Pregnancy Plan (15 page)

Down Oak Street, Jillian pointed out a white
early American home with a large covered front porch that ran the
full length of the house. The garage set back some from the house
had a concrete driveway that connected the two.

She retrieved the garage door opener from
her purse and pressed the button. Derek drove in and parked next to
the car in the garage. He helped her out and stood watching as she
headed for the back door.

His hand ran along the railing of the truck,
his mind flashed back to the past. His father stood across from
him, leaning on the side of the truck.

“
She’s a beauty, isn’t
she?”

“
Dad?”

“
We spent a lot of hours working on
her together. I spent time tuning, fixing, polishing, and stroking
her. But it’s paid off. She runs like a dream.”

They’d worked days together getting the
truck looking and running in top condition. “She gave us a few
problems.”

“
Nothing the two of us couldn’t
handle. But it looks like you have a new area of
interest.”

“
What?”

The old man gestured toward the house.

“
Oh, you mean Jillian.”

“
Yes, she’s a beauty as well. You know
I always treated your mom much like I treated this truck.
Pampering, stroking, and tuning her until she was everything I ever
wanted.

“
Granted, it took a lot of time. But
she always could get this old heart pumping. God, I loved that
girl.” Tears formed in the old man’s eyes. “You just have to
remember the little things. They’re the things that can break up a
marriage.”

“
What if I can’t do it, Dad?” Derek
hated the anguish bleeding through in his voice.

“
Nonsense, son. I can’t remember you
ever failing at something you truly wanted. Just take your time and
let your heart lead you. Now, you go on and carry your bride over
the threshold. Tell her how beautiful she is and give her a kiss.
Everything will work out fine. You’ll see.”

Derek stared at the old man across from him
and felt as if he was looking in the mirror of the future with his
face aged and worn. The light in the old man’s eyes expressed the
pride and love he had for his son.

“
Derek? Are you okay?” Jillian walked
around the corner of the garage.

He glanced her way, but when his eyes return
to his father, the old man no longer stood there. Knowing the image
wouldn’t return. Closing his eyes, he cherished the moment. “I’m
fine, just catching my breath.”

Jillian grabbed his hand and led him to the
back porch. She opened the door, and he tugged her to a stop.
“Don’t you want to come in?”

His face, he knew didn’t give away the sense
of welcome he was feeling. He pulled her close, then scooped her up
into his arms and carried her through the door.

He held her in his arms and looked around
the room. The breakfast area was connected to the kitchen, which
stood directly in front of him. Through a doorway, he could see the
dining room off to his right. Flowers stood on the wooden table.
The red bricks crisscrossed over the stove served as a back splash.
Butcher-block counters held odds and ends, and pictures of red
apples were painted on several items around the room. He felt as if
he’d stepped back in time to his grandmother’s kitchen.

Slowly, he set Jillian on her feet. His
hands ran up her body, and he cupped her face. He couldn’t express
his feeling with words, but he could show her. Her eyes watched him
as his lips claimed hers.

Parched, he worshipped her mouth drinking in
her unique flavor. Sipping the sweet nectar, he tasted and teased
her. He enjoyed every nuance, until his body was weak with
desire.

Inch by painful inch, Derek released her
lips. Unable to let her go, he hugged her close to his heart.
Breathing hard, he fought to control his emotions.

He didn’t want to rush her. She needed to
get to know him, understand the depth of his love. He’d almost lost
her before their marriage by forcing a commitment. This time he’d
be more careful.

Derek fought to relieve some of the tension
in his body by scanning his surroundings. He stepped away from her
and walked through the doorway into the living room.

A plush couch sat facing him with a coffee
table positioned in front as if protecting the plush surface from
unwanted guests. The stone fireplace with a wood mantel held a sea
of pictures of her family. Two brown leather recliners stood across
from the earth-tone couch. A large window flooded the room with
light, thick curtains stood guard on each side. Would her parents
mind him living here with her?

