The Unexpected News

“Honey, I’m home!” Steve joked, as he returned from his latest trip, this time San Diego.  He was supposed to have an assignment in Dubai, but he told his bosses that he definitely had to be there for his sister-in-law’s wedding.  Under no condition was he going to miss it.  Ergo, San Diego, clearing his calendar for this coming weekend’s drive up to Scarsdale, where he would once again meet the charming Bernice Franklin.  And the rest of the crew.

He didn’t mind.  In fact, he was looking forward to it.  He had subjected Eden to his family.  It was only right she do the same.  Not that he hadn’t already met Frank and, of course Bernice.  But now he would encounter Mike, the groom, and Lily, the convict’s daughter and his future sister-in-law.  Also, as a husband, it was his job to protect Eden from said family.  See:  Mother!  Were they still not talking?  Would they ever?

And where was Eden?  Getting another mani-pedi?  Having her hair restyled?  He thought all her major appointments had already taken place.

The toilet flushed.  Aha!  Eden came out of her bedroom into the living room.  She looked—like death.  What the hell.

“Eden?  Don’t tell me you’re sick.”  On this weekend of all weekends?  This was not a positive development.

Slowly making her way to the couch, Eden sank down into it, knowing she would probably need help getting up.  This couch definitely needed to be replaced.

Steve left his overnight bag in the hallway and came to sit down next to her. He felt her forehead.  Normal.

Eden looked at him sideways.  “What the hell are you doing?”

“Checking your temperature to see if you have a fever.  What else?  Food poisoning?”

“Worse.”

“Food poisoning is pretty bad.”

Eden took his hand and placed the palm against her cheek.  “How much do you love me?” she asked.

Strange question.  “Into outer space,” he said.  “And beyond.”  Then he wondered.  Why had she asked?  What had she done?  Was she in trouble at work?  Was it something he could hack into and fix?  Did she somehow max their credit cards?  Not impossible.

“You have to love me a lot, Steve.”

“I do,” he protested.

“Okay, then.”  Eden pursed her lips together.  “I’m—pregnant.”

A lightning bolt of delight struck Steve.  “Oh, Eden!  Oh, my darling, beautiful, crazy wife!  That is the most wonderful news ever!”

She looked at him, surprised.  “But—  Our plan.  To wait four years or so and then—“

“Fuck the plan, lady.  I am so happy.”

“You are?” she wondered doubtfully.

“Of course.  You and me, a child—or two or three.  I mean, that’s what life’s all about.  Aren’t you happy?”

“I was afraid.  That you wouldn’t want it.  Not now anyway.”

Taking her in his arms, Steve said, “I want every part of you—and the child you’re carrying.  Everything about you is precious to me.”

“But we’ll be parents.  Are we ready?”

“Is anyone ever ready?”

“You know, both of us are such fuckups.  Okay, maybe not now so much, but previously.  I mean, what will our child be like?”

“Brilliant and either beautiful or handsome.  And if not, we’ll deal with what we’re given.  Oh, Eden, I’m so happy.  We should really call-“

“No!” Eden exploded.  “First, I just found out while you were gone.  Second, too many women have miscarriages in their first three months.  I don’t want to tell people and then have to confess to losing the baby.  Third, your mother, my mother?  Forget it.”

“At some point—“

“When we reach that point, I’ll let you know.  And not before.”

“Wow.  Eden takes charge.  But what are we going to do about this weekend?”

“I’m going to try not to vomit as I walk down the aisle.”

“You don’t think people will notice when you don’t have wine at dinner?”

“I’ll fake it.  Or say I’m taking some medicine that interacts with alcohol.  Yes, perfect.”

Steve smiled down at her.  “Perfect.  That’s what you are.”

“I hope you still say that when I look like an elephant.”

“I love elephants.”

She leaned against her husband and thought, wow, how perfect life really could be.  At least for this single moment.