Chapter 2: Expect the Unexpected
The next morning Breena awoke feeling just as bad as the previous day. She barely had time to enjoy feeling Seth's arms around her before she was sent running to the bathroom. It was beyond her how she could possibly have anything to heave if she couldn't get anything past her nose.
When she leaned against the tub in exhaustion, she heard, "I just called the doctor. He can squeeze us in this morning." She looked up at Seth who was framed in the bathroom doorway. He wore his dark blue bath robe and a look of concern. He knelt down next to her and laid a hand on her forehead. "You need help?" She nodded not even having the energy to speak.
Seth helped her back into the bedroom where he grabbed some clothes from the closet for her to wear. He left her alone to change while he went to check on Hallie. As she slowly dressed, she wished she could just return to sleep. When she was dressed, she headed toward the kitchen.
As she approached, she heard Seth and Hallie laughing about something. She stopped just outside the doorway and heard Hallie say, "I'm serious, Dad."
"He really did that?"
"I thought it was sweet."
"What did your teacher think?"
"She didn't say much. Just told him to turn in his assignment."
"So, the boy reads his poem out loud to the class which turns out to be about you and no one said anything?"
There was silence and she knew Hallie was embarrassed. She entered the kitchen trying to be as cheerful as possible. "Good morning."
"Good morning," Hallie said and she thought she sounded relieved.
Breena took a seat at the table and noticed the food in front of Hallie. Seth cooked a pretty great breakfast, but her stomach began to churn simply at the looks of it. "How's everything this morning?"
"Fine. Dad said you're going to the doctor."
"I'm sure he'll tell me it's the flu and send me home."
Seth stepped away from the counter and said, "I'd better get dressed. We'd better leave soon if we want to make it on time."
When Seth returned wearing a pair of his good jeans, a work shirt and the suede jacket with the fleece lining Breena had gotten him on his last birthday, they gathered themselves together to leave. They dropped Hallie off at school and then headed into town to the doctor's office.
*******
Dr. Brandt's office was located on Main street along with the auto body shop, the florist, the hair salon and the hardware store. When they entered the office, Mallory, the nurse greeted them with a kind smile and showed them into the exam room.
Sitting in the exam room was not the way either had anticipated spending the morning. Breena had hoped to be working on the crafts for the bizarre along with Marla. Seth was working on a job in the new subdivision at the far end of town and had planned to deliver supplies and supervise the laying the driveways that morning. One look at Breena last night, though, had changed his plans. A quick call that morning to both the doctor and his next in command had secured their morning.
Dr. Brandt was a kind, older man who had seen every birth and death in Misty River through three generations. The man hardly ever took a vacation and had no plans to retire anytime soon.
The couple sat quietly waiting for the doctor to return. Seth held her hand for comfort. "How are you feeling," he asked.
"The same as the last time you asked me." The room became quiet again and Breena said, "I appreciate you coming with me, but you didn't have to."
"I wasn't going to leave you alone when you feel like this," he said lovingly stroking her hand.
"I know you have that big job across town…"
"That's just work. You matter more."
She smiled at him just as the doctor walked into the room. "I think I see the problem," he said before he even shut the door. Both looked up at the elderly, gray-haired man wearing a blue shirt and a Bugs Bunny tie. "Or rather, it's not a problem. Depends on how you look at it."
"What is it Doctor," Breena asked uneasily.
"Breena, you're pregnant."
That one statement blew her completely away. It was a sentence she thought she'd never hear. Never hear with her name attached, anyway. "What," she asked in shock.
"Pregnant. You are pregnant."
"But I had endometriosis. They told me I couldn't get pregnant."
"A 20% chance is still a chance."
Seth and Breena looked at each other to gage their reactions. Seth turned back to the doctor and asked, "So, she's having a baby…we're having a baby?"
"That's usually what that means, yes."
"I don't understand," Breena said. "I could never get pregnant before."
The doctor smiled and said, "Reproduction is still somewhat of a mystery. Why is it the moment you stop trying, you can get pregnant? It's all a mystery to us. Maybe your eggs never met sperm it liked."
