Ch.2

May 22nd, 2017

She reached across the wooden nightstand and grabbed the hard plastic phone, turning off the alarm with a slight touch to the screen. After forcing her eyes open, she looked down at the screen to see that it was 6:45. She glanced over to her left side quickly realizing he was missing. Her gaze wandered around the room before realizing he was probably eating breakfast. She sat up quickly knowing that if she didn't get up this minute she would soon fall back asleep. As she sat upright she was overwhelmed by dizziness and brought her hand up to her forehead immediately, attempting to stabilize herself.

I must have sat up too quickly, she thought before gazing back down at her phone. As she looked down at the display the corner read 'May 22nd'. No, it can't be the 22nd… There's no way… Her mind quickly began to spin, as she jumped up from the bed and made her way to the bathroom.

She began to rack her brain frantically as she stepped back into the bedroom. I've never ever been even a day off, she thought shaking her head in disbelief. Never… The pure uncontained happiness reached out and grabbed her at the thought of what this could mean. Sully…She had to tell him… No, don't say anything, a voice in her head warned. You have no idea if it's true. Two days, or a day really, doesn't mean it's true. You can't tell him until you know for sure. It will simply hurt him too much. I can't and I won't put him through that again. She nodded to herself deciding to keep this quiet for the time being.

She slid her phone open and dialed the hospital, leaving a message that she wouldn't be in today. She didn't have anything scheduled other than some paperwork, so they wouldn't miss her. As she was deep in thoughts of what could be, might be, what she hoped would be, Sully walked into the room and stared at her with a puzzled expression.

"What are ya doin' still in bed? Don't ya have ta be at the hospital at 8:00?" he asked.

"No, I'm not going in today," she replied still lost in thought.

"Why, what's wrong?" he returned.

He quickly became concerned, his mind flashing back to yesterday morning. She hadn't had any other symptoms since, so he thought it was nothing. But calling in to work? She never ever did that…

"I'm not feeling a hundred percent, so I just want to be sure I don't overwork myself," she explained hoping he wouldn't question it.

"Okay…" he replied hesitantly, thinking this sounded nothing like her. "I'm really concerned about ya now. What's really goin' on?"

"Well, I woke up feeling dizzy again, and I think I'm just working too hard. I only had paperwork to do today, so it can wait," she answered.

"All right," he said skeptically.

His mind was reeling in confusion, but he wasn't going to argue. Frankly, he was glad she was staying home if she was truly sick. For once he didn't have to argue with her to take care of herself. However, that in and of itself was suspicious…

"Do ya still want me to take the girls to daycare, or you want them here with you?" he questioned.

"No, I think it would be better if they went to daycare. I'll get more rest that way," she answered softly, clearly feeling a little guilty.

"Okay," he said with a smile.

"Where are you going?" he asked upon seeing her walk towards the bedroom door.

"To get the girls ready," she replied.

"No, get back in bed. If you're sick enough to call into work, ya sure shouldn't be around the girls," he answered, knowing expressing concern for the girl's health was the only way she would listen.

"Well, there's no way you can get them both ready yourself and still make it to work on time," she responded.

"Yeah I can. I'm super dad," he said with a laugh. "No, really though, it'll be fine. Even if it means poptarts in the car."

"Thank you," she said with a smile. "Will you please send them in to say goodbye before you guys leave?" she requested as she climbed back into bed.

" 'Course," he said kissing her forehead gently. "You sure you are alright? I'm really worried about ya," he said with concern.

"Yes. After a day of rest, I'll be fine."

"Okay. If ya need anythin' today, you know ya can call me anytime," he returned.

"I know," she said. "But that won't be necessary."

"Okay, but if you need to…" he said again before she quickly cut in.

"I will," she said sincerely.

"Okay then. I love you," he said as he cupped her cheek in his hand.

"I love you too," she returned.

