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Bella shrugged. “Heath asked me to marry him.” Although there was nothing funny about her current situation, Bella wanted to laugh at the expressions etched on her sisters’ faces. Their eyes threatened to bulge out of their heads.
“H-he what?” Gina sputtered. Normally cool and collected, Gina had clearly come undone by the news.
Bella twiddled her fingers. She kept flashing back to the moment when Heath had asked her to marry him. Hmm. It hadn’t really been a request, had it? More like an announcement.
“He thinks we should get married for the sake of the baby,” Bella said, her heart constricting as hurt washed over her.
“You have to admit that’s pretty romantic,” Abby said with a sigh, earning herself a glare from Gina.
“Romantic? I don’t think so. Honorable, yes. I don’t want to get married for any reason other than abiding love,” Bella announced. “That might sound selfish, but I don’t think I would be doing my child any favors by simply agreeing to a proposal that was based on my being pregnant.” She shook her head. “I know this is going to sound ridiculous under the circumstances, but I still want the fairy tale. I want to be swept off my feet and made to feel as if I’m his earth, moon, sun and stars.”
“And he didn’t make you feel that way?” Gina asked, reaching out and squeezing Bella’s hand.
“No,” she admitted, tears stinging her eyes. “He was very passionate about it, but it was clear what he was being motivated by. The child I’m carrying.” She ran a hand through her long tresses. “It’s all such a mess. He told me he still loves me, but there’s still so much standing between us. He hasn’t fully dealt with his past and he’s never told me important things that make him the man he is today. And I think those issues are holding him back. It’s not just Vinny’s death he’s struggling with. There’s so much more under the surface.”
“It’s understandable that you want him to handle those issues before committing yourself to him in any way,” Sophia said with a nod. “It must be hard though. I’m so sorry.” She got up from her chair and came over to Bella’s side of the table. Sophia wrapped Bella up in a huge embrace. It wasn’t long before Abby and Gina had joined in.
When the hugging session ended, all four sisters were wiping tears away from their faces. Having lost their mother at a young age, the girls had formed bonds that were unbreakable. Tragedy had bonded them like the links in a chain fence. When one sister hurt, the others ached right along with her. This time was no different.
“I keep thinking of Mom,” Bella said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I wish she was here right now to give me advice and to let me cry on her shoulder.”
“You can always cry on our shoulders,” Abby said in a firm tone. “And it sounds like Heath is going to be a good support system.”
“He is,” Bella said, sliding back into her chair. “I have a prenatal appointment this morning.” She sipped her orange juice and smiled at her sisters over the rim of the glass. “It’s an ultrasound appointment. I might find out the gender of the baby today, which is really exciting.”
“That’s great,” Abby said, tossing her long hair over her shoulder. “I can come with you if you like.”
“I appreciate the offer, but Heath is coming with me,” Bella said, suddenly feeling shy about her plans. Everything these days made her feel protective and emotional. It was one of the many glorious side effects of pregnancy. Her emotions were being exposed for all to see.
A chorus of squeals met her announcement. It was nice to see her sisters supportive of Heath’s presence in her life. She held up her hands. “I just want to make it clear that we are acting in the best interest of this precious little bundle.” She pressed her hands on her belly. “It’s what matters most.”
Abby smiled. “That’s great. Does this mean the two of you are—”
“No!” Bella said in an emphatic voice, cutting off Abby. “We’re not getting back together. We’re being cordial and hopefully we’ll be co-parenting successfully. I want to be in a no-stress zone for the rest of my pregnancy.”
“Amen,” Sophia said. “Let’s say a prayer,” she suggested, holding out her hands so that her sisters could all join hands. After they were all joined by their hands, Sophia began to speak. “Dear Lord, please watch over Bella and the child she’s carrying. Grant her peace and allow her to pass these last few months of her pregnancy in serenity and bliss. May she deliver a healthy baby into the world.” Sophia paused for a moment, then added. “And please watch over Heath. May he continue to get stronger with each and every day.”
A chorus of Amens were offered up.
Bella squeezed Sophia’s hand. She felt grateful for her sister including Heath in her prayers. Even though they weren’t together, his well-being meant the world to her. That’s what it was to truly love someone. You wanted the best for that person. Always and forever.
*
Heath arrived half an hour later at the doctor’s office. Butterflies had been flying around in his stomach all morning. When Bella had called the other day to invite him to her ultrasound appointment, Heath had been surprised and overjoyed by the offer. He hadn’t been able to sleep last night. He’d tossed and turned in anticipation of today’s appointment. It was jus
t beginning to sink in that in three and half months he would be a father. With every second that passed, Heath felt more and more excited about the blessed event. But mixed with the joy was trepidation. Would he be a good father? Would he be able to navigate his child through the storms of life without wavering? Would he and Bella be able to find their way back to one another? A hundred different questions were rattling around inside his brain.
Five minutes before the appointment time, Bella bustled through the office doors. She was wearing a matching red velour track suit and she looked girl next door beautiful. She wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup and her blonde hair had been swept up in a high ponytail.
“Heath. You beat me here,” Bella said, her voice full of surprise. She sounded a bit breathless as if she had been rushing. Her cheeks were slightly reddened but she looked well rested. Perhaps telling him about the baby had lifted a weight off her shoulders. She resembled a rose in full bloom.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to be late so I got here extra early.”
The smile Bella gifted him with was dazzling. “I appreciate it,” Bella said. “I don’t know why, but I feel nervous. Every appointment makes me feel jittery. It’s like I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve for all the world to see.”
“Don’t be nervous,” Heath said. “From what I’ve heard, seeing your baby for the first time on ultrasound is an amazing experience.”
Bella bit her lip. “I suppose I’m just nervous. What if…they see something wrong or if the baby isn’t moving? I’ve heard of that happening.”