Breena blushed, but couldn't help but laugh nervously. He did have a wicked sense of humor for a man who was older than her own father. The man smiled back at her showing he meant no disrespect and in that moment, she knew she wouldn't have wanted anyone else to deliver her baby. Her baby. The news still hadn't sunk in that she would be having a baby. Her. She was having Seth's baby.
"Do you two have any questions?"
"Is there anything we need to do? Any worries," Seth asked.
"Well, under the circumstances, I think it's a good idea to see you every two weeks."
******
When they left the doctor's office, neither said a word all the way home. Seth's truck lumbered along the road while each was stuck in their own thoughts. Breena was trying to get used to the idea, but just couldn't wrap her mind around it. The more she tried, the more she couldn't believe it.
As soon as they got home, they entered the kitchen and Breena said, "You don't have to stay, Seth. I know you have to work."
"You're going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine. I'm just going to go back to bed."
There was silence until he continued, "Are you okay with all of this?"
"As soon as I can actually believe it, yeah I'll be fine." She smiled at him and he couldn't remember ever seeing her so happy. Could she already be glowing?
He pulled her to him and held her close while giving her a smile. "I can't believe this is happening," he said.
"You and me both."
"I mean, I hoped for it, but…I just can't believe it."
"When my doctor in San Francisco gave me that diagnosis, I felt like I'd been given a death sentence."
"And now," he asked with a smile.
"Well, meeting you was like getting my life back," his grin broadened and she added, "And now I have what I've always wanted."
Seth laid a hand on her now flat stomach and imagined her six months from now. They shared a smile and he said, "I always wanted more kids, but I never thought I'd get them. I just never thought I'd meet someone I'd want them with. And then when I met you, I knew that if Hallie was it, that was fine. I'd take whatever happiness we had together. If that was just us, that was fine. This is a gift, Bree. Our little Christmas miracle."
A tear slid down Breena's cheek and she hugged Seth. "I love you," she said her voice shaking on the edge of sobs.
"I love you, Honey." He held her as she expressed her joy. "You going to be okay here," he asked when her crying had ceased.
"Yeah," she said drying her tears. "I'm just going to sleep. I'll see you tonight. What do you want for dinner?"
He shook his head and said, "Don't worry about dinner. I want you to rest."
"Seth…"
"I don't want you overdoing yourself right now. I'll fix something when I get home. And I'll pick Hallie up from school."
"Remember, she has basketball practice today. It ends at 4." It was a wonder for him how she kept their schedule's straight and ran that store nearly on her own. She was amazing in more ways than one - and now she was carrying their child. He wanted to stay home with her and bask in the joy of this news, but he knew the real world waited.
"Right." He didn't want to admit that through all of the unexpected news, he'd forgotten. "Well, I'll fix dinner when I get home. Need anything while I'm out?"
"No. I just want to sleep."
"Okay, well, I guess I'll get going. You'll call if you need anything."
"Of course. Go before your work crew wonders if their boss fell off the face of the Earth."
He smiled at her and gave her a kiss. "We'll celebrate tonight, okay?" She smiled widely. "And tell Hallie." He gave her a hug and kiss and said, "Love you."
"Love you."
When she heard his truck pull out of the driveway, she retreated back to their bedroom and crawled back into bed. As she laid her head back on the pillow, she realized sleep would be hard now. Her mind wouldn't shut off. A baby. They were having a baby. The womb she had once thought was barren now carried a life. She laid a hand on her stomach and wondered how far along she was. She couldn't wait until the first ultrasound.
Breena slept most of the day between numerous trips to the bathroom. Seth dropped by at lunchtime to check on her. She had only one request, "Could you pick up some saltines?" He'd kissed her forehead and promised he'd be home after picking up Hallie from practice.
By the evening, she had managed to keep down some fruit which she thought was a miracle. She was sitting at the table slowly making her way through an orange when the side door swung open and the voices of her step-daughter and her husband filled the house. Roach's head rose from where it rested at Breena's feet. She had invited the dog into the house not wanting to be completely alone all day. He's curled up on the floor next to the bed while she slept as if he were watching over her. Ever since he hadn't left her side.
"Did you see that shot," Hallie asked as they entered the kitchen.
"Yeah, you were great. I think you're ready for the game."
Hallie saw Breena and said, "How are you feeling?"
"Still not sure," she looked at Seth with a smile and he nodded.
