Fair Chances (Fairshore Series Book 3)

by Christina Butrum

  “Yes, Mom, the baby is fine. I’m fine,” Amelia said. “He said it’s a UTI.”

  “A UTI?” her mother asked.

  “Yes, a UTI. He said they’re common in pregnancies.”

  “What’d he tell you to do for that?”

  “He prescribed me antibiotics and told me to come back to see him if I don’t get better within a few days.”

  “Well, in a way that’s good news,” her mother said. “I’m glad the baby’s fine. And you too, of course.”

  Amelia smiled. Her mother was a worry wart. She was sure her mother would have been a minute away from a panic attack if she hadn’t explained the visit to her.

  “We are too,” Amelia stated. “We didn’t know what to think when the pain hit me. It’s pretty scary not knowing.”

  “Yes, it can be scary. It’s important from here on out to take it easy. You’ll need to rest a lot,” her mother said. “You won’t want to overdo it.”

  Amelia smiled. She had received the same lecture from Zach time and time again. She thought maybe it was time to take their advice.

  “I’ve been planning for your baby shower and for your wedding,” her mother said. “I’ve asked Bailey to help.”

  Amelia thought of Bailey helping her mother plan for the baby shower. She was sure it would be a great turn out. Bailey had a knack for being creative and decorating – her mother, not so much. She was glad to hear her best friend would be able to help.

  “Did you ask her or did she volunteer to help?” Amelia asked. She knew Bailey would have been on top of the arrangements and invitations before her mother would get the chance to ask her. She could bet Bailey had the invitation design picked out already.

  “Well, we talked and decided we’d both work together with the baby shower,” her mother said. “Either way, I enjoy her company. She’s a wonderful person, Amelia.”

  Amelia chuckled and said, “You don’t have to tell me. She’s my best friend.”

  “Say, speaking of friends, are you going to invite Alisa?”

  Amelia had not thought too far ahead. She had no idea who she would invite to the baby shower. She knew Bailey for sure, but had no clue who else to invite from Linford and Fairshore.

  “I’m not sure she’d want to come,” Amelia said. “We haven’t talked in a while. Plus, I haven’t had time to really think about inviting anyone.”

  Her mother chuckled. “Well, there’s still plenty of time to figure out who you want to invite. We’re planning to have your baby shower in September since you’re due in October,” her mother explained. “That way you’ll have plenty of time to get everything squared away and ready for the baby.”

  “That sounds good, Mom,” Amelia said. “I’ll think about who I want to invite, okay?”

  “Make no promises with that,” her mother said and laughed. “With your busy schedule, I’m not sure I’d remember anything.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Just saying,” her mother stated. “Now, about the wedding. Have you and Zach set a date and place yet?”

  Amelia looked at the calendar. She wanted to have a fall wedding, but not while she was pregnant. “I thought about October, but don’t want to be pregnant. I’m almost too big for a dress as it is,” Amelia said while she rubbed her baby bump. “And with my due date in October, I’d be taking a chance of having the baby the week of my wedding day.”

  “Oh, stop that,” her mother replied. “You’re not too big for a dress. And I never even thought about you going into labor on your wedding day.”

  “Either way, I’d be miserable being pregnant and in a dress,” Amelia explained. “My feet won’t even fit in my shoes, let alone my high heels. They’re swollen the size of two watermelons.”

  She looked down at her feet to check if they were swollen. Much to her surprise, they weren’t swollen as much as they had been the last few days. Her feet hurt, but she had gotten used to the pain. Her whole body ached. She decided she would lie down and take a nap once she was off the phone with her mother.

  “Well, you take it easy. Sit and relax with your feet up,” her mother demanded. “And when you guys figure out a date and place for your wedding, let me know.”

  Amelia leaned against the counter. The attention she gave her feet made her realize how much pain she was actually in. “Okay, Mom, I’ll let you know.”

