Book Two/Chapter Thirty-Six: An Important Announcement
Ben had been on night patrols for the past three days and we hadn't got to spend much time together. Sometimes, when things were slow and the town was quiet, he would call me, but we didn't talk about anything serious. I shared how my day had gone and he told me about the town's latest efforts on restoring the public park. Apparently, a few years ago, vandals tore down the town's only monument and destroyed the fountain. The town council was trying to raise enough funds to restore everything back to its original state.
I was already impressed with the landscaping efforts. Whoever was responsible for the plantings were doing a fantastic job. Even though the weather was cooling rather dramatically, the hanging pots located throughout the park were bursting with colors that flowed down them like waterfalls. They were especially lovely at night with the lamps burning and the moon shining. I was glad they were going to improve the location even more and told him I would pitch in to help.
"Perhaps you should run for the council yourself," he suggested.
I wasn't sure he meant it, but the idea stuck in my head. Why not? If I did end up living here, I would be more than happy to get to work improving the surroundings. It wouldn't take much since Protection already boasted fantastic mountain views. They weren't taking advantage of that, however, I had ideas about how they could do it if I ever had the opportunity to share them with anyone.
As I sat on Mrs. Delaney's sofa grading test papers, I listened to Ben tell me about his kayaking adventures. The way he described it sounded thrilling and before the conversation had ended, I admitted to him I wouldn't mind going with him sometime.
"That would be great! As a matter of fact, there's a group heading out next weekend. I can rent us a couple of boats if you'd like."
Something inside me told me to decline the offer. Perhaps later, after the baby was born. Right now, risking mine or the baby's life riding through rapids didn't seem like a very good idea.
When I turned him down, Ben sounded suspicious, and I realized I was going to have to inform him of what was going on sooner rather than later.
"What time do you get off tonight, do you think?" I asked him. He was never on a very set schedule and left work whenever the next scheduled officer showed up, which could be early or late. It depended upon the situation. And if something happened such as an arrest or emergency, Ben never left before every single detail had been categorized and filed.
"Everything's pretty quiet in town," he told me softly. "I'd like to see you too if that's what you're getting at."
I recognized the seductive tone in his voice immediately.
"We need to talk," I assured him right away before he got the wrong idea.
"Isn't that what we're doing?"
It was a logical question. "Yes, but these types of talks are just for passing the time and getting to know one another. What I need to talk to you about is important. Very important."
The line got quiet. So quiet in fact, that I thought the cell service had been dropped.
"Ben? Are you there?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes, but you've got me worried."
"Don't be so pessimistic," I scolded lightly. "It's good news. Nothing bad. I promise."
"All right," he answered, still hesitant. "I can meet you at your apartment by six."
I usually didn't get up that early, but for this, I would. "That would be perfect. I'll get up early and make us breakfast."
"You don't have to do th…"
Always generous and unassuming. I stopped him before he had the chance to finish. "I want to. Otherwise, I wouldn't do it."
"All right," he chuckled. "I'll see you then. I'm looking forward to it. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too and I love you," I reassured him.
This time, there was no hesitation in his reply. "I love you too."
I set my alarm an hour early and actually woke up before it went off. I was nervous about telling him the news and thought I could soften the blow by making Ben's favorite breakfast: pancakes and bacon.
After taking a quick shower and brushing my teeth, I hurriedly dressed and began prepping the meal. At five minutes before six, everything was prepared. At ten minutes after six, I was trying to keep everything warm and staring at the clock on the wall. I jumped when my phone chimed and was greatly relieved to see a message from Ben. He was apologizing for running late but was on his way.
One more warming and the pancakes were hot again. I greeted him with an embrace and a quick kiss before he even had the chance to take off his jacket.
"Smells good," he told me. "Is that bacon?"
The apartment was small enough that you could see the table from the doorway and the smell of fried pork filled the entire place.
"Come sit down before everything gets cold again," I suggested.
"Sorry about that," he said again. "McAdam's kid threw up on his uniform this morning and he had to get cleaned up before coming in."
