Chapter 36
Thirty-Six
“ H ey, girls, we’re home!” John’s voice carried from the garage into the kitchen.
“Hey, Sam.” Abby walked towards her brother and pulled him into a hug.
“Don’t squeeze too hard. Didn’t I just see you two days ago? You can’t be missing me already.”
“Sorry. I think I just didn’t realize how emotional I’d be seeing you out and about again. At Thanksgiving, I could pretend like nothing happened. It was just you, me, and Mom like it’s been for years.”
“Yeah, well, John promised there was a recliner with my name branded on it. I’m here to hold it down for him until the rowdy crowd gets here.”
John laughed. “It’s been a while since you’ve been over, but the living room hasn’t changed. Go on and sit. Jackson just messaged me that he and Grace are on their way over.”
John placed his hand on Abby’s back and curled her into his chest.
“It’s going to be a great day. Our friends, all here to celebrate what we’re all most thankful for.” He cupped her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“I’m still not used to seeing that.” Sam’s voice carried in from the living room, making Abby and John both laugh.
“I’m going to head back into the kitchen. I don’t want the potatoes to boil over.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Nothing right now. But maybe you and the guys can be in charge of the grill for me? Oh, and we need to set up the chairs for the kids. Grace told me she’d be bringing a little booster seat with a tray for Jack, but it clips onto a regular dining chair so he can sit at the table.”
“All over it.”
Abby busied herself with finishing the food prep. Emma had been kind enough to agree to bring dessert, aside from the brownies Daisy would be bringing. Grace and Jackson had been in charge of beverages, and that left her and John with the main meal. Seemed reasonable given it was their idea to host their little Friendsgiving.
“Do you need any help in here?” Grace poked her head into the kitchen just as Abby was finishing stirring up her dad’s famous smoked salmon dip. She waved the spatula and shook her head.
“Nope. I’ve got it covered. Do you want anything to drink?”
“Jackson has all the soda and beer we brought for dinner out with him, but I honestly wouldn’t turn down some wine.”
Abby turned away from the counter and opened the fridge.
Shit. If Grace was drinking, that meant she hadn’t gotten pregnant.
“Do you have a preference? Red or White?”
“White please.”
She grabbed a bottle of Riesling and took it to the counter. Once she had a glass poured for Grace and herself, she handed it to Grace and sighed.
“I’m really sorry.”
Grace took a long sip from the glass before looking at Abby, not hiding the tears in her eyes.
“Can I give you a hug?” Abby asked.
“I’d love that.” The two women embraced, the ache in Abby’s heart growing for her sweet friend.
“Sorry.” Grace sniffled and wiped at her nose. “I don’t want to be a blubbering mess during this whole thing.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you got here nice and early. You can blubber away and I won’t tell another soul. I think Katy and Jack will keep our men tied up so we don’t have to worry about them lunking in and interrupting.”
“Thanks, Abby. I just wanted this time surrounding a second pregnancy to be different. To just be filled with love and excitement. My pregnancy with Jack was terrible, and I was so terrified the whole time. I’m stressing myself out about it so much, and I feel so bad for Jackson. I’m basically attacking him the minute he walks in the door after the ovulation test turns positive.”
“I’m sure that’s the last thing you need to worry about. That man is insanely in love with you. I bet he loves you pouncing on him.”
“He doesn’t complain, but I see the weariness in his eyes. I wanted this time to be different for him, too. He missed nearly every part of my pregnancy with Jack. I know that was really tough for him.”
“And I know that wasn’t your fault.”
“My ex took so much from us.”
“I know he did. But you made it to the other side. He can’t hurt you now. He has no hold on you getting pregnant, or having a beautiful time filled with love while you grow your next baby.”
“I wish that was true, but I just can’t stop this feeling that’s deep down in my belly. That he broke me and there’s never going to be another baby.”
“Are you going to talk to your doctor?”
“I’ve already called. Since I didn’t have a hard time getting pregnant with Jack, they won’t consider looking for a problem until after a year of trying. This is only our sixth cycle tracking everything.”
