Authors: Marissa Dobson
“Jessi found me and told me you received a call from Richard but it was dropped. Cell phone service can be spotty around here, you know that. Especially in the winter or during a storm.”
“It’s not storming.” She tried to reason between tears.
“The wind is picking up out there, so you don’t know what it’s like on the mountains. Richard lives on the edge of town, on the mountain.” He ran his hand up and down her arm, soothing her. “It’s going to be okay. Richard will be here soon and he’ll tell you whatever he knows. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it
together
.”
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed as he sat there, comforting her, telling her things would work out, when there was a knock at the door.
“Not now.” He growled at whoever disturbed them.
“James.” Jes pushed the door opened a little.
“Not now, Jes. Whatever it is can wait.”
“Richard is here. He’s asking to speak with both of you. I figured you wanted privacy so I asked him to wait in your home office. Will you see him or do you want me to ask him to come back?”
“We’ll see him.” Ella wiped the tears away. “Tell him we’ll be right there. Thanks, Jes.”
“You’re welcome.” She closed the door.
“Are you sure? I can talk to him first if you’d like.”
“No, just give me a moment.” She slipped into the bathroom to take care of her makeup, which had run with her tears.
Suddenly uneasy, he tried to reassure himself that Richard wouldn’t drop bad news on them before the party. That whatever he’d found out had to be hopeful, or he would have waited until Monday to deliver the news out of professional courtesy.
One thing after another seemed to hit them, and he just hoped Richard’s news wasn’t going to be another blow. He wasn’t sure how many more Ella could handle. Not having children with her would be a disappointment, but he refused to allow it to keep them apart. The love they shared was too strong to let this break them.
* * *
Ella took the seat James offered, wrenching her hands as nervousness made her stomach roil. Part of her wanted to demand what the test showed while the other part told her it was news she really didn’t want to know. That if she didn’t ask, he wouldn’t tell her, and she could go on without knowing how much she’d screwed up her body.
“Ms. Carmichael,” Doctor Bowmen began.
“Call me Ella, please.”
James laid his hand on her shoulder. “Richard, I know you can be long-winded so just cut to it. What did you find out?”
“I told you when you gave birth to Abbi that due to the complications it could make having more children impossible.”
“I know,” she snapped. “I’m sorry. I just need to know if I screwed up. I wanted to give Abbi siblings, but until I met James I didn’t think it would be possible.” She reached up and laid her hand over his.
“As I said I rushed the tests and when I was at the hospital checking on another patient I received the results. I was on my way back to my place to get ready for the party, when the cell service dropped our call. When I couldn’t get through I turned around because I knew you’d want to know.” He paused and smiled. “Ella, everything is fine with you. You can have more children. Though if you’re going to begin trying, I suggest you start a prenatal vitamin to get some of the levels that are borderline low a little higher.”
“I can have children,” she repeated, trying to swallow the news as tears rolled down her face.
“Yes, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t have a healthy pregnancy. Some of the issues you encountered at the end were due to your lack of prenatal care. I suspect it won’t happen next time.” Richard glanced up at James.
“No, she’ll receive regular prenatal visits.” He squeezed her shoulder. “See, sweetie, I told you everything would be fine.”
“Oh, thank you, Doctor Bowmen. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“Richard, please, and I’m glad I could bring you good news. I’ll drop the prenatal vitamins in James’s office for you on Monday. Now I better get home and get ready for this party. I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll see you out,” James offered.
“There’s no need. I can find my way and I think you two could use a minute.” Richard smirked. “Congratulations.”
“I can’t believe it,” she whispered as the door shut.
He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. “I told you everything would work out. We can give Abbi siblings, as many as you want. Which reminds me, I spoke to the construction foreman while I was outside. He was driving past and saw me decorating.”
“The house…” Part of her expected the news they wouldn’t be able to break ground until spring, but she refused to let that deflate her mood.
“They broke ground this past week. With the double crew I hired and the promise of a good Christmas bonus if they finished by the deadline, I’m making this happen.”
“Deadline?” She raised an eyebrow at him.
“We’ll be in the house by Christmas and we can give Abbi a proper Christmas in our new house.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. The bonus, some strings pulled with Michael’s help, and I managed it. Construction crews don’t have as much work around here, especially this time of the year, so they were happy to do it.”
She wiped the palms of her hands on her jeans. “There’s one more thing I’d like to do before the holidays.”
“What’s that, sweetie? You name it and I’ll make it happen.”
“Is that marriage proposal still on the table?”
He took a step back and tipped his head at her like he was trying to figure out if she was serious. “It will never be taken off the table until I have you as my wife. That and I want to adopt Abbi so she has our name.”
