*Eliza*
I finished nursing and rocking the baby to sleep. As I put the baby down for a nap, Lena came into my room waving a piece of paper around.
“What’s that?” I arched an eyebrow.
“This is the guest list–at least, the most up-to-date one. Do you want to see?” She held the paper out to me.
“That depends. Has Jared responded?”
Lena frowned, and I already knew the answer before she shook her head.
My chest panged and I clutched my heart. It seemed that Jared wouldn’t be attending the welcoming, naming ceremony for his own child.
“There’s still time, Eliza. Don’t give up hope yet.”
I shook myself out of my moment. “It doesn’t matter. The naming ceremony isn’t even for Jared. It is for my baby.”
“That’s true.” Lena peered into the bassinet and smiled fondly.
“I’m sure he has a lot going on with the pack. With all the renovations Archer told Scarlett about in his letters, I’m sure he’s busy. I’ll let you know if he RSVPs.”
“Thank you, Lena.”