From behind him, she asked. “Would you like
me to show you the rest of the house?”

Derek turned and caught the sparks in her
eyes. He could see the desire written in their depths, challenging
him. “Sure.”

****

“
Come in,” Jillian called from the
kitchen sink as she continued washing the potatoes for dinner. She
had heard the footsteps on the porch and quickly brushed away her
tears. If Karen Ann noticed, there would be an endless number of
questions.

“
How’s it going?”

“
Okay, how about you?” Jillian cut the
potatoes into the pot.

“
Just thought I’d drop by and check
out that new husband of yours.” Karen Ann’s baby-blue shirt
stated
Available
across her
chest.

“
Sorry, but he’s asleep right now.
Poor guy has been moving boxes all day. First out of his condo in
Dallas, then into the house here. He wouldn’t let me help because
of the baby.”

“
That must mean he’s feeling better
after his ordeal in the Middle East.” Karen Ann pulled a chair out
from the table and sank into it.

“
I’m not so sure. Derek doesn’t seem
to be the type to complain.”

“
Well, how does he look?”

“
Gorgeous,” Jillian said,
frowning.

“
Then what’s wrong?”

“
I don’t know. He appears lost. When
you see him, you’ll wonder if anyone’s home. He just stares off
into space. No smile, or frown, no emotions at all.”

“
You knew it'd take a while for him to
recover. He's still suffering from the effects of a concussion and
the aftershock of the explosion.”

“
I know. It’s just hard seeing him
this way. When we were together before, he was always smiling or
laughing.” Jillian stared down at her hands. “I miss
it.”

Karen Ann strolled around the counter and
slid her arm around Jillian. “Hey, kiddo, it’ll be okay. Just give
him some time. You love him don’t you?”

“
Yes.”

“
Then you’ll find a way to reach him,”
Karen Ann said. “Even if we have to hit him over the head with a
baseball bat.”

With tears in her eyes, Jillian smiled.
“Thanks for being a friend.”

“
No problem. I have several bats at
home. Just say the word, and I’ll get them out.”

“
I’m not that desperate yet. Let’s
give it a few more days.” She turned and finished cutting up the
potatoes for dinner.

“
So when do you expect Sleeping Beauty
to wake up?”

“
I’m not sure. He has only been asleep
for about an hour.”

“
Well, I guess, I’ll just have to stay
for dinner. What can I do to help?”

“
Great. How about washing the
dishes?”

Karen Ann scanned the empty sink. “You know
I hate that.”

“
That’s why I thought you’d want to do
it now instead of later.”

“
You’re a true friend.” Karen Ann
giggled and hugged Jillian.

****

Derek paused in the kitchen doorway. Jillian
stood a few feet away at the counter mixing something in a bowl.
Across from her stood a short, beautiful blonde. Laughing, she
tried to poke her fingers into the bowl. Both had smiles on their
faces, enjoying each other’s company with teasing remarks.

A great chasm of space and emotion separated
him from them. He fought to break the barrier and share in their
light-hearted banter. “What are you making?”

“
Well look who has decided to wake up.
I’m trying to make a cake if someone will kindly keep their fingers
out of it!” Jillian shifted the bowl away from the other
woman.

“
I only want a taste.” The blonde
turned. “Well, you weren’t joking, Jillian. He is gorgeous, but I
should have known seeing as he’s related to Jason.” She walked over
and held out a small delicate hand. “But you two don’t look much
alike.”

“
You must be Karen Ann.” Derek
remembered Jillian’s description of her best friend—beautiful,
fun-loving, and unafraid to tell you exactly what she’s
thinking.

“
That’s me. And you must be Jillian’s
husband.”

“
Derek.” He cupped his hand around
hers. “Nice to meet you.”

“
Not sure I can say the same, seeing
as you have stolen my friend’s heart.” Concern laced her
voice.