“That seems unfair. I’m really sorry you guys are going through that.”
Grace took another sip of wine. “Last year, when Carter attacked me, I was only two weeks out from my c-section. I can’t help but think that he hurt something inside me, and that’s why I’m struggling to get pregnant now.”
“Grace…”
She waved her hand in front of her face. “It’s just a theory. Dr. Hayes has told me about twenty times that I’ve healed perfectly and there was no permanent damage done.”
“I think you should hold onto that. He’s a great doctor.”
“Yeah, he is. Do you think you and John will have babies?”
“God, I hope.” Her face flushed as she spun back towards the stove, stirring the boiling potatoes. She had answered that too fast. What the hell was wrong with her? “I mean, he’s said a couple times now he thinks about what it will be like one day when I’m pregnant. Is it weird that we’ve been together for such a short amount of time and it just…”
“It just feels right?”
Abby spun back around. “Yes. It just feels right.”
“Does that scare you?”
“Maybe a little bit.”
“I think that’s fair. You’re young. And it’s not just John. You’re walking into a relationship and motherhood all at the same time.”
“Oh gosh, I know, but that’s not it at all. I love Katy so much. With my whole heart. The night we came home from having dinner at Nellie and Tom’s, she had a whole meltdown about how she wanted ‘mommy’ to put her to bed. She was crying for me . My whole heart belongs to her and John.”
“You’re the right fit for this family, Abby. I wouldn’t say that to just anyone. I’m excited to have you as a sister one day… soon.”
Abby blushed. “I’d love that. And after you have baby number two, maybe John and I can try for one, or two, or five. I know Katy is going to be the best big sister.”
“Five! Don’t say that around your brother. He might have another cardiac episode.”
She winced at Grace’s words. “Do you think I’m being ridiculous?”
“No. I’m sorry. That was meant to be teasing but it came out bitchy. I think John has done a lot of maturing in the last few years. He was a wild one when I left ten years ago, but I can see how completely different he is now. Katy has been his sole focus for so long. Having a baby you take care of by yourself will do that. He knows what he wants, and it’s been made very clear that’s you. As long as you and John are happy and on the same page, that’s what matters. Can you see yourself being with him for the long haul?”
“Yes. I know it’s fast, but I feel like this is a forever sort of thing. I’m sure it was a shock when we showed up to family dinner and shared that I’d moved in with him and Katy.”
Grace smiled, but didn’t say a word.
“Wait. Did you already know before we told you?”
“Are you kidding me?” she laughed. “John basically shouted it out from the rooftop the minute you said yes. I’ll have to add you to the family chat. That man does nothing but gush over you in there.”
“Oh, I don’t know if he’d want me in there. That’s probably too much?—”
Abby watched as Grace pulled out her phone and began typing. A chime rang on Abby’s phone and she swiped it quickly off the counter. There was a new message waiting for her.
Deputy Handsome: Hey guys. Adding Abby to the family chat.
Jackson: Oh, do the two of you have something to tell us?
Grace: Honey, don’t stir the pot. Also, John, finally! I can’t believe I had to mention it to you…
Deputy Handsome: That’s why you are my favorite sister.
Grace laughed and looked up at Abby. “That man of yours sure is a charmer.”
“Yeah, he is.”
Unknown Number: Hi Abby! Finally! Tom and I are excited you’ll be joining family dinners now with John and Katy. We were so sad you couldn’t make it to Thanksgiving, but really understand about wanting to be with your mom and Sam for a low key day. I missed doing this the first time you came over, but I got all of John’s baby pictures out and can’t wait to show them to you.
Deputy Handsome: Mom, I’m going to burn those pictures before she ever sees that horrific bowl cut you gave me.
Abby giggled as she set the contact for Nellie in her phone.
Nellie: You were a beautiful little boy, John, and I know Abby will enjoy seeing those pictures.
Jackson: Yeah, John. You were a BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY.
