Finding Pride (Pride Series) (25 page)

An hour later she was sitting at the kitchen table looking at the pills that Dr. Stevens had given her. Some were vitamins that she would take every day, and the others were to help with the morning sickness.

Boomer was trying desperately to get her attention by pacing at her feet meowing loudly. She had forgotten to feed him this morning, getting up she went and grabbed his bowl. Just then the phone rang.

Setting the bowl back down empty, she answered it.

“Hi babe, do you miss me?” It was Todd.

For the span of about ten seconds, Megan’s brain refused to think. Todd, she hadn’t once thought of what he would think. Should she tell him on the phone, or wait until he came back in town? She guessed that something this huge should be told face to face. Biting her lip, she answered “Yes, when are you coming home?”

He liked the way she said home, he got a cozy picture, of her sitting by the fire, waiting for him.

“Tomorrow. Are you okay? Lacey said you had the flu.”

“Not the flu, just… um, not feeling well. Will you be home for dinner tomorrow night?”

“Yeah, sure. I should be there about seven. Are you sure you’re okay? You sound a little funny. Is that Boomer whining?”

Megan looked down at the cat pawing her pants and crying. “Yeah, oh, I um, forgot to feed him today.” She walked over and filled his bowl with two huge scoops. Boomer gave her one look as if to say, “It’s about time.” Then went on happily eating. “I’ve been kind of busy.”

“Lacey said that you have your first customers coming tomorrow. Congratulations.”

“
Oh, yeah, I forgot. They’re supposed to check in by noon. A family, they will be spending three nights. I’ve also had other bookings too.”

“That’s wonderful. If you need any help.” He sounded excited.

“No, Lacey and Iian have been great with planning the meals. Hopefully things will go smoothly.” She chewed her lip.

“I think about you.” The statement was simple, yet it caused Megan’s heart to leap.

“Me too, I shouldn’t miss you, but I do. I can’t stop myself from thinking about you. I don’t know what to do. I have a lot to think about after today… I have to ask myself what it is I want. But, I can tell you this, I know that I have never felt this way before. It’s almost like I’ve known you for a long time, like we’re…” she hadn’t wanted to say connected.

“Connected?” Todd said. “I feel it too. I know its crummy timing, but. I love you Megan. I think I’ve always loved you God, I wish I could tell you, when you’re in my arms, so I could see your face.”

Megan didn’t know what to say. How could she be falling so fast for someone? What power did he hold over her? What ever it was, it scared her. A silent tear fell to her hand; she reached up and brushed them aside.

“You don’t have to say anything just now, just know that’s how I feel. You know, I would never do anything to hurt you.”

“I know that. I trust you. But, I have to trust myself.” She whispered it.

“
Do your thinking tonight Megan. I’ll be there at seven tomorrow night. Good night, I love you.”

“Good night Todd.”

That night Megan got about an hour of sleep, Boomer was not happy with her, for the delay in the food; so he had promptly gone to his pillow after dinner and didn’t stir when she came upstairs several hours later.

The next morning, she felt the same, sick. She took her pills and within the hour, it was manageable. She no longer felt a need to rush to the restroom, she still felt woozy, but not so bad. She could now go along with her day.

The guests arrived early. They were a lovely family with two smaller boys, who spent time running around in the grass, while their parents happily chatted on the front porch.

Boomer let the two boys crawl all over him, then went and sat in the grass, flicking his tail and watched them playing.

By early afternoon, the family headed out to sightsee, and Megan was left to start dinner.

She had decided to make a romantic dinner all by herself. She was going to tell Todd the news over desert. Her nerves were high. She only knew how to make one meal, Spaghetti.

When the noodles and meat sauces were simmering, she put the garlic bread in the oven. She set the nice dishes in the formal dinning room, then quickly ran up; showered and put on her new dress she had bought. It was a simple green skirt with a matching blouse. Knowing it would only fit for another few months, she didn’t care, since she looked good in it now.

It felt good to go shopping and pick out her own clothes. She remembered a large fight she’d had with Derek over buying things. It was after she had purchased a new pair of shoes one day. Her shoe had broken while walking the two blocks to her office from the bus stop. Their was a small boutique next to her office building.

“Who the hell gave you the right to spend my hard earned money on those ugly things.” Derek slammed his fist down on the kitchen table. The table was all set and looking just like he liked it. The silverware, plates, napkins, and glasses all in place. She had purchased carry out at the Italian restaurant on her bus ride home. The table was decorated and the food had been placed nicely on their own dishes.

“I’m sorry, I broke my shoe walking to work. I couldn’t go in only wearing one.” She prayed that it would stop at that. She made sure to use the right tone of voice.

His dish flew through the air, right past her head. It hit the dinning room wall, shattering with a large crash, which made her jump.

“Damn it Megan.” He started to stand. She didn’t like it when he stood above her. “I work hard, all I ask is for is a wife who obeys.” He bent down, putting his face close to hers. She could feel his breath and could see the red in his eyes. She knew, this time it wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.