  “Okay, keep me updated on any changes, too,” her mother said. “I’m here if you need to talk.”

  “Okay, thanks, Mom,” Amelia said. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Amelia hung up the phone and walked to the freezer. She grabbed two ice packs off the shelf and wrapped them each in a towel. She walked to the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table. She carefully set the towel-wrapped ice packs around her ankles.

  It was only June. She had another four months to go until she could have this baby. She had a feeling it was going to be a long four months.

  “What’re you thinking about?”

  Amelia turned her attention to the voice behind her. Zach stood at the front screen door. The door screeched when he walked into the living room.

  She smiled. “What’re you doing home so early?”

  He shrugged and sat next to her on the couch. “Just figured I’d take a break and come see you. I wanted to make sure everything is okay.”

  Amelia smiled. She fanned her face with her hand as tears welled in her eyes.

  “Don’t cry, babe,” Zach said as he hugged her. He placed a hand on her head and brought her in close to his chest.

  Amelia swallowed the emotion as it crept up. She was thankful to have him in her life. She was happy she could have a man who not only cared about her, but treated her good. She couldn’t ask for more in her life. And with a baby on the way, their life would be perfect and filled with joy.

  “Hey, you’re not having any doubts are you?” Zach lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. His blue eyes were her focus point.

  “Doubts about what?” Amelia asked, confused by how random the question was.

  “Anything,” he stated. “Doubts about us, the pregnancy, or anything.”

  She shook her head. “No, not that I’m aware of.”

  “Good,” he said as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

  “Are you having any doubts?” she asked as she looked up at him.

  “I’m not having doubts, but I’m worried constantly,” he admitted. “I can’t even leave for work without wondering what you’ll be doing or if you guys will be okay.”

  Uncontrollable tears fell from her eyes. He reached for the box of tissues and handed it to her. “Hey, don’t cry,” he said. “Why are you crying?”

  “Stupid hormones have me choking up over everything,” Amelia whispered between her sobs.

  Zach leaned away from her. “I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”

  Amelia shook her head while she wiped her eyes with a tissue. “No, you haven’t said anything wrong for a while.”

  Zach chuckled. “A while, huh?”

  Amelia nodded. She smiled through her tears.

  “Are you sure everything is okay?” Zach asked. The look of concern covered his face.

  Amelia looked into his eyes. How had she found someone so true? She wondered what she had done to deserve a man like him in her life. Aside from her father, he was the best man in her life.

  “Are you sure you’re okay with the pregnancy? Are you happy?” Zach asked. He insisted she answered his questions. “You can tell me if you’re having doubts or if you’re not…”

  She interrupted him. “Zach, I’m one hundred percent sure I’m fine with the pregnancy and I’m completely happy.”

  “Promise?”

  Amelia tossed her head back and laughed. “Yes, I promise!”

  “So, what’ve you been thinking about lately? And don’t tell me nothing, because I know it’s something,” Zach said as he pointed a finger at her.

  “Well, it’s
just me thinking,” Amelia said. “I can’t believe how fast these last few months have gone by. We have so much to prepare for and plan for. I don’t know where to start. It’s overwhelming, actually.”

  Zach nodded. “You’re right. The months have gone by, but you shouldn’t be worrying so much about planning anything. We’ve got it all figured out.”

  Amelia shook her head. “Not everything.”

  Zach raised an eyebrow. “What don’t we have figured out? We’ve got the baby’s room painted and the decorations are done. The crib and all the fancy furniture is together,” Zach explained. “I don’t know what else there is to figure out.”

  Amelia wondered if he had forgotten about his proposal. She wondered if he realized they had yet to set a date. She looked at the diamond ring on her finger. It was a decent size. It wasn’t too big or too small, it was just right. She smiled at the memory of him asking her to marry him.

  Zach glanced at the ring as Amelia twirled it around her finger. He slowly nodded his head. “Ah, we haven’t figured out a date yet.”

