CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Hazel tried to concentrate on work for the next couple of days, waiting for Mike to come home.
But her mind kept coming back to those two significant red lines.
Neither she nor Mike had explicitly talked about marriage, other than knowing they wanted to be together in the future and wanted to foster a child or have children together one day.
She realized now how out of order their plans were.
They weren’t even engaged. And now she was about to have Mike’s baby.
Something neither of them had planned nor even talked about wanting right away.
“Everything okay?” Mallory asked her. “You seem distracted, which is not like you at all.”
“I’m fine,” said Hazel, suddenly feeling sick. “Thanks for asking.”
Mike’s arrival home couldn’t come soon enough. She didn’t like hiding secrets from him. Especially this one.
###
Just before she left the office on the second day, her mother called. “Hi, sweetie! I’m just checking up on you. Your father and I loved the photos of Dottie. What a darling dog. I suppose she’ll be a substitute for any grandchildren until you and Mike decide to move forward.”
“I suppose so,” said Hazel calmly, unwilling to give anything away.
“Your father and I talked about Mike earlier today, and we both like him a lot,” said her mother, nudging Hazel uncomfortably.
“Yes, I like him a lot, too,” said Hazel. “I’ve got to go. Dottie is here at the office with me, and it’s time to put her out.”
“Oh, of course. We’ll talk later,” said her mother.
Frowning, Hazel ended the call and stared down at the puppy asleep in her bed.
Thinking of her predicament, her nerves burst into flames inside her body. She’d never felt such uncertainty in her life. How could she face the future when she didn’t know how the people closest to her would react to her news?
###
At home, Hazel had just put Dottie outside and was preparing her dinner when Mike walked into the kitchen.
“You’re home,” she said, running into his open arms. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too,” said Mike, kissing her.
It felt so thrilling to taste his lips, feel his arms around her. She closed her eyes. The tension she’d felt for the past several days left her, and then suddenly ramped up again.
“Woof!”
Mike dropped his arms and turned as Dottie trotted into the kitchen.
“Hi, pup!” he said, squatting to greet her.
Dottie wagged her tail and leaped into his lap, wiggling to get into position to kiss him.
Laughing, Mike stood holding her. Hanging the pup out in front of him, he grinned. “You’re a real cutie. Have you been a good girl for Hazel?”
He turned to her.
“She’s been very good,” said Hazel. “Gage was right. She’s smart and wants to do the right thing for the attention she gets when she obeys.”
“Let’s drive out to my house. I want to see it, and we can show it to Dottie. I can’t wait until it’s the three of us living there.”
Hazel bit her lip. She wasn’t ready to tell him. “Okay, we’ll go to your house. I’ll bring the dog’s food with us.”
On the drive, Mike talked enthusiastically about getting his teaching job in Florida scheduled in such a way that it would allow both of them to have winter breaks in warmer weather. I hope you’ll be amenable to accompanying me occasionally.”
Hazel swallowed hard. She could do that for a while. But after the baby came, it would be harder.
Mike pulled into the driveway of his house, and after getting out of the car, he spent a few moments staring at it.
“It’s beautiful,” said Hazel, coming up beside him, holding Dottie.
“Come inside. Let’s see what they’ve done,” said Mike, moving ahead to unlock the front door.
She stepped inside and gazed around at the pale-gray painted walls and cream trim. “Oh, this is much better. It makes a perfect blend of the rooms.”
Dottie wiggled in Hazel’s arms. “No, you don’t. I’m putting you right outside,”
Hazel walked through the kitchen and out to the screened-in porch, then onto the grass.
When she turned, Mike was beside her, smiling. “Come inside. The dog will be safe here in the fenced yard. We need to talk.”
“Yes, I need to tell you something,” said Hazel, allowing Mike to lead her inside, where a couple of bar stools had been placed in front of the kitchen bar.
“Have a seat,” said Mike, helping her onto the stool before facing her.
Smiling, he gazed at her. “Hazel, I love you,” said Mike.
“I’ve loved you way before we got together this summer.
You’re the kindest, nicest woman I’ve ever known.
I want you with me now and in all the days to come.
Will you marry me?” He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket to show her a beautiful round diamond ring.
Overcome, Hazel covered her face and sobbed.
“Whoa! The thought isn’t that bad, is it?” asked Mike, lifting her chin and giving her a worried look.
“No, it’s a wonderful thought, but it won’t be just the two of us,” said Hazel.
“Of course not. You, me, and Dottie,” Mike said.
“Okay, then it’ll be the four of us,” said Hazel. “I … I’m pregnant.”
The look of shock on Mike’s face froze Hazel from her fingers to her toes. It was her nightmare come to life. “You’re having a baby?”
She shook her head. “No, we’re having a baby.”
It took her a moment to realize Mike had wrapped his arms around her and was twirling her in a circle, laughing with glee. “Oh, my God! A baby!”
He set her down and cupped her face in his broad hands. “I couldn’t love you more.”
“I know we hadn’t planned on it …” she began.
“It’s the ultimate expression of our love,” said Mike. “We’ll have other children, but this baby will be the beginning of our life together. So, will you marry me?”
Hazel laughed when she realized she hadn’t answered him. “Yes, Mike, I’ll marry you. We’ll marry you. You’ve made me very happy with your response. I was worried that everything was happening too soon.”
“It’s never too soon for me to have a real home. One with you.”
Lifting her hand, she gently wiped a drop of moisture from his cheek. She loved this man and would always give him the home he’d never had as a child.
“I have something to confess,” said Mike. “Part of my trip was to meet with your father when he came to Miami on a business trip. I wanted to ask him for your hand in marriage. Just like a real family.”
Hazel grinned. “That’s why my mother told me they were talking about how much they liked you. Any more surprises?”
“Nope. I think we’ve covered it all. A ring, a puppy, a house, a baby. Sounds like a perfect plan to me. When’s the wedding?”
Laughing, they held onto each other with the promise of a wonderful future together.