Page 50 of Love From the Ashes

“Guy? There is no guy. I’m pregnant,” I sobbed.

Reid stared at me, and then his face slowly changed as what I’d said sunk in. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes, but I didn’t mean for it to happen. I swear I didn’t.”

Reid pulled me back into his arms and held me, a chuckle escaping his lips. “I’m not mad because you’re pregnant. Being unplanned doesn’t make it less special.”

“You’re sure you’re not mad?”

“I’m sure. I wanted to have children someday but hadn’t found anyone I wanted to have them with. That is, until you came along. Although I’m shocked as hell, I am happy. We’re going to have a baby. That’s pretty special.” Reid chuckled again and squeezed me a little tighter.

“I’m scared,” I whispered.

“Why?”

“I don’t think I’m ready to have a baby.”

“You’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. We’re going to do this together.”

We held each other in the moonlight until Reid finally spoke.

“We should go back to the dinner before someone looks for us. I saw a few heads turn when you ran from the room.”

“I need to go to our room and brush my teeth. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes.”

“Of course. So what was it that got your stomach upset—morning sickness?”

“I think so. It came on all of a sudden about a week ago. Certain smells get to me, and tonight, it was the smell of your fish.”

“In that case, if my plate is still on the table, I’ll finish it before you come back.”

“That’s probably a good idea.”

We got up from the bench, and Reid walked me inside. I went upstairs, and he walked toward the dining room. After a good brush of my teeth and a dose of mouthwash, I returned to the rehearsal dinner. Everyone at our table was stealing glances at me and smiling when Reid pulled out my chair.

“Why is everyone looking at me?” I said under my breath after taking my seat. “Did I make a bigger spectacle of myself than I thought?”

“No, I explained you’re suffering from morning sickness, and the smell of my fish got to you.”

I stared at Reid wide-eyed. “You didn’t really do that, did you?”

“I did. So everyone knows we’re expecting a baby.”

I cautiously turned and scanned the table, seeing several smiling faces.

“Congratulations, my dear,” Ginny said, looking thrilled. Her eyes darted to my stomach.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling slightly uncomfortable, unused to the attention.

“How far along are you?” Kate said, sounding excited.

“Somewhere around six or seven weeks, I think.” I turned back to Reid, catching Derek giving him a high five over my head.

Maybe Reid was right and everything would be okay. All I could do was hope that it would, especially since my life had been nothing but a rocky journey up to this point.

CHAPTER 18

A Knockout Wedding Reception

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