CHAPTER 2

"Where's Candy?" Molly asks Jeremy the next morning as her and Christopher sit down at the kitchen table, ready for their breakfast before leaving for school.

"She didn't get much sleep last night so I didn't want to wake her. Who is ready for some cinnamon toast?" Jeremy asks.

"Cinnamon toast? Oh, boy! I'm ready," Christopher replies happily.

"Why are we getting cinnamon toast, Jeremy? Candy only fixes cinnamon toast when it's a special occasion," Molly informs him.

"Why? Uh, because this is a special occasion. I get to fix breakfast for my favorite sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Plus, it's the easiest thing I know how to make, that's why." Jeremy sets the plate of cinnamon toast on the table, then proceeds to pour each of them a glass of milk. "Eat up. I'm going to go check on your sister." He bounds up the staircase, quietly opens the door, and smiles as he sees his wife sleeping peacefully. He hurries back downstairs to get the kids off to school.

Later, Candy comes downstairs and sees that Jeremy has fixed breakfast and her brother and sister have already left for school. Since Jeremy's not around, she figures he has already left for work. It's good that he's forgotten about the doctor, she thinks. So she pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down to eat a slice of cinnamon toast.

Jeremy comes into the kitchen and asks, "You're up. You feeling better this morning?"

"Jeremy, you startled me! I thought you went to work. I'm sorry I overslept and you had to do breakfast duty. Why didn't you wake me? And yes, I feel fine."

"Because you were finally getting some sleep and I didn't want to disturb you. Now finish eating and then we'll go see Allyn," Jeremy says.

"Oh Jeremy, we don't need to go see Allyn. Like I said, I feel fine."

"I'm glad you feel fine, but you're still going to see the doctor. I don't want any arguments about it," Jeremy tells her as he stands behind her and leans over to kiss the top of her head. "I've already got the horses hitched up."

"All right, but I feel like we're wasting her time. And don't you need to be at work? I can go by myself."

"Maybe I should, but I want to be with you when you see Allyn. Besides, I need to stop by Ben's to get a few items for the camp," Jeremy says. "I'll go to work after I hear what Allyn has to say."

"What seems to be the problem?" Allyn asks as she leads them into the exam room.

"Well," Candy replies, "my dear husband seems to think that I should waste your time by coming here. I keep telling him me and the baby are fine, but he doesn't believe me."

"I see. Jeremy, why don't you believe her?" Allyn asks.

"Uh, hmm, Candy was having a hard time sleeping last night. She kept talking about a feeling she was having that something bad was going to happen. I just want to be sure that her and the baby are all right," Jeremy answers.

Allyn laughs, "You're not the first to act this way. First time father's can be so protective of their wives and babies."

"That's good to know," a blushing Jeremy states.

"Why don't you step out into the waiting area while I examine Candy? It shouldn't take too long," Allyn says.

"All right. I think I might run over to Ben's to get a few things while I wait for Candy to be finished. Is that all right with you, Candy?"

Candy thinks about it for a second or two. "Jeremy, I wish you. . ." she shakes her head. "No, never mind. You go on to Ben's."

"What? Candy, do you still have that feeling that somethings going to happen?" Jeremy asks.

"I'm just being ridiculous. You run a long," Candy says as she wrings her hands.

"No, I'll wait here until you're finished. I don't want you to fret any," he takes her hand and kisses her fingertips.

"I'll be okay, Jeremy, I promise. Please go to Ben's and get whatever it is that you need. You need to get to work when we're done here."

"Just listen to her," Jeremy says to Allyn. "Now, she's trying to get rid of me," he chuckles.

Tears fill Candy's eyes. "I'm not."

Jeremy says, "Candy, I was just teasing."

"I know," she whispers. "I'm sorry, I'm just so emotional. I can't help it."

"It's the hormones," Allyn says. "Most pregnant women go through this."

Jeremy tilts Candy's chin up so he can look into her eyes. "I'm sorry you're having to go through this." Then he whispers, "I love you."

"I love you," Candy whispers back. "Go on to Ben's, please."

Jeremy hesitates then replies, "All right, but I'll hurry, okay?"

"Okay."

Jeremy gives her a quick peck on the lips then hurries from the clinic.