“It’s not an easy job,” Joanna winked at him. “Maybe he’ll go easier on you than you ever went on me.”
Grant smiled, his eyes moving from his sister to his mother. “Are you really okay with this?” he gulped.
“Yes, Grant,” Nora said, as confident as Grant had ever heard her. “This is something that Daddy and I prayed about. This baby is part of our family; the fact that he is a compatible donor for you is just a very special bonus that I consider the most awesome of unforeseen blessings.”
Grant’s eyes shifted thoughtfully. “May I name him?” he asked after a moment.
Hailey was sitting Indian style on the couch, Grant’s cheek resting against her shoulder as they both stared down at the baby blue blanket spread across Hailey’s lap and the tiniest of little miracles she cradled in her hands.
Grant reached his hand down toward the baby, and Zachariah wrapped his tiny fingers around his brother’s index finger.
“Look at him looking at you,” Hailey beamed. “He loves his brother.”
“Hailey,” Grant said, his lips falling to rest against her bare shoulder. He took a moment to gather his thought and raised his head again. “Make me a promise…”
“Anything,” Hailey nodded.
“I never want Zach to grow up hearing anyone talk about me the way they talked about Ike,” Grant demanded softly.
Hailey tensed but knew that it was better just to listen than to argue over the success of Grant’s treatment. As they spoke, the cord blood taken from Zach’s umbilical cord was being harvested, waiting for Grant’s body to be ready to accept the new cells.
“I mean it,” Grant said. “I don’t want my name to become some reverent, off-limits source of guilt for him. I don’t want him to grow up in the shadows of someone he never knew and no one ever took the time to help him get to know. I never want him to feel like he has to go to Harvard or join the Young Republicans or try and fulfill any dreams I left behind. If he hates yellow Zingers, then so be it!”
Hailey was shocked to find herself smiling, but she did.
“If this transplant doesn’t work,” Grant said seriously, “I always want Zach to know that it wasn’t his fault. I never want him to live a day of his life thinking that he failed us somehow.” Grant reached for the baby and lifted Zach to rest against his shoulder with a natural ease that surprised Hailey. “And I want the two of you to stay close,” he added, “always!”
Hailey nodded. “There are so many wonderful attributes in you that I hope Zach gets the chance to experience for himself…but, if this transplant never happens or it doesn’t work…he will know you. I promise you that.”
Grant lowered the baby, cradling him close to his chest. He gently kissed the top of Zach’s head, letting his lips linger on the head full of silky blond hair. “Who picked out his outfit?” Grant mused, examining the white onesie covered in little orange basketballs. “He looks like a stud!”
“It is my turn to feed Zach!” Emily said as she followed Jessica into the living room.
“It is my turn!” Jessica scoffed.
“No, it’s not! You did it last time! It’s my turn!” Emily argued.
“You went last, Emily,” Jessica wagged her finger toward the kitchen. “Go look at the chart!”
“Did you even get the burp cloth?” Emily shrugged. “I hope he spits up all over your new shirt!”
“There’s one on the arm of the recliner,” Hailey pointed with a laugh.
“I don’t even care,” Jessica retorted. “A little spit-up from the sweetest baby in the world won’t hurt anybody!”
“What are you going to sing to him while I feed him?” Emily asked. “He loves it when you sing to him!”
Jessica started to answer, then her nose scrunched. “I’m feeding him!” she laughed.
“Fine,” Emily said, reaching for the camera on the coffee table. “Did you get any good pictures of him this morning?”
Grant held his hand out for the bottle. “Mind if I feed him, Jess?” he grinned.
Jessica raised an eyebrow at him, but her scowl quickly melted into a smile. “Of course not,” she nodded, handing Grant the bottle.
Grant adjusted the baby in his arms and snuggled close to Hailey, the two of them cradling Zach as he took his bottle.
Emily quickly snapped a picture, then she and Jessica flopped simultaneously into the same beanbag to review all the pictures from that day.
Hailey watched as Grant and Zach’s eyes locked on one another in admiration. They were two brothers forever bonded in a way that both of them could feel and others could sense. Zach had no idea the possibilities his birth meant for Grant, but, in Grant’s eyes, Hailey saw the sincerest form of gratitude as he watched protectively over his tiny hero.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Hailey held Joanna’s hand as they stood at the graveside listening to Pastor Jordan reading scripture. She glanced around at her friends standing under the tent that had been erected in the cemetery and dabbed her eyes with a tissue as Joanna put her arm around her. More than anything, Hailey wanted Grant next to her; Joanna understood that she craved the feeling of his hand in hers, and she was doing the best she could to comfort Hailey in Grant’s absence. Hailey’s heartbeat quickened as she heard the pastor begin to pray; the funeral was almost over now, and Hailey couldn’t help but think how quickly the service had gone. Soon they would walk away and dirt would be piled on top of the casket; all that would be left of this day or of the life they were both celebrating and mourning would be the memories.
When Pastor Jordan finished his prayer, Nora began the procession of family and friends who had lined up to place roses on the casket. Randy offered his wife one of the tissues she had insisted that he stuff in his pocket. He reached his hand out to Rachel, steadying as she waddled back toward one of the folding chairs along the graveside. Nora blotted away her tears as David walked over and put his arm around his mother. “It was a beautiful service, Mom,” he nodded.
“It sure was,” Nora agreed.
David glanced over at the crowd of old friends that was gathering to offer final condolences to his mother. “Mom, I’m going to slip out and head back over to the house,” he said. “I want to check on Melissa. She’s got her hands full with Leah and Zach… and Grant.”
“Yes, Sweetheart, of course,” Nora nodded. “I can’t thank her enough for helping me out today. Thank you both so much for being here for Granny.”
