Chapter 17
ECHO
Months of doctors appointments for Harry and Stacy had kept them far busier than Echo had ever imagined. All appointments shed good news on their health. Harry was gaining strength day by day, growing and enjoying his new cancer free body. Echo was a nervous wreck when it came to his family's safety.
One night Stacy had told him her fears of waking to find Harry sick once again, and Echo didn't know how his woman had done it all by herself. Granted she wasn't alone, but she was. It was a burden no single parent should carry. Yet it showed him how much stronger she was for it.
Stacy was so strong. And resilient. Even if she was nervous and anxious all the time. And the doctor told her if she didn't stop stressing, and her levels of cortisol kept rising, she'd be on bed rest, or worse. Echo figured it was the ‘or worse’ that got to Stacy the most.
They were still trying to settle in as a new family, and while everything seemed great, with Stacy's hormones, it could be touch or go at times for them as a couple. Even with visits to Josephine and many workbooks completed. Echo figured Stacy still held some laten fears of him leaving during her last pregnancy. He didn't blame her one bit.
Which was why they were headed to the lodge for a special event. Two and a half months until the single baby would be here– yes, they had the doctor double and triple check for twins. They had the nursery set up, with a bedside crib in the master room– which Stacy had moved back into two months prior due to the stairs being too much for her.
Stacy was huge – baby bump wise, and looked so uncomfortable, even though the doctor swore it was only one baby and that she still had several weeks to go. But she was gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful. He loved rubbing lotion all over her body, belly included. Loved feeling his little one kick and move. Loved making his wife moan in pleasure.
“Daddy, it's too early for a cookout,” Harry stated from the backseat. Echo had also upgraded their vehicle to a van big enough for him to not be crushed, yet easy for Stacy to get in and out of.
“Well, little man, this is a special event. Let's go check it out,” Echo announced as he parked next to the door. Stacy gave him an odd look, as he reached across the console for a kiss. “Trust me. It'll be fun.”
Harry and Helen cheered when they entered the cafeteria and saw all the balloons and people waiting for their arrival.
Yet Stacy turned to him with fury in her eyes brimming with tears.
Annie must have noticed as well and offered to watch the kids while he stepped back with Stacy.
“What's wrong?” He had an inkling of what might be the cause.
Her nostrils flared as she inhaled, her lips pinched as she took her time responding. “It isn't fair.”
“What?” He asked, beyond confused.
“They never got a baby shower, and now this one does all because I'm in your life again?” she snapped, her anger building. Well, his could rise to meet her.
“No, that's not fair. I'm trying here. Everyday I am reminded of the shit that I missed. How bad I fucked up and I'm trying to make it right but you seem to be fighting me more than ever.”
Without another word, he snatched her hand and dragged her into the cafeteria, just inside the door. “Look. Really look.” He watched as her eyes took in multiple banners. ‘Baby shower' read one, while two others read ‘Happy Birthday’.
“This isn't just a baby shower. This is a giant party for you and the twins. I missed a lot. The Old Ladies wanted to do something for you, and the kids. I agreed if I got to help set it up.”
“Mommy! Mommy!” Harry and Helen both ran to them, giant smiles covering their faces. “It's a giant birthday party! Even Grandma Eleanor and Grandpa Frank are here!”
“Granny Mary too!”
“It's just for us!”
“And the baby too!”
Echo had to keep the smugness off his face as he watched Stacy take it all in while guilt covered her face. “I'm sorry. I jumped to conclusions before I had all the facts.”
Echo drew her close, his child within her belly creating a gap between them. Leaning over, he gazed into her eyes. “I'm sorry too. Maybe I should have given you a bit of a heads up.” He wanted to add how he wished she would trust him, but refrained. He didn't want to sour the mood anymore.
A quick kiss and a smile and Stacy was whisked away as the festivities began. They sang and played games before the cake was cut and presents were open. How Sue was able to keep the flow of the afternoon was beyond his knowledge, but it flowed with laughter and conversation abound.
Echo enjoyed watching his family have a great time with friends and family. He could wait till he got his wife alone later though. He had a special surprise just for her.
STACY
Guilt and regret clung to the edges of Stacy's mind all afternoon. Although the regret had clung longer, and she was starting to feel the effects of it. How did Travis let go so easily of the past?
Shouldn't he hate her like she did herself? If only she had tried to find him sooner.
“What's going on in that brain of yours?” Travis’ voice echoed in her mind.
“I'm sorry. I'm sorry for today. I'm sorry for not coming after you sooner and saving us so much heartache. I'm sorry for causing us so many issues now. I'm sorry I'm a mess right now. I'm not trying to be and I know I need to not stress or I could lose the baby, and that is not something I want. I'm trying. But I don't know how to do it myself. I've been working my whole life and being told to take it easy on top of everything we've been going through is getting to me.”
Wow. That was a lot. Stacy hadn't realized how much she had bottled up.
Travis nodded once and then kissed her lips as they sat beside each other on the couch. Harry and Helen were upstairs reorganizing their rooms and new toys.
“Okay. So that was a lot to unload. If you can tell me how I can help make it easier on you, then do. I'll help however I need. As for the past? Baby, we've been over this. You are not fully to blame. We both could have done better and done things differently. Coulda, shoulda, woulda and what-ifs won't get us anywhere but heartaches. I hope to help you understand that.” Travis kissed her forehead.
“If you feel you and I need more sessions with Josephine, then I'm more than okay with that. One day I'd love to have your full trust with no more tears or fears or worries. But baby,” he inhaled, his hand playing with her hair as he had moved to angle his body to face her. “I'm not going anywhere. Period. You're stuck with me for the rest of our lives. I will strive to make this as easy on you as I can. But you need to talk to me.”
Stacy felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment. “I'm sorry.”
“No more apologizing.”
“Still. I get in my head as I have for years now and I don't know how to get out. Maybe more sessions with Josephine would help. Even if it was just for me. I've struggled over the years for sure. But,” Stacy licked her lips and turned towards Travis. “You are what I want. I'm just so lost and out of place. I think I would have been fine with everything, you, the club, Harry, had I not gotten pregnant so soon and ended up with a surge of random hormones and pregnancy brain.”
“I'm sorry, baby,” his face fell and she knew he was, “I should have thought about that. I was too excited to have you back. Too excited to be with you again that I didn't think of how it might affect you.”
“It takes two to tango. I could have said no, and you would have stopped. So it's on me too. But maybe I just need another outlet to get my mind all straightened out.”
“I'll be here every step of the way.”
“Good,” she grimaced, “can you help me up. I gotta pee. This baby keeps kicking my bladder.” He helped her up and walked her to the bathroom as she continued to vent. “By the time I'm gonna pop I'm gonna be in diapers. It's gonna be the only way to keep from trickling every fifteen minutes.”
Stacy groaned as she sat on the toilet. “Forget I said that.”
Travis leaned against the door, a smirk covering his face. “I'm sure you're not the only pregnant woman to do so.”
Finished and washed, Stacy sighed and stepped into his arms.
“I want that dream, Travis. I want what you promised me all those years ago.”
“We'll make it happen, baby. You've got a family that is waiting for you with open arms. Everything is here, ready and waiting. You just need to grab it with both hands.”
Stacy mimicked his words by grabbing his ass with both hands. “Sex is still on the table, right?”
Travis leaned down and locked his arms behind her. “As long as you're comfortable then yes.”
“Good. Because I need some loving,” Stacy purred.