Page 75 of A Thistle Beyond Time
Jenna didn’t answer. Instead, she sipped her tea and carefully examined the sweet cakes on the tray in front of her.
“I have something to share with the two of you,” Ashley said excitedly. “I haven’t told a soul. Well, I’ve told Cailin, but I swore him to secrecy.”
“What is it?” Irene questioned.
“I’m pregnant,” Ashley blurted out. “I think I’m about three months along, but I wanted to be certain before I said anything.”
“Ashley! That’s amazing news! Congratulations!” Jenna gushed.
“Ashley, I am so pleased to hear yer news,” Irene took Ashley’s hand and rubbed it gently between her own. “You are going to be a wonderful mother.”
“How are you feeling? Have you had any morning sickness?” Jenna questioned.
“No. None at all. That’s why I wasn’t sure. I’ve always heard stories of women being really nauseous all the time and I’ve been so lucky so far. Not even sick once.” Ashley was beaming. “I wanted you two to be the first to know. Cailin has been a bit over-protective though. He won’t let me carry anything heavy and he’s always right at my elbow, making sure I don’t fall down. I mean, honestly, I’ve been walking practically my entire life. Does he think, all of a sudden I’m going to forget how?” Ashley laughed at the silliness of it all.
“He’s just concerned for yer safety, ’tis all,” Irene said. “He loves ye so much, Ashley.”
“I’m sure he’ll lighten up, once he realizes that you won’t break,” Jenna agreed. Thinking back to the day she arrived, she couldn’t help but wonder. “So the day I got here, he was trying to keep you from running over to me. I guess that was because he was afraid you’d fall?”
“He’s so sweet and concerned. I can’t get mad at him about it. I think he’s going to tell Cormac and Robert today. He’s just about bursting with keeping the secret.”
“So, in six more months, my best friend is going to be a Mommy. I can’t believe it!” Jenna said.
“The way my life was going last year, I wouldn’t have believed it either,” Ashley said. “But now, I’m the happiest woman on the planet!”
“Ashley, we’ll have to start making baby clothes, don’t ye agree?” Irene seemed to be calculating in her head just how many things they could manage to make before the baby was due.
“I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right,” Ashley agreed.
“Maybe someone could throw you a baby shower,” Jenna suggested.
“A what?” Irene asked.
“Oh, you know – a bunch of women friends get together and bring gifts for the baby and they play games and eat. In 2014, that’s what we do,” Jenna explained. “That way, the new Mom has everything she needs when her baby arrives.”
“We could do that, Ashley. We would invite Lady Lena, Kenna, Helene and the other women of the clan,” Irene agreed enthusiastically.
“I would love that,” Ashley beamed with delight.
Jenna suddenly felt very sad. Her very best friend in the world was going to have a baby and she wouldn’t be around to celebrate with her.
“Is everything okay, Jenna,” Ashley queried.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I just wish I could be here when the baby is born,” Jenna explained quietly.
“Then stay,” Ashley begged. “Please, I’d feel so much happier knowing that you were going to be here with me.”
“I can’t, Ashley. I just can’t.” Jenna was determined she was not going to have this conversation. She was leaving and nothing anyone could say would make her feel differently.
Irene grasped Ashley’s hand a little tighter when Ashley seemed visibly deflated by this announcement. “Dinnae fash, love,” Irene comforted her. “Ye’ll have many to help ye. All will be well, ye’ll see.”
A sense of not belonging began to overwhelm Jenna. “I think I’m going to lie down for a while. I’ll see you later.” She was miserable and needed to distance herself from her friend and from her own emotions. There was no way she could even begin to explain to anyone how she felt – jealous, angry, sad, lost, confused and as if she needed to get as far away from Breaghacraig as possible.
* * *
“So, brother, what is this news ye have for us?” Cormac asked.
“Ashley has finally given me permission to tell ye,” Cailin started.
