Sarah’s phone rang just as her alarm went off. She picked up the handset. “Hello.”
“Mom, we had the baby! The ultrasound was right: it’s a girl. And she’s just as beautiful as her mom.”
Sarah heard Andrea in the background. “Not right now, I’m not. I’m a mess.”
“You’re more beautiful than I’ve ever seen you,” Michael said.
Once again, Sarah felt like an intruder. The girl couldn’t even let her husband call his mother without horning into the conversation. She waited for Michael to refocus his attention.
“Mom, are you there? Did you hear me?”
“That’s wonderful news, dear. I’m so happy for you.”
“Andi was amazing. She toughed it out for nine hours.”
“When was the baby born?”
“Four twelve this morning. Seven pounds, three ounces.”
“Have you picked out a name?” Sarah knew they had, but they’d wanted to wait to reveal it.
“Lindsey Rose.”
She had no idea where Lindsey came from, but Rose was Andrea’s mother’s name. Of course, they’d name the baby after the tramp’s mother, not her. “That’s lovely. When can I see her?”
“Why don’t you stop by the hospital on your way to work?”
“I’ll do better than that. I think the birth of my first grandchild entitles me to a day off. I can spend the day with you, and then you know I’d be happy to stay at your house for a few days to help you out.”
“Thanks, but Andi’s mom is going to stay with us.”
That figures, Sarah thought. They were already pushing her aside. “Of course. But if Rose needs a break, you know you can call me.”
“Sure. But for now, let’s just plan on a hospital visit. Maybe in a few days, after we’re settled in, you could come by the house.”
No way was she going to sit on the sidelines while Andrea’s mother had all the fun, but she’d wait to fight that battle. “Whatever works best for you, dear. I’ll see you soon.”
Sarah hung up the phone. Andrea was going to lock that baby away in her house like it was a fortress. The bitch would do everything in her power to keep Sarah away. But she wouldn’t push it. She’d follow all their rules, be the perfect grandmother. Things had been strained the last couple of years, but Sarah was sure the new baby would bring them all closer. She’d just have to make sure she wasn’t shut out.
She made it to the hospital in record time, and the minute she laid eyes on her new granddaughter, Sarah fell in love. The baby was absolutely perfect. She had Andrea’s green eyes, but the rest of her was all Michael. She was beautiful.
“Can I hold her?” Sarah asked her daughter-in-law.
Andrea held the baby out. “Just don’t drop her on her head. I worked hard to get the little bugger out. Don’t want to start all over from square one.” She and Michael laughed.
Sarah smiled. She’d never get used to Andrea’s odd sense of humor. But that didn’t matter. All that mattered was this adorable bundle of joy. She sat in the visitor’s chair and cradled Lindsey in her arms.
“She’s so sweet, Michael.” But her words went unanswered. Her son sat on his wife’s bed, their arms locked around each other, oblivious to the world.
Sarah turned back to her granddaughter and whispered, “They’re so wrapped up in each other, they’ll ignore you, too. But we’ll have each other, Lindsey. We’re going to be best of friends.”
Sarah rocked the baby, thought back to Michael as an infant. Her husband had told her she was obsessed with their son. He just didn’t understand a mother’s love. She and Michael were so much better off after he was dead.