Unknown: You guys. You’re making me regret coming back to school so fast. You cannot start picking on John when I’m not there to join in. I didn’t even get to tell Abby about that one time we were out on that boat during vacation and swapped John’s swim trunks out with dissolvable ones.
Unknown: He was so drunk he didn’t notice for AGES.
Grace giggled, and Abby’s body flushed, knowing exactly what was under those swim trunks. Just like she’d done with Nellie, Abby added John’s youngest brother to her contacts.
Deputy Handsome: ENOUGH JORDAN.
Jordan: Poor Mom really got an eyeful of her beautiful little boy that day!
Deputy Handsome: There is nothing little about me, idiot.
Deputy Handsome: I swear, you guys are going to make Abby run for the hills. Stop.
Deputy Handsome: Baby, I’m so sorry. I swear they aren’t normally like this.
Grace: And I swear that they normally are. Now, Jackson and John, leave us alone if you want to eat sometime this century.
Abby: Thank you for the add to the family chat. I am not running away any time soon, especially after the promise of seeing John with a bowl cut as a child, and the hope of hearing all of that vacation story. I’ll make sure he brings me over ASAP, Nellie.
“Hey! Anybody going to tell us we can come in?” Daisy’s voice carried through the house as Abby turned and walked to the living room.
“Sorry! I thought John was out here. I don’t know where he went…”
“No worries. I’m fine with breaking and entering. This was such a great idea!” Daisy squeezed Abby in a half embrace, angling her body to make sure Madison wasn’t caught between the two of them.
“It was all John. He’s the brains, and I’m just the cook. Okay, well I was the cook until Grace and Jackson got here. Thankfully, she jumped in to help, otherwise I fear the house might have burned down.”
“I’m sure you had everything under control.”
“I don’t know about that. But I’m so happy John thought to do this. It was hard to be apart from each other for the holiday.”
“I bet. How has Sam been doing now that he’s home? I’ve been meaning to go to the ranch and actually check in on him, but Sunny had a little cold and I didn’t want to spread it.”
“I’m sitting right here, Daisy, why don’t you bring my goddaughter over to me and see for yourself.” Sam’s voice carried over the recliner he was relaxing in.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here today! Hank, take the brownies to the kitchen so I can bring Sunny to Sam.”
“Sure thing, sunshine.”
“He can have her for five minutes before I’m taking her!” Emma said as she walked into the house. “Someone might want to go help Seb. Addie and I sort of just abandoned him to carry all the treats by himself.”
John laughed as he walked back in from the back deck. “Sorry, I was checking the grill. I’ll go help.”
“Hey, man.” John greeted Seb with a handshake.
“Hey! Happy friendsgiving. We’re a little light on the treats, Emma only had a few hours this afternoon after we got back from Tennessee to put things together.”
“Uh,” John looked inside their car and laughed. There were at least five full trays they’d need to carry in. “I think this will be plenty. I’m glad you guys could make it back in time to join us.”
“Me too. It was nice to see my family, and Addie had so much fun riding the horses at my brother’s place, but Bell Ridge is home. And I’m glad to be back.”
“Hey!”
John stood up, looking down his driveway.
“Jake. We weren’t sure if you were going to make it or not.”
“I know, man. Sorry. Being the only doc to make house calls in Clarence County keeps me busy. Hey, Sebastian.”
“Jake.”
“Can I help you guys carry anything? I’m afraid I didn’t bring anything to eat, but I did bring a bottle of bourbon.”
Sebastian handed two trays to John and one to Jake before they made their way back inside.
“Let’s hand these off to Abby and then head out to the grill. I’ve got some glasses we can take out there with us.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
They dropped the treats off in the kitchen and, with glasses in hand for their bourbon, made their way towards the back deck.
“Sam!” John called over his shoulder. “Come sit out here. I’m sure the girls are about to gossip, and I wouldn’t want to subject you to that level of stress.”
Sam laughed and nodded. “Thanks for looking out for me.”