Luke smiled weakly. “God, I wanted that so bad with you, Libby.”
Placing my hands on his face I looked into his eyes. “Luke, listen to me. Look into my eyes and hear what I’m saying. We’re having a baby. I’m pregnant, Luke. I found out the day before we left for the camping trip. We’re having a baby in about eight months. So you can’t leave me alone. You can’t do this to me. I need you! We need you. The baby and I, we both need you.”
Luke’s face lit up. “A baby? We’re having a baby? How?”
I giggled as my teeth began to chatter. “Well, if you really need me to explain.”
He smiled bigger. “No, I mean I thought you were on the pill?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I am. I never miss a pill and I take them every day at the same time. I guess your swimmers were bound and determined.”
The color in Luke’s face instantly looked better. He sat up a little more. “I can’t believe we’re having a baby. Your dad is going to break my other leg.”
I laughed as I pressed my lips against Luke’s. He’s back. Thank you, God. Thank you!
I heard voices. Pulling my lips from Luke’s I turned my head to listen. “Over here! I see them, Luke! Help’s coming!”
Carefully moving Luke’s head from my lap, I jumped up. I started yelling out, “Here! Please help us! Over here!”
Two men came running up. They were both dressed in state park uniforms. I couldn’t really see what they looked like since it was so dark out. They stopped and looked at me, but I pointed to Luke. “Please, he broke his leg and hit his head. He’s lost a lot of blood. We need to get him out right away.”
The one guy was carrying a medical case and looked back at the other guy. “Tell them we need StarFlight, stat!”
MY HEAD WAS resting on Luke’s bed. I had only left his side twice—when the nurses forced me to get my knee cleaned up and when they had brought him into surgery for his leg. My knee had been cut but not enough for stitches. It was for sure banged up pretty good, but thankfully nothing was broken.
The sound of Luke breathing calmed me. They had brought him back from the recovery room about an hour ago. His surgery on his leg went well, but the doctor said he would be weak from all the blood he lost.
A chill ran through my entire body. One of the nurses had let me borrow her sweatshirt. I felt like I couldn’t get warm. Because I had been hurt as well, I rode in the helicopter with Luke. The hospital hadn’t been able to get a hold of my parents or Luke’s until about two hours ago. They were driving up from the coast and should be here soon.
Lifting my head, I looked at my engagement ring. Smiling, I leaned back in the chair. The door opened and a young lady walked in.
“Ms. Hayes?”
I nodded my head. She walked up to me and extended her hand. She sat down and faced me. “I’m Doctor Colin. We got some results back from one of your tests.”
I looked at her badge. She was an OB doctor. Smiling I nodded my head. “I’m about four weeks pregnant.”
Her face relaxed. “Okay, I wasn’t sure if you knew. You hadn’t mentioned being pregnant when they were checking you all out.”
Looking down, I felt guilty for forgetting. I felt her hand on my knee. “You had to have just found out. Don’t feel guilty. You had other things on your mind.”
Chewing on my lip, I sniffed. “What kind of mother forgets she’s pregnant?”
“The kind who just went through a very terrifying situation.”
Nodding my head, I looked at Luke. “I guess so.” Looking back to the doctor, I had a moment of panic. “I don’t want anyone in our family knowing yet. I’m not that far along.”
She nodded. “Of course not. There would be no reason for anyone to tell them.” Her eyes were kind. I took a good look at her. She had blonde, short hair. It was cut just below her chin. Her light-brown eyes were beautiful and you could tell she had a kind heart.
Standing, she shook her head slightly. “Please get some rest, Libby. You’re taking care of a little one now. Eat something and get some sleep.”
Nodding my head, I replied, “I promise I will as soon as our parents get here. I don’t want to leave him alone.”
She smiled sweetly at me.
“Thank you, Doctor Colin. Have a good day.”
“You’re welcome. Please remember, eat and sleep. Soon.”
Smiling weakly, I agreed.
Watching the doctor leave the room I let out a sigh as I shook my head. I felt the tears building in my eyes. Closing my eyes, I felt a tear roll down my face. Wiping it away I whispered, “Some mother I’m going to be.”
