Denise and Frank decided it would be wise to keep her pregnancy between them until they had more time to adjust to the idea of a "second family." Frank was overjoyed with the idea of a new child, one he'd be able to watch grow from day to day and experience all of the things he'd missed with Jeremy.
Denise was thrilled as well; she was already looking through baby books for names, even though it was still too early to tell what it was yet. Her cravings were also kicking in quite early and she ate a lot more than normal now that she was expecting, her favorite food so far...Oreos.
Denise was lying on the couch with her head in Frank's lap. He was casually brushing his hands across her hair, he loved these moments. "Frank, I was thinking," Denise began tentatively, then stopped and looked up at him.
He looked down at her "You were thinking what, Hon?" he asked her rubbing his thumb across her cheek softly.
"I think it's safe to tell people about the baby," said told him. "I'd like to tell Jeremy first but he's deployed and I don't want him getting distracted out there, but I'd like to invite my...our friends to supper on Sunday and tell them about our little creation. What do you think?
He smiled down at her, picturing everyone's reaction "I think that's a great idea, everyone will be thrilled!" he told her.
"I don't know," Denise sighed. "I've been worrying about it a lot."
Frank knitted his eyebrows, "Why are you worried, Baby?"
"That people might think I'm too old, or that I'm trying to trap you because we really didn't fix the problems between us, or someone saying this isn't your baby, or you are trying to shove me back into a box to keep control..." Denise sighed. "I couldn't handle hearing that, I can't even watch the Swifter Wet Mop commercial without crying."
He kissed her head "Aww, Honey, don't worry I'm sure everyone will be thrilled and if they do say anything negative it will be because they are jealous of what we have," he told her.
Denise started to tear up, "Won't make it hurt less," she said and tried to keep from breaking into a sobbing heap for the third time in a day.
Frank saw the tears in her eyes and pulled her to a sitting position and pulled her into his lap "Shh, Honey, it's okay, don't worry about what everyone else thinks. We are happy and that's all that matters, and if they upset you I will be there to step in," he told her rocking her back and forth to comfort her.
"I'm sorry," Denise sniffed. "I can't stand myself like this."
"It's ok honey, your hormones are running wild and you are stressed out, it's not your fault," he said rubbing her arm.
"I was thinking of something else too," Denise said running her hand over Frank's cheek. "Claudia Joy and Michael are our best friends, it's only fair we tell them first and I want to do it now."
Frank seemed shocked but agreed it was the right thing to do, since they were closest to them "Okay, yeah your right. You want to call them or you want me to do it?" he asked her.
"You call, I have to freshen up," Denise said now smiling. She kissed Frank on the lips hard. "You are the best husband in the world," she proclaimed sliding off his lap and going to change her clothes.
Frank smiled, and under his breath muttered, "Let's see what she says when she finds out I forgot to get the dry cleaning."
Frank went to the other room to call and invite the Holden's to dinner. Michael picked up after two rings, "General Holden," he replied. General, Frank Sherwood," he said in greeting.
"It's Michael after retreat Frank," Michael corrected. "What's going on?"
"Well, Denise and I were wondering if you and Claudia Joy would care to join us for dinner tonight? You can come over here or however you'd prefer it," Frank said leaving the opening for the ranking officer to make the final call.
"Claudia Joy's already fixing supper, but we have plenty. Why don't you come over here and join us?"
Frank accepted the invitation and went to tell Denise about the plan.
30 minutes later Denise and Frank had arrived at their friend's home. They rang the bell and were greeted by Michael, "Frank, Denise how are you?"
Frank looked at Denise who looked scared out of her mind so he answered for them both "We're good, and yourself,"Frank said politely to the general. "Just fine thanks, well y'all come on in,"Michael said stepping back to let the couple enter the house
As they entered the living room Michael offered them drink, "Frank, Scotch, right? And Denise, white wine?"
Denise became very nervous at his question "Um, no just water for me, thanks," she told him hoping he wouldn't notice her nervousness.
"Water it is, come and sit down, dinner's almost ready," Michael told them getting their drinks and leading the way. Denise's hand was shaking in Frank's grasp.
