Caleb came home one evening to find Drew crying on the couch. Sitting next to her he put an arm around her pulling her close "sweetheart what's wrong?"
Turning to him she sobbed into his shoulder a hand clutching his shirt "just hold me." After several minute Drew lifted her head murmuring "I'm sorry I received terrible news today." Taking a deep breath "the dance company I'm with is relocating to Monte Vista. I either move or I'm out..."
"Aren't there other dance companies?" Caleb asked not seeing what the problem was or what the drama was all about.
"Yes," she sniffed "but none of them are as good the one I'm with. Plus I'd have to find a new dance partner. Matt's moving to Monte Vista to stay with the company. He told me today. I don't want to dance with anyone else. I've danced with Matt since we were kids. We know each other's moves...."
Breaking into her flow of words he asked "what's the problem? Don't you want to move to Monte Vista?"
Shrugging "I've never been any place else but here. Mommy and daddy are buried here. I'm the only one left to watch over them."
Putting a finger to her lips "honey that's an excuse. You're parents would want you to follow your dreams. If moving to Monte Vista would do that they would support you in moving. Do you think they want you staying here to make sure flowers are placed on their graves on a regular basis?"
"No," she said her voice quivering "put like that it sounds silly." Sighing she bit her lip "there's something else..." she paused looking up at him "we'd have to move right away."
"What about the wedding?" Caleb asked.
"That's the problem," she attempted to move away from him only to have him pull her back to his side. "We'd have to either postpone the wedding or move up the date."
"Which means most if not all of our guests won't be able to make it," he finished for her.
"Since most of the guests are family and we set the date to accommodate most of their schedules it'll be next to impossible to come up with another date that we can all agree on." Sighing and on the verge of crying again "all that work and planning all for nothing. I don't know what to do."
Lifting her chin he asked "do you want to postpone the wedding?" he asked looking into her eyes. "Tell me what you want."
"I want to get married. I don't want to wait." She smiled at him as he smiled down at her "I don't care if my family is there or not. I'm not marrying them I'm marrying you."
"Do you think we can pack and plan a wedding in the time we have left?" he asked.
Nodding she looked up at him "but what about you? You have a say in this too. Are you ok with moving up the wedding? What about your career if we move?"
"My family is here. In fact I'm holding my family in my arms right now. I've already had a career in music. Two lifetimes of being in the limelight. I'm ok with a mediocre music career this time around if it means I get to have the girl and the family I always wanted."
"Put like that, how can I refuse?" she giggled when Caleb bent down and kissed her nose.
"So it's settled then. We get married. We move. We get busy making babies." He kissed her passionately on the mouth causing her to moan.
"Not so fast," she said pulling away "babies yes but not in the near future." Drew shook her head "why go through all the fuss now only to get pregnant and not be able to dance anyway."
"You're right but we can do lots of practicing in the mean time," he leaned in and kissed her again.
She pretended to struggle as he pulled her into his lap"your incorrigible," she said breathing hard. "If you keep this up you'll get that wish sooner rather than later."
"Promise," he asked mouth hovering above hers.
"Promise," she said lifting her her head to meet his.
***
The sound of the door opening and the voices of Ambrose and Tayla coming in had them scrambling to sit up, straightening clothes and hair. Laughing Ambrose winked at Drew saying "oh my eyes my eyes are burning," he joked. After a moment Tayla joined them. "I'm never going going to get used to seeing my Uncle making out with a girl on the couch."
"And you're never going to stop teasing me either are you?" Caleb smiled at him affection showing both his voice and eyes.
"Nope I'm enjoying this to be honest"
"Good because I've got a favor to ask of you" Caleb said "will you be my best man this Saturday?"
"You already asked me .... wait this Saturday? What happened to the original date?" Ambrose asked looking from Caleb to Drew and back again.
"Drew's dance company is moving to Monte Vista and to keep her position and partner she has to move now. The only options we have are to either postpone the wedding to an indefinite time or get married now." Looking at Drew squeezing her hand "we both agreed that we don't want to wait."
"Which means I need a new Matron of honor." Turning to Tayla "will you do me the honor?"
"Me? Of course," she said turning to Ambrose and smiling "we have news of our own to share. I was offered a teaching position in...."
"Monte Vista," Ambrose broke in cutting her off in his enthusiasm.
"That's great," Caleb was almost as ecstatic as Ambrose was. Tayla looked over at Drew laughing "looks like our boys are excited."
"I know but to be honest so am I. I like knowing that we'll have family there." Drew smiled at Tayla "so is your pink haired man talking babies?"
Rolling her eyes "every chance he gets."
"Hey I heard that," Ambrose broke into their conversation "I'm not the only one who wants babies." Looking at Tayla "am I dear?" Shaking her head she giggled "no you're not."
"I wonder who will have the first pink haired baby between us?" Drew said.
"The first one takes the others to France," Caleb proposed.
