CHAPTER 25
February 28th was Sue's mom's birthday. She called to wish her a "Happy Birthday" but there was no answer. She left a quick message, and grabbed a bowl of broccoli. Lucy joined her on the couch to watch a movie. About half way through the movie Lucy got up for a cup of tea. She heard a noise outside, and went to check. Her mouth dropped open as she turned back toward Sue.
"Sue?" Lucy said as she waved to Sue to get her attention. "Are you expecting company?" She asked.
"No. Why?" Sue asked.
"Umm… Your parents are here." She said almost laughing.
"What! Oh, Luc, NO! I haven't told them about the baby yet! Oh… How am I going to hide this? Maybe I can hide out in the hall and you can tell them I've gone away on business?" Sue said hopefully.
"Oh, no! I'm not getting in the middle of this. Besides, didn't you just call them a couple hours ago from the house phone?" Lucy asked. " I know…" She said, grabbing the blanket off the chair. "Here, put this over you, pull your legs up. It will hide the baby long enough to tell them." She went to look out the window again. "How did you manage to go 5 months without telling your parents that you're having a baby?" Lucy asked in disbelief.
"I don't know. I just didn't know how to tell them. I couldn't find the words to disappoint them I guess." Sue said nervously. "I guess I'll find them now, won't I?" Lucy raised her eyebrows, giving her a sympathetic look.
The knock came on the door from her parents. Lucy opened the door and greeted them with a big smile.
"Mr. and Mrs. Thomas! Welcome! Why didn't you tell us you were driving in?" Lucy said, taking their coats. Bill walked right over to Sue who was hiding under the blanket. He gave her a big hug.
"Hi Daddy. What are you guys doing here?" Sue asked as her mom gave her a hug as well.
"Are you feeling alright darling?" Carla asked.
"Yes Mom, I'm fine. We were watching a movie, I was just snuggling." Sue explained, trying not to lie. "Why didn't you call and let me know you were on your way? I would have had my room all set for you." Sue said.
"Oh, no worries darling, I will just turn down the bed myself. I think I can handle that." Carla said.
"Let me get those bags for you Mrs. Thomas, you sit and visit." Lucy said, knowing that Sue had all the baby stuff in her room. Lucy took the bags to Sue's room, and put away the information booklets, and "what to expect" book that Sue was currently reading. She took a quick look around and noticed a bag from a little specialty store from down town. She opened and peeked in. There was an angel inside that hung from a light string. The receipt was from the end of November. Lucy smiled, and hid it inside Sue's closet.
"Did you grab the stuff off the bed?" Sue asked Lucy, nervously.
"Got everything- all set." Lucy said with a wink. Sue looked relieved.
"Thank you." Sue said. "Are you hungry? We can order a pizza or Chinese for you." Sue offered.
"That's ok Honey, we stopped at a restaurant about an hour before we got here." Bill said.
"Coffee or tea?" Lucy offered.
"Coffee sounds wonderful." Carla said.
"Sue, are you drinking coffee yet?" Bill asked.
"No, not yet. It still doesn't like me." She said.
"Hello?" Lucy said, answering the house phone. "Oh, hi. Can I call you back in a few minutes?" She said again. "OK, thanks. Bye."
"Sam?" Sue asked smiling at her coyly.
"Yes. I'm going to call him back in my room, if you'll excuse me?" Lucy said, leaving Sue w/her parents. When neither was looking, Lucy signed:
"Talk to them. Tell them about the baby." Sue grimaced. The coffee finished and the kettle was beginning to whistle. Sue began to get out of the covers.
"I've got it Sweetheart." Carla said, making her way into the kitchen and making coffee for her and Bill, and tea for Sue.
"So, who's this Sam?" Carla asked.
"Lucy's boyfriend. He's a nice guy." She said.
"Ahh, someone new?" Bill asked.
"Not really, they've been seeing each other for a few months now, since before Thanksgiving." Sue answered.
"Serious?" Carla drilled.
"I think so. I know she really likes him." Sue said. "I like him a lot. He's a good guy. They met because of Levi you know." She said. "They met in the park when she was walking him one day for me." Sue explained.
"Isn't it funny how you can just round a corner and meet your destiny?" Carla said. Bill chuckled.
"Speaking of… any word from your…" Bill started. Sue looked wide eyed at him.
"No. Not in a couple weeks." Sue said. She took a nervous breath. "Since we're talking about destiny and such… I wanted to talk to you two about something." She started. "Have a seat, please."
"Sounds serious." Bill said, sitting on the chair next to the couch.
"Is everything alright Darling?" Carla asked, sitting on the couch near Sue's feet.
"Yes, everything's fine." Sue was visibly nervous, her hand shook as she straightened the blanket. "I've been meaning to tell you about this for a while; I just haven't been able to find the back bone to do so."
"Does this have anything to do with Jack?" Bill asked.
"Sort of…" Sue started.
"Jack? Jack Hudson, your training agent?" Carla asked.
"Yes mom, but he's not my training agent any longer." She corrected.
"What about him?" Carla asked.
"They started seeing each other a few months ago." Bill said, filling his wife in on the details.
"How do you know about it?" Carla asked, giving Bill an accusing look.
