Series: Snapshots of the Past
Story: A Wedding Diary
Chapter 11
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Previously: After some minor mishaps, Jed and Abbey tied the knot
Summary: After the reception, Abbey tells Jed she's expecting
"Abbey!" Jed shouted as he dove to catch her.
The wedding attendants, as well as several guests who overheard the commotion, ran towards the couple, shocked when they saw Jed carrying Abbey to a chair so he could sit her down.
"Abbey, what happened?" Kate asked when her sister's eyes began to flutter.
"I just felt a little dizzy, that's all," Abbey answered, still disoriented.
"She hasn't been feeling well all day," Millie informed everyone.
"I know she hasn't," James added. "That's why she was late the first time the music started."
Jed lifted Abbey's head and put a hand to her forehead. "That's why you were late? Abbey, I had no idea."
"I'm fine, really. It's just a bug or something," she replied, staring at the concerned crowd in front of her. She then turned her to address Jed. "But just for future reference, don't ever spin me around like that again."
"Deal," he laughed. "But Abbey, if you're trying to test me on this sickness and health thing, you're taking it a little too far."
"I'm really okay." She patted his hand, which was gripping hers tightly.
"We're not going to take any chances. Let's go to the hospital."
"No, Jed. We have the reception. Everyone's here."
"They'll wait. I'm taking you to see a doctor," he insisted.
"I think that's an excellent idea," James agreed.
Abbey continued to protest. "Daddy, I'm fine."
James and Jed exchanged a glance. "Abigail, if you don't let Jed take you, then I'll have to carry you to the car and take you myself."
Though his voice was firm, Abbey still fought back. "The only reason I got dizzy is because Jed twirled me around. I'm fine, okay? This is my wedding day. I've been planning it all my life and right now, the only place I'm going is to the reception. Afterwards, I'll think about seeing a doctor, but not before."
"Abbey..." Jed started.
"Please don't fight me today," she pleaded.
Jed turned his glance to Mary, who nodded with approval. He took Abbey's hand to help her up then led her out of the church.
As the reception got underway, Abbey began feeling even worse than she had earlier. The smell of the food twisted her stomach in knots and though she didn't tell anyone, even the look of the cake was enough to force her to suppress a few gags.
But when Jed took her in his arms for their first dance as husband and wife, her focus shifted and a feeling of tranquility came over her. She rested her chin on his shoulder and blocked out every bit of noise, except the lyrics to their song - In This Life.
"In this life, I was loved by you," Jed sang along.
"I don't think I've mentioned how handsome you look today," she whispered to him. "You take my breath away."
"Nothing compares to you, Love. I'm dancing with the most beautiful woman in the whole world."
Abbey lifted her head and cupped his cheeks to give him a kiss, breaking the liplock when the crowd began to applaud. Jed took her hand and escorted her to her father, who was waiting for his turn.
Watching James and Abbey sway to "My Little Girl" brought a smile to Jed's face. In one look, he could see the mutual admiration between father and daughter. He was thankful that Abbey had such a stable and loving upbringing, devoid of any violence or abuse. He hoped that someday, his and Abbey's children would adore him as much as Abbey did James.
But in the back of his mind, the feelings of inadequacy always haunted him. He believed was never a good enough son, so what made him think he could be a competent father? He feared his own children would hold as much resentment towards him as he did towards his own dad.
When the music stopped, Abbey lifted herself up and gave her father a loving kiss on the cheek. He hugged her tightly and wiped a teardrop from his eye before letting go.
"Take care of her," he whispered to Jed as he approached them and took Abbey's hand.
"You have my word," Jed responded.
"Can we go?" Abbey asked once she and Jed were alone.
"So soon?"
"I'm eager to start the wedding night."
Jed's eyes glimmered with excitement, but he remained calm. "Patience, Abigail. We still have to cut the cake."
She hid her disgust that plagued her with the thought of the cake and plastered a fake smile on her face. "Oh yeah."
When it was time, took a deep breath, hoping to get through the cake-cutting ceremony as quickly as possible. Jed practically had to drag her to the beautiful five-tiered dessert.
"Abbey, what's the matter with you?" he asked.
"Do we have to do this? I really don't want any cake."
"You love cake. You haven't had any champagne either."
"I'm not feeling well, Jed."
He stopped to look at her. "Oh, Honey, I'm sorry. I forgot." He put his arm around her. "Just cut one slice so the photographer can get a picture and make both our mothers happy, then we're out of here, I promise."
Abbey nodded, then she and Jed cut the obligatory slice of cake. Immediately afterwards, Jed kept his word and whisked her out of the party.
"Thank you," she told him. "I just want to be alone with you tonight."
"Well we do have a stop to make."
"Jed, I really can't. Let's just go to the hotel and relax for a while."
"You promised that if we went to the reception first, you'd see a doctor tonight."
"Yeah. I lied."
"Oh no you don't, Abbey. I'm not talking about taking you to the ER, for crying out loud. I talked to Millie and her father's on-call tonight. He's agreed to meet us at his office. It'll be quick and painless and, if nothing else, it will put my mind at ease."
"Jed, no. I don't need a doctor."
"Sweetheart, I know you're brilliant, but you don't have that MD yet. You don't know what's wrong."
Abbey realized it was time to come clean. She had to tell him. She grabbed his arm to stop him from walking. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. I do know what's wrong."
He looked at her with a hint of concern in his eyes. "What?"
"Not here. Let's go to the hotel."
Still confused when they arrived, Jed stepped in front of Abbey as she reached out to open the door to their hotel room.
"Don't you dare."
"What?"
Without a word of discussion, he positioned one arm behind her knees and kept one around her upper body so he could scoop her up into his arms. Abbey shrieked softly, pleasantly surprised by his actions.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded and buried her face into his shoulder. He opened the door and carried her over the threshold, carefully putting her down on the bed. She leapt back up quickly and turned her back to him, asking for help getting undressed.
"I was kind of hoping we could undress together when we…you know…"
"Oh, Jed, that's a lovely thought, but I'm about to bust out of this dress. It's just too tight and it's not helping with…"
"Oh. I wasn't thinking."
"It's okay. If you could just unzip me. There's something else underneath you might like."
Jed unzipped her dress, lightly brushing his fingers over her soft flesh as it slipped down her silky skin, revealing a white satin slip that barely covered her assets. He put his hands on her shoulders and rubbed gently. Abbey jumped when she felt his warm breath as he placed delicate kisses on her back.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing. I just think we should talk first."
"Okay."
He watched her with anticipation as she sat down on the bed and held out a hand to him. "Come here."
He paced in front of her. "We're in our hotel room. I want you to tell me what's wrong."
Abbey stood to approach him with her head hanging forward, lifting it up after she took his hands in hers. "I didn't want to tell you because I wasn't sure. I still haven't been to a doctor..."
"Abbey, what's wrong?"
"I'm pregnant."
TBC