“Maggie, you have a nice little life here with your family, but Rachel doesn’t belong here. So you need to really stay out of this, don’t get too attached to her.” Chelsea’s tone was dismissive and patronizing. She knew nothing about Maggie’s life, and this sent bolts of anger through her veins.
“Chelsea, I really think maybe you should leave, considering there isn’t anything here for you.”
“That’s fine, but I want you to know I will do everything to protect Rachel.” Chelsea turned on her heel and stormed out.
Maggie sat down at her desk, trying to wrap her head around what just happened. She felt the need to confront Rachel and warn Liam, but how could she when she held a secret that could change Liam’s life forever? Maggie grabbed her purse and headed to the school to see Rachel.
***
Karen greeted Maggie as she entered the school foyer. “Maggie, how are you today, dear?”
“Great, thanks,” answered Maggie impatiently.
“Did you need to pull out Melanie?” Karen questioned.
Maggie shook her head. “Is Rachel in by chance?”
“Yes, in her office. You want me to call her?”
“No, it’s okay. Can I go back there?”
Karen smiled. “Of course you can.” The telephone next to Karen rang, and she waved Maggie on as she answered it.
Maggie walked cautiously down the hall. She had never been in trouble at school, but the fear of going to the principal’s office had always been there. Or perhaps it was the dread of having to confront Rachel.
She knocked lightly and then opened the door slowly, but first she saw Liam standing over Rachel. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know…”
Rachel tried smoothing her skirt flat, her face flushed, as was Liam’s. “It’s fine, how’s it going, Maggie?”
“Good,” she said, turning her attention to Liam, arching her eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be teaching right now?”
“Recess. Also, Rachel found out some terrific news.” Liam smiled.
Thank God, Rachel told him.
Panic rose in Rachel’s eyes, and Maggie became confused as she heard Liam speak. “The district office came back with the testing results for our school. We did great, and they offered Rachel a contract to stay on as principal. Isn’t that awesome?”
“Fantastic news. Congratulations, Rachel,” Maggie said, looking at her friend.
The bell sounded, and Liam snatched another kiss from Rachel before he said goodbye to both of them.
“Crap, Rachel, you haven’t told him yet?” Maggie scolded.
“I know, I will, I promise, I just haven’t fully processed this whole thing. We are supposed to go and celebrate tomorrow night,” Rachel explained. “Chelsea’s flight is tomorrow morning.”
Maggie released a loud sigh. “Yeah, I just ran into her, well, actually, she showed up at the shop.”
Rachel smiled. “Really? Probably to see if Patrick was around. Boy, she thinks he’s one of the best looking guys she has ever seen.”
Maggie knew that Rachel had no clue about what went on with Chelsea.
“Patrick wasn’t there, but she was there to see him for sure.” Maggie took a seat at one the chairs in front of Rachel’s desk as Rachel sank down into hers. Rachel looked happy and content; she didn’t look like a woman who wanted to leave. “Rachel, have you told your parents about the baby yet?”
Instantly, Rachel’s smile faded. “No, I haven’t told anyone else besides you and Chelsea. I want to tell Liam next. I have an appointment at the clinic right after school today. I just need to make sure I’m pregnant before I drop a bomb on him.”
“Okay, do you want me to go with you?” Maggie offered.
“Chelsea will probably tag along, if she isn’t too busy trying to get her hands on Patrick.”
“You promise you will tell Liam? Because honestly it’s killing me not to tell him, Rachel,” pleaded Maggie.
“Maggie, I want to tell him, but I just worry how he’ll take it. I mean, we just started this relationship, and now I’m pregnant. I know he’s going to want to do the right thing, he’s that kind of guy, know what I mean?”
“I do, and that’s why it’s important that he knows so he can make that decision.”
Rachel nodded. “I had a hard enough time letting my guard down to date him, and I’m not so sure I’m ready for the altar.”
“It’s hard for me to keep this from him, Rachel. Liam and I are very close. So you are going to tell him tomorrow?” Maggie asked.
