Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 89

A Blessing

Chapter 89

Analise’s POV

I saw they were all in good spirits, and wondered what was going on. I didn’t think anything more of it until we stopped down the hallway outside of the half bath. My mother opened the door with a flourish, and I saw two different pregnancy tests lying on the counter on a paper towel. I looked at her, and then at my in–laws.

They were almost too excited to speak.

“What’s going on, Mom?” I asked. I knew what was up, but I’ve only been married for less than three weeks at this point. We were hopeful, but letting things proceed naturally. I’ve never been on birth control, and I knew that we could get pregnant quickly. I just didn’t think it would happen this quickly. I hadn’t given much thought to having a baby, not quite this soon, but I was enjoying trying to conceive one. We practiced every day to achieve just that. I knew I wanted a few, but I wasn’t pressuring myself about it. It would eventually happen, no rush.

I also knew that Charlie was very excited about starting a family. It was rare for a man to want children, especially right after our wedding. But Charlie is unique. A man’s man, who could defend himself and me at the drop of a hat. But he shows real emotions when it comes to me or our potential children. He teases me that caring for someone doesn’t make him less of a man for it. He believes that caring for one’s family is one of the most noble acts a person can do.

“bought them on the way home, Ana. No pressure, you can just check. This would explain everything that

you’re going through right now. I don’t think that you threw up because of stress. I think there’s another reason for it. It can’t hurt to see now, will it? Charlie doesn’t know about the tests. If you’re not pregnant, no harm done. But if you are, the sooner you know the better. We will be over the moon if you are. We needed some positive news after today. I thought nothing could get me past what the Vaughn family has done to us But this would. Knowing that my daughter is pregnant would be the best news ever. I can’t wait to hold my grandchild in my arms,” My mother gushed.

“I understand, it’s past time that Charlie made us great–grandparents. Charles and I have dreamed of this moment. But even if you’re not pregnant just yet. I have so much hope for holding your precious baby. I just hope that Charles and Chuck can keep a lid on it until we know for sure,” Teresa chirped.

“Wait, you told them that you thought I was pregnant?” I asked, my tone rising as I spoke. I feel so embarrassed. I mean, we’re married, but I didn’t know how my father was going to feel about his baby girl being pregnant. Let alone Charlie’s Dad, that was embarrassing.

“Oh, trust me, they are all thrilled at the thought of you having a baby. Don’t doubt that for a second. You know what a woraholic Chuck is, but he’s here, isn’t he? I’m so happy at the thought of finally getting a grandchild. Maybe that will slow Chuck down. He works too much. He needs to find a better work/life balance. He took time off after Charlie was born, but only for a few months. I worry about him,” Melissa, Charlie’s mother, added. The hope she had in her eyes was obvious. She was definitely going to try to get him to step back once a grandbaby arrived.

“Alright, what do I do? I asked with a sigh.

My mother entered the bathroom and pulled the caps off the two pregnancy tests. “It’s easy. You just pee on

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A Blessing

this end, and you can do them both at the same time. Then in five minutes, we will know if you’re pregnant or not. Now, they aren’t conclusive, but I caught both Seth and you early on with the same tiredness that you mentioned. I know it’s early in your pregnancy, but to confirm, we can always have blood work drawn to get an accurate test result. I have a strong feeling that you’re pregnant. Just set them on the paper towels when

you’re done. The waiting is the hardest part, I swear. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to find out if I’m going to be a grandparent,” my mother squealed out the last of it, like she was a teenager.

She really wanted to know, and it made me laugh. I was much calmer than my mother, I guess, because this had just come up. I hadn’t had time to even think about the possibility of it, not like they had. I’m sure my mother called them the moment she and Dad got into their vehicle to leave the courthouse. I went into the

bathroom and took care of business. I didn’t know how much, as there was no box or instructions in here, so I

held them there the whole time. I placed them on the paper towel, straightened my clothes, and washed my

hands.

Nothing had changed on the test, and I had to force myself to leave the bathroom. I couldn’t get my hopes up. I didn’t want to be disappointed if it turned out to be negative. Charlie had really given it his all while we were on our honeymoon. So I wouldn’t be surprised if we were. My mind was racing. I was already hoping that the

tests would come back positive.