"The joys of parenting," I quipped.
"I can't wait."
His response warmed my heart and made what I had to say much easier. "I'm glad you said that," I mentioned while sitting down next to him. I poured the coffee and added what we both liked – a lot of cream and a little bit of sugar.
Ben was so focused on his meal that he didn't pick up on my comment. I recalled what my doctor had said about being forthcoming, but was finding it difficult just to just blurt it out.
"I think four is a good round number," I mentioned randomly.
"Four what? Bacon? Two is fine with me," he told me while munching away.
"No, not bacon. Children," I replied. "Two isn't enough and three puts someone in the middle."
"You've been thinking about this a lot lately," he noted, though obviously still not catching on.
"Recently, yes," I admitted while nervously tapping my fingernail on the coffee mug.
"Huh," he said while wiping his mouth on a napkin. "Any particular reason?"
The door was wide open and yet I was sluggish to walk through it. "You know how much I love children and I would prefer to have them fairly soon. You need to realize that."
"I do," he confirmed while grabbing his own drink. "You've mentioned it at least a few times before."
I could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he was teasing, but it was time to put an end that. Ben had the bad habit of joking his way out of tense situations. I couldn't allow it to happen this time.
"I'm pregnant," I announced suddenly, causing him to choke on his coffee and spew it all over his plate.
After he'd cleaned himself up, he glanced up at me wide-eyed. "Say that again?"
"Sorry. I didn't mean to shock you or make you choke!"
"It's ok," Ben told me between clearing coughs. "You're being serious, right? I mean, we joke around a lot, so…"
"I would joke about a thing like this," I assured him.
"Oh."
I watched him carefully. Time seemed to crawl as did his response. It was a maddening two seconds of vulnerability until he suddenly leaped up from his chair, picked me up and spun me around.
"You're pregnant! We're going to have a baby!"
I laughed with glee and forced him to set me back down on earth. And then he kissed me. Over and over, each one more thorough than the last. It had been a few days since we'd been intimate and my blood began to warm, a tingling was running down my legs, and yet I had to get ready for school.
"I can't believe it!" he said once he'd allowed me to breathe again.
I couldn't have been more pleased with his response! I honestly didn't understand what I'd been so nervous about!
"We have to get married," he announced suddenly and seriously. "I won't have my child growing up without a father."
"Just because we aren't married doesn't mean our baby won't have a father," I corrected him. "I would never keep you from him…or her. But hopefully, I won't have to."
"Are you saying…?"
I knew what he was about to ask but I wasn't going to let him get off that easily! "When the time is right, I will say yes, but not right after I've told you I'm pregnant. That makes it looks like I didn't have a choice."
"You know that's not what I meant," Ben told me. He was backtracking and a little embarrassed. "I mean, we were planning on getting married. I just figured we were waiting."
Interesting. "What exactly were we waiting for? I forget." I was half teasing but curious as to what his answer would be.
"I guess for you to graduate and get settled in your career. We can still do that I suppose."
This was a subject we needed to address and soon. However, now was not the time. If I didn't get ready soon, I was going to be late.
"Can we talk about this soon? Perhaps during dinner?"
"Tomorrow night," he confirmed. "I'll be returning to day patrol then and this time, I'll do the cooking."
"That sounds great. I'll see you then. Right now, I have to get ready."
"I'm happy Ami. Really happy about the baby. I can't wait to tell Quinn!"
"Just don't go spreading it all over town, all right?" I requested while gathering the dirty dishes. "I'm still getting used to the idea and I haven't told Sabrina yet."
"Very well," he agreed, "but it's going to be a hard secret to keep!"
"I know it is," I agreed while placing the dishes in the sink and returning to him. "Soon, you can shout it from the top of Mount Protection for all I care. Just give me at least a day."
Ben smiled in agreement, kissed me gently, and then walked to my door. "I can do that. And I love you, you know."
"I love you too. Now go home and get some sleep!"