James hesitated. “I – I don’t want to put you out.”
Meredith smiled. “Nonsense. I raised four children and six grandchildren. A newborn doesn’t scare me one bit. You and your daughter need a safe place to stay, and I just so happen to have a cozy guest room that’s been waiting to be used.”
James felt a huge wave of gratitude wash over him. With no other choices, he nodded. “Thank you. Really.”
Meredith’s home was a lovely brownstone filled with soft light and the nice smell of lavender. She showed James to a comfortable room and quickly set up a makeshift nursery using an old cradle she’d saved from when her grandchildren were little. That night, as James fed Lily, Meredith sat next to him with a warm cup of tea.
“Emily would have adored her,” Meredith said softly, watching Lily’s tiny fingers wrap around James’ hand.
James looked up, surprised. “How did you know my wife’s name?”
Meredith smiled. “You talk in your sleep, dear. And when someone’s grieving, they always hold on tight to the name of the person they love.”
James wiped away a tear. “She was my whole world. I don’t know how I’m going to do this all by myself.”
Meredith placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You’re not alone. You have Lily, and you have people who care. Sometimes, even strangers can become like family.”
For the next two days, Meredith helped James take care of Lily. She taught him all sorts of little tricks that only a grandmother would know—how to swaddle her just right, how to soothe her cries with a soft humming tune.
