CHAPTER 9

Candy keeps Jeremy company in Joey's room as they wait for everyone to arrive. They have decided to go into the parlor together, but to act like they're still apart.

Joey sticks his head in and says, "Okay, everyone's here."

Jeremy wraps his arms around her and gives her a soft tender kiss. "Ready?"

"Ready. I can't wait to see everyone's face when we tell them the news. I love you," she says.

"I love you, too." After another quick kiss they go into the parlor to greet the family.

Looking all depressed Candy says, "I just want to thank all of you for coming on such short notice. I know you're all wondering what's going on between Jeremy and me so we wanted to tell all of you at the same time. Well, Jeremy and I met and we had a good talk. Actually, when I went to see him this morning, he was preparing to leave Seattle. To leave me for good. He was writing goodbye letters to all of us. I'm sorry, I know this is a shock to most of you, it was to me too. I can't picture Seattle without Jeremy Bolt. I can't picture our lives without Jeremy Bolt." She chokes up and takes her handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

Jeremy says, "Like Candy said, we talked this out. Lots of tears were shed, but what we decided I think is the best thing for all of us."

"Daddy, you're not leaving us, are you? Jennie asks as she begins to cry. "If you leave, my baby won't get to know his Grampa. How could you do this?" she sobs.

Jeremy walks over and wraps his arms around Jennie. "It's all right, Jennie. Don't cry," he says soothingly.

"How's it going to be all right, Jeremy?" Jason asks. "You're honestly going to just walk away from your wife and children? From your brothers? What has happened to you?"

"Yeah Jeremy, I can't believe you would be so selfish as to just up and leave your family," Molly says.

"Daddy, you're really going to leave? How do I tell Sara that she'll never see her Grampa again?" Jessie cries.

Candy can't take it any longer, how everyone seems to be turning on Jeremy. That wasn't what they had expected. "Everyone just stop! Stop it! Don't blame Jeremy!" Walking over to Jeremy she says, "Jeremy?" as her lips quiver and a single tear leaves her eye.

"I know, Candy. Let's tell them." He takes her hand as they walk back to the front of everyone. "Look, we didn't mean for everyone to get the wrong idea about us. Candy and I have decided it's for the best. . .if I come back home so we can be a family again. We love each other too much to be apart another minute. So Jennie, I will be here when the time comes for your little one to come into this world and meet his or her Grandparents. I wouldn't miss this special occasion. And Jessie, I'll always be here for Sara. Just like I'll be here for all of you."

Jennie hurries over and hugs her Daddy. "Thank you, Daddy. I'm so happy for you and Mama."

"What about all those goodbye letters you wrote? You were really planning on leaving?" JJ asks.

"Yes Son, I was. I had most of my things already packed. I really didn't think anyone would care if I left. It was a hard decision to make, but I thought I could do it. Now I realize I don't know whether I could really leave."

Everyone comes up and hugs Jeremy and Candy wishing them well. Jeremy calls out, "I have something I'd like to say. I want to apologize to all of you for being such a drag. I appreciate all the love shown to me, even if I didn't act like I appreciated it. This has been the hardest thing I've ever had to endure." Turning to Candy and taking her hand to his lips for a kiss on her fingertips he says, "I especially want to apologize to my beautiful wife. . .my soulmate. I'm sorry for everything and I'll do my best to try and make it up to you. I love you." Then he wraps his arms around her and gives her a loving kiss.

"Oh Jeremy, it wasn't all your fault. I'm just as guilty and I apologize, too. I'm so sorry. I love you more than you'll ever realize." She leans closer and whispers, "Are you ready to tell them?"

Jeremy gives her that big smile of his as he winks at her. Clearing his throat to get everyone's attention he says, "Candy and I have another announcement to make. No one except Candy, me, and one other person in this room knows about this. Everyone may want to sit down for this bit of news. It's a shocker." He pauses and no one makes a move..