Frank leaned over and whispered "baby calm down, everything will be fine promise" he kissed her cheek and walked into the dining room.
Claudia Joy came out of the kitchen and greeted her friends. She went to Denise first offering her a hug. "Denise you look so pretty," she said. "Thank you for coming."
Denise smiled returning the hug "Thanks for having us" she replied. They all sat down making small talk until dinner was ready, but Denise was mostly quiet only nodding occasionally, she was getting really nervous and was becoming nauseous.
As Claudia Joy began to serve dinner Denise had a hard time biting back the nausea, when she saw a leg of lamb hit the table the battle was lost and she sprinted away with her hand over her mouth praying she'd make it in time.
Michael looked at Claudia joy confused as frank got up from the table and went after his wife. He found her in the bathroom emptying the contents in her stomach. He stood beside her burring circles on her back to help soothe her; she finished and looked up at frank with tears in her eyes. "God I hate this, all I do is cry and puke" she said trying to hold back the tears "Now what are they going to think, I hope I didn't offend Claudia Joy" she said beginning to get upset
"No, you didn't, Honey," Frank soothed. "Just breathe easy. Frank wet one of the guest towels and dabbed at Denise's cheeks and neck.
She tried to breath but she was becoming emotional and it was getting hard "I can't" she told him. Then the tears began to fall from her eyes as she lost control of her emotions.
"Okay, it's okay," Frank comforted. "Are you upset that Claudia Joy will be angry with you?"
"Yeah,"she said beginning to sob on his shoulder.
"Okay, well, do you want me to go and explain while you relax? If you smell the smell again you're going to be sick again," Frank reminded her. "I'll talk to her.
"Okay, I'm sorry," she told him as he got up to go explain what happened
Frank was suddenly nervous. Denise had always done this, she'd been the one to tell everyone about Jeremy, he'd never made this type of announcement before and he felt his palms begin to sweat and his heart begin to pound. It was ridiculous, he jumped out of planes but was nervous about telling his best friends he and his wife were expecting a baby that was no bigger than a pea pod at this point. He took a deep breath and returned to the dining room.
Claudia joy was on her feet as soon as he walked into the room "is she ok" she asked worried, he glanced over at Michael who also looked concerned. He took one more deep breath "Y'all sit down I need to tell you something" he told them.
They sat, but Claudia Joy naturally gravitated towards Michael. If something was horribly wrong with her best friend, she wanted her husband there for support. "Denise is a little upset right now because she thinks she offended you, Claudia Joy, and in order for me to bring her back out her we are going to need to get rid of the lamb."
"Okay consider it gone," Claudia Joy said dashing to get the lamb and get rid of it.
"Hang on a minute, there's more, and I'm hungry so we'll handle that in a second," Frank said smiling at how much these two people must care. Lamb is not a cheap meal. "Truth is, it's probably not just the sight of the lamb, it's probably the smell, she's been a little sensitive to that lately, to everything actually, long story short, these little things are probably going to hanging around for the next six months or so because Denise and I are having a baby." Frank said all in one breath.
They looked at frank wide eyed, then all of a sudden CJ started jumping up and down screaming "OH MY GOODNESS" she yelled, "go get her and bring her in here, I am not offended in the least," she told Frank.
"Why don't you go see to her, Claudia Joy?" Michael suggested. "Frank, come join me in my office. We need to celebrate this old style."
"Okay," Claudia Joy said smiling walking toward the bathroom where Denise was while frank and Michael went to his office
Denise had washed her face and was sitting on the toilet lid waiting for Frank to return, she didn't expect to see Claudia Joy but smiled, "Cat's out of the bag, huh?" she asked, for the moment, all smiled if not still embarrassed.
"I am so happy for you," Claudia Joy told her smiling and pulling her into a hug.
"Thanks, I'm nervous about telling everyone though," she said sounding scared
"Everyone will be thrilled," Claudia Joy comforted. "Michael is over the moon, I can tell. Did Frank take it okay or is this a bit of a shift for him?"
She smiled remembering telling him the news "He took it great. He was thrilled," Denise beamed
"But I sense you weren't sure," Claudia Joy probed wanting the dish on this exciting development in Denise's life.