With another quick smile he headed out the door, and she laid back down glancing at the clock. She knew the next hour would go by teasingly slow. She couldn't wait for him to leave with the girls. The moment she heard the garage door close, she knew exactly where she was headed. This waiting was going to drive her truly insane, though, and she knew it. She rolled over desperately trying to calm herself down, knowing that if she could fall asleep the time would fly by even quicker. But that was much easier said then done…

She looked down at the blue box in the clear plastic sack sitting in the passenger's seat. Could it really be true? No, it probably wasn't, she chided knowing that she was bound to pay for getting this excited. The fall was always so much further when she built it up like this. You know better than to get excited like this without knowing for sure. She felt literally frozen as she glanced down at the dashboard in front of her. Yes, she wanted to go inside and find out more than anything. But at the same time, she was excited right now. She had hope that it was possible. But after she went inside she would know for sure… And it was bound to be a crushing 'no'.

Her mind flashed back to the decision not to tell him. She had thought about it several times already wondering whether she had made the right choice. But every time she went back to the pain they endured last time, and the crushing looks on his face every time they found out it wasn't true. She knew she couldn't do that to him again. It was hard enough to feel the pain herself, but she couldn't see it on his face again. No, if she told him this time, it would only be good news. She would only tell him when she knew for sure.

She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down, but as soon as her hand gripped the sack firmly her stomach jumped again. It was that feeling of overwhelming happiness she was desperately struggling to keep in check. As she opened the car door and stepped onto the cement garage floor, she felt the familiar dizzy sensation creep over her. It felt as if the blood had been drained from her head, and she quickly gripped the car to maintain her balance. She took several deep breaths as she smiled to herself. Oh, God please let it be true, she begged knowing in a matter of a few moments she would know for sure. She quickly scolded herself again for getting her hopes up like this. Lightheadedness was a symptom of many many things. Not just the one she was desperately hoping for. She knew that with undoubted certainty, but is still didn't stop that voice in her head from crying out, 'but what if it is true?'

She unlocked the door, and swiftly closed it behind her tossing her keys on the kitchen counter. Then, she quickly threw the plastic sack into the kitchen trash and headed to the bathroom with the blue box in hand.

She glanced at the clock realizing it had only been twenty seconds since she last looked. Only 2 minutes and 40 seconds, she thought as she bit down hard on her bottom lip. She thought about turning on the TV but quickly changed her mind. She was far too distracted to concentrate on anything but the passing seconds. Burying her head in her hands, she repeated over and over please let it be true.

After Katie she wasn't sure if she could ever go through this again. They told her it was unlikely she ever would be in this situation, unless she had help. But they didn't have help… That's why it couldn't be true… She was simply fooling herself into believing it to be true because she wanted it so badly. Oh, God please, please, she begged over and over. She knew it wouldn't change the result, but she couldn't stop herself from asking.

Only a minute left. One minute and the crushing devastation would hit her like a ton of bricks. And it certainly wouldn't be the first time… It would be the first time she found out alone, though. He had been there every other time, except for the very first. And that time had been different… They hadn't even realized they wanted it yet. It had simply fallen into her lap. Last time they had wanted it more than anything, and it hadn't been easy to come by at all.

"Please God," she cried again knowing she only had seconds left. As her phone chimed, she knew it was time. She took a deep breath and shut her eyes tight, as she walked back into the bathroom. After a few steadying breathes, she tried to will herself to just get it over with and look at it. But she couldn't do it. She had no idea how long she stood there willing herself to look at it. She really wished she had someone else there to look for her, but she had decided it best to do this alone. After saying one more quick prayer, she took the stick in her hand and commanded herself to glance down.

Bolts of happiness shot through her, as a smile crept onto her lips. She had never been happier in her entire life to see the absence of the word "not". "Oh God," she whispered in total shock the tears slipping down her cheek. "Thank you so much," she cried placing her hand gently over her stomach.