Seth set the bags of take out Chinese on the counter and said, "I brought dinner."
"I was finally able to keep something down today, so I'll pass."
The table was quickly set and Hallie regaled Breena with the highlights of her practice. "Dad got there early and watched," she said excitedly. "He was the only dad there." She was glowing with pride.
"Well, I noticed Tristan stopped in for a minute or two," her father added with a smile.
Hallie ducked her head to avoid a blush. "He had to work, so he couldn't stay. Is it okay if I go to the movies with him this weekend?"
"Sure," Seth said, "You know the rules."
She nodded and said, "We're going early before the game."
She sat down as the last place was set and Seth joined them. Breena watched as they piled the food onto their plates trying not to let the smell bother her. "I brought you the crackers you asked for," Seth said. "Did you want them now?" She shook her head and looked back down at the orange she was trying to get through.
With a look at Hallie, Seth smiled and took his wife's hand. "Hallie, Breena and I have some news." The girl was in the middle of a bite and she quickly chewed and swallowed. Seth and Breena gave each other a smile and then he continued. "We're having a baby."
Hallie gasped and said, "Really?"
"Yep," her father said with a smile.
"How exciting! I'm going to have a baby brother or sister!"
"You're happy," Seth asked.
"Sure! I've always wanted a brother or sister. I'll baby sit and you have to have a baby shower. I've always wanted to go to one, but was never allowed to. Oh, can I help with the nursery? I have some great ideas…," Hallie went on excitedly until Seth stopped her.
"Hold on, Sweetie. We're getting a bit ahead of ourselves. We need to take this one day at a time. But we need to stick together as a family."
The girl was still smiling. "Of course, Dad. I'm so glad to finally have a family," and she leaned over giving Breena a hug.
Breena hugged back and said, "Maybe it's my hormones, but you're going to make me cry."
Hallie pulled away and said, "Have you told Aunt Page, yet?"
"No, you and the doctor are the first," Breena said drying her tears.
"Tomorrow night we should have her over for dinner. You can tell her then. I have a great idea for dinner…," she told them of her plans to make dinner.
When Seth and Breena made it to bed that night, she was beginning to wonder if her pregnancy was the only change going on within her. "Am I supposed to be this tired," she asked as they settled into bed.
Seth sat on the edge of the bed and looked over at her. "Doctor Brandt didn't seem alarmed. I mean, I don't know much about it, but my sister-in-law was pregnant. She complained about being tired."
Breena realized he probably didn't know much about Melody's pregnancy. It had all happened so fast for him. They'd married and before he know it there was a baby. Besides that, she knew they hadn't been in love, so they hadn't grown as a couple through that time like she knew she and Seth would. "Maybe we should invite the whole family over tomorrow," Breena concluded.
"As in who?"
"Everyone. Jon, Rianne, Luke, Page, the kids, everyone."
"Are you up to that?"
"I couldn't be more thrilled, Seth. I want everyone to know."
Seth pulled her close to him as they snuggled under the covers. He kissed her forehead as she drew up close to him. "I'll make the calls tomorrow. Are you staying home tomorrow?"
"I can't. I've already lost too much work with the holidays coming up."
"Don't overdo yourself, Sweetheart."
"I promise you that I won't. I may have to work something out with Aunt Page or hire a temp for the season."
"And if you need any help…"
"I know, Honey, I know." She kissed him briefly on the lips and then stared into his blue eyes for a moment. "You know, if I didn't feel so utterly miserable, I'd say let's celebrate our own way."
"And I'd have to say, maybe we should wait. We didn't quite cover that with the doctor today."
She kissed him again and snuggled down next to him. "I can't wait for the ultrasound."
He smiled as he wrapped a protective arm around his wife. As excited as he was, he knew better than to stack all his cards. He'd been burned before, but he knew nothing could be truly terrible with Bree by his side. His Bree…his Breezy Girl. He still used the endearment…mostly when they made love…and otherwise, only when they were alone. Now the only true devastation was if something happened to the baby. He pulled Breena a little closer and shut out the thought. He felt he could relax as soon as they had the ultrasound. Then they would know what to expect. "I love you, Bree," he said into her ear.
"I love you," she said quietly drifting off to sleep.
