Chapter Nine
"Martha Campbell sent the two of you this," Gayle said as she walked into the living room, holding a small package. "Any idea why?"
"No idea," Kimberly muttered as she turned to take the package. It was light and she really hoped it was not a bag of dog crap. They had heard from different members of the DeSantos and Campbell clans over the last couple of days. While many of them seconded Quez's sentiments, there were others that made it clear that they wanted the both of them to stay away from all of them, but especially Marjorie. She gently opened the package and was shocked when a baby blanket fell in to her lap along with a hand written letter. Tommy glanced over at her as the silence dragged on and then gently took the letter from her hands.
"Thank you for your friendship over the years. Marjorie still loves the blanket you made her- we both thought that Baby Oliver could use a good blanket as well," Tommy read and Russell perked up from his spot on the other couch. She didn't notice that and only felt Tommy giving her a quick kiss before he took the package and placed it on the floor. "Kim…"
"Baby Oliver…" Kim whispered and she saw the concern in Tommy's eyes as he kneeled down in front of her. She hadn't allowed herself to hope that this pregnancy was going to end any differently than the last one, especially with what they had seen in the Command Center. But Martha believed. She believed enough to send them their first gift. "Did we tell her?"
"Not in so many words," Tommy said as his hands landed on her thighs and she felt the emotions running through her. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to do. "You okay?"
"Martha…she always knew when I needed reassurance," Kim whispered and she forced herself to meet his eyes. She could see the relief flood his features as he realized what was going on in her mind.
"We're having a grandchild?" Russell mock whispered and Gayle smacked him on the back of the head. They had not asked much about how the conversation had gone the other day, but it had been obvious that it had been rough on the both of them. Whatever they had talked about, obviously this pregnancy had come up. "What? Was I the only one that hadn't been tipped off?"
"Mom knew?" Tommy asked as she grimaced and glanced over at Gayle. Her face looked similar to how she was sure her own looked. "Kim…"
"She guessed that my airsickness, wasn't airsickness," Kim said as she reached to pick up the blanket and she held it up in front of her. It was so soft and big enough that this baby could enjoy it for years to come. "I wanted to be sure before I told you."
"I get it," Tommy said as she let out a sigh of relief she didn't realize she was holding in. "And yes, Dad, you're going to have a grandbaby in a few months."
She felt a mix of excitement and pure terror as the Olivers celebrated around her. She hoped that she was acting well enough to convince Gayle and Russell that everything was fine. She knew she was not acting well enough for Tommy to believe that one bit. She had never been able to do that with him in the past. She didn't see why that would change now.
"It's your last night here- what do you say to Bulgogi Chow?" Gayle asked and she glanced up at Tommy. She did not particularly wish to leave the house, but she loved that restaurant.
"Can we do carry out? That'll make it easier for us to get packed," Tommy said and she smiled over at him. Leave it to him to realize what she needed most at the moment.
"Sure," Gayle said as she went to grab the menus and Russell gave Tommy a quick hug before he headed out of the room as well.
"What's wrong?" Tommy whispered as he sunk down next to her and she barely shook her head. She could not talk about it right now. She was not sure she had words for it. "Okay- when you're ready- I'm here."
"I know," Kim whispered and she found her spot on his chest. She was terrified about having this baby and she had no idea how to tell him.