She quickly reached for her phone, before realizing she still didn't know with complete certainty. She had vowed there would be no doubts at all when she told him. Scrolling through her phonebook, she called a friend and coworker from the hospital.

"Hey, Charlotte this is Michaela. If I come in really quick in about fifteen minutes can you do a blood test for me?"

"No, nothing serious. I just need an answer on something."

"Oh, thank you so much. I owe you one. I'm on my way over now."

As she sat in the silent car once again, she couldn't help but remember how she had felt only a few hours earlier. It was true. This was really happening. She now knew with certainty that it was true, and all she could do was cry. They were not tears of sadness, but true tears of joy and relief. All of that hoping and praying weren't for nothing. She was finally getting the one thing she wanted so very badly… another baby. She wrapped her arms around her stomach, as the overwhelming happiness flowed through her.

She never thought she would be pregnant again without extensive help. But they hadn't had extensive help… And she'd only been off of it a month. She hadn't even told Sully yet knowing he would get his hopes up again, and it would bring that looming depression back into their lives each time they were told 'no'. Another little girl... Or a boy… She couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She had to share this with someone. Punching the third speed dial number on her phone, she listened as the rings filled the silence in the car.

"Hello,"

"Hey, Becca," she replied.

"Hey, how are you?" her sister questioned.

"I'm well… Ecstatic doesn't even begin to cover it," she said her voice dripping with excitement.

"Well tell me what's going on?" Rebecca responded eager for answers.

"I'm pregnant!" she exclaimed.

"No?" Rebecca responded in disbelief.

"Yes!"

"I thought they said it wouldn't happen again. Not without all of those fertility treatments…"

"They did say that, but I guess they were wrong!" she cried out in joy.

"Oh my God, Michaela!" Rebecca cried out in happiness.

"I know!" she responded.

"What did Sully say? I'm sure he was thrilled."

"I haven't told him yet," she answered softly.

"You haven't? Why not? Didn't he know you trying?"

"No, actually he didn't really know. I know he wants more children, but I didn't tell him when I stopped taking the pills a month ago. I didn't want to get his hopes up again. You know everything we went through with Katie… I couldn't go through that again. All of the waiting, and the expectations, and the disappointment… I stopped taking them thinking it was a possibility but highly unlikely. I can't believe it though, it really happened!" she explained.

"And you haven't told him yet?" Rebecca asked again.

"No, not yet."

"Then, why are you on the phone with me? You should be on the phone with him. I'm hanging up now…"

"No, don't do that! I thought about calling him when I found out this morning. But then I was scared it wasn't true, so I went into the hospital and had them do a blood test," she explained.

"And did you just finish there?"

"Yeah, I'm in the parking lot now," she stated.

"Well, I understand why you didn't tell him this morning, but why aren't you telling him now?" her sister questioned in confusion.

"I've thought about this a lot, and I want this time to be special. It's probably the last time I will ever be able to give him news like this. I don't want to tell him over the phone in the hospital parking lot. I want to see the sparkle in his eyes, feel his arms around me…" she said trying to convey her true feelings.

"Okay. So, you are going to tell him tonight then?" she wondered.

"Well, actually that's one of the reasons I was calling you. I want to make him dinner tonight and tell him without the girls around…" Michaela stated before Rebecca cut in.

"So, you were wondering if I could babysit?" she said jumping in.

"Yeah, kind of. I'm sorry," she said with guilt in her voice.

"All right, I will do it on one condition. You meet me somewhere right now and let me buy you and my niece or nephew lunch."

"Okay," she said with a grin. "You have yourself a deal."

"How about that little café over on the corner of Madison?" Rebecca suggested.

"Sounds perfect. Thank you Becca," she replied.

"You're welcome sweetheart. Oh, and by the way congratulations."

"Thank you so much! You were the very first to say it," she said with a laugh. "I'll see you in about fifteen minutes."

"All right, great. Bye," Rebecca stated.

"Bye," she returned before closing her phone.