Leaning forward, I placed my elbows on Luke’s bed and buried my face in my hands. I was so tired. My body hurt and I was so scared.
I started to doze off again when I heard something. Lifting my head, I looked around and then looked at Luke. He was staring at me.
I jumped, practically knocking the chair over. “Luke! You’re okay, you’re in the hospital. Everything is going to be okay, baby.”
Leaning down, I placed my lips to his as he moved his hand to the back of my neck and deepened the kiss. The warmth of his kiss warmed my body immediately. It was as if his kiss made me realize everything was going to be okay.
“I love you, Luke. I love you so much.”
A smile slowly spread across Luke’s face. “Please tell me I wasn’t dreaming when you said you were pregnant.”
I half laughed, half cried as I nodded my head and placed my hand on the side of his face. “You weren’t dreaming.”
His smile turned into a full-blown grin as his eyes filled with tears. “Libby, your daddy’s gonna kill me.”
Giggling, I said, “Me too! I think I’m more afraid of my mother than I am my father.” I slowly looked back into Luke’s green eyes. “I was so scared I was going to lose you, Luke. I can’t live this life without you in it. I just can’t. You’re my entire world.”
Luke reached up and wiped a tear off my face. “You didn’t lose me, I’m fine, Lib. A little broken and bruised, but I’m going to be fine. It’s gonna be you, me, and baby makes three.”
I chuckled and shook my head. It wasn’t going to be as easy as Luke was making it seem. He still had a little more than a year of college and I had two years. Looking down I took a deep breath.
“What about school?” I asked as Luke narrowed his eyes together.
“We’ll finish this semester and take summer classes. We can find an apartment in College Station for us while I finish out my last year. If you want to keep going, we’ll work something out. Maybe we can hire someone to help you, but you’ll fall at least a semester behind.” He smiled. “When are you due?”
“November sixth.”
Luke’s eyes searched my face. “Libby, I’ll support you and this baby and if that means I stay in College Station and work at a damn gas station while you finish school, I will.”
I let out a chuckle as I rolled my eyes. “We still have some time to think about it. I don’t want to make too many plans, just in case.”
“Don’t say that. She’s gonna be a beautiful and healthy baby girl.”
Raising my eyebrows I tilted my head. “She, huh?”
Luke shrugged his shoulders. “Or he. I’m not going to be picky.” Winking he tried to adjust himself in the bed.
“Oh shit! I was supposed to let them know when you woke up.” Reaching up, I hit the call button.
A woman’s voice came over the speaker that was built into the side of the bed. “May I help you?”
“Yes, um, Luke’s awake.”
“Okay, thank you for letting me know. I’ll let his nurse know.”
“Thank you,” I said as I watched Luke’s face. He seemed really happy about the baby. I was betting we were going to be the only two who were happy. I needed to brace myself for the lectures I was going to get from my parents.
“Libby, look at me,” Luke whispered. Turning, I looked into his love filled eyes. “It’s going to be
okay. I promise you. It’s all going to be okay. I love you and I already love this baby because it is a part of you and me. We’re going to be okay.”
Chewing on my lower lip, I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. “I don’t want my parents to be disappointed in me. I swear I didn’t miss a pill, Luke. I swear.”
Luke patted the side of his bed. “I need you in my arms, Lib.”
I crawled up as Luke attempted to move. I knew he was in pain. I snuggled up the best I could as he draped his arm around me. “Libby, we decided together when we made the decision to trust just using the pill. What happened is a miracle and I don’t really give a shit what my parents or your parents think. To me, our child saved my life.”
I lifted my head and gave him a knowing look. He rolled his eyes. “Okay, I do care. I’m not going to feel bad though. Everything happens for a reason and I really honestly believe that you got pregnant and it saved my life. I was ready to give up, Lib. I was weak and tired. I wanted to make it all go away. Then when you told me you were pregnant, this feeling rushed through my body. I was ready to stand up and hobble the hell out of the place.” Luke placed his hand on my stomach. “This baby is our saving grace.”