“You spend all my money on those shoes. The least you can do is get a pair that aren’t ugly as sin. I mean, look at them.” He jerked her chair out from the table, pulling her along with it to expose the simple black pumps. She tried to sit as still as possible. His beefy hands rested on the arms of her chair. She was blocked in. No where to go.

“I’m sorry, Derek. I should have called you. I should have just come home.” She tried to make herself smaller, tried to hold her breath. She would have tried anything if she could have prevented what came next.

The slap came quickly, the stinging lasted longer. She knew the fight wasn’t over her shoes. She knew the slaps and hits weren’t her fault. It was hard to think of anything, other than surviving, when a two hundred pound man was sitting on your chest hitting you.

Clearing her head with a quick shake, she focused on the hear and now. Thinking now on the future, on her future, hers and the baby’s.

She had at one point, decided against children all together, but that was when it was with Derek. She didn’t want to raise children in a life like that, so she’d hidden the birth control patch from him. But a child with Todd, she could tell he would be a great father. But, what would this do with her new found freedom? She didn’t believe in raising children in a single parent home, she had lived through that herself.

A brother for a Mother and Father. Not that Matt had done a bad job. It’s just, as far back as she could remember, she’d only wanted a woman to talk to, a mother figure. Sure there were women Matt had dated, but he never would involve them in their life to the point where Megan felt comfortable around them.

When she was heading back down the stairs, the door bell rang. She took a deep breath, and pulled it open.

She was greeted by a bundle of white flowers; they covered Todd’s face as he held them. When he pulled them down, so their eyes could connect, she noticed that he too was dressed up. He wore black slacks and a blue shirt.

He looked very handsome. It made Megan happy to see that he had matched her mood, in wanting to have a special evening.

When Todd saw Megan, he instantly worried, her face was paler than normal, and she had dark circles under her eyes. It looked like she had dropped some weight.

But, then he noticed the green number she was wearing. It was short and tight, showing off her long legs and he could see every curve. Had her breast gotten bigger, or was it some magic woman secret making them look that way? Either way, he enjoyed the view. Her hair was down, flowing around her shoulders in a wave. He smiled up at her.

“You look beautiful.” He almost whispered it. He pulled her close, lightly kissed her lips, keeping it soft.

“You smell so good, God! I’ve missed you,” he said barring his face in her hair. She held on to him, as if she didn’t want to let go.

He could feel her body start to relax, she’d been very tense when he had pulled her close. He ran his hand over her long hair and held her head to his shoulders. “What’s wrong baby?”

The word “baby” made Megan lose it; she started shaking, and whispered into his shoulder. “I’m pregnant. I wanted to tell you over dessert, but I just…”

Todd pulled back quickly, grabbing her shoulders, he looked into her teary eyes. He had anticipated on the seeing the scared look in her eyes, but hadn’t anticipated on seeing the faint smile that was on her lips.

At that point, Todd let out a loud “whoop” and spun her in a circle, then promptly picked her up, deposited her on the couch, and then the worry seeped in.

“Are you okay? I mean, we need to go see the doctor, I’ll have to call Dr. Steven…” He trailed off as he paced the floor in front of the couch. “Do you need to go to the hospital? You were sick.” He started to pale, “Oh my God, you’ve been sick, we need to…”

Megan interrupted.

“I’ve already seen Dr. Steven. He says I’m about seven and a half weeks, and the baby is healthy. He gave me some vitamins and pills to help with the morning sickness.”

At this point, Todd walked over and knelt before her. “Are you alright? It’s not too bad?” Megan noticed the rest of his color left his face.

“I’m fine, just a little tired all the time. The pills the doctor gave me help with the sickness.” She placed her hand on his smooth face. “I don’t want to worry you. I know what happened to Sara.”

Todd pulled her close, “God Megan, what happened with Sara and the baby is not going to happen now. It was a freak deal, she’d been sick beforehand. I know this wasn’t planned, I pray you’re not sorry.”

“How can I be sorry? I know the timing is off, but no, I’m not sorry. I can’t help but love what we’ve made.” She put a protective hand on her flat stomach. “It’s just, it kind of takes the decision out of my hands.”

“I know you wanted to take some time, but can’t we be that new life?” he said, placing a hand over hers on her stomach and smiled up at her. “I have something else for you besides the flowers.” He was still kneeling before her when he pulled out a small gray box from his coat pocket.

“Megan, I love you so much, I can’t imagine another day without you in my life. Please say you’ll marry me, start a new life with me and our baby.”

The ring was simply beautiful. A large diamond sat on a titanium band.

“Todd I can’t.” She whispered, holding her hands up. “I won’t marry someone out of necessity. I can’t lose myself again.”

“Megan, I’m nothing like your ex.” Todd held the hurt and anger inside, he knew it wasn’t what she needed just now.

“Please.” She pushed the ring back towards him. “Just give me more time. I need to be okay with this first.”

Just then, the kitchen fire alarm went off causing them both to jump.

“Oh, my bread!” She raced into the kitchen. As he watched her back he vowed by the end of this year, he would change her mind. Maybe not tonight, but he knew it was the best for both of them, for all three of them.

The bread was a lost, but the spaghetti was perfect. Todd ate three helpings while keeping the conversation light and away from any talk of marriage.