A Christmas Surprise

by Janelle Taylor

  Edith said, “First, dear, let me help Betsy get these cups and saucers washed while you men brush the needles off the porch and entrance.”

  “Yes, honey, but then we hafta leave. It’s goin’ to be gettin’ windy with the storm blowin’ in and all. I want us home and warm before that happens. Now, don’t you women be talkin’ too bad about us in there.”

  “No worse than the things you men say about us females behind our backs. Now scoot,” the older woman told the chuckling men. As they took the dishes into the kitchen, Edith asked, “How far along are you?”

  Confused, Betsy faced the kind woman. “What do you mean, Mrs. Peters?”

  Edith looked at Betsy’s hand covering her stomach, smiled and repeated her question. “How far along are you? I couldn’t help but notice the way you keep caressing your stomach. It’s the same thing for women everywhere. You shouldn’t be self conscious about it, but it lets any woman who’s ever had a child know you’re pregnant.”

  Betsy couldn’t conceal her astonishment and dismay. She felt her eyes moisten with tears, her heart increase its pace and a catch constrict her throat. Edith had just confirmed her worst suspicion. “I . . . I don’t know, Mrs. Peters. I was just given the news yesterday; but I was certain, hoped, prayed it was wrong. Doctor Williams was out of town for the holidays, so I couldn’t ask him if the results were wrong. I didn’t want to tell Tommy about this disaster before I was assured there was no mistake. You just confirmed my worst fears.”

  “Betsy, honey, calm down; this news is wonderful and it shouldn’t upset you like this. What’s the real problem, dear? Perhaps I can help.”

  The tears welling in Betsy’s eyes threatened to race down her cheeks, but she controlled the urge to weep. She swallowed hard to dislodge the lump in her throat and took a deep breath to loosen the tightness in her chest. “I don’t mean to sound selfish, Mrs. Peters, but this couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I was planning to return to school next semester to get a degree in another field so I can . . . get out of that horrid place of suffering and death in the emergency room. I just can’t continue being a nurse. I had everything worked out; I was going to work part time and go to school. Now, that will be impossible. Tommy and I had our future planned out perfectly. We wanted to get our careers established, buy a home, get on sound financial footing, and then have a family. I just can’t believe this is happening to us; we’ve had more than our fair share of bad luck.”

  “Don’t worry, Betsy, things have a way or working themselves out for the best if we don’t fight them and stay optimistic. A baby is a wonderful Christmas gift. As for getting started in a new career, a child wouldn’t prevent that. You can get a sitter while you’re working part time and in class, and study while the baby is sleeping; and new ones sleep a lot. By the time he’s ready for kindergarten, you’ll be finished with school and ready to start to work on your new job. Or have another one,” Edith added with a jovial grin.

  “You don’t understand, Mrs. Peters; we can’t afford to have a baby at this point. We live in a small rented house, so we’ll be squashed in like nuts in a can because we can’t buy a home at this time. Tommy is trying his best to climb the ladder at his job so he’ll earn more money. We were going to have to pinch pennies so I could work only part time. And we have expenses for his mother; she’s in a nursing home and her income doesn’t pay all of her bills. I know my parents would help out, but it isn’t their responsibility, and Tommy’s too proud to lean on others for assistance. I’ll just have to keep working full time in a job I can hardly endure until the baby is born, then go back to it as soon as possible. That’s the only way we’ll be able to make ends meet. This will put such a burden on our budget that we’ll never recover from it, or at least it will prevent my plans. I should have been more careful, but I didn’t think I could get pregnant until my period returned to normal after my surgery earlier this year. We just finished paying off the hospital and doctors for that incident; now, here come more expenses and another huge debt. That isn’t a happy situation to bring a child into.” Betsy hadn’t meant to expose so much about her dilemma to the older woman, but she needed to talk with someone who cared about her and was empathetic to her problems and distress. Perhaps talking aloud would help her get her thoughts and feelings clear in her head because she couldn’t discuss this with Tommy in her current frantic state.