"You're on brother," Ambrose said without noticing his slip up.
"Since when am I your brother instead of your Uncle?" Caleb asked.
"Since I came here remember?" Ambrose said "I guess all the reminders have started to sink in and it's starting to sound natural."
Everyone burst into laughter sobering a little when Tayla said "I bet we all have normal every day babies because we're all way too colorful."
"Don't jinx us," Drew joked "but I suppose it's possible. We all have it in our genes." Looking at Caleb "all I ask is for one of our kids to look just like you."
"Well the sooner we get started the more chances we have of getting one," he leaned over to kiss her.
"Ok I'm out of here," Ambrose grabbed Tayla's hand "come on we have to get started on that bet because I aim to win."
Slapping him playfully on the shoulder "why did I work so hard to win you?" she asked.
"Because of my beautiful pink hair. My dashing good looks. My witty personality. My...." Tayla reached up placing her hand over his mouth "come on let's leave these two love birds alone and go make some music of our own."
"Now you're talking," Ambrose pulled her close kissing her passionately.
***
Six months later Drew came home from a long rehearsal to find Caleb looking through their wedding album. "It finally came," she said bouncing across the room to join him.
"It sure did," he glanced up and gave her a welcome home kiss "it feels like a lifetime ago and yet if feels like it just happened yesterday." Sifting through the pictures he stopped and gazed at the one of Drew reciting her vows. "Do you remember what you said to me?"
"Of course I do," she beamed at him "I'll remember my vows forever. I think they went something like this ..... I promise to always love you. As the stars shine in the sky at night I will always love. Your love is like water, it is peaceful, strong and always what I need. You are my heart. I promise to honor you, to support you. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Everything I am and have is yours. I love you with everything that I am."
Caleb gazed into her eyes he began to recite his "I promise to always love you. As the sun will rise tomorrow I will always love you. Your love inspires me. You are the kindest, most sincere person I know. I promise to never take your love for granted. I promise to respect you and to kill any insects that wander into our home. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Everything I am and have is yours. I love you with everything that I am."
"I would marry you all over again," she said as his lips smothered hers and their hands explored each other before things heated up between them Drew pulled back "maybe we should take this into the bedroom before someone interrupts us?"
"Good idea," he smiled at her taking the opportunity to kiss her nose.
"Oh before I forget the show is going on hiatus for the next twelve months. So if you want to start that family you've always wanted now is a good time."
Picking her up he carried her to their bedroom. Laying her on the bed "are you sure?"
"Positive," she pulled on his shirt sending buttons flying.
"You're going to fix that aren't you?" Caleb asked hovering over her.
Shaking her head "it's time to retire that shirt," she leaned forward to kiss him.
"It's my favorite shirt," Caleb whined "you want me to be happy don't you." He worked his hands into her hair "have I told you how much I like your hair long and flowing like this?"
"You may have mentioned it a time or two," she smiled up at him "if you leave my hair alone I'll fix the buttons on your ugly shirt."
"Deal," he said with a grin pulling the rest of the shirt off.
Sometime later they lay wrapped in each others arms warm and comfortable. "Caleb I love you," Drew said rolling over to stroke his much loved face.
Lifting a hand to caress her cheek he smiled content to lay there forever with her in his arms "I love you too."
***
A couple of months later Drew was busy shopping around town, enjoying the sights. She enjoyed the hiatus even though she missed the dancing every day. Matt and Payson had left to visit their respective families. Sitting outside in the park Drew smiled to herself. She liked Payson. She was a sweet girl. Matt better not let her get away. She was the best thing to happen to him in a long time. Standing Drew rubbed her eyes to clear her vision. Everything suddenly grew dark as her ears began to ring. Overcome with vertigo she sat down on the ground. Swallowing several times as she hoped she wouldn't become sick.
Listening to the birds chirp in the trees and the kids playing in the nearby playground she waited until the vertigo passed. "Ma'me are alright?" someone asked in concern.
Nodding Drew smiled at the kind stranger "I'm fine. Just a little light headed."
The older woman smiled as she knelt beside her "I remember the days before I learned to recognize the signs. The first time I passed out in the grocery store. I came to with broken eggs all over the floor." She laughed at the memory "that was forty years ago now." She gave Drew a hand as she attempted to stand up "I'm going to be a great grandma soon."
Blinking at the older woman a smile spreading across her face Drew wondered if it could be true. Was she pregnant? Putting a hand on her stomach she wondered if she had a little person growing inside her. "Thank you for your concern," she told the older woman before making her way across the street and back into the store.
Barricading herself in the bathroom Drew waited for the results biting her nails until time was up. She heard the front door open and Caleb calling out her name. She was tempted to call him in to wait with her. Shaking her head she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Was this a good thing? What about her career? Could she get back in shape by the time the company started up again? All those questions ran through her mind. The timer went off as she reached for the test her hands shaking. She with mixed feelings she read the results.
