and have ourselves a ball. Now, I’ve got to get back to work before the boss fires me,” she said, and out the door she went.

Sully turned, his eyes alight with a joy Melissa had never seen before.

“It happened, baby! It happened,” he cried, and then took her in his arms. “Can you hear the music?”

Melissa’s eyes widened. “The Winter Ball! Yes, I hear it. It’s the ‘Blue Danube’ waltz! The band director’s favorite!”

Sully waited a moment, as if he was counting through the melody to a point where they could start, and when he took the first step, Melissa was right there with him, dancing to the music only they could hear.

* * *

Lovey sailed back into Granny’s at 11:15 a.m., shooed Wendy back to waiting tables, and walked around the rest of the day with a smile on her face.

Mercy noticed the necklace a few hours later when Lovey went into the kitchen to grab a bite to eat before the supper crowd.

“Lovey, I’ve never seen you wear that necklace before. It’s beautiful.”

Lovey touched it lightly and shrugged it off. “Oh, I’ve had it since I was fifteen. I just decided to start wearing it again. It holds good memories. Do we have any bacon left? I’m kinda hungry for a BLT.”

“Yep! Got some right here, Miss Lovey,” Elvis said. “I’ll fix you right up.”

“Thanks, Elvis. Just send it out when you get to it.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

Lovey made herself a drink and sashayed back into the dining room.

Mercy caught the feisty little walk, then grinned and shook her head. God threw away the mold after he was done with that woman.