“
Now Karen Ann, he didn’t steal my
heart. I gave it freely.” Jillian strolled around the counter and
slid her arms around his waist.

Derek stared into her face. Love radiated
from her eyes. Unable to keep from touching her, he wrapped his
arms around her and drew her closer. The seductive warmth of her
body narrowed his focus to her and only her. No one else existed in
his mind

After a few moments, she wiggled against him
and broke the hold he had on her. “Dinner will be ready in a few
minutes. Are you hungry, Derek?”

“
Yes.”

“
Well then why don’t you two go ahead
and set the table while I get this cake into the oven.” She stepped
back to the counter.

“
Sure thing.” Karen Ann walked to the
cabinet beside the sink and lifted down the plates.

Together they had everything on the table in
short order. Seated around the table, he enjoyed listening to their
casual conversation. With no desire to comment, he sat back and
relaxed.

“
What do you plan on doing tomorrow
while Jillian is at the store?” Karen Ann turned and addressed
him.

“
I’m going with her. From what she’s
told me, she can always use an extra pair of hands.”

“
That true.” Jillian’s smile lit up
the room.

“
Won’t you get bored with being a
clerk after your work in international security?”

“
No.” As long as he had his wife by
his side, he didn’t care what he had to do.

“
I’m glad Derek will be working with
me.” She slid her hand across the table and squeezed his fingers.
“It’ll give us more time together. Sometimes the store can get very
lonely.”

“
Oh, come on, Jillian, most of the
time, you are so busy, you don’t have time to think,” Karen Ann
shook her head before scoping up another bite.

“
Well, maybe with Derek there, I’ll
have more free time. Anyway, how was your date the other night with
Michael?” Jillian changed the topic.

“
It wasn’t exactly a date. You were
supposed to go with us. After all, Michael was only here to drive
you back to Dallas, not to see me.”

“
So why didn’t he get home before
midnight? You two only had a date for dinner.”

“
Not that it’s any of your business
but we decided to take in a movie. Anything else you want to
know?”

“
Sure. Did he kiss you
goodnight?”

A wicked grin spread over Karen Ann’s face.
“Yes, and I must say it was wonderful.”

“
Are you sure you were out with my
brother?”

“
Yes, he spent the whole evening
talking about you, and how worried he was about you. Believe me. It
was your brother.”

“
Sorry about that. Are you planning to
see him again?” Jillian released his hand and shifted her plate
forward as if done with her meal.

“
I don’t know. You know Michael. He
doesn’t make long-term plans and we’re taking it slow.” Karen Ann
pushed back her chair. “I hate to eat and run but I’ve several
things I need to get done. So if you don’t mind, I’ll say my
good-byes now.” She stood, gathered up her dishes and placed them
on the counter.

“
You just don’t want to have to do the
dishes. I know your motives.”

“
Make sure you introduce everyone to
your new husband,” Karen Ann walked to the back door. “I’ll see you
tomorrow.”

“
Bye.” Jillian stacked the remaining
dishes on the table.

“
That was quick.” He stood to help
with the clean up.

“
That’s Karen Ann, when she’s ready to
go, she’s off.”

Did she like him? With the quick marriage
and the baby on the way, all their friends and family had a lot to
digest at one time. But Derek couldn’t understand why everyone
couldn’t just be happy for them, instead of acting as if they’d
made a grave mistake.

“
Are you tired?” Jillian interrupted
his thoughts.

He peered into her drowsy eyes, and answered
truthfully. “Yes.”

“
Then why don’t we call it a night?”
She walked to living room doorway.

“
I’ll check the back door and be right
up.”

****

Jillian watched him a moment, wondering if
every night would be like this. Derek had hardly spoken all
evening. Lost in his thoughts, they hadn’t shared their time
together but had only coexisted in the same house. Hopefully,
things would change in the coming weeks after he had a chance to
rest and settle into his new surroundings.