Candy adds, "All right, you were warned. If you fall over it's your own fault," she giggles.

"Well, Candy and . . .wait. Candy do you want to tell them or should I?" Jeremy asks.

"Just tell us and end the suspense," Josh says.

"All right. Candy and I are. . ."

Both of them say at the same time, "expecting!"

There is complete silence. Jeremy and Candy look at each other with surprise. "Did anyone hear what we just said? Candy and I are expecting."

"That's nice, Jeremy. But just what are you and Candy expecting? We haven't a clue," Jason answers.

Jeremy asks Candy, "Can you believe this?"

"No, I can't," she says shaking her head. She whispers to him, "Jeremy, let's try this again with the p word."

"All right, we're going to try this again. Candy and I are. . ." Jeremy says.

"Pregnant!" they both shout out.

They hear, "What?, "I don't believe it?", "You're kidding!" and "Oh, my God!"

"No, we're not making this up. It's true!" Jeremy laughs.

"Just ask Allyn, if you don't believe us," Candy adds.

Everyone turns to Allyn. Embarrassed she says, "They're telling you the truth. There's going to be another little Bolt running around this house soon."

"But Mama, aren't you too old to be having a baby?" Jennie asks. "What are you thinking? I mean, you're 45 years old for goodness sake. Your baby is going to be younger than my baby. How could you do this to me?"

Candy's eyes fill with tears and in a small voice she says, "Well, Jeremy and I didn't plan for this to happen. It was a big surprise for us too."

"Just the same, Mama, you're a Gramma and Gramma's do not have babies. They have grandbabies," Jessie says as she pats Jennie's hand.

Jeremy puts his arm around Candy and kisses her cheek. "We knew you all would be shocked, but we didn't think you'd be cruel with your words. Candy and I are happy about this baby and nothing you say is going to spoil this for us."

Jamie, JJ, and Joey kiss their Mama and give both Jeremy and Candy a hug congratulating them. "We're happy for you both," JJ says.

Josie rushes over and hugs them, "Just think a new little baby brother or sister. Daddy, if it's a girl, will I still be your little girl or will the baby take my place?"

"Josie, no one will ever take your place. You'll always be my little girl."

"Thanks, Daddy," she says as she kisses his cheek.

Joey speaks up loud and clear. "I knew all that sex you two were having, was going to lead to something, but I never would have guessed a baby brother or sister." He bursts out laughing.

"Joey, we can always depend on you to talk about our sex life, can't we?" Jeremy says shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

Everyone else congratulates the expectant couple except Jessie and Jennie. Daniel tries to reason with Jennie with no luck. Finally, taking her by the arm he goes up to Jeremy and Candy. "I want to congratulate you both. I'm happy for you and I know Jennie will be too, once the shock wears off. Please forgive her?"

"Don't you speak for me, Daniel Peterson," Jennie says loudly. "I'll do my own talking, thank you very much." She looks at her parents and her heart melts. They both look worried and scared of what she is going to say. Plus she sees the love they have for her, "I'm so sorry for acting the way I did. I sounded like a spoiled brat. I'm happy for you both, really I am. Can you forgive me?"

Candy and Jeremy hug and make peace with her. "There's nothing to forgive. We really didn't get pregnant to upstage you.. We were floored by the news ourselves," Candy says.

"And do you think we would have separated if we were trying to have a baby?" Jeremy asks.

Jessie comes over and apologizes, too. "I'm sorry, Mama and Daddy. I'm happy to have another little sister or brother. I hope it's a sister."

"No, no it's a boy. You all are going to have a little baby brother," Candy says.

"You're sure of that, are you?" teases Jamie.

"Yes, I am," Candy answers. Looking at their expressions, she adds, " I know you all are making fun of me, but I know this baby is a boy. I feel it. And I have already named him. Well, the first name anyways." she laughs.

"What name have you picked out for him? I hope it's not what we picked out in case we have a boy," Jessie asks.

