“Do you have time to sit with us?” I asked.
“I think I could make some time for my favorite son and daughter.” Not once since our wedding had she called Ella her “in-law” and I knew it made both of them so happy.
We followed her to a booth and after we gave our order to the waitress I reached under the table, found Ella’s thigh, and gave it a squeeze.
“Mom, we came here today with a purpose.”
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “Oh, you did?”
“Yes,” Ella said, bringing up the gift bag she brought in with her and placing it on the table. She looked over at me and gave me a sweet smile, obviously getting just as excited as I was. She slid the bag to my mother across the table. “This is for you.”
She took the bag with a confused look on her face. “It’s not my birthday,” she said, obviously trying to work out in her mind why we were bringing her presents.
“Just open it, Mom.”
She shook her head and opened the bag, bringing out a box one might use to wrap a sweater in for Christmas. She took the lid off and I saw her eyes grow wide with surprise. I gripped Ella’s thigh a little tighter and felt her hand come to rest over mine, showing me she realized how important this moment was for me. My mom reached into the box and pulled out a small pair of booties and a tiny hat, both were knitted with soft green yarn. She held one in each hand, looking back and forth between them and us.
“What is this?” She asked, her breath panting out as I could tell she was obviously holding back tears.
“There’s one more thing in there,” Ella said, her voice also rough with emotion.
My mom looked back into the box and placed the hat and booties on the table as she reached for the last item. She pulled out the ultrasound picture and held it up. I saw a tear fall down her cheek and tried to ignore the prickling behind my own, not wanting to cry in the middle of her restaurant.
“Does this mean what I think it means?”
Ella nodded her head and I moved my arm behind her back as she let out a sob, coupled with a very big smile.
“Oh my word . . .” My mother whispered. “You’re having a baby?”
“Well, I’m having a baby,” Ella said with a laugh. “But yes, you’re going to be a grandmother.”
I felt my smile widen and watched as my mother’s world shifted. I couldn’t imagine telling anyone anything and have them react with as much happiness as my mother was experiencing. She bounced in her seat, her hand covering her mouth, as she cried happy tears and squealed. She squealed so loudly that everyone in the restaurant turned to look at her. Then she let out another happy cry and started scooting out of the booth.
She held up the ultrasound picture over her head and shouted, “I’m going to be a grandma!” Everyone in the bar erupted into hoots and hollers, a round of applause rang through the building, and my mother did a happy little dance right next to our table. “Come give me a hug,” she said to Ella when she’d finished dancing. She climbed out of the booth and my mother wrapped her in a tight hug. “You’ve brought so much joy to our lives, Ella. I’m so thankful for you,” my mother whispered in her ear, just loud enough for only her and me to hear.
“And you,” she said, looking at me. “Get over here and give your mother a hug.” I did as she said and brought my mother into me, placing my nose against the skin of her neck, breathing in her familiar scent. She was tiny, and I had to bend to reach her, but I still felt like a little boy sometimes when she hugged me. “Your father would have loved to be here to see you like this, Porter. Happy. Married. A father. I just know he is somewhere watching all of this and he is so proud of you, Son.” I held on to her for a little longer, not wanting to pull away because I knew I’d lose my composure.
It was easy as the years passed to only think about my father on occasion. I buried myself in my work and didn’t feel anything for so long. However, I found that as my life started happening around me, meeting Ella, fighting for our love together, marrying, and now getting pregnant, every time we hit a milestone or accomplished something, there was always a slight painful pang that came from missing my father. It was a double-edged sword; we missed him, but we also celebrated for him, knowing he’d be just as happy, if not more so, as we were.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said as I pulled away. She lovingly patted my shoulder as we separated and her smile had never been so big or bright. It was simply awe-inspiring to witness.
“So, what names have you picked out?” Her eyes swung like a pendulum back and forth between Ella and me.
“We haven’t really gotten that far yet,” Ella said with a laugh.
“Well, you’ve got some time yet. When are you due?”