“Yes, I promise.”
At least that was settled.
***
Rachel
Rachel sat nervously next to Chelsea, who was flipping through magazines at a rapid pace. The office waiting room was empty, except for a child and her parent. She recognized the girl from school and gave her a small wave. The child smiled, then coughed and snuggled closer to her parent.
“I’m so freaked out, Chelsea,” Rachel said.
Chelsea put the magazine down. “Maybe those tests were bogus.”
Rachel nodded her head. “Part of me is kind of excited, is that weird?”
“What? Are you serious? Come on, Rachel.”
Something was off with Chelsea, she had acted strange when Rachel picked her up after work to go to the clinic. She seemed a little cold and distant, and not her usual bubbly self.
“Is everything okay?” Rachel probed carefully, thinking maybe Chelsea was a tad envious about Rachel’s possible pregnancy. They used to be in constant competition, always trying to outdo the other, well, it was more like Chelsea wanting to outshine anything Rachel was doing.
“I’m fine.” Chelsea shrugged, her blonde hair moved with her animated motion, “Actually no, I’m not. I went down and talked to Liam’s sister today.”
“Maggie?”
“Yes, I don’t know why you are even friends with her, Rachel.” Chelsea’s voice became louder, her body stiffened.
“What happened?” Rachel was curious now. When she had seen Maggie today, the visit was unexpected. Perhaps her run in with Chelsea was what had spurred it.
“Well, I went to go see if Patrick was at his shop, and I don’t know, she was kind of rude. She and I had a little argument…”
Rachel stopped her. “Wait, what? What did you guys fight about?” She was fully confused now, and wondered what they could have possibly disagreed about. When they hung out on Sunday everything had appeared fine. She actually thought Chelsea and Maggie seemed to have hit it off, which was a huge relief.
“Without rehashing every annoying detail, your little friend doesn’t seem to understand some things.” Chelsea kept being vague, and it started to irritate Rachel.
“Okay, look, I’m not sure what happened between you guys, but I’ve never seen Maggie be rude. Maybe it is just a misunderstanding?” Rachel asked hopefully.
“Oh, it was a misunderstanding, all right.”
A woman with a clipboard entered the waiting room and called out Rachel’s name. Gripping the handle on her purse tighter than necessary, she followed the woman back. Chelsea stayed behind in the waiting room, giving Rachel a weak smile.
***
Rachel discovered that peeing in a cup was more than difficult; it might have taken a trained acrobat to complete the challenge. The nurse laughed when Rachel had joked about the struggle she had. The nurse warned her that it would only get worse. After sitting in a tiny room, the nurse returned with a broad grin on her face and told Rachel what deep in her heart she already knew to be true. She was pregnant.
As she left the clinic with Chelsea, a prescription for prenatal vitamins, and a schedule for an ultrasound, Rachel actually felt a little excited.
“So, this is, like, for real, then?” Chelsea asked as Rachel slowly backed her car out of the clinic’s parking lot.
“I guess so. I mean, wow, right?”
“Rachel, what are we going to do?” Chelsea’s voice filled with panic.
Rachel almost
felt the need to stop the car and give Chelsea a hug, her friend was struggling more with the reality of the situation than Rachel was. Granted, almost a week ago Rachel felt like someone tipped her world upside down, and then she remembered Mary saying that God doesn’t make mistakes and that things happen for a reason. She found comfort in that, and now she was anxious to share the news with Liam. She wasn’t completely sure how the rest of the O’Briens would take the news; she was worried more about Mary’s reaction. Rachel would cross that bridge when she got to it. Right then she just wanted to enjoy the magical feeling.
***
Chelsea sat on the couch next to Rachel, she had her bags packed and sitting by the door, ready for tomorrow’s early flight.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving already. It feels like you just got here.” Rachel frowned. “Will you come back up for the baby shower?”
“Rachel, maybe you should come down for that. I’m sure your mother would appreciate it.”
