Pregnancy Countdown

by Linda Wisdom

  “True,” Nora murmured, thinking of her grandmother.

  As if he sensed the direction of her thoughts, Mark reached over and briefly covered her hand with his.

  “She knows,” he said quietly.

  Even after he took his hand away, Nora felt the warmth against her skin for the balance of the drive.

  She smiled when twinkling lights suddenly appeared in the distance.

  “Your parents’ house could double as an airplane landing strip,” she commented as he parked the car.

  “You weren’t the one risking his life on the roof while being told where the lights had to go,” he grumbled good-naturedly. “Jeff only had to put lights in the trees, while Brian got lucky and was given the patio. Me, they put on the roof,” he said, helping her out of the car.

  “That’s because you bounce better than we do. Hey there, gorgeous,” Jeff said as he walked up to them. He bent down and kissed Nora on the cheek.

  She kissed him back. “You look better.”

  He smiled sadly as he shook his head. “Still trying to figure out the meaning of life.”

  “I have faith in you.”

  “Here, be useful for once.” Mark stole Nora’s hand from Jeff’s and handed him Nora’s gift for Theo.

  The house’s interior was filled with people. Music that Nora was convinced sounded more like bells and whistles rolled out of the stereo’s speakers. She winced at one clanging sound.

  “Gramps loves the Spike Jones band as much as Dad does.” Mark raised his voice to be heard. “And they call our music insane.”

  “About time you got here!” Brian kissed Nora on the cheek and handed her a filled glass. “Mom said you’d probably need this,” he told her.

  “Where’s the birthday boy?”

  “In the family room.”

  “Then we better head that way.” Mark eyed his brothers, who remained on their heels. “Thanks for the offer, but we don’t need an escort. I grew up here.” He waved them off.

  The two men ignored him as they made their way through the crowd.

  Nora smiled and greeted those she knew as Mark led the way, keeping his hand tightly clasped around hers. She appreciated his way of protecting her from the crowd.

  Nora noticed Theo sat in an easy chair looking like a king surveying his kingdom. She smiled at the thought that fit the man.

  The older man looked up and noticed the small group heading his way. His face broke into a broad smile as he stood up and gathered Nora in his arms.

  “Happy birthday,” she said, caught up in his hug.

  “Did he drive carefully?” He looked over her head and glared at his youngest grandson. “You didn’t hit any bumps and jostle this precious package, did you?”

  “Like we were going to church,” Mark intoned, setting the gift on the table near the chair that was already piled high with gift-wrapped packages.

  “It was a lovely drive.” Nora smiled.

  “Good to hear. Now come with me.” Theo took her hand and led her away. Nora looked startled at the abrupt kidnapping. She glanced over her shoulder. “He doesn’t need to come.”

  “Maybe I want to,” Mark called.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll bring her back safely,” the older man growled.

  Nora found herself outside as Theo guided her down the path leading to the garage where he and Lou worked their magic on classic cars.

  “You’re not going to show me a flattened Beetle, are you?” she asked, once recalling his teasing threat to show her what her car would look like as a pancake.

  “This is much better,” he said mysteriously. Once they reached the first building, he switched on a light and gestured for her to go inside.

  Nora had only been in the garage a few times. Tonight, all the tools were put away in their proper places and a vehicle was covered with a tarp. What caught her eye was what sat on the workbench.

  “Oh, my,” she breathed, walking toward the object. She tentatively touched the highly polished wood. “It’s beautiful.” She couldn’t resist stroking the curves of the old-fashioned cradle.

  “My grandfather made it for his firstborn,” Theo explained. “It’s been passed down to every generation and now to you.”

  “No!” Nora shook her head. “That wouldn’t be right.”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re family, Nora. You’re having my great-granddaughter,” Theo said gently. “Abby and Jeff and Gail and Brian have a family heirloom and it’s only fair you have one. I wanted you to have this. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her.

  “I call them hormonal tears,” she sniffed, hugging him tightly. “I don’t know what to say. It’s your birthday. You’re supposed to receive gifts, not give them.”