"No I kind of thought he would be angry," she said
"He's nervous," Claudia Joy told Denise. "The entire time he was talking he kept wiping his palms on his pants. Does Jeremy know?"
"No we haven't gotten to tell him yet. I hope he is okay with it," she said nervously scared of what her son would think of a new addition to the family
"You're scared, and not just about Jeremy's reaction or other people's reactions. Tell me," Claudia Joy encouraged.
"I'm scared about everyone, I don't want people to think I did this just so Frank will stay with me," she said tears now streaming down her face.
"No one will think that," Claudia Joy comforted. "If anyone even suggests it I'm sure they'll contend with Frank in a form they have never seen. You stop crying, stop fretting, and enjoy this, enjoy this time, Denise. You deserve that."
"I know I'm just scared," she said still upset. "Where is frank? she asked
"He's with Michael," Claudia Joy replied. "Do you want me to get him?"
"Yeah," she said starting to feel dizzy and very tired.
"I'll be right back, Sweetie," Claudia Joy assured her. Going quickly to Michael's study where the men were sharing drink, Claudia Joy knocked then entered. "Frank, Denise is asking for you," she told him keeping her tone calm.
He looked up "Is she okay?" he asked getting up already halfway out the door.
"She's okay," Claudia Joy assured him looking back at Michael. Once Frank was gone she said, "She's a mess, Michael. She's petrified of what people will say and do, I think Frank is going to be a huge part of her getting through this pregnancy and I have a feeling we'll be tasked with getting Frank through it."
Michael smiled at his wife.
Frank made his way to the bathroom and saw Denise crying, he dropped down to his knees, "Hey honey are you okay?" he asked her.
"Yeah, I'm just scared of this whole pregnancy thing," she said crying harder. "Everybody is going to gossip."
"That is ridiculous, Baby," Frank said trying to calm her. "No one is going to do that and if they do, I'll handle it. You stop worrying. You hungry?"
"No, but I am tired and I feel light headed," she replied weakly.
"Okay, but you need to eat; Baby and Claudia Joy made us a wonderful dinner. If she serves the meal on plates you think you can eat some of it now?" Frank asked her. "I'm starving, Sweetheart. Let's have a bite to eat with our friends. Please."
"Okay," she said "I will try to eat some,"she said getting up slowly.
He put his arm around her so if she was wobbly she could lean on him, they went to the dining room and sat down "Sorry everyone," Denise said trying to fix her face as best she could. With a nod from frank Claudia Joy brought out the lamb to be served. Denise took a breath and then slowly took a bite. Suprisingly it was great and she didn't feel nauseous
"This is amazing," Denise complemented. "I'm sorry I held everyone else up."
Claudia Joy laughed, "It's one of the many joys of motherhood."
Michael smiled at Denise "It's no problem Denise really, we're just glad you are okay" she smiled at him "Thank you Michael, I'm sorry for worrying everyone, I don't remember the pregnancy with Jeremy being this hard, especially this early," she told them laughing slightly
"The only clear memory I have of your pregnancy with Jeremy is the day I told your mother to stuff a sock in it and you made me sleep in the garage for a week," Frank laughed. "You seem to like me a lot more this time around than you did with him."
She laughed at the memory "I'm sorry I made you sleep in the garage honey, but looking back that is one of the funniest memories I have being pregnant with him," she said still laughing a so everyone joined in.
"When are you due, Denise?" Claudia Joy asked. "Frank left that detail out."
"Not certain yet but probably somewhere around the first week of November" she told her.
"Oh, I'm sorry Denise," Claudia Joy said feeling real pity for her friend.
Frank picked up on her tone, "What?"
"She's going to have to carry the baby through a Charleston summer," Claudia Joy reminded him. "She'll stop liking you pretty quick."
"Oh lord" he said laughing "should I pack my bags now honey" he asked her jokingly
They all laughed and continue to visit and talk through the rest of the evening. When Frank and Denise finally left for home she was emotionally thrilled but physically exhausted. She leaned on Frank all the way to the car, stumbling against him stepping off the curb.
He opened the door for her and helped her in. By the time he went to the driver side of the car she had already fallen asleep.