Rachel groaned. “God, I’m dreading telling my mother. She is going to freak out.”
“Well, can you blame her? I mean you go and move up here, and then like a minute later you get yourself pregnant.”
Rachel stared at her friend. “I didn’t do this on purpose, Chelsea. Remember how upset I was the first time I slept with Liam?”
“I know, but you should have been more prepared. Your mother doesn’t even know you are actually dating Liam, so how do you think she is going to react when she finds out you are having his baby?” Chelsea’s eyes were burning with anger. “Rachel, you never should have moved up here.”
“Chelsea, I love it here. This place is really wonderful, and I have met the greatest people. I found everything that was missing in my life here in Birch Valley. Most importantly, I found Liam.”
Chelsea snorted. “This isn’t where you belong. You should come back home, your parents can help you figure out this whole baby thing. You don’t have to keep it, Rachel, you have options. Think about your future, is this really where you want to live for the rest of your life?”
Rachel’s eyes grew wide. “I’m really surprised you are acting like this, I thought you supported me. You sound more like my mother than my best friend.”
“I’m trying to look out for you, and you don’t seem to be thinking rationally at all. I mean, honestly, you expect to work for the rest of your life? You think Liam can support you and this baby? He’s a teacher, for Pete’s sake. I’ve seen his truck, he obviously is not well off.” Chelsea’s disgusted tone made Rachel squirm uneasily. “Don’t you think it’s better you hear this from me, rather than your mother?”
“Chelsea, I appreciate where you are coming from, but honestly, I don’t care how much money Liam makes, I love my job, and I love him. I don’t give a flying crap what my mother has to say about it. She hardly speaks to me, I think she has to come to terms that I’m never going to be the daughter she wanted.” Rachel raised her voice, as she hadn’t expected this from Chelsea. “I don’t want to marry some rich guy so he can throw enough money at me while he fools around behind my back and leaves me at home. No thanks.”
“Not all guys are like your ex. There is nothing wrong with marrying someone who can provide you with a good life, one that you deserve.”
“I’m not saying they are all like him, but what I am saying is that I’m more interested in the life Liam could offer me.” Rachel was beyond pissed. If Liam asked her to run away and marry him, she wouldn’t hesitate. Her emotions were scattered all over the place, but right then the thought of being Liam’s wife made her feel secure and loved. She wanted to run to him and have his strong arms hold her.
“Liam can offer you what, exactly? His tired, old pick-up truck, some crummy house in the woods, living here in the redneck wonderland?”
“First off, you can quit insulting Liam. He’s been nothing but nice to you. His entire family was hospitable and kind. In fact, you were so anxious to get your claws in Patrick I thought maybe you liked it up here,” Rachel retorted.
“God, I wouldn’t marry Patrick, are you serious? He doesn’t even own that shop. Besides, I could never live here. As far as Liam’s family being so awesome, I’d have to disagree with you on that one too, his little sister sure is a piece of work.”
“Chelsea, you ever think that maybe you pissed her off? Maybe you were acting rude? Maybe you said some disgusting things about her brother?”
“Rachel, I just don’t get it. I don’t know what has happened to you, but you are not the same person anymore.” Chelsea spat as she sprang from the couch in anger and went to the guest room.
Rachel fumed, but a part of her felt broken and sad. Chelsea was her best friend, but so much had changed in her life, things were so different. She didn’t want to lose their friendship. She needed Chelsea to see that she was finally happy, and maybe that’s why she didn’t seem like the same person anymore.
***
Rachel hugged Chelsea tightly at the airport terminal. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Me too.” Chelsea sniffled.
They had discussed everything on the way to the airport. Their friendship remained intact as they parted ways, still not fully seeing eye-to-eye, but Rachel hoped that Chelsea could eventually accept her decisions.
After one last wave, Rachel pulled her car slowly away from the drop-off point. Sadness sat in the car with her. She felt even more alone than usual in the empty car on the way back to Birch Valley, but a quick wave of nausea reminded her that she wasn’t alone.
