It didn't happen the second month either, but by that time, Abigail had other things with which to occupy her mind. She found college courses to be much more fast-paced than high school courses had been, and she had to devote many afternoon and weekend hours to studying. Football season had also started, and Abigail volunteered to help run the concession stands while Jack coached. During half time he came over to chat with her.

"This really takes me back," Abigail commented.

"So, how does it feel to be on the sidelines for a change?" Jack asked with a smile.

"A little sad," Abigail admitted as she watched the cheerleaders perform. "I wonder whether I could still do those moves."

"I'll bet you could, with practice," Jack replied.

The next day, which was Saturday, Jack returned from grocery shopping to find his wife practicing cheers on the back lawn. Abigail tried to do a split and only made it halfway down before toppling over in pain.

"Oh, hon, are you all right?" Jack rushed to her side and helped her up.

"Guess I'm a bit rusty," Abigail mumbled, embarrassed to have been seen.

"Oh, Abby, there's so much more to life than cheer leading," Jack said brightly.

"I know." She grinned seductively, and Jack laughed and picked her up and carried her into the house, where he sat her on the sofa and she pulled him down on top of herself.

Abigail missed her period the following month. She didn't say anything about it to Jack, as she didn't want to get his hopes up too early, but when her breasts became unusually tender and she started feeling queasy, she bought an at-home pregnancy test and showed it to Jack.

"Let's get up a few minutes early in the morning and take it together," she suggested. They did so, and stood in the bathroom together watching as the wand turned blue.

"Hurray!" Abigail shouted, kissing Jack's cheek and jumping up and down excitedly. Jack just stood there, grinning.

"Let's wait until Christmas to tell everyone," Abigail said.

The fall term at the college ended a couple of weeks before Christmas. Abigail received an 'A' in one class and an 'A-' in the other.

"Congratulations! I knew you could do it!" Jack grinned and embraced his wife tightly.

"I love how everything finally seems to be falling into place," Abigail said.

"So do I," Jack replied. "You deserve every bit of it, hon." He still saw Joanie on a regular basis at the high school and had longed to tell her that he was going to be a father ever since he'd found out himself but felt that he shouldn't, since Abigail wanted to wait until Christmas and surprise everyone.

Christmas Day was cool and crisp. Jack and Abigail went to Beryl's house for dinner. David, Ellen, and Matthew arrived about a half hour later, and Jack and Abigail greeted them warmly.

"I haven't had a drink in six months!" Ellen said proudly.

"Good for you!" Abigail hugged her sister and kissed her cheek.

Matthew was still on crutches but seemed to be getting around really well. His coloring had also returned to normal, so he didn't look so pale anymore.

"I hope to start college next term," he announced. David grinned and patted his son's shoulder proudly.

Jack and Abigail waited until everyone was seated at the dinner table to share their own news.

"Everyone, I have some very happy news," Abigail began. "Jack and I are going to have a baby in July!"

Beryl spluttered and almost choked. David and Ellen both looked shocked.

"Congratulations, Aunt Abby and Uncle Jack! That's great!" Matthew was all smiles.

"Thank you, Matthew," said Abigail and Jack.

"Well...that's wonderful, of course," Ellen said shakily, exchanging glances with her husband.

Beryl frowned darkly. "A baby, Abigail? At your age?"