“How will I provide for us? I’m a teacher! I was planning on going back to school. You know this. How can I pay for that and afford a baby and figure out how to scrape money together to buy a house, and—”
Andy silenced him with a kiss. It was tender at first, just light lips on lips. But then she teased his mouth open and found his tongue. He thought he shouldn’t kiss her like that in a doctor’s office, but it’s what she wanted. He tried to respond to her, but he couldn’t connect. His mind focused on dread. It snuck in and wrapped around his heart as soon as the doctor confirmed Andy’s pregnancy. He couldn’t make sense of it. Yes, he was scared to be a father so young, but it really had to do with something else. Fear of the unknown. A foreshadowing of future events that wouldn’t turn out as he’d hoped. He almost pulled away and cried, “No!”
Almost.
Andy sat back on the examining table and smiled at Mark.
“We’ll figure it out,” she said.
He sighed. “I knew I’d eventually take issue with your whole go-with-the-flow attitude.”
She giggled. “That’s exactly why you need someone like me in your life! You’re so uptight and scheduled all the time.”
“Hey! Not fair,” he said, nudging her.
And then she burst out laughing.
“What?” he asked indignantly.
She shook her head. “This couldn’t be more perfect for you. The control freak loses control. I love it!”
He snorted and mumbled, “I don’t.”
“You’re not even the littlest bit excited?” she asked. She rubbed her flat stomach, and he noticed. That made it official. There were no other options on the table after the stomach rub. She was having this baby, and told him without even saying the words aloud.
He knew to tell her what she wanted to hear. Sometimes that’s what you had to do with women.
“I am,” he replied. “I’m scared, but if you feel like this is what God wants for us, then I’m in.”
“I want you to feel it, too,” Andy said. She looked at him expectantly.
He stared back. “I do,” he lied.
She nodded. “I trust him.”
“I know.”
Mark never had a reason not to trust God. God was there for him when his father passed away. He was there for him when he needed that scholarship money for school. He was even there to warn him about a potentially disastrous relationship with a girl he thought he was head over heels in love with. Yes, he trusted God. He had a sinking feeling in his heart that he couldn’t shake, but sure, he trusted God.
“You really didn’t have to do this, Cadence,” Fanny said, snipping the ends of the flowers and arranging them in a vintage hobnail vase. “I know how expensive flowers are.”
Cadence grinned and plopped down in a seat at Fanny’s kitchen table.
“It’s no big deal,” she replied. “And anyway, it’s your anniversary.”
Fanny chuckled. “Yeah. And they’re usually better when both parties are living!”
“You said you still celebrate it,” Cadence pointed out.
“I do. Usually just by myself, though,” Fanny said, sticking the last rose in place.
“I’m sorry,” Cadence whispered. “Want me to leave?”
“Nonsense! I want you right here. I enjoy your company. You make me feel young.”
“Well, you give me advice, so I guess we’re even.”
Fanny laughed.
“I got you this, too,” Cadence said, pushing a small jewelry box over to Fanny.
“Cadence, you need to be saving your money,” Fanny admonished.
“Oh, just open it!”
Fanny unwrapped the box carefully and lifted the lid.
“How beautiful,” she said softly, fingering the pendant.
“It’s the Trinity knot,” Cadence explained. “It symbolizes eternal love. I thought it made sense for your anniversary.”
Fanny took the necklace out of the box and secured it around her neck.
“It most certainly is fitting. And I love it. Thank you, honey.” She leaned over and hugged Cadence. “You’re very thoughtful,” she whispered in Cadence’s ear.
Cadence smiled and leaned back in her chair. “Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot lately.”
“About?” Fanny took a seat across from her at the table.
Cadence almost blurted, “Dr. Callahan,” but today was the wrong day to describe for Fanny her future boyfriend. Cadence grinned and said instead, “Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on the whole college experience.”
“How so? You’re in college.”
Cadence smiled patiently. “Yes, but I don’t live on campus. I’m not right in it, knowing what’s going on all the time.”
Fanny nodded.
“I feel disconnected.”
“Have you talked to Mark about this?” Fanny asked.
“No. I don’t wanna hurt his feelings.”
“I don’t think you would.”
“He does have emotions, Fanny,” Cadence pointed out.
“I’m aware of that, missy. But I’m sure he could appreciate how you feel considering he’s been there himself. And I know he wouldn’t want you to feel like you’re missing out on anything.”
“So what am I supposed to say? ‘Hey Mark. I think I wanna live on campus for a while. Is that okay?’ That’s stupid.”
“Do you want to live on campus for a while? Have you ever been in a dorm room?” Fanny asked.