  “That’s right, it’s my birthday, which means I can do anything I want. And what I want is to give you this cradle.”

  “But it’s your family’s cradle,” she protested through her tears. “It needs to stay in your family.”

  “And it is. I consider you part of my family.”

  His words brought out more tears.

  Theo chuckled as he hugged her. “You love my rascal of a grandson, don’t you?”

  Unable to speak, she settled for a jerky nod of the head.

  “But what if it isn’t enough?” she asked.

  “I’ve seen the two of you together and you’ve got a lot more going for you than love, but let me tell you, love’s a pretty powerful beginning. I’ve seen my grandson look at you as if you’re the center of his world. And I’ve seen the way you look at him, which is pretty much the same. You know what you can do for me?”

  She dabbed at her nose. “What?”

  “You can give me the perfect birthday present by finally putting the boy out of his misery.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “What are they doing out there?” Mark pushed aside the curtain and peered outside although he couldn’t see much past the patio.

  “Maybe he’s showing her the Duesenberg he and Dad are working on,” Jeff said absently while he looked around the room. “Are you sure she said she was going to be here?” he asked Brian.

  “For the millionth time, yes,” Brian groaned. “Abby told Gail she might be a little late, but she’d be here.”

  Mark looked at Jeff. “I thought you talked to Abby last night?”

  He shook his head. “Just to the answering machine. I asked her if we could meet somewhere and talk. She didn’t call me back.”

  “I don’t know what you did, but you better fix it fast,” Mark advised. “If I can’t get Nora, I’d at least like my apartment back.” He looked out the window again. “There they are.”

  Jeff and Brian looked out also.

  “I’ll make a deal with you. You make things right with Nora and I’ll do whatever I have to do with Abby,” Jeff vowed. “Hopefully, I’ll know what I’ll have to do by the end of the evening. Oh, man,” he sighed.

  When Mark turned around, he saw what his oldest brother saw. Abby walked into the room looking like a bright ray of sunshine. She’d pulled her hair up into an array of loose curls with one left to dangle down her neck. Her black knit top sparkled with silver lights and her black velvet pants hugged her trim body like a glove.

  Mark couldn’t miss his brother’s hangdog expression as he gazed at his wife, and that for all the sparkle on her clothing, Abby didn’t look all that perky. He’d even hazard a guess that the smile she directed at Ginna was more forced than natural.

  “Did you hear that Lucie bought the McDaniels’ property?” Brian asked.

  “I heard she got a hefty settlement from the airline and even the airplane manufacturer for that engine crashing through her house,” Mark replied. ‘I don’t blame her for wanting to move. I probably would too, but why all the way out here?”

  “The move was made more for Nick than herself.” Jeff mentioned Lucie’s son. “His school won’t take him back. Seems they didn’t like the w
ay he redesigned the school’s Web site. Thanks to Dad, she got him into Fieldcrest.” He named a local private school well known for its academics.

  “If nothing else, they’ll teach him how to hack into more secure computer systems than he does now,” Brian commented.

  “Take a look at that.” Jeff gestured with his beer bottle. “Someone’s got Lucie on their radar.”

  “I thought Logan was seeing Trish Carson,” Mark said, watching the local veterinarian who in turn was watching Lucie as she talked to Ginna.

  “Trish went to Las Vegas for the weekend and came back with a bronc rider.” Lou walked up. “Which you have to admit is pretty funny since she hates horses. You boys take care of your granddad’s gift?”

  “We stuck a bow on it,” Jeff replied. “I’m sure you’d understand we weren’t going to go through the hell of gift wrapping an engine for a 1938 Packard Sport Coupe Six. You know, most people his age would be happy with a tie or a sweater.”

  “Abby gave him a studio portrait of the kids,” Lou said.

  Jeff looked over his shoulder. “She’s not happy.”

  Lou sighed. “I thought we’d raised you boys to have more sense.” He patted Brian’s shoulder. “Thank God you got it right.”

