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“Paul is dying to go and I want to go while I can still wear a bathing suit and don’t look like a whale,” she said with a laugh. “Mom and Dad are going to watch the kids, so it’ll just be Paul and me and someplace warm. You taking any vacation before spring?” she asked Cath.
Cath shook her head. In the spring she would be too pregnant to enjoy going anywhere. And by summer, she would have her precious baby.
She hoped.
When they gathered around the dinner table a short time later, Cath gave thanks for her loving family. But her nerves began to betray her. She so hoped they’d be supportive.
By the time dessert was served, everybody has relaxed. They laughed at some comments Becky’s daughter made. Then Becky smiled brightly and looked around the table.
“This time next year, there’ll be one more,” she said. She obviously meant the baby she was carrying.
Cath looked up and involuntarily added. “Make that two more.”
Heat flushed her face. What had she said? This was not the way she’d planned to tell everyone. Looking around, she saw that all eyes were on her.
“What do you mean?” Marilyn asked.
“Are you getting married?” Becky asked, her eyes wide.
Cath glanced at her mother.
Now or never. She took a deep breath.
“I’m expecting a baby.”
Everyone at the table was dumbfounded. Marilyn looked at Sam.
“Didn’t you tell me she couldn’t have a baby?” she asked.
“Ever since I was in that car crash at age sixteen, all the prognoses doctors have given was I would not be able to get pregnant. But obviously they weren’t totally correct. I most definitely am pregnant. The baby’s due in May.”
The entire group erupted in joyful congratulations. Everyone jumped up from the table to give her a hug and ask dozens of questions—the top one on the list who the father was.
Becky demanded all the details.
Cath laughed.
“I’m not giving you all the details,” she said. “But this time, when you have your next baby, mine won’t be far behind.”
“And who’s the father?” her brother asked.
“He’s a guy I know. Have known for a while.”
“Wedding bells?” Marilyn asked.
Cath shook her head.
The question of why no marriage hung unspoken. Husbands and wives exchanged glances, but no one voiced their curiosity. After a moment’s pause, the other questions started again. When was it due? Did she know the gender yet? What was she going to name the baby?
Becky began to contribute her experiences, Marilyn joined in. Cath fully expected to be interrogated by her family, but no inquisition was forthcoming.
Cath knew it was going to be all right. They rejoiced with her. They loved her and would love her baby.
By the time Cath left the home on Sunday, she was feeling more confident about the future. At one point during the weekend, her mother had asked if things had changed between Cath and Trace. Cath had replied-- only somewhat.
Her parents expressed interest in meeting Trace. As had her sister and brother. Cath invited them all one weekend before Christmas. They could meet Trace at dinner.
She felt a neutral location, like a crowded restaurant where everyone had to be polite, would be the best bet.
