An hour later, she was standing at home with the pregnancy test on the counter. Unopened. She had been standing there going back and forth for almost thirty minutes. To be honest, Rosemary was scared to death. She and Lee talked about children. He wanted children sooner than she did but was fine waiting for Rosemary to be ready. "I can't do this." She stuffed the box into her purse, grabbed her keys and went out the door. She ran across the parking lot of her townhouse complex to Elizabeth's. She skipped up the steps and knocked on the door. "Come-on Elizabeth. Open…Open…"
"Rosemary!" Elizabeth said. Rosemary pushed her way into the townhouse and Elizabeth shut the door behind her.
"I need to talk to you!" Rosemary made her way into the living room. "I— I— can't do this!"
"What?" Elizabeth asked confused, her face concerned. Rosemary pulled the pregnancy test out of her purse. "Oh…" Elizabeth bit her lip.
"Elizabeth." Rosemary's voice was dramatic. "You don't understand! We didn't plan for this!" She plopped down on the couch. Then jumped back up. "This is—not what we planned!"
"But you haven't even taken the test!"
"But everything lines up! The not feeling well… the nausea… All the symptoms. And I just realized… I'm late." Rosemary took a deep breath. Elizabeth just stood there with her mouth slightly dropped open. "I stood there— in the bathroom— for like a million years— and," her voice dropped. "I'm scared."
Elizabeth took Rosemary's hand and she sat her down on the couch. "Okay, first, just calm down and relax." Elizabeth motioned for her to inhale. Rosemary started to protest, but Elizabeth raised her eyebrow and gave Rosemary a pointed look. Rosemary closed her eyes and took a deep breath in and then slowly exhaled. Elizabeth sat next to her. "Second, why are you scared? Children aren't something to be scared about."
Rosemary scoffed. "Easy for you to say! You're an elementary school teacher!"
This time, Elizabeth laughed. "True."
Rosemary sighed. "I guess, it just wasn't something we planned for right now. Yes, we want children, but eventually."
Elizabeth nodded as Rosemary continued. "Plus, children are just so… sticky! And I don't even know how to change a diaper."
"Really?" Elizabeth said incredulous.
"Elizabeth. I was an only child."
"Oh, well, that makes sense."
"I guess… I'm just terrified. Of failing at motherhood." Rosemary put her face in her hands. "I'm going to be the worst parent ever!"
"Rosemary! Stop!" Elizabeth gently put her hand on Rosemary's shoulder. Rosemary looked up, her face full of doubt. "You won't fail. You and Lee will be the most wonderful parents! And you have all of us to help you… Abigail is right around the corner, Jack and I will be right across the street. Even Charlotte's just an hour away." She put her arm around Rosemary. "We'll all be here for you."
Rosemary didn't say anything for a minute. "Okay. I'll take the test."
"But what if it's negative?" Elizabeth asked.
Rosemary hadn't thought of that. "I guess, then, it'd be…okay."
"And if it's positive?"
A smile crept on Rosemary's face. Elizabeth's pep talk seemed to help. "It would be more than okay." She stood up and headed to the powder room. A few minutes later she came out.
"How much longer?" Elizabeth asked. Rosemary crossed her arms nervously.
"Like, two minutes." They stood there silent.
"Do you want some water?" Elizabeth asked not knowing what to say. Rosemary shook her head. Her phone started to ring.
"That's my alarm," Rosemary said. "Oh, Elizabeth!" She grabbed Elizabeth's arm. "Will you please look for me?!"
"Are you sure? But—"
"Please? I don't think I can handle it."
"Okay, okay," Elizabeth opened the bathroom door and walked in and walked out holding the pregnancy test.
"AND?" Rosemary's voice was a notch above normal.
"I didn't look." Elizabeth said holding the stick upside down. "We're doing this together."
"Okay." Rosemary closed her eyes for a minute. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. "I'm ready."
Elizabeth turned the stick over. She gasped. It was as clear as day— Pregnant.
"I'm… I'm going to have a baby." Rosemary said. Elizabeth nodded excitedly. "I'm— we're—"
"Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked. Rosemary nodded her head quickly.
"We're having a baby!" Tears and laughter started to mix. Suddenly, the fear of babies and pregnancy were starting to melt away. "I can't believe it!"
