Chapter 20

"Now mom, I know this isn't the way you would want things to happen, but it did. So you can either accept that you have a new daughter-in-law, and a grandson on the way, or Jordan and I can cancel our visit to Wisconsin…"

"A son! You are having a son Woody?! That is wonderful! Have you picked out names yet, or is it still too soon for that? I could have your sisters' start working on lists of name suggestions. What do you think?"

"Maybe for the next one mom. We have our choice already narrowed down to three names."

The "Oh," his mother uttered at that sounded a little disappointed, but it was soon clear that she decided to focus on more positive things. "How soon will we get to meet this little fellow? It would be wonderful if he was here by Christmas! Wouldn't that make it a special holiday this year?! So Woody, when is your Jordon due?!"

"Ummm mom, you won't have to wait until Christmas to meet him. We will be bringing him with us in August. Jordan is due in three weeks," he said the last part in almost a whisper and then waited for the maternal fallout after the long shocked pause.

"Oh Woody…why in the world did you wait so long to marry Jordan?! What must her father thought of you! I thought your father and I taught you better than this!"

He could hear the tears in her voice.

"Mom, Jordan and I have been married for months now, this isn't a recent thing like you thought. I was afraid to tell you because I knew how you would react to the fact we didn't have a church wedding and that Jordan was already expecting when we got married."

"So what you are telling me was that if your Jordan hadn't called this morning to ask for recipes, I would still not know about any of this?!"

"Ummm I guess so mom. I'm sorry."

"Just when did you think you might tell your family about your new family?! Would you have waited until your second or third child was born?!"

"No mom, I was planning on waiting until Jordan felt the same way about me as I feel about her and then I hoped I could talk her into a church wedding," Woody admitted.

"Oh Woody! You don't think your Jordan loves you?! Why would she be having your child and have married you if she didn't love you?!"

"Mom, the baby was unexpected and Jordan married me because she is a big city career girl and she knew she wasn't able to raise the baby alone. I love her and wanted her to be my wife, so I assured her we could do it together and I am just hoping she will grow to love me."

"Of course she will! You are a wonderful boy and handsome to boot! Why wouldn't she fall in love with you!? Now I am going to go up to the attic as soon as we are off of the phone and start putting baby things together for the two of you. You say she is due in three weeks?! I want the date so I know when to arrive!"

"Arrive?!" Woody practically squeaked.

"Yes arrive! Do you really think that I am going to let a big city career girl and my baby boy manage a new baby on their own?! I raised you and your four sisters while your father worked this farm! I can surely manage one more at this advanced old age of mine!"

"Oh come on mom! You're not that old!" he protested.

"And don't you forget it! Now when is her due date? Not that baby's usually arrive on the date set, but it will still give me a good idea."

"The ninth mom."

"Okay, then I will be there on the eighth. Now I need to get busy so you go and tell your Jordan that help is on the way," she told him and hung up before he could say anything more.

To be continued…