February 21, 2030
I woke up early and for the first time in weeks, I was hungry so I went to the kitchen and got a few things to eat. I was sitting there enjoying my little hodge-podge breakfast when Aaron came in. He was rubbing his eyes and looked only half awake. He stopped short at the table, "Uh Charlie?" he said. "Something you want to tell me?"
I had no idea what he was talking about. "Uh, no?"
"Well, it looks like you got your appetite back?" Aaron was kind of chuckling like he was in on a joke that I didn't get and it made me grouchy.
"Are you really going to make fun of my appetite? Just yesterday you said I needed to eat more."
"But I sort of thought you'd leave some for me?" He laid his hands on the table and rested his chin on his fingers, smiling at me. It's so nice to see that smile, and luckily I've been seeing a lot more of it lately but something about THIS smile irritated me.
"What do you mean? I left you some…" I looked around the kitchen table and was surprised. There were a few empty jars and the heel from a loaf of bread. I popped the last of the cheese into my mouth and shrugged. "Okay, so I was hungry. What of it?"
"Charlie, don't you see what's going on?"
"No… What?" Apprehension was building as I tried to grasp what he was saying.
Aaron sat up straight and looked me right in the eye, "You've been exhausted – sleeping ten hours or more a night. Yesterday you started crying when Tom Neville got out of the chicken house and we had to chase him down. Now you're sitting out here eating pickles and cheese and, what's this, beets? For breakfast? This isn't about the flu anymore. This is something else… "
"What? I asked.
Aaron rolled his eyes. "I'm no doctor Charlie, but I'm pretty sure that you're pregnant."
"No. That can't be… No. It's not possible…"
He just watched me as I processed his words and did a little math in my head.
"Oh shit." I said. "Holy shit."
February 22, 2030
I was thinking maybe Aaron was wrong so I went to talk to that midwife again.
I went to see her at her house just outside of town. She was surprised to see me. "Thought you were all better? Did your fever come back?"
"No. No fever, but I have a question."
"What's your question?"
"Could I be pregnant?"
She looked at me curiously, head tilted. "You tell me. Have you been sexually active?"
I nodded.
She chuckled, "So you and the big fella?"
I made a face, "Aaron? No. Ewww."
"Well, no matter who the Daddy might be, come with me. I'll ask you some questions and do an exam. There's not a lot I can tell you until the baby is big enough that I can hear its heartbeat with my ancient stethoscope. In the good old days all you had to do was pee on a stick and we'd know in minutes." She sounded very nostalgic for the good old days. My mind was whirling with the words 'baby' and 'heartbeat'. This was all starting to feel real.
"Why did you tell me I had the flu?"
"Well, you DID have the flu." She shrugged, "You didn't ask me if you might be pregnant so I didn't check. I'm not psychic."
She asked me a bunch of embarrassing questions about my cycle and about my sex life. She asked if I'd noticed any changes in my body. I answered every question as best I could.
"Yes, I'd say you are pregnant. My guess is ten or twelve weeks along, so it's still early. Come back in a couple weeks. Maybe I can hear the heartbeat then. Do you like to read?"
"Yes. Why?"
She handed me a couple battered books, What to Expect When You're Expecting and Dr. Spock's Pregnancy Guide. I looked up at her questioningly.
"Read those. You can ignore the parts that talk about special tests. We can't do any of them anymore, but the parts on how your body will change and how the baby is growing? That stuff is the same. I think it's best if you know what you're in for. Oh, and this too." She handed me a little post blackout book. It had no title.
"What's this one?"
"Instructions on delivering a baby. You and the big fella should both read it. No guarantee I'll be around when the time comes. Most babies are delivered at home these days."
I left with my stack of books and a promise that I'd return in two weeks.
February 23, 2030
Aaron says I should write to Bass and tell him. I'm not ready yet. I want to wrap my head around this thing before I tell him about it.
February 24, 2030
Got a letter from Miles today. Pretty glad I didn't tell Bass yet.
Kid,
So Bass is in jail. He'll be there for at least a couple more weeks. Longer if Blanchard has his way. Here's what happened. We were at the diner – me and Bass – talking to John Frye. Frye had agreed to cook while we went to get you. Yeah, Bass had decided he'd waited long enough and was gonna find you and bring you home. I'd decided to go with him. Before we left, Bass wanted to line Frye up to run the place while we were gone. Frye is a regular and he likes to help out around there from time to time. He makes this BBQ sauce that is to die for and he likes to cook.
So they were talking and making arrangements and Blanchard came in and heard some of it – enough to pick up on where and why we were leaving town.