"It doesn't matter, mother. He right, Jack and I started dating, right before he left to go overseas." Sue started.
"Where is he?" Carla asked, confused.
"Dad, didn't you tell her anything?" Sue asked. "I don't know where he is. He was sent on an open ended mission. Zero contact. I get word about him from the bureau, and I've gotten one text message from him on Christmas."
"Oh, don't tell me you two ran off and got married before he left!" Carla exclaimed, looking at Bill for confirmation. Bill looked shocked at that suggestion.
"No, I didn't get married" Sue said her voice shaky "that might make this easier" She mumbled under her breath. "But, I am making you grandparents again." She finally spit out. She sat back, waiting for someone to say something. It was quiet, too quiet. Bill looked at her to make sure he'd heard her correctly. He could tell by the look on her face and the color of it that he had.
"Excuse me?" Carla said, rather loudly.
"She's pregnant, Carla." Bill explained.
"No she's not!" She yelled.
"Yes, mom, I am." Sue said softly.
"How did this happen!" Carla asked, nearly yelling at her.
"Mother, you had 4 children, I would have thought you would know that by now." Sue said, trying to diffuse the situation, which was beginning to escalate out of control.
"Susan Thomas! I raised you better than that!" Carla said, very angrily. "I did not raise you to be a floozy!" She said bitterly.
"A floozy?" Sue felt the sting of the name as it slapped her in the face. "For your information, I have had sex with ONE man, and he is the father of this child. I don't sleep around mother!" Sue spat back angrily.
How could you let this happen? How could you let him take advantage of you like that?" Her mother asked through clinched teeth. I taught you better than that Sue." Carla said, disappointment oozing from her.
"Mom, you did raise me better, you did teach me better, but things happen sometimes. And, Jack did not take advantage of me. I'm not 15 years old Mother. I knew what I was doing." Sue tried to explain. "It was mutual, it was consensual. I made love to the man I am in love with."
"What about your promise?" Carla asked.
"I didn't totally break it. I do believe that Jack is the one for me. I believe he is the man who will be my husband." Sue defended. "I have made my peace with God over the broken promise, mother. I have asked for forgiveness, and believe he has forgiven me for my actions." Sue said, trying to let her mother understand how much she loves Jack.
Sue reached into the drawer of a nearby table, and pulled out the sonogram pictures she'd received a few weeks earlier. She handed them to her father. He looked at it, and smiled. He gave them back to Sue.
"I don't read these things like you guys do." He admitted. Sue got up and explained where the baby's head, arms, legs, hands and feet were. Once she pointed them out, he could see it as well. Sue offered her mother the picture. Her mother looked away at first.
"Mother, I know you're not happy about this, but, the fact is, I AM having a baby, this one." She said shaking the picture in front of her. "You can either accept that and be a part of our lives or not. I can't change things. You either have to accept it or don't. The choice is yours." Sue said, as she took the picture and put it away. When she got up, Bill could see her bulging stomach.
"Sue? How far along are you?" He asked. Sue pulled her shirt tight to show off her belly. "Five months."
"Five months?" Carla exclaimed. "How are you five months along, and just telling us this now?" Carla asked, quite loudly.
"I'm due June 27th." She said, smiling at that thought. "I told you, Mom, I couldn't find the words to tell you." Sue said, tears beginning to well in her eyes.
"And Jack doesn't know yet?" Bill asked.
"No. I haven't talked to him. And, I wouldn't want to tell him on the phone or while he's over there… it would only distract him, put him in danger." Sue explained.
"You're brave taking this on alone." Bill said, giving her a hug. "Congratulations Honey." He said, pulling her into a hug.
"Thanks Daddy." She said, hugging him back. "Mom?" Sue started. Carla just walked out the door, taking her coat as she walked outside.
"I'll go. Don't get upset, I'll go get her This is just a shock to her." He said. Bill grabbed his coat, and walked out to the park across the street after his wife.
"Carla?" He said, seeing her sitting on the bench just inside the entrance to the park.
"How could she do this Bill? How could she be so careless? She has fought so hard to have the life she has, and now, she's throwing it all away." Carla said, tears spilling over.
"Why look at it that way?" He asked, wiping her tears. "Honey, she's a grown woman. She's 31 years old. It's not like she's in high school or college. I would be more upset if she was, but she's sure of herself. She's able to take care of herself, and this baby. And, that, my dear, is because of you." Bill said wrapping his arms around her.
"He right you know." Came Sue's voice from behind them. "Mom, I didn't do this to make you angry, or hurt you, or embarrass you. I didn't get pregnant on purpose, but I believe it was meant to be. I am capable of taking care of myself, and this baby." Sue paused. "I'm the woman I am today, Mom, because of you. If you didn't push me so hard when I was a little girl, I might not be ready for this, but you did…. And I am." Sue said, nearly in tears. "Now… Mother… I am having this baby. I would like my child to know you, to have you as his or her grandmother, but that's your decision." Sue said, hugging her mother. Carla hugged Sue back and touched her stomach. "I would like that." Carla said.
"How often do you get told that you're going to be a grandparent on your birthday?" Bill asked, smiling.
"Oh! Happy Birthday Mom! I almost forgot! I called you earlier, but you were… well, here." Sue said as the three of them walked back to Sue's apartment.