5.
Tammy glanced at her watch as she picked up the receiver, anxious that she should not be late in getting to the airport.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Tammy, it's me." came the familiar voice.
"Amy! Hi, how's it going? Where are you?" exclaimed Tammy, glad to hear from her friend.
"I'm good; I'm just about to leave the hotel and head for the airport." she answered, "I can't wait to get home."
"I'll bet." said Tammy, "You guys have all been working so hard lately, you'll be glad of the break."
"You are so right! Anyway, just thought I'd check we're still on for next week - just in case you've decided you want Terry all to yourself!"
Tammy couldn't help but laugh, "Tempting as that sounds, Aimes, it'll be good to catch up with you all! Besides, Terry and I will have a whole week to ourselves first."
"You got any big plans for tomorrow? Or do I not want to know?" Amy giggled.
"Amy! But no, no plans - I'll just be glad to have him home."
"You must miss him a lot, I dunno if I could cope if Matt wasn't with me." said Amy thoughtfully, "I guess we're lucky we get to travel together."
"Yeah, it has been hard." said Tammy, her voice wavering a little.
"Tammy? You okay, girl?" asked Amy, instantly picking up the sign that all was not well.
Tammy was quiet for a moment, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "God, I ..... There's so much to tell you, I wouldn't know where to start ..... I don't want you to miss your flight."
"I've got plenty of time," reassured Amy, "Anyway, I'm not hanging up 'til you tell me what's wrong - you've got me all worried now."
Taking a deep breath, Tammy just blurted out the truth, "I'm pregnant."
There was a moments silence and then a squeal of delight from the other end of the line, making Tammy jump and almost drop the phone.
"Tammy!" came the shriek, "God, you had me going for a minute there, I thought there was something WRONG - that's fantastic news!"
However, to Amy's dismay, her reaction was not shared by her friend who could only burst into tears.
"Tammy, what's wrong? You are okay, aren't you? You and the baby?" questioned Amy in consternation, fervently wishing she wasn't many miles away on the opposite end of a phoneline.
"Y-Yes." managed Tammy between sobs.
"Then what is it?" Amy asked, her confusion evident, "Isn't Terry pleased?"
"He ..... he doesn't k-know."
"Why the hell not?" asked Amy, pausing suddenly, "Oh my God, it is HIS, isn't it?"
"What kind of question is THAT? Of course it's Terry's!" replied Tammy indignantly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, but ..... I just don't see what the problem could be then."
"What if Terry doesn't want kids now? We've never talked about it; he might not be pleased ....."
"Tammy, Tammy, Tammy, is that all that's worrying you?" soothed Amy, "Honey, anyone can see Terry's crazy about you - I bet you he's thrilled. Even if this wasn't planned, he'll still be happy and he's definitely not the type to walk out on his responsibility."
"I know." sighed Tammy, "That's the stupid thing - I know I'm being completely irrational, I just ..... I couldn't tell him over the phone and I really needed to talk to him properly, but I couldn't and everything just kept going round in my head - all these awful scenarios ....."
"I suppose it's understandable," said Amy knowingly, "Your hormones are probably all over the place, but you need to stop worrying - it's not good for you or the baby."
"Yes, Mom!" said Tammy, managing a little laugh.
"You can laugh all you want, missy, but I'm serious! Talk to Terry as soon as he gets home. When are you expecting him back?"
"I'm going to the airport soon."
"There you go then; you'll feel so much better once you talk to him and find out he's over the moon! By the way, how many weeks gone are you?" added Amy curiously.
"Almost three months."
"Three MONTHS!" squealed Amy in shock, "When did you find out?"
"About a month ago."
"Hey! I've been on the phone with you since then and you didn't say a word!"
"Well, I didn't want to tell anyone until I'd told Terry, but then I needed to talk to someone so I told my parents a couple of weeks ago and now I'm telling you."
"In that case, I'm honoured." said Amy, "And don't worry, I won't tell anyone else - not even Matt!"
"Thanks, Amy, I feel so much better having talked to you."
"Glad I could help. Now go see Terry - that's an order!" laughed Amy, "I'll see you both next week."
"See you then!" agreed Tammy, more cheerful than she had felt in a while.
She had literally just set the phone down when it rang again and she groaned loudly. She glanced at her watch and considered not answering the call, but something drew her hand back down and she picked up the receiver.
*****