“Can you make it happen before Christmas? I want to be Mrs. Macis before we move into our house.”
“Do you want the Father to marry us? Dale said you were raised Catholic.”
“No, I mean…unless you want him. I’d rather just the judge. I was raised that way, but I’m not raising Abbi Catholic. I’m teaching her about many different religions, so one day when she’s old enough she can choose if she wants to practice any of them, or if she wants to pull from different ones to create her own beliefs.”
“A judge is fine with me. I’ll speak with him tonight about it.”
“There’s one more thing. I want to get married at the place we met, the cabin. I know it’s not fancy but I want our vows done there, then we can go wherever for the reception because I know once Jes hears she’s not going to let me off the hook without one, it’s another excuse for a party.”
He closed the distance between them. “I love you, and I can’t wait to have you as my wife.”
“I love you too.”
The wedding reception was in full swing and all Ella wanted to do was slip away with her new husband for some alone time. She still couldn’t believe she was married but James was the man she’d always dreamed about when she pictured herself married. It was unbelievable they’d managed to throw a wedding together in only two weeks. That way they could spend Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season as an official married couple.
“How’s my wife?” James came up beside her.
“Unbelievably happy. Look at those two, they are living it up.” She nodded to where Abbi and Kelly danced in the middle of the dance floor. The two girls had quickly become friends. Through the crowd, she caught a glimpse of her parents chatting with some of their friends. They couldn’t have been happier for Ella. “Where were you?”
“Lawrence Meyers.” He held up a white envelope. “Adoption papers. I’m now officially Abbi’s father.”
“No, you’re her dad. A father can be someone who’s just there, but a dad is someone who reads bedtime stories, plays with dolls because it makes his little girl happy. That’s you. She loves you.”
“I love her too. She’s the greatest little girl a dad could ask for.”
“Good thing I told her
yes
when she asked me earlier if she could call you Daddy.” She slipped her arm around his waist. “Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
“Excuse me,” a voice called from behind them.
She turned to find Gioven standing there in his tux, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Gioven.”
“I can tell you’re surprised to see me.”
“I am. I sent the invite to Jordan and Chloe, mentioning you as well, but I didn’t think you’d come.” She reached out but stopped before she touched his arm. “It’s good to see you.”
“I wanted to come to apologize. When you came by Winterbloom I was an ass, I’m sorry for that. I haven’t had a drink in two weeks.”
“That’s wonderful.” She gave him one of the biggest smiles she could.
“It didn’t feel very good, but now that I’m sober I can see things a little better. I’ve got to go back to Virginia to tend to a few things but I’m going to stay here through the holidays and then I’ll see. Maybe Clearwater isn’t too bad after all and I can settle down here like all my comrades. I’m sure I can find somewhere to put my skills to use.”
“Jordan mentioned you’re handy with a hammer. I have a double construction team working on our house. If they’re still working when you get back, maybe you want to join them. The extra hands would be beneficial considering the deadline is two weeks before Christmas. We want to be moved in so we can give Abbi a proper Christmas in our new home.” James shrugged. “It’s an offer, a standing one at that. So you can take it or leave it.”
“I appreciate it. I didn’t want to miss this but I’m leaving in the morning. I should be back in a few days and I’ll be in touch.” Gioven turned his attention back to her and laid his hand on her arm. “You look beautiful, and thank you for everything.” With that, he walked away, back toward the table where Jordan, the other former Marines, and their wives sat.
“I’d say things are going to work out for Gioven.” James kissed her temple.
“I hope so.” She leaned into his embrace. “Now, can we slip out of here and enjoy our one night together before Abbi rejoins us?”
He glanced toward Abbi. “She’s going to be fine. A sleepover with Kelly at Jes and Michael’s. She’s in safe hands. Stop worrying.”
“Parents never stop worrying.” She watched her daughter learn the hokey-pokey. “I’ve never spent a night away from her.”
“We’re only going to be right down the road and I promise your mind will be on other things.”
“What if she gets sick or something in the middle of the night?”
He chuckled. “She’s staying with a pediatrician, I think Michael can handle his niece if anything comes up and you know Jes will call. Now let’s say our goodbyes because I want you all to myself. Maybe we can start trying for a sibling for Abbi.”
She laced her fingers between his and nodded. Everything he said was true and she knew it. There was just an underlying fear being away from her daughter, especially for the first time. This was the life she wanted, now she needed to enjoy it. Life would be what she made it, and when she took her vows as his wife, she made a silent vow to make it the best she could. “I love you.”
“As I love you, Mrs. Macis.”
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you’re never done learning.
Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.
Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.
Her writing buddies Max (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to her bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways.
She love to hear from readers so send her an email at [email protected] or visit her online at
http://www.marissadobson.com
.