***
Rachel had invited Liam to come to her home that evening to celebrate the state testing results, as opposed to going out to dinner as originally planned. He happily accepted her offer, and arrived with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine.
She reached up on the tips of her toes to kiss him. “These are beautiful.”
“Just like you,” Liam said. A hunger stirred in his green eyes that caused Rachel to melt.
He followed her inside the house. She continued toward the kitchen to find something to put the flowers in.
“Smells great in here,” Liam commented as he took a seat on her couch and waited for her to return.
“Don’t get excited, I didn’t cook, it’s a pizza I ordered for us.” Rachel laughed as she joined him, snuggling close. Liam had sat the bottle of wine on the table and suddenly Rachel realized she wouldn’t be partaking in the delicious beverage.
“That’s okay, I figured it wasn’t your cooking.”
Rachel playfully slapped his chest. They sat there quietly for a moment. Rachel savored being next to him, feeling his warmth from his body radiate to her. She looked up and studied his face. The sandy brown hair a little longer than she liked, his eyelashes were thick and shrouded his gorgeous eyes, and his strong jawline was freshly shaved. She inhaled the scent of his aftershave when a thought crossed into her mind. What would their child look like? Would it inherit the famous O’Brien eyes, or maybe her slightly upturned nose, which she hated? She needed to tell him.
“Liam…”
He bent down and planted a soft kiss on her lips, and electricity burned through her as it always did when his sensual mouth was on hers. Focus, Rachel.
Pulling away, she started to speak. “I have something I need to tell you.”
Liam’s gaze focused on her; she had his full attention. “Everything okay?” Concern laced his voice, and Rachel’s stomach became a jumbled knot of nerves.
“Yes, well, that depends, I guess.” The words she wanted to say didn’t want to leave her mouth.
Liam seemed to sense her hesitation and fear. “Whatever you need to say, just say it.” His hands moved from her shoulders to her arms, stroking them gently.
“God, I didn’t think it would be so hard to tell you,” Rachel managed to say.
“Let me guess, you are finally ready to tell me ‘I love you’, because honestly, it’s not that big of a deal, I already know that you do, and if you don’t now, you
will,” Liam said playfully as he kissed her on top of her head.
“Well, yeah, but no, that’s not what I need to tell you. But yes, I do love you.”
Liam pulled Rachel up closer to him, as if their bodies weren’t already touching enough. “Well, what is it then?”
A loud shriek sounded, and instantly Rachel smelled something burning. “Oh no, the pizza!” Rachel removed herself quickly from the couch, and ran full speed toward the kitchen. She opened the oven door and looked at the blackened pizza staring back at her. Liam came up behind her, and he had already turned off the smoke alarm. He encircled his arms around Rachel’s waist. “You managed to burn a pizza that was already cooked, impressive.”
Turning around, Rachel had tears in her eyes. This was not going how she imagined.
“Rachel, what’s wrong? Don’t worry about dinner, we can go out.” Liam rested his chin on her head lightly.
“Oh, Liam.” Rachel cried, her words muffled in his chest as she started to sob.
“It’s just a pizza, sweetheart.” Liam cooed softly.
Rachel grabbed Liam’s hand in her own and pulled him out the kitchen, the stink of the burnt pizza following them into the living room, making her stomach turn. “Liam, I need to talk to you about something important,” Rachel said softly as she tried to steady her nerves.
Liam’s eyes followed hers as he waited for her to speak.
She wasn’t quite sure where to begin, finding herself searching for just the right words, Rachel slowly spoke, “Yesterday I went to the clinic after work with Chelsea.” Liam’s thick eyebrows raised slightly. “God, I don’t even know where to start.”
“Are you okay, are you sick or something? Is Chelsea sick?”
“No, Chelsea is fine. Well, I went in for me, you see I haven’t been feeling well, and then I called Chelsea, and that’s why she came up, and then I asked Maggie to come over…” Rachel rambled, and burst into tears, unable to say anything else.
Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) Page 12
