"Good morning," Jane said answering the phone.
"Good morning, Jane. It's not too early, I hope."
"Not at all Mac, I went running earlier and Sam got called to the hospital."
"How far did you run?"
"About five miles. Do you want to run tomorrow?"
"I do, for sure. I'm not sure about Will, I'll ask him."
"Great, I love running with you. We pace each other very well."
"I agree. Listen, what are you and Sam doing tonight?"
"Nothing yet, what did you have in mind?"
"Michael showed up here this morning."
"My brother Michael?"
"Yes."
"How was he?"
"Keep in mind I've only met him one other time, but this morning was nothing like when I met him in Lincoln. He said he was back on his medication and clean. He appears to have his act together. He's in town at a conference. We invited him and his partner, Jack, to dinner and we'd love you and Sam to come."
"I'll be there. Sam may have to go into surgery and if so, it will be hours. Can I help with anything?"
"I'm sure Will would love your help."
Jane laughed. "What time is dinner?"
"At six, but you're welcome to come over whenever you'd like."
"Thanks. Is Will around?"
"Yes, let me find him for you, one second," Mac said and walked into the nursery. Will was in the rocking chair with Cooper. "Jane would like to speak with you," she said handing him the phone.
"Good morning, Janie."
"Hey big brother. Are you okay?"
"I am, thanks. Are you coming to dinner?"
"Yes, what can I help with?"
Cooper made a whining noise. "Is Coop fussy," Jane asked.
"From that noise you can tell it's Cooper?"
"I can. So what can I help with?"
"What should we have for dinner?"
"Are you cooking or having it catered," she asked.
"Cooking. I was thinking about some kind of chicken, just not sure what yet. Do you want to go shopping with me?"
"I'd love to. Are we going to Dean and Deluca?"
"Of course. I'll call Lonny and we'll come by and pick you up in a bit, okay?"
"Perfect, see you soon."
"Let's go find your Mommy, Coop," Will said to his son. They walked to the bedroom and found Mac on the bed pumping.
Will sat down next to her and kissed her.
"Is he being fussy," Mac asked.
"A little. I was afraid he was going to wake David."
"I think David is getting used to him. He's starting to sleep better. How's Jane?"
"Good. She's going shopping with me. Did you want to come?" He laughed at the look on Mac's face. "Okay, that's a no."
"Thank you for offering, but I'll stay here with the babies. Sam may not be here for dinner. Jane said he was called to the hospital and may have surgery."
"I hope he can come. What do you want for dinner?"
"Chicken sounds good. Something simple."
"Okay, what about dessert?"
"Anything chocolate."
"How about I roast chicken pieces with root vegetables and maybe some kind of rice or couscous."
"That sounds lovely. Did you tell Kate about dinner?"
"No, I need to do that," he said getting up.
"Leave Cooper here, he may be hungry."
Will placed the baby next to her and went to find Kate.
She was out on the balcony. He opened the door and said, "feel like some company?"
She smiled at him. "Sure. Michael looks good."
"He does. I'm so glad he's gotten himself together. He and his partner, Jack, are coming for dinner."
"Really? That's great. I can't wait to meet Jack."
"Jane and possibly Sam, too. He had to go to the hospital this morning so we're not sure if he'll be available or not. Jane and I are going food shopping, did you want to come with us?"
"I think I'll stay here with Mac and the babies."
"You know Mac very well," he said smiling. "Anything you want or need?"
"No thanks."
"Are you okay?"
"I am. Talking about it helps but it still gets to me, even after all this time."
"It does get better," he said.
"I hope so."
He kissed her cheek and pulled her into his arms for a hug. "I'm going to go call Lonny," he said leaving her alone on the balcony.
Lonny arrived about half an hour later to take Will first to pick up Jane and then to go to Dean and Deluca's. This store was a passion for both Will and Jane. Mac and Kate didn't see the inherent beauty of the store and what it could provide. Truth be told, Will and Jane probably loved it enough for all of them combined.
They wandered around the aisles, looking and chatting. "What's up, Janie?"
"What do you mean?"
"Something's changed. You don't have to talk about it, but know that I'm here if you want to talk."
She smiled at him. They were closer than they had ever been. "I'll tell you but you can't say anything to anyone, not even Mac."
"Between you and me, got it. Are you okay?"
"I'm pregnant."
He stopped and turned to her, excited. "Really? That's great, congratulations," he said hugging her.
"Thanks."
"How far along," he asked, pulling back to see her face, but still keeping her in his arms.
"Eight weeks."
"Morning sickness?"
"Oh my God, let's not talk about that, please."
"I'm sorry, sweetie. Mac was lucky. I can't wait to be an uncle," he said smiling.
"You are going to be a wonderful uncle."
"How's Sam?"
He could tell something was wrong from how her expression changed. "You can tell me."
"We've broken up."
"Does he know?"
"That's why we broke up. He doesn't want the baby."
"What? I don't get it," he said.
"Neither do I, Will."
"It takes two, Janie," he said taking her hand.