  “Don’t go blaming yourself for this important event; there were two people under the sheets that night, my dear.” Edith noticed that her attempt at calming levity failed when Betsy didn’t smile or laugh at her jest. “Besides, you don’t have any say-so in these matters: the good Lord decides when, where and how many children we’re going to have. There’s a reason, time and place for everything and everybody. All we can do is make the best of any situation thrust upon us. Have faith, Betsy, and everything will work out fine for you two. You and Tommy are young, strong and smart; so you’ll figure out how to handle this blessing, and it is a blessing my dear. You’ll see.”

  Edith realized Betsy was not settling down as she hoped. She thought she knew part of the cause for the young woman’s anxiety, so she ventured, “Are you afraid to have a baby because of what happened to Cathy?” After Betsy nodded, Edith placed an arm around her waist and soothed. “It was a terrible tragedy, my dear, and it’s hard to find an answer to the question asked in that situation: Why me or Why her? Only the good Lord knows the answers, Betsy, so trust in Him. Life isn’t always fair or kind or good, but the good Lord doesn’t place more burdens on our shoulders than we can bear; there’s always a way to work out any problems. We just have to search for it. It’s times like these that draws couples closer together and gives a body strength and courage. Now, dry those tears before the men return and want to know what’s wrong. We wouldn’t want to give away your wonderful surprise before you’re calmed and ready to reveal it.”

  After Edith gave Betsy a comforting embrace, she added, “When you tell Tommy about the baby, don’t be disappointed or worried if he doesn’t say anything at first. Most men need a few minutes to absorb the fact they’re going to become fathers. After they do, expect whooping and dancing because I’m sure Tommy’s going to be very excited and happy about your news. One more thing, you can love your husband as long as you want to without endangering the baby if you’re clever and careful.” Edith laughed as she watched Betsy comprehend her sexual meaning and blush.

  Betsy couldn’t resist smiling and hugging the woman who was wise, kind and probably right about everything she had said. “Thank you, Mrs. Peters, for hearing me out and giving me such good advice. I just need more time to deal with this reality and my emotions.”

  Edith smiled and patted her back. “That’s because your hormones are running wild and your body is changing.”

  “As a nurse, I know that, but as the woman involved, my wits are clouded. I—“ Betsy went silent as her husband opened the kitchen door, then the men stomped their feet to clean off their shoes.

  Tommy rubbed his chilled hands together after he closed the door behind them. He ran his fingers through his wind tossed hair to straighten it. As he removed his jacket, he said, “Man, it’s freezing outside. I hope you ladies are done in here because it’s too cold for us to stay out there.” He noticed his wife’s flushed face and damp lashes. He watched her quickly turn toward the sink to retrieve a cloth and dry her hands, wet from dabbing at tears.

  Before she did so, Betsy saw the way Tommy was looking at her. She excused her suspicious appearance and mood by saying, “Mrs. Peters and I were just talking about old times, and I was getting sentimental on her.”

  Tommy wasn’t convinced his wife was telling the truth and that troubled him. “I really appreciate all you’ve done for us, Mrs. Peters, Mr. Peters. Turning on the heat was a nice gesture and we love the beautiful ornament. We can’t thank you enough. I promise to make this up to you one day.”


  “Just name one of your children after us and we’ll be happy. But you’d better hope it’s a boy, because my first name is Edith and not many youngsters care for it. I think Richard Reed sounds like a very nice name, don’t you?” The older woman grasped her husband’s hand and led him closer to the door as she scolded herself for making that slip.

  Tommy sent her a wide smile before it was hidden with remembered disappointment. “Well, it’ll be a couple of years before that happens, but you’ll be one of the first to know when it does.”

  Edith smiled and nodded.

