EPILOGUE
Two Months Later
Kayla stared at the plastic stick on the bathroom counter, waiting for it to determine her fate.
Soon, it confirmed what she’d already suspected.
She and Jack were going to have a baby. Kayla did a quick calculation and deduced that she was almost eight weeks pregnant.
Thinking back, she decided it must have happened between Christmas and New Year’s, when she and Jack had spent a lot of time celebrating their engagement.
What will he think of this? Will he be happy or think it’s too soon?
Not to mention, she would be very pregnant on their wedding day.
“Honey, I’m home!” Jack called out. He’d gone to get donuts and coffee from a nearby bakery.
“Be right out,” Kayla shouted. She glanced at the stick once more, and then wrapped it in a tissue and threw it into the trash. Kayla took a deep breath and went and joined him in the kitchen. She took one look at the vase of red roses on the table and teared up.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Jack said, smiling widely.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” she repeated.
He leaned in and gave her a brief kiss. “We’ll celebrate more later, but first, you need to eat,” he teased.
Kayla’s hand went to her stomach. If he only knew she was eating for two now.
“Have a seat,” Jack said, pulling out her chair.
“You’re spoiling me,” she said as she sat down.
“Get used to it.”
Ever since their engagement, Jack had been extra attentive to her. He was still making up for their breakup before Christmas, even though she’d long since forgiven him.
“I can’t wait to hear the band tonight,” Jack said. Later, they were going with Ryan and Josie to listen to a band they thought they might hire to play at their wedding.
“Mmm-hmm.” Kayla took a glazed cinnamon roll from the donut box and set it on a plate. Then she took a fortifying sip of coffee.
“So, I was thinking of shaving off all my hair,” Jack said.
“Mmm.”
Jack burst out laughing. “Did you hear what I just said?”
Kayla glanced at him with a blank expression. “Something about hair.”
He shook his head. “Are you okay?”
His question held more weight than he could imagine. “I think so,” Kayla said.
Jack slid his chair closer to hers and faced her. Placing his hands on her knees, he looked deeply into her eyes. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
She felt overly emotional, and the endearment caused her to tear up again.
“Are you stressed about the wedding? Because we can move it back, if you want to.”
“Move it back? No!”
Jack raised his eyebrows. “Okay. I was just making sure.”
“The wedding isn’t causing me stress, especially with our moms helping out.”
“Is it work?”
Kayla shook her head. “It’s not that.”
“Is it me? Did I do or say something wrong?”
Kayla placed her hands over his. “It’s not you or work or the wedding.”
“What then?”
She took another deep breath, knowing she couldn’t delay this any longer. “I’m pregnant,” she blurted out.
Complete and utter silence. The only indication Jack was still alive was when his mouth gaped open.
Kayla waited a few beats. “Jack? Aren’t you going to say something?”
Jack pushed his chair back and stood. Then he started pacing the length of the kitchen.
Uh-oh. He only did this when he was really worried or upset about something. He paused and stared at her. “You’re pregnant.”
She slowly nodded.
“How did this happen?”
Kayla narrowed her eyes at him. “Do I need to explain the facts of life to you?”
“Of course not, but you’re on birth control!”
“Yes, but I might have forgotten to take it once or twice around Christmas.” She waited for it to sink in.
Jack’s eyes widened. “That’s when we spent a lot of time in bed … having sex.”
She nodded again.
Jack shoved his hands into his hair and resumed pacing.
Kayla scowled at him. “I can see you’re unhappy about this, but it’s not just happening to you, Jack.
” He paused, but she continued her rant.
“It’s my body that’s changing, and I’m the one who’s going to have to push this child out!
Not to mention, I’ll be seven months pregnant on our wedding day!
” Her voice rose with every word, but she couldn’t stop herself.
“I understand this puts a kink into our plans, but it’s happening, so you better get used to it! ”
A mix of emotions played across Jack’s face. “You think I’m unhappy about this?”
“You only pace when you’re upset.”
Jack came over and kneeled in front of her. Peering into her eyes, he said, “I’m not upset that you’re pregnant. It’s just … I’m going to be a father. That’s huge!”
She softened. “Yes, it is. But you’re great at everything you do, and you’ll be great at this too.”
“What about you? How are you feeling?”
“Physically? My breasts are sore and my pants are a little snug, but otherwise, I’m good.”
“How long have you known?”
“I’ve suspected it for a few weeks, but I took the test this morning while you were out getting donuts.”
Jack studied her intently. “You’re okay physically, but what about emotionally?”
“It’ll take some time to sink in, and the timing could have been better, but I’m not unhappy about it. Are you?”
Jack slid back into the chair across from her and clasped her hands in his. “How could I be unhappy? The woman I love is going to have our baby, and soon, we’ll be a family.”
“You didn’t used to want these things,” Kayla gently reminded him.
“I didn’t want them with just anyone. Only you.”
Tears welled in her eyes, and she fanned her face. “Sorry. Hormones. I’m going to be an emotional wreck for the next seven months.”
“It’s okay. I’ll take you anyway I can get you.” Jack cupped her face and leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you, sweetheart.”
Kayla thought her heart was full when they’d gotten engaged, but now it was overflowing. Love, laughter, family, friends, and a baby. Kayla had everything she’d ever wanted and then some.
The End