  “Dear brothers.” Ginna slid in between Mark and Jeff. She lifted her wineglass in a toast. “Is this exclusive to the XY chromosome set or can we double Xs intrude?”

  “It depends on what you have to offer the group,” Mark told her. “Where’s Zach?”

  “Discussing his latest column with some of the guys.” She lifted her glass to her lips. “I must say, except for Brian, you men look extremely pathetic.”

  “Has Abby said anything about me?” Jeff asked his sister.

  She shot him a pitying look. “Why don’t you ask her directly, Jeff? Go up to the woman and just ask her. As for you—” she turned her attention to Mark “—I honestly think you’ve got a good chance to add Nora to our family before the baby’s born.”

  “Why can’t you women share with us?” Mark demanded. “Why do you have to make everything like some state secret? If we do something wrong, why can’t you just tell us?”

  Ginna smiled. “But you do know everything, Mark. It’s just that the male brain comes to the same conclusion from a different direction than the female brain does.”

  “Since my wife is still speaking to me, I think I’ll opt out of the lecture.” Brian gave his sister a one-armed hug and walked toward Gail, who gave him a dazzling smile and kiss.

  Mark looked around the room that was filled with family and friends. He saw his grandfather and grandmother were talking to Gail and Brian. His parents were over by the fireplace while his dad was obviously talking cars to Eric while Eric’s girlfriend and Mark’s mother chatted about what Mark always called girl stuff. Ginna and Zach were across the room talking to Abby and a couple of the guys from the station. He noticed something else along the way. Abby covertly kept an eye on Jeff even though his thickheaded brother didn’t seem to know it. Mark noticed that baby sister Nikki was a little too cozy with one of the new firefighters who’d recently joined the station.

  “Jeff,” he said quietly, then inclined his head in Nikki’s direction.

  “She’s over eighteen.”

  “But does he know she’s our sister and what could happen to him if he tries anything?” Mark asked.

  “My money’s on Nikki. The last guy who tried to go too far got a broken nose.”

  Mark let out a low whistle. “Way to go, Nik.” He grinned.

  “So, Mark, what are you going to do about Nora?”

  “Persuade her to marry me,” he said without hesitation.

  “And how exactly do you intend to do that?” Jeff asked.

  Mark kept his gaze focused on Nora who entered the room with Theo. She kissed the elderly man on the cheek then moved over to a group of women who gestured her over toward them.

  “I don’t have a clue,” he murmured.

  All of a sudden the room was darkened and Cathy walked in pushing a serving cart bearing a large sheet cake decorated with several miniature antique cars. Tiny candles blazed around the perimeter of the cake. Everyone began singing “Happy Birthday.”

  “Good thing I still have a good set of lungs!” Theo boomed as he was urged to make a wish and blow out the candles.

  Martha cut squares from the cake while several women passed out the pieces.

  “A corner piece.” Nora smiled at him as she handed him a paper plate.

  Mark smiled back. He was touched she remembered he always liked the corner piece of a cake.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he asked, taking a bite of his cake.

  She brightened. “No, but it’s always nice to hear.”

  He looked around. He found a miserable-looking Jeff in one corner, Abby in another. He watched his mother hand a piece of cake to Jeff then pause long enough to say something to him. She must not have liked what he said because she shook her head and moved on. Mark looked back at Abby then swung back to Jeff.

  “Would you hold this, please?” He didn’t wait for a reply as he handed Nora his plate. He walked over to Jeff and took his arm.

  Jeff looked over at him. “What are you doing?”

  “What should have been done long ago,” Mark said grimly, pulling his brother with him. He alternately pushed and pulled his brother until they reached Abby. “Abby.” Mark nodded at his sister-in-law before grabbing her hand and pulling her along with Jeff.

  “What are you doing?” Abby exclaimed, digging in her heels, but Mark was a man on a mission. He didn’t stop until he’d reached the middle of the room. He kept a tight grip on the couple.