Jeremy places his hand on the side of Candy's face and turns her head towards him. Whispering he says, "Candy, don't tell, not yet. Remember, we have to talk to someone first."

Candy nods her head. "I'm going to wait before I reveal this little Bolt boy's name. But Jennie, what name have you picked out?"

Daniel puts his arm around Jennie's shoulder. They look into each others eyes before she declares, "We picked David Daniel Peterson."

Candy smiles brightly, "That is a beautiful name. And no, I haven't picked either one of those names."

Jeremy excuses himself and walks over to where Jason and Allyn are talking with Josh and Peggy. "Pardon me Allyn, but may I talk with you about something?"

Jason and Josh pat Jeremy on the back and tease him. "Jeremy, you just don't stop, do you? Baby number eight. Who would have thought?" Josh snickers.

"Now Josh, don't pick on Jeremy. He's going to need our support when he comes dragging in to camp after the baby keeps him up all night. You know he's not as young as he used to be. Glad it's you and not me little brother," Jason laughs.

Jeremy puts on a smile and says, "Yeah well! I got nothin' to say to that." He takes Allyn's arm and leads her out into the hallway.

"Allyn, are you positive Candy is pregnant? There's no doubt?"

"Jeremy, I'm ninety-nine percent positive Candy is pregnant. Why, what's wrong? Don't you want this baby?"

"Of course I do. I know I always said I didn't want anymore babies, but now that it's happened, well, I'm damn proud of us. Sorry about that. I just want to know that Candy will be all right, having a baby at her age, I mean."

"No need to apologize. I won't lie to you Jeremy, there are greater risks for a woman Candy's age in having a baby. Why don't you and Candy come to my office in the next few days and we'll discuss the risks."

"All right. I just want her to be safe. Uh, another thing, since this is our first night being together again, well, uh, I was just, uh, wondering. . ."

"Yes, Jeremy, I think it is safe for you and Candy to be intimate. Just don't overdo it," she laughs.

"Don't overdo what?" Candy asks as she joins them while taking hold of Jeremy's arm. "I wondered what happened to you."

"Jeremy here, was asking about being intimate with you tonight," Allyn laughs.

"Jeremy! Really?" Candy asks.

"Well Candy, I just want to be sure I won't hurt the baby. You know how I worry."

"Yes, I do, Mr. Worrywart," she says laughing

"Candy, why don't you and Jeremy stop by my office in a few days. I have some pamphlets that might be useful to you."

"Allyn, you know this isn't my first baby. I think I know what to expect."

"I know that Candy, but it has been fifteen years since you've had a baby. The way we do things have changed some, for the better, I might add."

"All right, if you think we should come in, then we'll stop by. Won't we Jeremy?"

"Uh, yeah, that sounds good. We'll be there," Jeremy replies.

"Well, I'm sure the two of you would like to get reacquainted after being apart for so long," Allyn says.

Candy replies, "Yes, we would."

"Maybe I can help get everyone out of here. Leave it to me," Allyn says.

"Thanks Allyn," they both say.

Allyn goes into the parlor to make an announcement about Candy needing her rest. While she is in there, Candy asks Jeremy, "Are you really worried about us making love tonight?"

Jeremy gets squirmy and replies, "Maybe not worried. Just concerned. I don't want to do anything that would harm you or the baby. Besides, you know I have always asked Allyn that same question with each pregnancy."

"Yes, I know you do and I love you for being so concerned about us, but we'll be fine, Jeremy. I mean, I'm so ready to be with you."

"Not as ready as I am, I bet. I wish everyone would hurry and leave so we can be alone," he says as he wraps his arms around her.

Putting her arms around his neck, she says, "I love you, Jeremy."

"And I love you, Candy"

Jeremy and Candy are so wrapped up in each other that they don't even see the guests walking by them and leaving the house to give them some much needed time alone.