  The elderly couple left after genial hugs and a promise from the Reeds they would call before they headed home. As the Peters’ climbed in the truck, Richard’s questioning eyes met Edith’s merry ones. “What was goin’ on in that kitchen while we were out front? I know you, wife, so don’t go sayin’ anythin’ about women’s talk or reminiscin’ or I won’t give you your Christmas present,” he jokingly warned.

  “Now, honey, there’s no need to be so harsh,” she teased as they waited for the engine to warm up before they drove away. “Betsy has a surprise baking up for Tommy. She hasn’t told him yet, so she’s a little nervous about his response. After Cathy’s death and with all the other tragedies that young woman has seen, she’s worried about how she’s going to handle being pregnant. But I’m sure she’ll do just fine and will surprise herself. I have no doubt Tommy will make a wonderful father.”

  Richard chuckled with amusement as he remembered the four times his wife had come to him with the same news. He smiled as he thought of his three daughters and one son and the grandchildren they would be traveling to see and share Christmas with the next day. “I think I might be a little envious of Tommy tonight.”

  “Me, too, dear. It’s a wonderful feeling to carry a new life within you, one born in love between two young people.”

  Richard looked into his wife’s shining eyes and thought once again how lucky he had been to have this woman by his side all these years. She’d held the family together through hard times, financially and personally. “I love you, Edith. The Lord has truly blessed us.”

  “I love you, too, Richard, and He certainly has.”

  As they drove home, each was lost in their own thoughts as they reflected on the last fifty years together. They had weathered many adversities and had climbed many difficult mountains, but their hard work had paid many dividends. Both wondered what the night would bring to the young couple in the cabin as they traveled along a new path of discovery. They said a silent prayer for God to watch over the Reeds as they began their miraculous journey.

  Chapter Three

  “I THINK WE NEED to hang a few more balls on the lower branches,” Tommy suggested from his critics’ viewpoint near the sofa. “I still haven’t found the angel. Are you sure it’s in here?” he asked as he searched through the large box.

  “Yes, Mom always leaves this stuff here in case we come up during the holidays. She transported it back and forth one Christmas and swore never to do it again because she broke several of her favorite glass pieces. So every year she bought a few extra ornaments, made a few extra decorations, and brought them here until she had a nice collection. The angel should be in a box wrapped up extra careful, because it’s very fragile.”

  “Found it!” Tommy exclaimed. “It was buried under a wreath. You know, I’m glad we’re having a tree, but I’m doubly glad you agreed to keep it simple. This way we can spend more time together instead of decorating and cleaning all weekend. Is there a plug nearby?”

  “Over there, behind the small bookcase.”

  Betsy stepped down from the footstool and watched her husband use it to put the angel on top as she had watched her father do for so many years. Tommy was going to make a wonderful parent one day. Well, actually one day soon, she admitted to herself. Even without Edith’s speculation, she had known in her heart that the test was accurate and they were going to have a baby. She touched her abdomen as she mulled over how she was going to tell him and what his reaction would be to having their life turned upside down, inside out, and changed forever. There would be many problems to work out and their finances would be stretched to the breaking point, but she felt much better after her talk with Mrs. Peters. Maybe hearing the words aloud and vocalizing her fears had eased her concerns. She had conjured up several scenarios in her mind since then, and found many of them to be workable to her satisfaction and delight.

  “Wait!” Betsy halted him. “Let me turn out the lights before you plug in the tree. Then we can sit by the fire and enjoy each other while we exchange presents.” She ran to the entrance to flip the switch, and then faced her husband. “Okay. Ready. Light her up.”

  Tommy plugged the cords into the wall socket and went to join Betsy. He gathered his wife in his arms, gently tucked a loose auburn curl behind her ear, and gazed into her lovely face. “Mrs. Reed, do you know how much I love you? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express how I feel about you because mere words cannot truly define my feelings. You’re the most important thing in the world to me. I couldn’t have made it through this past year without you. That car wreck was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me, since it gave me the chance to meet such a wonderful woman. I intend to stay married to you until we are as old and as happy and as content as the Peters are.”