Tears fell from my eyes as I let Luke’s word sink in. It was true. In this moment, I believed that our baby was a miracle from God because he knew we were going to need her to pull through last night.
I lifted my head and let out a gasp. “The Lamberts.”
Luke pulled back and looked at me. “What about them?”
“They were on the trail last night and I was ready to give up. I was cold and in pain and you were slowly slipping further away. Mr. Lambert was the one who reminded me about the baby. Not in a direct way, but, it was as if he knew I was pregnant.” Shaking my head, I thought back to last night. “Come to think of it. They weren’t able to find them and the park rangers said someone called and just told them to check the falls trail. Someone was hurt.”
Luke made a face. “Huh. Maybe they called.”
“From where? We know they didn’t have cell phones.” I went to say something else when the door to Luke’s room opened. An older gentleman walked in and smiled when he saw me in bed with Luke. I quickly scurried my way off of the bed. Smiling I said above a whisper, “Sorry.”
Holding up his hands, he smiled. “No worries.” Turning to Luke he reached out his hand as Luke shook it. “Well, Mr. Johnson you’re looking better than you were last night when they brought you in. I’m Doctor Grambs. I performed the surgery on your leg earlier this morning. You had a pretty good break in your right leg.”
Luke chuckled. “I’d say so.”
The doctor glanced to me and smiled. Looking back at Luke he continued to talk. “You suffered an open fracture, or some call it a compound fracture, of your right tibia. We needed to go in and place a plate and screws to help with the bones healing. Typical healing time for this type of fracture is about four months, although it can take as long as six months or longer. I’ll want you to do some physical therapy as soon as possible.”
Luke nodded. “When will I be able to put weight on it?”
“Fairly quickly. I’ll want you to use precautions of course and fracture pain will go away long before the bone is completely healed so I want you to take it easy. Just because it feels better, doesn’t mean it’s one hundred percent better.”
Luke nodded his head. “Yes, sir. I understand.”
Pointing to Luke’s forehead he said, “The gash in your forehead was pretty deep. We ended up putting thirteen stitches in. You’ll need to come back and get those taken out.”
The doctor and Luke talked for a few more minutes before he told Luke to take it easy and get some rest.
I stood and walked the doctor to the door. After closing the door, I leaned against it and smiled. “I guess I’ll have to play nurse to you when we get home.”
Luke gave a pretend disgusted look as he rolled his eyes. “I guess I’ll have to suck it up and take it like a man.”
I began to make my way over to him, I needed to feel his lips on mine when the door opened again. Jeff and Ari walked in. Ari had tears rolling down her face as she rushed over to Luke’s side.
“Oh, my poor baby.” She leaned over and kissed his forehead next to his stitches. Luke’s left eye was black and blue. Turning Ari looked at me. She gave me a quick once over and then walked up and pulled me into her arms. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” Pushing me back at arm’s length she searched my face. I smiled and nodded.
“I’m fine. I promise. Just a sore knee and a broken phone.” Peeking back to Luke my heart dropped. “Nothing like Luke though.” I pushed back my tears as I looked into Ari’s eyes. She placed her hand on the side of my face. “You look tired, honey. You need to get some rest. After your mom and dad see Luke, I want you to let them take you to the hotel.”
I nodded my head. I didn’t want to leave Luke, but I wanted to sleep and rest. I didn’t want to add any stress on my body because of the baby. “I will. I promise. I didn’t want to leave him until someone else got here.”
Jeff was talking to Luke and asking him about his injuries. Luke filled them in on his leg and the bump on his head. I was so thankful he didn’t have any other serious injuries.
Clearing my throat, all three of them looked at me. “Um, I’m gonna head on out to the waiting room and fill my parents in.” Walking up to Luke, I gently kissed him on the lips. “I love you,” I whispered.
He smiled and said, “Before you go—”
Panic set in. Was he going to say something about the baby? We agreed to wait.
“Isn’t there something you want to show Mom and Dad?”
My eyes widened in horror. Luke quickly saw my concern. “What’s on your finger,” he said, clearing up my confusion.
