Page 77 of Miracles and Marriage
“Oh-oh. Let’s wait until after the operation, and then suggest we want to get married. We’ll let my mother put on a big wedding and we’ll be the only ones to know our anniversary date is another.”
“Unless Chloe or Gabe spills the beans.”
“They won’t. I love you, Cal.”
“I love you now and forever,” he said, kissing her deeply.
Zoe and Cal slipped away to the sea cottage for the weekend. They walked along the shore, making plans for the future. She looked at each dwelling as they passed, considering whether it would be suitable for a home for them, though none were for sale that she knew of. Still, it was fun to dream of a future—with Cal.
“Are you sure you want to sell the Richmond home?” she asked more than once.
“Don’t you want a home of your own?” he responded, threading his fingers through hers as they walked.
“The beach cottage has been in our family for generations, we’ll be able to use it. So why not have a home in Richmond as well?”
“Because we are more likely to come here than back to Richmond. Once you’ve recovered from the operation, we’ll start looking for a place. If you don’t like my condo, we can buy another primary residence together. But I think here at the shore we will also want a home of our own.”
“Suits me. We need one with a porch that faces the sea, so we can sit there during storms.”
Cal rearranged his schedule for the next week. He planned to accompany Zoe to the hospital, wait through the operation and then, when she was ready, take her home—to their home—to recover. They had moved a few of her things on Monday,enough to carry her through the first few days. Once she was fully recovered, they’d tell her family.
Tuesday they arrived at the hospital early. Dr. Wright was already there doing rounds. Her nurse contacted her and she hurried into the admissions office.
“Zoe, I tried calling you several times over the last few days.”
She looked at Cal.
“Dr. Wright, this is my husband, Jedidiah Callahan. I’m sorry, I wasn’t home. I took a weekend away before today and turned my phone off,” Zoe said, gripping Cal’s hand. “A last mini-vacation before the operation.”
“There won’t be an operation,” Dr. Wright said. “There’s been a complication. Your blood work came back—you’re pregnant.”
Zoe stared at the doctor, barely aware of Cal’s grip tightening on her hand. Had she heard correctly?
Dr. Wright was beaming.
“So we’ll have to postpone this operation for at least nine months. Call my office for an appointment. We need to get you started on prenatal vitamins and supplements.”
“But I just had cramping,” Zoe said.
“You may have had spotting, too. Not uncommon with this condition. We’ll do another round of tests, but I’m sure you’re pregnant. And since I know you were willing to put up with a lot to have this baby, we want to do everything we can to make sure he or she arrives healthy.”
Cal swept her into his arms and lifted her, spinning her around.
“You did it, sweetheart. We’re going to have our baby after all. What more could we want?”
“Twins?” Zoe said, hugging him tightly as they rejoiced in the news.
Epilogue
Zoe saw Cal across the crowded living room standing on the perimeter, looking a bit overwhelmed. She went to stand next to him.
“Overwhelmed?” she asked.
“A bit. I’m still trying to remember all the names. When you said you had ten brothers and sisters, I didn’t realize how many that would be along with wives, girl friends, boy friends and kids. There must be fifty people here.”
“They’re all happy for us. I told my folks we didn’t need a big reception to celebrate our marriage, so she opted for family only,” she said with a grin, surveying the room.
It did look a bit chaotic. Some sat on the furniture, others milled around, little children played tag and used the adults to dash behind. There were conversations and laughter. Zoe smiled. It was happy chaos.