She shut her car door tightly and pressed the tiny button on her car remote. It emitted a small beep, as the lights on her car flashed indicating it was locked. As she walked across the parking lot, she picked up her pace slightly, excited to see them. After having lunch with Rebecca, she decided to go pick up Hannah and Katie. She had felt awful about sending them to daycare when she knew they would have been fine at home with her. After all she wasn't really sick. But this morning when her mind flashed to the sadness that would inevitably ensue, she knew she would need the time alone to pull herself back into "happy mom" mode. However, things didn't turn out that way, she thought unable to keep herself from smiling.

She pulled the glass door open and walked down the small flight of stairs eager to see Hannah. As she stepped inside the Kindergarten classroom, Hannah spotted her immediately from across the room and dropped the block in her hand, running at lighting speed over to Michaela's side.

"Mommy!" she cried jumping into Michaela's outstretched arms.

"Hi, sweetheart," she replied cradling Hannah in her arms.

"You're early," she said with a delighted smile.

"Yeah, I am. I missed you and Katie," she said with love in her eyes.

"I missed you, too," she said with a big grin.

"Go get your backpack, and we'll go get Katie," she said placing Hannah back down on the ground.

She quickly signed her initials in the ledger by the door, indicating she had picked up Hannah. Then, she waved to the teacher across the room before taking Hannah's hand and walking down the hall to Katie's classroom.

They soon stepped into the dark room lit only slightly by sunshine streaming through the glass door to the playground. She motioned to Hannah to stay quiet before scanning the cots on the floor for Katie. A young woman soon appeared by her side waving to Hannah and whispering to Michaela, "She's over there in the corner."

"Thanks," Michaela said with a smile.

"Do you want me to wake her up for you?" she questioned.

"No, I'll get her," she whispered in return before navigating her way carefully across the room.

She placed a soft kiss on her daughter's cheek and nudged her slightly, encouraging her to wake up. As soon as her eyes fluttered open and saw Michaela, her face broke out in a big smile as she wrapped her arms around her mother's neck.

"Mommy!" she cried in excitement.

"Shhh," Michaela responded knowing Katie was bound to wake up the other sleeping children.

"You're early. We haven't even had snack yet," she responded slightly confused.

"Yeah, sweetie I'm early today. Let's get your stuff, and then I need you to go to the store with me," she explained softly.

"Okay," she replied rubbing her eyes.

Michaela helped her put her blanket and pillow into a small sack and fold her sleeping mat up, before Katie retrieved her backpack and returned to her mother's side. Michaela quickly tied her small pink tennis shoes and pulled Katie into her arms, joining Hannah by the door. She flashed Hannah a proud smile when the young girl pointed to the perfectly printed 'MQS' next to the typed 'Katie Sully'.

"Thanks, sweetheart. You did a wonderful job," she said as she took Hannah's hand holding Katie on one hip.

She nodded towards Katie's teacher, and with a whisper of thanks the three girls headed for the parking lot.

"Why did you pick us up today? I thought Daddy said he would," Hannah questioned.

"Well, I wanted to spend some time with my two favorite girls," she answered.

"Okay," Hannah replied accepting this answer.

"Can we go to the park?" she wondered aloud as Michaela let go of her hand to unlock the car door.

"Yeah, I think we can do that, but we have to go the grocery store first."

"What for?" Hannah questioned knowing that going to the grocery store was normally a Saturday morning activity.

"I have to get some extra stuff for dinner tonight," she answered as she strapped Katie into her booster seat.

"What are we having?"

"Well, I'm making your Daddy dinner, and you and Katie are going over to Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Edmund's house," she responded.

"Yeah! That means we'll have pizza!" she cried in excitement.

"Pizza!" Katie cried in happiness, waking up more upon hearing the news.

