Page 7 of A SEAL’s Vigilant Heart

“What are you talking about? The house is spotless. I bet you make your bed every morning.” Sophia winced. Was she that obvious?

“Well, I have to change the sheets. Plus I want to bake some of his favorite things. I appreciate your offer, but I want to cook for him. It makes me feel good. I’ll get it done before he gets home.”

“So you both can do the important ‘cooking.’ I get it. I might be old, but I have my Tony. So don’t think I don’t know what you’re going to be doing on those clean sheets.”

“Frannie, how do I always end up in these types of conversations with you and Margie?”

“Because you don’t have your Mama to have these conversations,” Frannie said gently. She was right. What's more, it was something that had been plaguing Sophia since the wedding planning went into full swing.

“How did you know?” she asked quietly.

“Oh baby girl. You’re never too old to miss your Mama. I still miss mine, and I’m sixty-five.”

“But Billy seems to have gotten over it. He hardly ever talks about our mom anymore.”

“Of course, he doesn’t,” Frannie answered. “He has you. Your mom was sick for a long time. You practically raised that boy. Biologically you might be his sister, but you’re the mother of his heart.” Frannie’s words resonated with her. When she thought how much her opinion of Rebecca mattered to Billy, she realized he had treated her like a beloved parent.

“Frannie, I’m not sure I’m up to that level of responsibility. Sure, Mason and I are talking about starting a family, but I worry I don’t have what it takes to be a good mother.”

Sophia pulled the phone from her ear at her friend’s loud laughter. As Frannie settled down, she finally got words out.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re one of the most nurturing people I know, Sophia Anderson soon-to-be Gault. You’re going to be a fantastic mother. Billy thinks the sun rises and sets with you.” Sophia’s cheeks heated.

“Frannie, I–”

“I think you should start working on making babies immediately. Get rid of the rubbers.”

“Frannie!”

“Okay, if not the rubbers throw away the pills. I want to be holding your son or daughter by next year.”

“You’re outrageous.”

“You’re just figuring it out now?” Sophia laughed some more. Nope, she’d known for quite some time that Frannie DeLuca was outrageous, and it was why she loved her so much. She also knew the woman was trying to lift her spirits, and she greatly appreciated it.

“Sophia, are you still there?”

“I’m here. Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Ah, I love you too. Both Tony and I love you like you were our own. Now hurry up and give us a beautiful baby to love on.”

“We will, we will. First, I have to change the sheets.”

“Clean sheets are not a prerequisite. I thought they explained things better than that in health class.”

“Good-bye, Frannie.”

“Good-bye, Sophia.”

Sophia hung up the phone with a smile. She always ended up smiling after talking to Frannie. She had really been gifted with some great people in her life, but none was better than Mason Gault. She still thought about that night in the alley when he rescued her from her attackers. She rubbed at the scar on her arm. He’d saved her twice, once from the initial attack, and then after she’d been kidnapped. He truly was her knight in shining armor, and now she was going to get to marry him. A smile blossomed on her face, and she pressed her palms against her cheeks. Life didn’t get much better than this.