Chapter Eighteen #2
Taking a deep breath, she looked him in the eye.
“First of all, I want you to know you’re off the hook if you want to be.
You’ve told me this is not what you want right now.
I don’t even know if I can do this, I never had a mother, but I’ll give it my best shot.
I’ll probably make every mistake in the book. ”
Bewildered, Carson finally found his voice again. “Abby, what are you talking about?”
She put a hand on her tummy before she looked him in the eye. “I’m … I’m pregnant.”
The word hung in the air between them. Too stunned to react, Carson stared at Abby, his mind replaying the words over and over. Deep inside him something warm opened up slowly and spread throughout his body.
He couldn’t stop the grin even if he’d wanted to. Leaning forward, he touched her face. “You’re pregnant? With our baby?” In awe, he touched her hand that was still resting on her tummy.
“You’re not mad?”
With a groan, he gathered her close. “Of course I’m not mad, I love you. You’re having our baby, one we made when we were making love. I’m thrilled. When did you find out? How do you feel about it?”
She leaned back against the pillows. “You know I’ve not been feeling myself lately, but this was not what I’d expected.
I went to see the doctor yesterday, she had a cancellation.
To be honest, I was stunned and freaked out.
I still am, if I’m honest. I don’t know if I can do this.
How do I know what a mother is supposed to do? I never had one!”
Frowning, he tried to figure out what she wasn’t saying. “I’m not sure I follow you. Are you saying you don’t want this baby?”
Grabbing his hands, she shook her head. “Of course I want this baby, it’s yours, ours. I just don’t know if I’ll be any good at it! I don’t know anything about babies.”
He pulled her close again. “You’ll be a great mom.
And remember, you’re not alone. You have me and whether you want to or not, you have the whole Weston clan who would all be happy to help and give advice with the added bonus that Coop and Willow will probably know when the baby has a problem before it shows any signs. What else is bothering you?”
“I … I missed you.”
“And?”
Her hands moved as she talked. “I want to move to the ranch. I have some savings but it’s not going to be enough for me and for the baby. I’ll have to work. I want to work. I need a plan. I like plans, but this time, I can’t seem to come up with one.”
Taking her hand in his, Carson took a breath. He had to make sure he got this right. He remembered June’s words all too well. We foster kids rarely do what we’re told. You’ll have to find another way. His Abby was fiercely independent.
He touched the ring he gave her. “You’re wearing my ring, I’ve asked you to marry me.
That means I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I want to look after you.
I know, I know you can do it all by yourself, but the point is, you don’t have to anymore.
Getting married means we’ll be partners in everything.
That means my house is your house, my money is your money, and whatever problems we have, we face together.
I know you love your work, but if you don’t work for a couple of months, you don’t have to worry about money.
As far as new clients go, I can guarantee you you’re going to have more new customers than you can handle. ”
“But how? I can’t see the plan.”
“Abby, sweetheart.” He smiled. “Look at me?”
Those green eyes turned to him.
“Do you trust me?”
“I do, but—”
“No buts. Do you trust me?”
“I do.”
“Good, because if you let me, I’ll make the plan this time.”
Frowning, she moved to talk, but he put his fingers on her lips. “Next time I may not know what to do, then you get to make the plan. How does that sound?”
“Okay, so what is your plan?” she asked.
“The only plan important right now is that I’m going to be with my fiancée.”
“I have to phone June.” Checking her watch, she sighed. “She’s probably sleeping, though.”
“She’ll be thrilled to hear from you. If you need me, you shout, okay?”
Nodding, she picked up her phone. “There are clean towels in the cabinet in the bathroom.”
“I remember.”
*
June picked up almost immediately.
“Abby!” she cried out. “I’m worried sick about you. I’m in the kitchen, I couldn’t sleep. Please tell me you’ve been to a doctor?”
“That’s why I’m calling.”
“So? Do you want me to come to you? I can get in my car right this minute. I know Carson is there but … you know what? I’m going to pack a bag.”
“June!” Abby called out, laughing.
“You’re laughing. Why are you laughing?”
“Because I’m not ill, I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
“June?”
A long shriek followed by laughter and Dylan’s voice in the background.
“Abby’s pregnant!” June was crying and laughing.
“Abs? Sorry, I yelled so loudly, Dylan and Daisy came running to find out what’s wrong.
When is your due date? How are you feeling?
What did Carson say? Oh, and the wedding and …
Abs, you have to move here as soon as possible.
You can’t be in Seattle when you have your baby. I want to be a part of it, damn it!”
Abby leaned back against the pillows. Why had she been so nervous to tell the people closest to her she was pregnant? “I don’t know how everything is going to work out.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? You always have a plan!”
“Well, for the first time in my life I don’t have one. Turns out my husband-to-be is making the plan this time.”
“Oh, Abs,” June sniffed. “He’s so perfect for you. You really love him, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes.” Abby smiled. “He’s literally seen me at my worst in front of the toilet and instead of fleeing, he stayed to help me.”
“Oh, I’m so happy. I’m going to phone everyone now, although I have an idea Willow and Coop already know. Let me know about Carson’s plan and what we can do to help, okay? Talk to you tomorrow!”
Abby wanted to ask how Willow and Cooper could possibly know, but June had already ended the call.
Well, that gave her time to join her fiancé in the shower. She got up slowly. Okay, nothing was tilting, she’d be okay for now. At least until tomorrow evening.