"How are you going to tell Lee?"
"I don't know!"
"Oh my goodness! I'm just so excited!" Elizabeth hugged Rosemary again. "We should go out! And celebrate! Maybe go to the outlet mall in Union City?"
"That's so far away!"
"It's just forty-five minutes! Come on… please? Just think of all the cute baby clothes…" Elizabeth knew Rosemary's love language included anything that had to do with shopping.
"Well, okay!" Rosemary and Elizabeth made plans to get a quick lunch and then off to go shopping at the outlet mall. Rosemary sent Lee a quick text letting him know she'd be back later and she and Elizabeth headed out the door.
A couple of hours later, a familiar soldier stepped out of the Uber outside of Elizabeth's townhouse. Jack was so happy to be home much earlier than expected. His unit was no longer needed overseas and Jack wanted to surprise Elizabeth. After almost 20 hours of traveling, it felt good to be home. He bounded up the steps, took his key, and opened the door. It was quiet.
"Elizabeth?" Jack called out. No answer. It was Thursday. She was probably at school. He dropped his bag in the hallway and headed to the bathroom. As Jack washed his hands, something caught his eye in the trashcan. His eyes grew wide and he bent down to pick it up.
"What the—" His shock left him frozen standing there. He did quick math. He was gone for nearly 8 weeks. Yes. Yes. It was most definitely possible. "Hooooooly CRAP!"
Jack was still standing in the bathroom holding the pregnancy test. He had no idea what to think.
"Holy crap!" Jack exclaimed again. He put the pregnancy test in his coat pocket. He couldn't think straight. He had to see someone. He HAD to talk to someone. Jack pulled his phone out to get an Uber. He had sold his jeep before he deployed so he had no transportation. After about ten minutes, his car service arrived.
"Where to?"
"Coulter Financials on Main Street."
"Mr. Coulter?" Molly Sullivan poked her head into Lee's office. "Someone's here to see you."
"That's odd." He stood up from his chair. Molly opened the door further.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Jack's hearty voice rang out.
"Well, you little devil!" Lee laughed. He and Jack exchanged a brotherly hug. "It's good to see you! How long are you back?" Jack sat in the chair in front of Lee.
"They didn't need my unit any more. So they just sent us back early."
"That's great! Just in time for Christmas too!"
"How's everything here?" Jack tried to keep his voice steady. "Elizabeth okay?"
"Oh yeah! Rosemary's been keeping her company. Actually, they went shopping earlier."
"But she's not been sick or anything? Nothing unusual?"
"No." Lee furrowed his brow. "Why?"
"I came home and found this." Jack pulled the pregnancy test out from his jacket pocket. Lee leaned over to take a closer look.
"Whoa! Whose is that!" Lee asked. Jack gave him a look. "Oh. OHHHH." Lee's eyes grew wide. "Wow! You come home and your wife's having a baby! WOW." Lee sat back.
"What am I supposed to do!" Jack said. "I know but she doesn't know that I know!"
"Maybe you should surprise her. Although, you coming home is a pretty big surprise."
"I'm just in shock. I didn't expect this."
"Well, you guys will be such great parents. I'm happy for ya, man!"
"Thanks. I think the shock is wearing off. I had to talk to someone."
"No worries. I know you'd do the same for me." Lee paused. "Hey, I have a great idea. How about I cook dinner and you can surprise Elizabeth at our house."
"Yeah, sure! Sounds good."
"I'll text Rosemary now."
Rosemary and Elizabeth pulled up to the townhouse complex, returning with a few bags of baby items. They couldn't help themselves, but Old Navy, Carters, and Nordstrom Rack had the most adorable baby clothes and accessories.
"Would you be okay if I left the bags in the trunk?"
"Of course! Are you going to tell Lee tonight?"
"Um…" Rosemary hesitated.
"Of course I don't mean with me around. I'll just stop and say hey to Lee and then go get a pizza or something." Elizabeth laughed. She linked her arm around Rosemary's. "Come on."
"I feel like I'm about to get sick."
"Deep breaths." Elizabeth coaxed. "Here." She handed Rosemary a ginger drop.
"I highly doubt anything else could shock me now." Rosemary took a deep breath. "It'll be fine. This will be the surprise of the year!" They walked up the steps and Rosemary opened the door.
