Chapter 20 #2
"What?" Taylor looked at him so confused, and then she closed her eyes and said, "I thought that was just a dream.
Something I was remembering from before.
But I had an ultrasound, didn't I? I am pregnant, aren't I?
I thought I was flashing back to another time.
" Putting her hands on her stomach, she looked at Bennett and asked, "Is it true? I am going to have a baby?”
Bennett nodded, smiling down at her with tears in his eyes. He said, "Yes, sweet girl. You are."
Instantly, a look of pure adulterated fear crossed her face, "How many weeks am I? What if…" If she had been more alert, she would not have had to ask. She would have known the answer to that question immediately. However, her mind was a little fuzzy.
She let the question hang in the air, but Bennett did not need her to finish it to know what she would say.
He quickly said, "Nothing is going to happen.
You are going to get your storybook ending this time.
I promise. You are fifteen weeks, and the doctor said the baby's heartbeat was strong and healthy. "
Taylor didn't say anything for a moment. Then, with tears of joy running down her face, she said, "Crazy, huh? All those years of trying, tests, and doctors, and nothing. And I go crazy one night, and bam, I am pregnant."
"Well, it is not that far-fetched. The doctors never could give us definitive reasons why you had trouble carrying. My question is, how did you not know? Fifteen weeks is a long time. You must have gotten pregnant back in March. Right?"
"Oh, yeah. It was the night I got so mad at you on the phone. I was determined to show you. I guess I did that in spades, huh? I am not sorry about the baby, but I am sorry about cheating."
"No, I am sorry I ever put any of us into this position. This would have never happened if I had handled things better on the front end. Well, I now know what bad choices you made. So, what's the story? Do I need to beat somebody up here or what?"
"No, you definitely don't need to beat anyone up. We are working it out, but at the moment, it is complicated."
"Isn't it always with us?”
Again, Taylor almost laughed, but the pain in her head stopped her.
"So, are you in love with this Greer guy or what?" asked Bennett.
"How did you know his name? Yes, I am. And I am pretty sure he is in love with me. We just haven't gotten around to saying it yet, but we will. Oh my gosh! What time is it?"
"It's almost 7:30."
"Oh no! I was supposed to pick Greer up at the airport at 6:00. He will be frantic. Could you hand me my phone? I need to call him and tell him where I am."
"No need. I sort of already did. He called a little bit ago. I answered your phone, and we talked."
"Oh no. Is he on his way? Is he mad?"
"Well, he wasn't happy that I had your phone. I can tell you that much. Also, he called me a Ken doll. What did that mean? I didn't know if I was supposed to be offended or flattered."
Holding a hand to her head, Taylor rolled her eyes and gave a short laugh as she said, "Neither, and please don't make me laugh. So, he is on his way here now?"
Bennett nodded, "Yes, and you should know that I figured he had to be your baby daddy since I knew I wasn't. Why else would he be calling demanding to talk to you like a jealous boyfriend? And uh…"
"Uh oh, Bennett, what did you do?"
"I told him about the baby. I am sorry. I assumed he knew.
I mean, come on, fifteen weeks is a long time to be pregnant and not know it.
" Giving her a sheepish look, he said, "I hope that was okay.
If it is his baby, he has the right to know.
I would have given anything if Poppy had told me.
" Bennett had such a sad look as he said that even Taylor couldn't even get mad at him.
Sighing, she said, "Well, it will have to be okay, won't it? I would have told him myself if I had known. We need to be prepared for when he gets here. He will be fit to be tied. Just stay back and let me deal with him. His bark is much worse than his bite."
"Good to know because he sounded like he was spoiling for a fight on the phone. Just who is this guy, and how did you meet him anyway?"
Before Taylor could answer, a doctor in green scrubs and a white coat and her nurse, Denice, knocked and walked in. Shaking Bennett's hand and then Taylor's, she said, "I am Dr. LaGay. I believe I spoke with you earlier on the phone. I am glad you were able to get here so quickly."
Walking over to Taylor, she adjusted the cover and prepared to examine her.
Realizing where the situation was headed, Bennett began to feel very uncomfortable.
If the situation were different, he would have no problem remaining in the room.
But, as it was, he felt awkward and out of place.
He also knew that Poppy would not like it one bit.
So, he cleared his throat and said, "If you ladies will excuse me. "
"Oh, there is no need for you to leave. The daddy is welcome to stay," the doctor replied as she took Taylor's blood pressure.
Bennett looked from the doctor to Taylor and back to the doctor but said nothing. Taylor looked at the doctor and said, "Mr. Carrington is not the father."
All the air left the room, and it went deadly silent for a moment as Taylor's words hung in the air. Then, looking back at Bennett, Taylor said, "I am fine. Why don't you go down and get a cup of coffee? I am sure we will be done in a minute."