CHAPTER 7—UNEXPECTED GUESTS {It's Like Déjà vu All Over Again}
Late Sunday Night
Loralei was sitting up in bed with a book in her lap when Donovan entered the room. Tonight, there had been no need for coin tosses. He had put the baby to bed and sat with her until she was asleep. He stood back and eyed his wife curiously. She was definitely hiding something from him, and he wasn't sure it had anything to do with her little matchmaking games. He climbed into bed beside her and gave her a noisy kiss on the side of her throat. She was so engrossed in her book that she didn't flinch. Of course, she was probably ignoring him on purpose to keep him from asking questions. That never stopped him before. He took her book away and closed it. When he flung it across the room, she stared down at him, annoyed.
"Gee, do you want to talk or what," she stated flatly.
He smiled a little. "How did you ever guess? What's going on, Loralei? What's going on besides the matchmaking thing?"
"Matchmaking thing? Whatever do you mean," she asked, fluttering her eyes innocently. "Nothing is going on, Frank, really. Darlin' you've been paranoid all weekend, haven't you? I promise, I didn't dish…that much…about your sexual prowess."
Donovan shook his head. "Loralei, I'm serious."
She sighed and took his hand into hers. "I know you are. Nothing is going on, I promise. If there was, I'd tell you."
He kissed her lips gently. "Would you?"
"I would," she said with a firm nod.
"Okay," he said, convinced.
It was good enough for him. He kissed her again and lay back in bed. She was tempted to say something right then, but hesitated. She didn't want to report a false alarm.
* * *
Monday—Early Morning
Loralei had snuck out of the house the next morning and drove toward the sprawling city. She took out her cell phone and called ahead to the OB/GYN who had seen her through five months of pregnancy with Rachel. She didn't expect the office to be open, but luck was with her. After she went through the standard battery of tests, Doctor Lewis' nurse stayed in the exam room with her, chitchatting about Rachel, and her new house. Of course, Loralei was halfway paying attention. She was nervous, and rightfully so. If she were pregnant, she would be more than happy, but the timing seemed way off somehow. She was more nervous thinking about how Donovan would react.
She nearly jumped out of her skin as her doctor returned to the room. Her body was twisted as tightly as a violin string. "Well," she asked with a twinge of impatience.
"Mrs. Donovan, it appears that you and your husband picked the right time to buy a big house."
* * *
Monday—Mid MorningLoralei pulled her car into the long driveway and took a deep breath. All the way home, she had practiced how she would break the news. Nothing sounded right or good. She slid out of the car and moved toward the front door. As she let herself inside, she saw something a bit odd. Her husband was on his work cell phone, seemingly talking a mile a minute. At the same time, her eyes focused on a couple of duffel bags resting against the couch. Something big must have come in, she thought. If she wanted him to know before he left, she would have to work fast. He stopped speaking and snapped the phone closed. He glanced in her direction, finally noticing her.
"Where were you," he asked.
"Taking care of some rather personal business. Frank, do you have a minute?" She watched as he moved toward one of the duffel bags. He opened it and began digging around inside it.
"Not really, baby," he said distracted. "That was Shoemaker on the phone. We have to leave town for a couple of days on an assignment that apparently cannot wait."
"Oh," she said. "Frank, if you could just stop for one second. This won't take long, I promise."
He approached her and gave her a soft kiss and acted as if he hadn't heard what she'd said at all. He was in full 'Boss' mode and couldn't hear anything. She had seen this type of distraction a thousand times. "I really have to go."
Donovan took off upstairs and Loralei went over to the couch and plopped down. She was tempted to leave him a text message on his phone. She decided against it. He was slated to be away for two days. She supposed it could wait. When he came flying back down the stairs, he grabbed his duffels and came back into the living room.
"Would you walk me out," he asked.
She smiled a little and stood. "I'd love to."
Loralei followed him out to the car and stood back as he tossed the bags into the backseat. Once his things were secure, he turned toward her and took her into his arms. He kissed her again and whispered 'I love you' into her ear.
"I'll call tonight and explain when I have more time," he said as he backed away.
She nodded. "Okay. I'll be here."
He walked over to the drivers' side and climbed behind the wheel. He gave her one final wave before he backed out of the driveway. She stood and watched until he was completely out of sight.
"By the way," she said to no one in particular, "I'm pregnant."
* * *
Monday Night—Late
Farron sat alone in his apartment. It had been months since he had spent any time alone at all. He was still spurned by what Kara had done to him, and he had no idea why he couldn't let it go. Of course, it was normally him who had done the loving and leaving. It had never been done to him, and he didn't know how to take it. He was brought out of his self-pitying daze by a soft knock on the door. At first, he was tempted to ignore it. However, the thought his guest might be Kara was enough to motivate him to open the door. With the way his luck was running, it was probably Heidi. When he swung open the door, he nearly fell out. It wasn't Kara. His guest was as unexpected as Loralei's.
"Ennui," he spat. "What the hell are you doing here?"
* * *
THE END?????????
Once again, I'd like to thank all of those who have read and reviewed my many [many, many, many] Donovan/Loralei fics. I hope you enjoyed this lil bit of fluff. Parts of this puppy were a blast to write! Thank you all soooooooo much!!!!!!