  Amelia looked up. “Mmhmm.”

  Zach sat back into the couch and placed his finger on his chin. “Hmm…”

  Amelia sat still as she pondered the idea of marriage. She wondered what it would be like to get married while she was pregnant. She dismissed the thought. There would be no way she would be pregnant and in a dress. She didn’t want everyone to think she was a huge white puffball. She had thought about an October wedding, but canceled that thought when she realized she could have the baby at any time in October. She certainly did not want to have the baby on their wedding day. She had thought about their honeymoon a time or two also, but dismissed those thoughts because the thought of everything had overwhelmed her.

  “How soon do you want to get married?” Zach asked.

  Amelia shrugged. “I’m not rushing it.”

  Zach tilted his head. “You’re not wanting to get married?”

  “I never said that,” Amelia stated. “I’m just telling you we don’t have to rush it. We can take our time. We can get married next month, next year, or five years down the road. I’m in no hurry.”

  Zach nodded and crossed his arms. Amelia wondered if she had upset him. “No rush?”

  Amelia shook her head. “No rush. I know you aren’t going anywhere.”

  Zach tsked. “Those hormones have got you a bit feisty lately.”

  Amelia nodded in agreement. She had no control over her emotions. She had no control over a lot of things lately. The pregnancy and the hormones had gotten the best of her.

  “What month do you think we should get married?” Zach asked, and then clarified, “Or should I say year?”

  Amelia chuckled and shook her head. She loved his sense of humor. “I’m not so sure. When do you want to?”

  “I’m not so sure myself,” Zach admitted. “Isn’t the man supposed to leave it to the woman to decide?”

  Amelia shrugged. “Probably, but I would like your input. I don’t want to plan everything by myself.”

  Zach wrapped his arm around her shoulders and said, “You won’t have to. I’m not going anywhere until we figure this out.”

  “What about the furniture store?” she asked. Amelia laughed.

  “I have that under control,” Zach said. “Now I just need to get the wedding plans under control.”

  “Well, my mom said her and Bailey are planning the wedding and baby shower. All we have to do is set the date.”

  “A baby shower, too?” Zach asked as he raised his eyebrows. “They’re going to be busy.”

  “I’m thinking about telling my mom and Bai just to put most of their focus on the baby shower. We can figure out a date for the wedding later on.”

  Amelia lifted her legs off the coffee table and sat up. She picked up the ice packs that had fallen on the floor earlier.

  “Where are you going?” Zach asked.

  “To the kitchen to grab the calendar,” she said as she walked to the kitchen.

  “I take it you want to get married this year?” Zach hollered to her.

  She grabbed the calendar and carried it into the living room. She crossed her leg under her and sat down. “I’m not sure, but I’m due in October.”

  “You don’t want to be pregnant when we get married?” Zach asked.

  Amelia shrugged a shoulder. She debated whether to talk to Zach about how huge she felt and how worried she was about how she would look in the dress.

  “Let’s put it off for another week,” Zach suggested. “When things settle down around here, we’ll discuss a date and place.”

  Amelia nodded. She was relieved he wanted to wait. She had no idea the pregnancy and their engagement would take so much energy.

  Chapter Four

  “The invitations I have picked out are so adorable,” Bailey told her. “I can’t wait for you to see them.”

  Bailey sat in the chair on the porch across from Amelia. She had driven to Fairshore to visit Amelia. Benny was unable to come with her because he had to work, but she had told him she would be home by supper time.

  Amelia caught Bailey looking at the watch on her wrist. “What time do you need to be back in Bexley?”

  “I’m not in a hurry, but I told Benny I’d be back home by supper time.”

  Amelia smiled. She was happy for Bailey. Things had come together for her best friend. Bailey had made amends with her mother and had met an amazing guy at the same time. “That’s good, because we have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Bailey shifted in her seat and reached for the glass of ice water that sat on the edge of the table. “How’s work going?”

