Chapter 4
The next night Jed and Abbey were still dealing with the reality of Abbey's pregnancy.
"I'm so excited. Another baby. Maybe even a boy this time."
"Yeah."
"You don't sound real excited. Is something bothering you?" Jed turned to see tears falling down Abbey's cheeks. "Honey, what's wrong? Are you sick?"
Abbey stood up quickly. "Hell, no! I'm pregnant!"
As Abbey turned to leave, Jed jumped up and placed his arms around her body, bringing her into his embrace. "Abbey, please tell me what's wrong. I thought you wanted another baby."
The tears multiplied. "I do, Jed. Just not right now. I'm only in my first year of medical school and we can't make ends meet now as it is. How are we going to handle another child? Do I always have to be the practical one in the family?"
Jed looked at her with surprise. "We'll manage, Abbey. We always do."
"I don't just want to manage. I want to get a little ahead of our bills. I want to complete medical school before I have another baby."
"Abbey, what are you going to do? We can't change the fact that you're pregnant."
"No, we can't can we?" Even through the tears there was the faintest of smiles.
"I love you, Abbey. We'll get by. We'll manage." Jed kissed Abbey. "This is a gift from God. It was meant to be."
"I love you too, Jed." His warm embrace suppressed her concerns for the time being. But they didn't go away.