I knew it was too soon, but I’m twenty–seven. I have always known that I wanted to have three children. I liked having Seth as a built–in playmate. I always wanted the same for my children. I had definite ideas about having them two years apart so they would be close in ages. I knew I would like one of each, like my mother had. It didn’t matter what the third child was. I would be happy with three, even if we had all boys or all girls.

I knew in my heart that Charlie would be the very best father. I dodged a bullet with that, too. Neither Holden nor Roger would have made good fathers. I’m guessing, but deep down, I knew it was true. Holden only cares about Holden. Roger always thought that it was the mother’s responsibility to raise the children. That’s why he wanted me to quit after we were married. At least, that was the original plan. Holden might think he cares about me now. But I don’t see any change in him. His telling me that he’s gone six weeks without having s*x.

It seemed like he wanted some kind of medal or award for it.

My mother’s cell phone pinged with an alarm, breaking me out of my thoughts. “It’s been five minutes, but we can give it another minute if you want,” she offered.

“No, let’s go ahead and check it. Even if I’m not pregnant, it’s fine. We will get pregnant when it’s our time. I just don’t want any of you to be too disappointed, okay?” I reminded them. They were still so excited, I was just trying to let them down as gently as I could. The odds of my being pregnant, especially so soon, are pretty low.

They heard what I said, but their excitement never wavered, not even for a second. My mother and Melissa slipped into the bathroom to look at the tests. I had wanted to know the results first, but my feet wouldn’t

step forward. Teresa stood in the hallway with me, rubbing my back.

“Bambina, I could never be disappointed in you. I’ve seen how our Charlie looks at you. I was thrilled when Charles came home almost a month ago and shared the good news that Charlie had proposed to you. Charles is an excellent judge of character. He knew that you were special from the first night he met you. Melissa and I were delighted to meet you the next day. Ana. You helped our Charlie learn to love and trust again. Even if you’re not pregnant now, we know that you and Charlie will soon be blessed with your own bambina, or bambino, very soon,” Teresa announced.

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* A Blessing

I was trying to hold back tears, but I lost that battle. They loved me from the moment I met them. They never held back affection, which I was starving for. I loved his grandparents as much as I loved my own. The love they had for Charlie was immediately given to me. I’d done nothing to deserve it, but I am thrilled to be a part of his family. I love Melissa and Chuck, too. But there is something so special about Teresa and Charles. I adore them, and I’m thankful to be in their lives.

“Ana,” my mother said. Her smile almost covered her entire face; she was overjoyed. She was almost vibrating with excitement. Despite not wanting to get excited, I felt like I knew what the results were just from seeing the expressions on their faces.

“Go ahead, Mom. Just say it,” I replied. Teresa continued to rub my back in soothing circles. They each held a pregnancy test.

They looked at each other before they squealed out in excitement, “You’re pregnant.”

It was almost like they rehearsed it to be able to say it at the same time, like that. I was stunned. I ran my hand over my stomach, as my smile grew. I was pregnant. I was going to have a baby. Charlie and I were going to have a baby. I felt the tears run down my face. I wanted to run to him. But I knew I needed to calm down first. He’s going to be so happy.

He has talked about our being pregnant repeatedly. Even thinking up names for the baby, before we were pregnant. He insisted that if we have a boy, Charles isn’t his first name. That if we did use it, it would be his middle name. His reasoning? “Having so many people named Charles, or some variation of it, is difficult. Dad and I had to use a nickname all these years. I understand tradition and respect, but I want my son to have his own name. Having his middle name be Charles is good enough for me.”

He was insistent about it. I could see where it might be confusing. He will have nine months to decide, as we are now expecting a baby. I was handed a cool rag to place on my face. They were all excitedly speaking to one another, making plans.

“Melissa, we get to have a nursery again,” Teresa clapped her hands together in excitement.

“Ana, please let me design the baby’s room. I will do it however you wish, but I would love to be involved in the planning and execution of it,” my mother asked

She looked vulnerable and unsure of herself. She was clearly fearful that I would deny her this. I had used another decorator for my current house. But that was to keep her and Dad from trying to pressure me into marrying Holden. Who better to carry out my vision for our nursery than my own mother?

“Yes, Alicia, after you come up with some ideas, let us know. You can also do the one at our home. I’m so excited, I feel like I’m going to burst. You need to tell him quickly, Ana. I don’t know how long I can keep this wonderful secret in,” Melissa gushed.

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