  Amelia shook her head. “It isn’t.”

  Bailey tilted her head and wiped her mouth with her hand. “Why do you say that?”

  “Zach told me to let Tony and Courtney run the store. He said they could handle it. He doesn’t want me to overdo it and stress out,” Amelia informed Bailey. “He’s afraid what will happen to me and the baby.”

  Bailey slowly nodded. “That makes sense. He cares a lot about you.”

  “Sometimes it’s too much,” Amelia stated.

  “It’s a good thing, though,” Bailey said. “It could be worse.”

  Amelia held up a hand and laughed. “Trust me, I think it’s past that point.”

  Bailey smirked. “Whatever you say, I won’t believe it,” Bailey said. She leaned forward and set her glass down on the table. “I’m happy for you.”

  Amelia smiled. She loved the fact her and Bailey could have these conversations.

  “My mom told me you two are planning the baby shower and the wedding,” Amelia stated.

  “Yes, we are. I’m enjoying it, too,” Bailey assured Amelia. “Have you and Zach set a date for the wedding?”

  “Nope, we’re going to pick a date in a week or so.”

  Bailey tipped her glass and swallowed the last drop of water. She set the empty glass on the table and said, “I’m glad you two are taking time to figure it out.”

  Amelia laughed. “I don’t think we have a choice.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Have you not witnessed how hectic our lives are at the moment?” Amelia chuckled. “Things come up at least once a week around here.”

  Bailey laughed. “Well, let’s hope it settles down soon.”

  “You can say that again,” Amelia said. She rocked back and forth in the chair on the front porch. “Things are getting out of hand. We have no control over anything anymore.”

  Bailey shook her head. “Note to self, I don’t want to be pregnant and plan my wedding at the same time.”

  “No, you’re right. You don’t,” Amelia agreed. “It can be a nightmare.”

  Bailey let out a loud laugh and threw her head back.

  Amelia narrowed her eyes at Bailey. “What’s so funny about that?”

  Bailey straightened in her seat and stopped laughing. With no expression, Bailey replied, “Well, the way you said
the part about it being a nightmare…”

  Amelia cut her off and said, “It is a nightmare.”

  Bailey dismissed Amelia’s negativity. “Come on, it can’t be that bad.”

  Amelia watched Bailey as she looked at her in disbelief. “Well, lately with everything going on, it has been.”

  Bailey nodded. “I understand where you’re coming from. Let’s just pray you and the baby are out of the danger zone,” Bailey said. “Aside from that, you have nothing else to worry about. Everything else is being taken care of by me and your parents.”

  Amelia frowned. She wished she wouldn’t have anything else to worry about. If only Bailey and everyone else could read her mind, they would not be so sure.

  * * *

  Amelia walked into the kitchen and filled their glasses with water. She wondered if she should tell Bailey her doubts. She wondered if Bailey would understand. She dismissed her thoughts with a shrug. She knew Bailey would understand. She always had and probably always would.

  Amelia walked back out onto the front porch and handed Bailey her water.

  “Thank you,” Bailey said as she grabbed her glass from Amelia. “I could have gotten it myself.”

  Amelia smiled. “I need to get up and move around more. I’m getting stiff. Not to mention – huge.”

  Bailey slapped the air. “Get out of here. At least you have an excuse for gaining weight.” Bailey patted her stomach. “I don’t have an excuse for mine.”

  Amelia laughed. She scooted back into the swing and said, “You’re full of crap. You’re not even gaining any weight.”

  Bailey laughed and slapped her leg. “Oh, yes I am.” She pointed out her troubled areas to Amelia. “Don’t act like you can’t see all of this.”

  Amelia still couldn’t tell a difference from the last time she had seen Bailey. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see a difference from the last time I saw you.”

  Bailey slapped the air again with her hand. “Whatever, I’m gaining weight terribly and there’s no reason for it.”

  Amelia shrugged. “Have you taken a pregnancy test lately?”