Michaela laughed in response knowing her daughter was probably right, as she checked to make sure Hannah had buckled herself in correctly and handed both girls a package of fruit snacks. As she drove towards the store with the Hannah Montana CD playing in the car, she couldn't help but smile as she glanced in the rearview mirror realizing there would soon be another car seat in the back of her car…

She glanced over at the timer on the oven relived to know that she still had fifteen minutes until the lasagna would be finished. Grabbing the bowl of salad and tray of breadsticks, she walked into the dining room and placed them in the middle of the table. She then grabbed a lighter from a drawer in the breakfront and lit the two white candles. After placing the lighter safely in the drawer, she turned slightly to look at herself in the oval mirror hanging from the wall. Her hair was curled perfectly and with the addition of a small key pendant necklace and a tiny black strapless dress, she knew she would stop him dead in his tracks. She smiled making a mental note to take off the apron as soon as she was back in the kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen again, she tossed the apron onto the back of a kitchen chair and frantically dug around in one of the drawers for a corkscrew. She soon found what she was after, and opened a bottle of wine pouring two glasses.

"Hey, I'm home," he called out the familiar greeting as he walked through the front door. "Wow, it smells crazy good in here."

"Thanks," she said appearing at his side as she wrapped her arms around his waist placing a kiss on his lips.

"You look beautiful," he stammered in awe. "Why are ya so dressed up? And I got your message. Why did ya pick the girls up? I thought you were sick? I'm totally confused here," he uttered upon seeing her standing in front of him.

"Okay, well I'm not sick. I'm totally fine now. Better than fine actually. And I'm dressed up because I made you dinner. I thought we could have an evening alone together," she explained with a smile hoping he wouldn't question this too much.

"Wait you made me dinner? Ya don't cook," he answered with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, I cook some… I cook with you. And it's just salad and lasagna it's not that hard to make," she ventured.

"Okay," he said with a big smile. "And an evening alone? Where are the girls?"

"At Rebecca and Edmund's house."

"Alright then. Is there a reason for this big surprise? Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled ya just have me very puzzled here," he stammered still baffled.

"Yes, there is a reason. But I want to share that with you over dinner."

"Okay," he said with a smile pulling her in close. "And ya sure you're okay? I mean this mornin' you were so sick ya weren't goin' in ta work, and now you're fine?"

"Yes, better than fine," she repeated.

"How is that possible?" he wondered in bewilderment.

"I'll tell you at dinner," she answered again praying he wouldn't continue to press this.

"Man, you've got me really curious here. When is this dinner?"

"In about ten minutes. Come sit down at the table," she requested as she began to walk towards the dining room. "I poured you a glass of wine," she explained retreating to the kitchen to grab it for him.

"Okay…" he trailed off still totally puzzled.

He had expected to come home and find her a mess on the couch begging him to find something for dinner. This was definitely unexpected and very odd. She had been acting strangely all day…. He hoped she would give him some real answers during dinner.

"Ya look so amazin'. I can't get over it. I mean you always look great, but you just look extra amazin' tonight," he said as he glanced across the table.

She blushed slightly in return knowing that the cause of this particularly special appearance was probably the happiness she felt deep inside.

"I can't believe ya made me dinner," he said shaking his head slightly in disbelief.

"Something wrong?" he questioned as a result of her continued silence.

"No, not at all. Why?" she returned.

"Ya just seem really quiet that's all," he explained.

"Well…" she started placing her fork down and glancing up from her plate. "It's just that…"

"Yeah?" he prompted.

"I'm pregnant," she said with a small smile.

"What?" he returned literally stunned.

"We're going to have another baby," she returned softly.

"That's not possible," he stammered in amazement.

"Well it's true," she stated.

"I don't understand… How did this happen?" he returned trying to make sense of what he was hearing.

Her heart began to sink immediately upon hearing his words, as her eyes filled with tears. This certainly wasn't the reaction she had been hoping for…

He noticed the tears in her eyes right away and quickly responded, "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"I thought you would be as excited as I am. But you're just upset. I'm sorry…" she said through tears.