"Hey, Rosie! Elizabeth."
"Wow, Lee, it smells great!" Elizabeth said, giving Rosemary a quick nudge. "Hey, Rosemary, I'll see you tomorrow? Thanks for a fun day. It really got my mind off things."
"No problem, Elizabeth. And thank you." Rosemary smiled unsteadily.
"Wait, you're leaving?" Lee asked. "Stay for dinner!" He sounded almost a little too exuberant.
"No, I don't think that's a good idea." Elizabeth hesitated.
"I— We insist." Lee said, ushering the ladies into the dining room. "I have the table set for four already."
"Four?" Rosemary asked. She heard Elizabeth shriek.
"Jack!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Oh, Jack!"
"Elizabeth, I've missed you so much—" Elizabeth threw her arms around Jack and they shared a kiss.
Lee pulled Rosemary out of the dining room and into the kitchen.
"I hope you don't mind," Lee said. "Jack just dropped by and I thought—"
"It's fine, sweetheart." Rosemary was somewhat instantly relieved that she didn't have to share her news just yet. "You are always so thoughtful." She tugged at his collar. "Now, I'm going to freshen up."
Dinner was excellent. However, there were a lot of internal thoughts running around the Coulter home that night.
Elizabeth and Rosemary exchanged looks. It was as though Elizabeth were silently asking if she and Jack should leave. Rosemary shook her head.
As Elizabeth stood to help clear the table, Jack tried to inconspicuously look at her midsection. She didn't look any bigger. But it seemed as though everything would be okay. Elizabeth did have that glow about her.
Lee noticed and looked at his own wife. She was beautiful as always. But something was off. She was still bubbly Rosemary, but tonight, she wasn't over the top as per usual. Something was going through her mind.
Rosemary sneaked glances at Lee. How would he feel about being a father? And so soon!? He would be all right, maybe excited even, wouldn't he?
As the night came to an end, Jack and Elizabeth left Rosemary and Lee and headed to their townhouse. Rosemary wiped the island and Lee put away the dessert.
"You okay, Rosie?"
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine." Rosemary said quickly. She started to get a bit nervous. "I—um—"
Lee's cell phone rang. He glanced at it and sighed. "I'm sorry. I have to take this." Rosemary waved him on and plopped on the sofa.
"What's on tv tonight?" Rosemary mumbled. "Ooh! Hallmark!"
"Rosemary!" Lee ran into the living room. "I won!"
"You won?"
"Yes! Our firm won best small financial firm in the country!"
Rosemary hopped up. "Oh, Lee! That's wonderful!" She threw her arms around him.
"They're sending me to the last day of "Fin-Con—"
"Fin-Con?"
"Finance Convention…"
"Like Comic-Con, but for finance nerds?"
"Exactly!" Lee said. "But I have to leave tomorrow morning."
"Oh." Rosemary's face dropped.
"It's through Saturday evening. But I would be back Sunday afternoon."
Rosemary blinked. The old Rosemary would probably have thrown a fit. However, Rosemary paused.
"I don't have to go."Lee started to say. Rosemary shook her head. She placed her hands on his shoulders.
"No. Go. This is a phenomenal opportunity. I'll be fine."
"Rosemary, you are the best." Lee said. He kissed the top of her head. "I know I've been so busy at work lately, but I promise, when I get back, I'll make it up to you."
"Well, my darling, you do work hard. And this is such a great opportunity! Just think. One day, your name could be everywhere. Maybe we can build franchises. Or an empire." Rosemary said with a slight dramatic effect. They walked up the stairs to their bedroom.
"Rosie." Lee laughed. "You and your big dreams. That's what I love best about you." They continued to talk as they got ready for bed. Rosemary snuggled up close to Lee.
"Lee?" She asked.
"Mmhmm?"
"What are your big dreams?"
He glanced down at her. "Buy a house on the lake. Buy you that theatre, you've always wanted to own and run." He smiled and yawned. "And for us to have a happy blissful marriage. With a few kids."
Rosemary swallowed. It was now or never. "Lee, there's something I—" Rosemary noticed his deep breathing. "Lee?" He was already asleep. Rosemary sighed. When can I tell him?