Frank made some crack to Bass about you. I am not going to tell you what he said, but just believe me when I say that it wasn't nice. I had left to take a piss and got back just as Bass was jumping over the counter to kick his ass.
Now this is Texas, and I don't think there's even a law about beating someone up these days, but I guess when the guy you're using as a punching bag is the vice president, the rules are different. Bass was carted away by Rangers and Blanchard was spluttering about reversing Bass's pardon. I think I talked him out of that, but he wouldn't budge on jail time. Told Bass he's going to be in there for a month.
The good news is that Bass being in lock up has totally taken care of MY problem and I've had a chance to spend some quality time with a lady from town. Life is good in that respect. Sorry.
I don't know if Bass gets to write you from jail or not, but I'll keep you updated. Okay? Don't worry. This isn't Bass's first time behind bars. He can take care of himself.
Miles
Great. My baby's Daddy is in jail. When I told Aaron, he laughed and said something about this being better than reality TV, whatever that is.
March 3, 2030
My boobs are getting bigger. So is my belly. I don't think a stranger would notice yet, but I can see where it swells out just a little bit and it's actually kind of cool. Those books have been pretty great and it's a comfort to know why things are changing and what's coming next.
Physically I'm fine. Emotionally, I'm not so great. I'm moody and cranky and so horny I think I might die if Bass doesn't get back soon.
I don't know when I'll hear from him again. I'm waiting till he's out of jail to tell him my news.
March 5, 2030
I guess I don't have to wait after all. I got two short notes today: one from Miles and one from Bass (who is still in jail by the way). Oh, and also I'm going to kill Aaron.
Kid,
You're pregnant? Jesus. You realize you're having a baby with a senior citizen? I can't even think about this for very long because I start to get really mad and it's probably a good thing Bass is still in jail or I'd have to do to him what he did to Blanchard.
Bass is terrified that if you travel without him something bad will happen, so just fucking stay put. Okay? We'll be there to get you soon. There have been reports of a clan that has been attacking travelers, and Bass is a paranoid little girl on a good day. That news kind of set him off. So sit tight. We'll be there.
Can't believe that bastard is going to be the father of your kid. I can't believe THAT YOU ARE HAVING A KID AT ALL. Shit. I need a drink.
Miles
PS Tell Aaron he did the right thing. Not telling us would have ended very badly for him.
Charlie,
Aaron wrote to Miles and me. He told us about the baby. I'm still a little numb about it, but not in a bad way. Obviously it was a possibility but I'm forty-seven and I guess I just figured it was unlikely. Are you okay? Do you feel sick in the mornings? I want to be there and I will be as soon as I can get out of this stupid place.
Shit. I can't believe you're pregnant. I bet you're glowing. I don't want to miss any of this. I miss you so much. I was coming to get you anyway before I got thrown in here. That plan hasn't changed other than that I'm more determined than ever. I AM coming to get you. I swear I am, even if I have to dig my way out of this hellhole with a spoon.
Nothing will keep me away from you. You know that, right? I love you, Charlie. I'm coming. Stay there and be safe. STAY THERE. Okay? I can't deal with the thought of anything happening to you or our little one.
Love,
Bass
PS Have you thought about names yet? I kind of like Ulysses for a boy…
I read the letters through twice and wrote a quick response to Bass. Hopefully he'll get it before his release.
Bass,
You should consider working on your temper, and also stop beating up on old guys. You should have just saved him for me. I could have taken care of him, and they would not have thrown ME in jail.
I'm so glad you're coming to get me. I've missed you so much. I'm not mad anymore – not about my Mom or anything other than the fact that I left Willoughby (and you) in the first place. I was an idiot and I'm sorry.
I feel pretty good. Aaron is taking good care of me, but I don't feel sick at all. Just tired. Tired and nervous. The whole process scares me, but I'm following every rule that the midwife here told me about and I read three books about pregnancy and childbirth and I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
Try not to worry. I'll stay here until you can come, but hurry. I miss you….a lot. I read that it's normal to want certain things during pregnancy, but I never would have guessed the need would be so all consuming. Getting you naked is almost all I can think about. So, hurry up and get out of jail already.
I wanted to wait till I saw you in person to tell you this, but that seems silly now. I love you too.
Charlie
PS There is no way in hell our kid will be named Ulysses. NO WAY IN HELL.
A/N: Yeah, I brought Frye back to life. Couldn't help myself. So humor me here... It wasn't John that Bass shot to 'start a war'. It was one of John's fellow Rangers instead. I needed someone fresh but familiar and I hadn't used John Frye yet. Ah, the beauty of fan fiction. :)