Glancing down, I saw my pale-yellow engagement ring. Smiling I held my hand out. “Luke asked me to marry him next to the falls. Before the accident.”
Ari’s hands covered her mouth as she let out a squeal. She took my hand and held up the ring. Glancing over to Luke, she smiled. “See, I knew all those times I dragged you shopping with me and Grace, it would pay off. Oh Luke, darling this is beautiful.”
I bit on my lip and beamed with happiness. Ari looked into my eyes and I could see how happy she truly was. “It’s perfect for you, Libby.”
Jeff pulled me into his arms. “I’m so happy for you both.” Kissing me on the forehead he whispered, “Thank you for loving him like you do, Libby.”
My heart dropped and I swallowed hard. Pulling back, I nodded my head as I smiled at Jeff.
Turning, I headed to the door and out to see my parents. As the door shut, I dragged in a deep breath and blew it out before I made my way to my parents. I prayed to God they didn’t see through my charade.
SITTING ON THE back porch, I looked out at the rain. Libby was now twelve weeks pregnant and we still hadn’t told anyone. It was early May and school was about over. Libby and I talked about how we were going to tell our parents. My leg was healing well, but I was still taking it easy. The last thing I wanted to do was reinjure it.
I heard the screen door open and I smiled. I could sense Libby before I even knew it was her. Inhaling a deep breath, Libby’s perfume filled my senses. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she leaned over and whispered in my ear. “I’m feeling a little frisky and everyone is home. Boo.”
I chuckled as I took her hand and brought her around to sit on my lap. She sat down and wiggled as I raised my eyebrow. “Are you nervous?”
Letting out a sigh, she nodded her head. “I think Grace knows.”
“Really? What makes you say that?”
Looking over my shoulder to see if anyone was coming, she turned back to me. “The morning sickness. I tried so hard to keep it on the down low but a few times it just hit me when I was with her. Then yesterday, she ran into me at the mall when I was picking up our shirts.”
I chuckled, causing Libby to bounce on
my lap and my dick to jump. “The shirts. I can’t wait to wear them.”
Libby placed her hand over her mouth and giggled. “I’m not sure they are going to lessen the blow.”
I ran my hand up and down her back. “Libby, they’re going to be thrilled.”
Libby lifted her thumb and began chewing on her nail. I pulled it from her mouth. “Stop it. They’re going to be happy.”
“Who’s going to be happy and about what?”
Libby closed her eyes as I looked at Grace walking out the door and making her way over to us.
Think Johnson. Think.
“Will and Alex. We’re going to surprise them with a weekend in Fredericksburg this summer.”
Libby’s eyes widened as she nodded her head in approval.
Grace pursed her lips together and nodded her head. “What a nice thing to do. How come y’all are doing that for them?”
Libby’s smile faded as I felt the sweat bead along the top of my forehead. “Um, I don’t know,” I said as I shrugged. “Just thought it would be a nice thing to do. We plan on doing nice things all summer for our friends.”
Libby got off my lap as she nodded her head. “Yeah, like I’m going to treat you to a manicure and a pedicure.”
Grace gave Libby a pretend smile. “Awe, that is so sweet. My future sister-in-law is buttering me up.”
“That’s not true. It’s just we haven’t hardly spent any time together and I thought this would be nice. There’s no hidden meaning behind it.”
Grace grinned bigger. “Well I think that’s awesome. Will you let me go shopping with you and buy the baby clothes?”
Oh shit.
Libby’s head snapped over as she looked at me. I gave her what I hoped was a stay calm look.
Libby scrunched her nose and plastered on a fake confused look, as she let out a nervous chuckle. “Baby clothes? Why would you want to buy baby clothes?” Libby asked with a nervous smile.
Grace tilted her head and crossed her arms as she looked from Libby, to me, and back to Libby again.
“Do you think I’m stupid? Really? I know the two of you better than you know yourselves.” She pointed to me. “You, you walk around with that goofy smile on your face all the damn time. You place your hand on Libby’s stomach and whisper into her ear at least twice a day when you don’t think anyone is watching.”