  “Maybe it should have been done this way in the beginning,” he told them. “Abby, Jeff did something stupid on your anniversary so you threw him out. And now he either mopes around the station or he mopes around my apartment. We are talking pathetic with a capital P.” He didn’t care that he was attracting attention. He was even hoping the public display might help. “And I doubt you’re doing any better.” He ignored her killing gaze. “So do us all a favor. Give the man a clue! Give all of us a clue! What can I say? We’re men. We’re not perfect. We’ll all probably figure out the meaning of life a hell of a lot sooner than we’ll figure out what goes on in a woman’s mind.” His intensity rang out in the quiet room. “We don’t always know when we say something wrong. You want to know how bad it’s become? Just look at your husband.” He waved his hand toward Jeff. “He loves you so much he can’t think straight and he loves the kids. Will you put him out of his misery?”

  “Is there a reason why you have to do this so publicly?” Abby asked in a low voice.

  Mark grinned. “Yes, there is. But that’s something you’ll have to figure out for yourself.”

  Abby buried her face in her hands. She took a deep breath and looked up. She turned to Jeff. “I swear, if you ever again give me a household item for an anniversary gift I will shoot you.”

  “This was all because of what I gave you?” he asked.

  She nodded jerkily.

  “But what about the necklace?”

  She looked blank. “What necklace?”

  “The one I slipped in the envelope that held the paperwork for the vacuum unit,” Jeff explained.

  Abby looked stunned. “I didn’t open the envelope. It said it held the warranty so I didn’t bother looking inside. I’m not sure whether to kiss you or kill you right now,” she declared.

  Jeff grinned. “I’ll choose for you then.” He pulled her into his arms.

  Mark grinned too. “Just call me Cupid.” He turned around and zeroed in on Nora. He moved her way with everyone staying out of his path while they enjoyed the impromptu entertainment.

  “Don’t do this, Mark,” Nora said in a low voice.

  “Did you hear everything I said to Abby?” he asked, waiting for her nod. “It goes double for you and me. Nora, I love you so much I can’t th
ink straight. I’m not perfect. I’ve done some stupid things where you and I were concerned, but I think one of the best things between us, is, well, between us.” He gently laid his palm on her tummy. “I know with you beside me, I can be about as normal a guy as you can get and hopefully, be as good a dad as the other men in my family.” His gaze was solemn as he stared at her. “The best day of my life was the day I met you. The problem was I just didn’t know it. Oh baby, please, don’t cry.” He used his thumb to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

  “I don’t want you normal,” she whispered. “I like you just the way you are.”

  Mark was afraid to hope. “Does this mean you’ll marry me within the next week, because I don’t want to wait any longer.”

  Nora nodded.

  He let out a loud “wahoo!” as he picked her up and spun her around.

  “Mark, I’m getting dizzy!” she protested, gripping his shoulders. “Besides, I’m too heavy for you.”

  He put her down but refused to release her. He dipped his head and kissed her. He wished they were alone so he could kiss her the way he wanted.

  “Get a room, you two!” Eric shouted over the applause.

  Mark lifted his head. “I can’t wait until our daughter is born,” he whispered.

  Nora laughed. “Why?”

  “Because I’ve got it all worked out. When she starts dating, I’ll just say to the boy, ‘Let me show you my gun collection’.”

  Mark kept grinning. “Now things feel right.”

  “The best birthday gift I could have gotten.” Theo moved in for the first hug.

  Ginna made sure she was second.

  “Much better,” she told her friend.

  Nora nodded. “Grammy Fran was right. She said something was missing from my life. That something was Mark. Besides, how can I resist a man who was willing to admit what he did in front of his family and friends.”

  Ginna hugged her brother. “So what’s next on your agenda, master matchmaker?”

  Mark looked over where Jeff and Abby were in a corner having a conversation that he hazarded was going the way it should. It didn’t matter anymore that Jeff wouldn’t be going back to Mark’s apartment that night because Mark wouldn’t be there either.