  “Oh, Tommy, you are my world. You’ve helped me through a lot during this past year. We’ve had many trials to go through during these first two years of marriage but we’ve done quite well, I think. I’m sure we’ll have many more obstacles over time, but together, we can accomplish anything.” She knew her words encompassed more than Tommy grasped.

  As they gazed at the tree in silence for a time, Betsy’s mind drifted to her dilemma. She was certain her husband would take time to spend with his children and nourish their relationship, as he had not had a close one with his father. Family life was important to him, and he would want to share in the challenges and adventures of parenthood, so she wouldn’t be carrying all of the weight and responsibility herself, which was a complaint of many women.

  What, Betsy fretted, if something went wrong? There had been only one complication following the removal of a benign ovarian cyst last March: her menses had ceased. At her three-month appointment, her doctor had prescribed something to make her flow come, which it had, but only once. Even so, Doctor Williams had wanted her body to regulate itself naturally. In June he told her he would decided what to do at her next check-up in six months if she hadn’t returned to normal. With the pain and cramps from her spring ordeal diminishing into a memory, she’d convinced herself everything was fine. But the office visit last week had ended in him running a series of blood and urine tests, the shocking results of which she had gotten Friday at noon. “High Noon” as ominous sounding as the old movie, until now.

  If only, Betsy fretted, she hadn’t been so distracted by other matters; she would have realized something was amiss. But as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays neared so soon after Tommy’s mother had taken ill, her mind and her spare time had been completely saturated with other responsibilities. Added to those occurrences had been overtime at work and preparations for returning to school. As her clothes began to feel tighter, she had reasoned it was because of the extra food and munchies she had been consuming as the stress in her life increased. There had been times when she wondered if it was possible to be pregnant, but the idea was pushed away instantaneously because she hadn’t wanted it to be true. No one under this much pressure and tension could become pregnant, she had reassured herself many times, as had her assumption she couldn’t conceive without a menses and from a negative result with the home pregnancy kit. Being a nurse, she scolded herself, should have warned her that “accidents” can and did happen, and test kits could be wrong. Tommy’s voice broke into her wandering thoughts.

  “Are you ready to open your Christmas present now?
I can’t wait any longer to give it to you.” He guided her over to sit on the floor next to the tree in front of the fireplace. He took a small red and green box from beneath it and handed the gift to his wife. “I hope you like it, Bets. Merry Christmas.”

  “Oh, Tommy!” Betsy exclaimed as she fingered the silver locket she had unwrapped.

  “I bought it in June when Barney’s had that huge sale before the price of silver shot up so high. Been hidden in the office safe. Mercy, it was a hard secret to keep. There were so many times you needed and deserved a special gift.”

  “I’m glad you had the strength and smarts to keep it hidden until tonight. This si the perfect occasion for it.” The heart shaped pendant opened to reveal a miniature picture of the two of them on their wedding day. “It’s beautiful,” she told him, her mind adding that next year there would be a photo for the other side: their baby’s. Her mind echoed, “their baby’s”, and her heart seemed to do funny little beats as if it were leaping in joy and pride and love. For the first time since she’d gotten her test results, Betsy discovered that reality didn’t panic her. She smiled as she accepted the truth of Mrs. Peters’ words; this was a “blessing” and—somehow—everything would be okay for them.

  She retrieved her husband’s gift and handed it to him. “This is for you, Tommy, my love. Merry Christmas. But it won’t compare to mine,” she added as she clasped the locket around her neck.

  As Tommy opened the cellular phone, she teased, “You can carry this one with you all the time. It has a battery charger you can plug into the cigarette lighter in your truck. Now, we’ll be able to reach each other at any time. I wish it could be an IPhone but they were too expensive for now with the data plan.”

  “This is wonderful, Bets. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s perfect.” Tommy paused before continuing, “I have one more small gift for you.” He hinted before he went to a guest room and returned carrying a large package with two enormous red bows.