AN: So this is my first full-length Good Witch story. I've been a fan of the series since the first movie and grew to love all of the characters. This story focuses on Donovan and Abigail, because after Cassie and Jake/Sam, they were my favorite couple, so of course they broke up. *rolls eyes* Plus, I feel that Abigail had some of the best character growth, and she got the worst ending. So, this story focuses on them mainly with the other couples in the background.
It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
The plan had been to have a long engagement, a small wedding, and then wait until at least their one-year anniversary before trying for children.
None of those things had gone that way. Their engagement had lasted six months, their wedding had been grand since Dotty and Martha had set aside their rivalry long enough to plan the most lavish wedding both Middleton and Blairsville had ever seen, and now it was just past their three-month anniversary, and here she was, staring at a positive First Response test.
Abigail Pershing-Davenport didn't understand how this could have happened. They were careful, or so she thought. She had hoped the fatigue and nausea were just from the stress of her first Christmas holiday as a mayor's wife, not to mention the fact that December was always one of her busiest months at the flower shop, but once she missed her period, she knew better. Was she even cut out to be a mother? Her own mother had died when she was a teenager, and she had been on her own for most of her adult life. Sure, she had a good relationship with Grace, but her cousin was in college now. Abigail hadn't been around when Grace was an infant, a toddler, or an elementary/middle schooler.
Abigail knew Donovan could sense something was up with her. She hadn't been able to take the smell of coffee without running to the nearest bathroom, and she had been much more tired lately. He was currently out of town at the moment; he had an overnight business trip that included a meeting with the governor in Springfield, so her husband had left early that morning and wouldn't be home until tomorrow night. Usually, Abigail didn't mind his quick trips throughout Illinois—they both needed their own space, after all—but right now, she wished he was home so she would have someone to vent to and someone to hold her and tell her everything would be all right.
Abigail shoved the test into the top drawer of the vanity before she went downstairs, grabbed her purse, and left for work. Flowers: another smell insult which would probably make her to dry heave. She was gagging just thinking about the fragrances. She was in a bit of a fog on the drive to Middleton, as making the commute from Blairsville nearly every day had caused the route to become familiar territory. Abigail didn't know how, but her drive to work had somehow taken her to Grey House. Cassie would know what to do. As annoying as her cousin could be sometimes in that regard, Cassie was still the best advice giver Abigail knew.
Abigail opened the front door, and as she entered, she could hear Cassie and Joy conversing over breakfast. "Good morning, Abigail," Cassie said, not bothering to turn around from her place facing the window as Abigail entered the kitchen.
"Good morning," Abigail answered and sat down next to Joy.
"I just pulled the scones out of the oven a few minutes ago," Cassie said and gestured to the plate on the counter.
"Thanks," said Abigail. She grabbed a scone and took a few hesitant bites to see if her stomach would cooperate. Thankfully, it did right now.
"I also made some ginger tea," said Cassie, pouring a mug for Abigail.
"I don't usually like ginger tea," said Abigail. "And you didn't make coffee?"
"Since I have no guests this morning, I decided to make ginger tea for a change."
"Plus, Cassie, Sam, and I already emptied the coffee pot this morning," said Joy. "I have to get to work. I'll see you later tonight."
Cassie and Abigail nodded their farewells, and Joy left Grey House. Abigail looked at Cassie and asked, "Did Grace make it back to Wellingsley?"
"She did," Cassie confirmed.
Abigail sipped the steaming mug of tea, but then grimaced. "I really don't like ginger tea."
"I know you don't. But I figured you wouldn't want coffee this morning."
"How would you know?" Dumb question: it was Cassie Nightingale here. Abigail should know how.
"Donovan mentioned at dinner the other day how coffee has made you feel sick recently."
Abigail set the mug down on the counter. "You know, don't you?"
"Coffee triggered my morning sickness when I was expecting Grace," said Cassie. Abigail nodded, and Cassie asked, "How long have you known?"
"I only found out this morning, but I kind of had the feeling the test would be positive for the past few days."
"Does Donovan know?"
"No, I was too nervous to find out with him there, so I waited to take the test after he left for Springfield. And two lines were staring back at me this morning. You're the first person I've told."
"The usual response is congratulations, but I have the feeling you're not much in the mood to be congratulated right now."
Abigail buried her face into her hands. "I don't know what to feel right now," she admitted honestly. "Donovan and I promised to wait a year before even trying for a baby. I don't even know if I'm cut out to be a mom, yet here I am."
"If it's any consolation, you're a wonderful mother figure to Grace."
"Yeah, but you found out about your pregnancy after I left town again, and by the time I came back to Middleton, Grace was fifteen. She was well-beyond the diaper and sleepless night stage. Not to mention, I wasn't the one who had to go through pregnancy and childbirth with Grace; you did."
Cassie poured herself a mug of tea and walked around the counter to take a seat next to Abigail. Cassie didn't say anything for a few moments. "My pregnancy with Grace was a surprise too."
"But you're a great mother," said Abigail.
"Doesn't mean I wasn't terrified. Jake and I had talked about children, but Grace came along way sooner than either one of us had anticipated. I was nervous to tell him too. And you know what happened? He was thrilled."
"That's just it—I'm afraid Donovan won't be thrilled. And since he doesn't come home from Springfield until tomorrow night, I have two days to worry about his reaction."
"I believe you're underestimating him. Things always have a way of working out." A typical Cassie response, but it still comforted Abigail, even if only briefly. "I need to get to my shop, and so do you."
Cassie handed Abigail two paper bags: one with cotton balls, and the other with mints. "What are these for?"
"Peppermint chews and aromatherapy helped me with the strong fragrances at Bell, Book & Candle. They might help you at your shop. The cotton balls have drops of peppermint scent to smell when you start to feel sick."
"Thanks." Abigail stood to leave. "Oh, one more thing: please don't tell anybody, especially Martha. She'll have let all of Middleton know by the end of the day, and then she might tell Dotty, who will have let all of Blairsville know by the end of the day."
Cassie smiled. "Don't worry—your secret is safe with me."