A soft knock on the bathroom door had her scrambling to hide the test. "Come in," she called as she hurriedly washed her hands. "Drew are you alright?" Caleb asked coming up behind her putting his arms round her.
"I'm fine she said turning to look up at him. She saw the worry and concern in his eyes. She reached up to run her fingers along his jaw line. "Caleb I..." a knock on the door interrupted her.
"Caleb, Drew are you in there?" Ambrose called to them excitement clear in his voice.
"Give us a sec," Caleb called out to him. Looking down at Drew "did you have something you wanted to tell me?" he asked keeping his voice low.
Shaking her head "no it'll wait," she told him going towards the door. As soon as she walked out she could see that Ambrose was dancing in anticipation and Tayla was beaming from ear to ear. "We're pregnant,"Ambrose announced "I'm not but Tayla is. We're gonna have a baby."
"Congratulations," Caleb said giving each of them a hug.
"We're so going to win that bet," Ambrose enthused.
"You do realize that you'll have to pay for all of us to go to France, right?" Caleb pointed out.
"Details, details," Ambrose waved his hands in the air dismissing it.
Sitting down Drew watched everyone laugh and joke around. Lost in her own world she didn't notice Tayla sitting down beside her until she asked "what's wrong?"
Shaking her head Drew tried to smile as she replied "nothings wrong." Turning to Tayla she said "I'm really happy for you."
"Really?" she asked in surprise "you don't act like it."
Shrugging "maybe a little jealous. Caleb wants a baby so much...."
"I thought Caleb was willing to wait until your career took off."
"Oh he is," Drew smiled over at him laughing and joking with Ambrose. "It's just me wanting him to have what I know will make him happy."
Leaning in close Tayla whispered "you're what makes him happy. A baby would be a bonus."
"Thank you," Drew squeezed her tight "I needed to hear that."
"That's what sisters are for," Tayla told her.
"I can't wait to be an auntie," Drew enthused.
***
Two weeks later Drew had the same wave of vertigo sweep through her. Becoming concerned she went to see the doctor. She sat in the waiting room nervously flipping through magazines until it was her turn. What if something was really wrong with her? What would she do? Jumping when the nurse called her name.
The appointment took a couple of hours. The tests, the blood they took all confirmed the results. Biting her nails she waited for Caleb to come home. The door opened letting in the loud joyful voices of Caleb helping Ambrose carry in a large box containing a baby crib. Mustering up a smile Drew pretended to be excited when she wanted to sit Caleb down and tell him the news. The words she wanted to say wouldn't come instead she blinked back the tears and carried on as if her world wasn't coming to an end.
Later that night Caleb crawled into bed beside her "honey what's wrong?"
"What makes you think somethings wrong?" she asked refusing to look at him.
"You've been on edge all evening. I know you well enough to know somethings wrong." He pulled her close kissing her forehead "are you sick?"
"Oh Caleb," she wailed unable to say more as she began to cry.
Holding her tight he rubbed her back feeling her body shake wishing he could take her pain away. His arms tightened in fear as he wondered if he was about to lose her. He couldn't go through that again "Drew tell me what's wrong."
"I'm .... I'm pregnant," she wailed.
"Wait what?" Caleb asked pushing her away from him "isn't that supposed to be a good thing?" His heart pounding in his chest he couldn't but wonder why she was acting like this was the worst thing that could have happened to her. He thought she wanted to have kids, his kids. He swallowed several times as his stomach threatened to release all it's contents.
Not seeing his turmoil Drew continued "I took a pregnancy test a couple weeks ago. It was negative so I didn't think anything of it. But I kept feeling sick. Light Headed. Dizzy. I went to see the doctor...." she burst in to fresh tears.
Caressing her face Caleb kept a tight reign on his feelings as he asked "that's when you found out you're pregnant?"
Nodding "the pregnancy test I took gave me a false negative." Covering her face with her hands she cried harder "we were having twins."
"Were," the past tense caused his heart to skip a beat "did...did we lose them?" he asked fighting had to remain calm and strong for her.
"I have to go back tomorrow," she sniffed one of the embryo's attached to my Fallopian tube. They'll surgically remove it before the tube raptures. The surgery more than likely will cause me to miscarry and lose the other baby."
His mind reeling and he wondered how she had managed not to break down all evening as he and Ambrose gushed over Tayla's baby. "What happens if they don't do the surgery?" he asked dreading the answer.
"It's potentially life threatening. Not having the surgery would be fatal." She wrapped her fists into his pajama top crying "it's .... it's not fair. I want both my babies."
He held her tight it didn't seem enough but it was all he could do. Eventually they fell asleep in an exhausted heap of tangled arms and legs. When the alarm went off and Drew stirred beside him Caleb grabbed her and held her tight "I'm coming with you." He kissed her gently saying "we'll get through this together."