"Sorry?" he inquired as he moved over to her side, and pulled her to her feet and into his arms.

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about this. I just stopped taking the pills last month. I never thought it would work, and especially not this fast…" she said as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Whoa, slow down ya stopped taking birth control?" he questioned as he sat down in her chair pulling her into his lap.

"Yes, I'm sorry," she sobbed.

"No, don't be sorry. Don't ever be sorry," he said soothingly. "Please don't cry. I'm just trying to put all of this together. I'm a little overwhelmed here. So, you just stopped taking them a month ago?"

"Yes…" she said softly.

"And ya just found out you're pregnant?"

"Yes. I'm sorry I thought you wanted another child…"

"Oh my God, I want another kid more than anythin'. You know that," he said sincerely.

"I thought you did, but you seem upset," she stated.

"No, not at all! It's the opposite actually… I'm just confused. They said ya couldn't have any more children without help," he replied.

"I know, but they were wrong…"

"When did you find out?" he questioned.

"This morning and then I had the hospital do a blood test this afternoon," she finished.

"Oh, Michaela," he cried pulling her tightly into his arms as tears cascaded down his cheeks. "I can't believe this. I can't believe this is happening!"

"So, you are happy then?" she said calming down somewhat.

"Of course! This is what we wanted," he finished with a smile.

"And you aren't mad that I didn't tell you I was sort of trying?" she questioned meekly.

" 'Course not! I don't really understand why ya didn't tell me, but you knew I wanted another baby. How could I be mad?"

"I didn't tell you because I didn't want to get your hopes up again like last time. It's too painful to see you hurt like that," she explained.

"So, ya were just goin' ta hurt alone then?" he inquired.

"I don't know… I guess I hadn't really thought about it," she replied as he wiped tears from her cheeks.

"Well don't ever hesitate ta tell me somethin' like that again. Like I said, I'm thrilled that you were ready ta try again. But next time let me in, okay? Let me into this heart of yours," he said placing his hand over her chest. "It's not fair that ya have ta suffer through something like that without me."

"You're right. It's just I love you so much. I wanted to spare you pain and sadness," she explained.

"I know, but ya have ta understand I want to spare you pain and sadness as well. And it ain't fair to inflict that pain on you alone."

She nodded in response. "Well, we don't have to worry about any pain because the waiting didn't happen this time. I'm pregnant now," she said with a smile.

"I know!" he cried in joy bending down slightly and kissing her stomach. "I can't believe this! I'm totally stunned."

"It took me all afternoon to believe it," she responded.

"We're goin' ta have another little girl or a boy," he whispered.

"I know!" she cried excitedly.

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in his head. "So, that's why ya didn't feel well yesterday and this morning?" he questioned.

"Yeah," she said with a smile. "I thought I might be this morning when I realized what day it was, and that's why I wanted to stay home today. I wanted to find out for sure, and I thought I would need the time alone to grieve a little."

"But thankfully it didn't turn out that way," he finished.

"I know! I really couldn't believe it. I still can't."

"Did you tell anyone else?" he wondered.

"No, just Rebecca. We still have to tell the girls," she said with a smile.

"Yeah," he said pulling her even deeper into his arms.

"So, do you want a boy or a girl?" she inquired.

"Well to be completely honest with ya a boy would be nice," he reluctantly admitted.

"Yes, one that looks just like you," she said dreamily.

"With your eyes though," he returned.

"I don't know your eyes look pretty sweet on little Hannah. And I've always been partial to them," she stated gazing down into his shimmering blue eyes.

"Then, let's just wish for a healthy baby," he suggested.

"Sounds like a plan," she said laying her head on his shoulder.

With one arm around her back and the other on her stomach, he couldn't help but think about how excited he truly was this very moment. They were having another baby….And this time they didn't have to fight so hard for it. This time it had fallen into their lap just like little Hannah had over six years ago. Nothing could have made him happier than knowing they would soon have another child.