Chapter 40

Lynn remained in the hospital for another week gaining her strength so she could get around on her own without being wheeled or carried. Doctor Houston gave her a physical on the day of her discharged and said she would call with results. She seemed pretty happy about Lynn's condition and was confident there wouldn't be any wrong.

Jeff hadn't left the hospital the whole week. He either slept in the waiting area or in the uncomfortable chair that sat at the end of her bed. Mija didn't stay just visited or called her everyday. Lynn didn't mind that she didn't stay. In fact, she wished Jeff would have gone home at least every other night to get a decent nights sleep, but...he insisted on staying with her.

On the day of her discharge Mija picked them up and brought them home. It took Lynn a few days to get back into the routine of things without Jeff or Mija fussing over something she was doing. Things finally got back to normal, or as normal as things could get at the ranch.

I'm a redneck woman, I ain't no high class brawd...I'm just a product of my raisin I'll say hey ya'll any ha'll, and I keep my Christmas lights on my front porch all year long, and I know all the words to every old Bud Seafus song...So here's to all my sisters out there keepin it country...Let me get a big hell yeah from the redneck girl...like me

Lynn and Mija strummed their guitars as they sang to one of their favorite songs of all time by Gretchen Wilson.

"I think we're getting better at this," Lynn gave Mija a nudge as she experimented with a few strings.

"Ha! Speak for yourself darlin," Mija smiled confidently as she started to play a song.

"You two are so bad," Jeff teased instantly recognizing the tune she began to play. He loved sitting on the porch listening to them play. He could do it for hours if they would let him, they were both naturals.

Lynn smiled as she too recognized the tune and started to play along with her. It was something Mija had written years before and until Lynn came along Jeff was the only other person who had ever heard or learned to play it.

They sat in silence for a long time just, listening. But they were interrupted by the phone when it rang.

"I'll get it," Lynn offered as she propped her guitar against the porch post and quickly ran inside.

"Why do we even have that damned annoying thing?" Mija grumbled strumming quietly.

"Because if we didn't I would lapse into catatonic schizophrenia," Jeff reminded with a lopsided grin as he put out his cigarette.

Mija nodded with a whole hearted laugh.

They heard a loud thud and quickly got up to see what was the matter.

"Lynn! What is it?" Mija asked concerned as she picked up the phone from the floor.

Lynn stood shocked staring at the floor.

"Lynn?" Jeff stepped up to her and framed her face with his hands. "What is it baby?" A tear fell from her eye and hit his hand. He couldn't help but wonder that something was terribly wrong. "Lynn?" he pressed softly.

"I'm pregnant..." she said smally.

The room fell silent and Jeff stilled his caressing.

"Oh my lord..." Mija breathed covering her mouth to keep the smile from being seen.

"I'm pregnant," Lynn looked up to face Jeff. "I'm pregnant." she repeated as if she was trying to convince herself.

"You're serious?" Jeff realized letting his face show his utter shock. "Oh...my...God..." he said slowly.

"Doctor Houston suspected it last week and she wanted to be sure, that's why she gave me the exam before letting me leave," Lynn explained still a bit awe struck herself.

"Oh my...God..." he covered his own mouth and quickly took a seat.

Lynn noticed his mannerisms and looked to Mija for support.

"Well this house certainly ain't gonna be boring in the next few months," Mija was grinning from ear to ear.

"Jeff?" Lynn looked from Mija to Jeff a little worried by his quietness. He just sat there with the most perplexed look on his face. She couldn't figure out if he was upset, angry, mad, glad or anything. And him being quiet didn't help matters at all. Yelling and screaming she could handle but quiet she couldn't handle. "Jeff please say something!" she said loudly trying to get his attention.

"You think we should get them a dirt bike for their second birthday?" he asked as if it was something he discussed frequently.

Lynn broke into a smile and couldn't contain the laughter that erupted from her. It was contagious as it spread to Mija then to Jeff. "Oh my God this is really happening...oh my God..." Lynn rubbed her face really hard and ruffled her hair. "I can't even take care of plants." She felt so nervous all the sudden.

"Don't be ridiculous Lynn. You're going to be a great mother and I, Mija Ramirez will finally get to have a little baby to fuss over," Mija berated.

Jeff was still quiet. He had been trying to listen for the babies heart beat but couldn't. Must still be too small he thought as he stood from his chair and approached Lynn slowly. When he was within hugging distance he knelt in front of her and placed his ear against her stomach and listened.

Lynn stared down at him in amazement. "Can you hear'em?" she whispered running her hands through his hair.

He smiled, "I can hear him."

"Him?" Lynn questioned.

"Or her," he corrected looking up at her. "They've got a good heart."

She ran her hands through his hair a few times. "Just like their father," she said gently.

He kissed her stomach and stood bringing her into a warm hug.

"Everything's gonna be alright baby," he whispered kissing her shoulder.

"How does the name Mija sound?" Mija piped in teasingly.

THE END