"He knows that and is willing to provide support, but that's it, he doesn't want any contact and he doesn't want the baby to have his name." She could tell Will was furious. "Promise me you won't go see him."
"He needs to know…."
"No, Will, he doesn't. He's had time to think about this and he's had time to make decisions for himself. He asked if I would consider terminating the pregnancy."
Will looked shocked.
"I told him no that I couldn't do that and that I wanted the baby."
"All this stress couldn't be good for you. Plus doing this by yourself, Janie," he said pulling her back into his arms. She was crying now and all he could do was to hold her and try to comfort her any way he knew.
She pulled back after a few minutes and wiped her eyes. He could see how sad she was now that she'd told him. That was what he was picking up on from her.
His thumbs wiped her cheeks. "If I can do anything, and I do mean anything, I will. Whatever you need, I'm there, okay. Doctor's appointments, morning sickness, whatever, do you understand."
She nodded. "Thank you. I'm sorry…"
"None of that, Janie. This should be one of the happiest times of your life. Is there any chance Sam will change his mind?"
"There's always a chance, but realistically, no, he's done."
Will saw a manager start down their aisle. "We should go somewhere more comfortable to talk. Want to go to the apartment?"
"Let's finish shopping first and then we can go, okay?"
Will took her hand and they quickly finished up their shopping. Lonny helped them with the bags and loaded the SUV.
"We're going to the apartment, Lonny," Will said. "I'll take the cold items inside, we'll be there a little while."
"No problem," Lonny said. He could tell something had happened. He drove them to the apartment and got the cold items out of the back, carried them upstairs as he escorted Will and Jane. "I'll be in the SUV, let me know when you're coming down, please so I can meet you at the door." Will nodded.
Jane took the items that needed to be refrigerated and put them away. "Do you want anything to drink?"
"Water, please."
She handed him a water and took one for herself, too. "Come on," she said taking his hand and led him to the couch.
"I'm so sorry, Janie."
"Me, too. I thought we'd be together and we were it for one another."
"Do you still see him at the hospital?"
"Not very much, maybe sometimes in the cafeteria, but we're trying to stay away from each other."
"When did you find out you're pregnant?"
"About four weeks ago."
"And when did he ask about terming the pregnancy?"
"About four weeks ago."
Will couldn't believe Sam would do this. "Is it that he's frightened?"
"No, I don't think so. He doesn't want kids and we weren't trying, so that's probably something he should have told me."
"Or that it was meant to be. What kind of birth control were you using?" When she didn't immediately answer him he added, "I'm sorry, that was inappropriate and none of my business."
"I don't mind talking about that. I was on the pill."
"Condoms?"
"No."
"So he wasn't taking any responsibility for birth control. Was he mad?"
"He was, a little. Birth control isn't one hundred percent effective. He asked me if I'd stopped taking it on purpose."
"Seriously? He asked that?"
She nodded.
"I'm sorry, Janie. I can't believe he's behaving this way. There isn't someone else involved, is there?"
"Not that I'm aware of, or at least there wasn't then. I'm not sure what's going on now."
"Is he at least checking on you? Texts, anything?"
"No."
He pulled her into his arms and let her rest against his chest. He felt her start crying. All he could do was be there and hold her, rubbing her back. "I'm so sorry," he whispered and kissed her head. "Anything you, or this baby, needs, I'm there. I'll do whatever you want. If you want me at doctor's appointments, I'll be here, if you are craving chocolate cake at three in the morning, I'll go get it, I mean it Janie, I'm there. You can count on me."
She lifted herself off of him. "I know that, Will. You're a good man and I appreciate you letting me talk about it and cry on you. I can do this and I will do this for this baby," she said touching her still flat abdomen.
"May I?"
She realized he was asking to touch the baby. "Sure," she said taking his hand and placed it above where the baby would be. He was smiling at her. "I can't wait to have another baby around."
"Me, too."
"So, you're due in August?"
"Yes, early to mid August."
"Promise me something," he said.
"If I can."
"You'll tell me if you need anything and I do mean anything."
"I promise."
"Thanks. Are you okay to come over tonight?"
"Completely. I want to talk to Mac next and then Kate."
"I can get Mac over here, if you want."
"Please, give her a call and ask her to come by. I'll be right back," she said getting up and going to the bedroom.
Will took his phone out and hit her speed dial.
"This is Mackenzie."
"It's Will."
"What's wrong?"
"Why do you think something is wrong?"
"Your tone. Now what's wrong?"
"Will you come to the apartment?"
"Kate went out," she told him.
"Okay. Jane and I will be there soon. How long is Kate gone?"
"A few hours, she was going to run some errands and get a manicure."
"We'll see you soon. I love you, Mac."
"I love you, too. I'll see you shortly," she said and disconnected.
"Kate gone out," Jane asked.
"She has, we need to go to Mac."
"That's not a problem. I'll get my things. You want to call Lonny?"
"I will."
Jane and Will met Lonny by the door and then he drove them back home. Lonny helped unload the groceries and handed them off to Will. "I'm in for the rest of the day and night," he explained to Lonny.
"Thanks. If you change your mind, just call, okay?"
Will nodded.
