The Unexpected Wedding(4)
“Well, your double wedding was beautiful. I can’t imagine anything better than seeing my two friends married to guys they are obviously in love with. Not to mention that Owen is crazy in love with you, Izzy. And, of course, Clay has been in love with Jenny since high school. So you both had a fairy tale ending.”
“I’ve got some other news.” Bella looked at her friends and a wide grin spread over her face. “We haven’t told anyone else—I wanted you two to be the first. We’re going to have a baby.”
“Seriously? That’s wonderful.” Jenny jumped up and hugged Bella.
Becky Lee sat for a moment, a bit stunned. She had no idea that Bella and Owen were planning on having children. A momentary twinge of jealousy coursed through her, but she immediately stomped it down. She reached across the table and squeezed Bella’s hands. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Owen is in shock, I think. A bit overwhelmed with the whole being a father thing. I told him he has months to get used to the idea.”
“He’ll come around.” Jenny grinned. “This is fabulous news.”
“We told the boys this morning, so I wanted to tell you first thing because they are probably blabbing the news to everyone at their day camp, so the whole town will know soon.”
“I’m tickled for you. You do look radiant. Is that why you’ve had like two sips of your coffee? You never do like coffee much when you’re pregnant, and you didn’t order bacon. Man, we should have figured this out. Those are your two tells when you’re pregnant.” Becky Lee smiled at her friend. “You feeling okay? You had a bunch of morning sickness with Jeremy and Timmy.”
“I feel right as rain. Never better.”
“Hope it stays that way for you this time.” Jenny sat back down in her seat.
“Me, too. Life is a bit crazy now with Owen moving into the carriage house—at least when he’s in town—and the shop getting busy with the summer tourist season. I love living in the carriage house, it’s so convenient having it right behind the shop, but Owen is talking about buying some place a bit bigger for all of us. I just don’t know. The boys have had so many changes.”
“The carriage house only has the two bedrooms. It will be quite the squeeze after the baby is born.” Jenny crinkled her brow. “You could use that sunroom as a nursery, I guess. It would be a tight fit though.”
“I know. I do think we’ll need to move. If we do, then Owen could have an office at the house, too. I know he really wants that. It’s just a lot of changes.”
“He’s probably right that you should move.” Becky Lee knew her friend loved the carriage house, but it really was too small for a growing family. “I bet he’ll find you something you’ll love.”
“I’m sure he will. I know he’s been looking. He said when he finds the perfect place, he’ll show me to make sure I like it. I’ve been looking at houses online, but I barely have enough time to breathe right now, much less traipse through a bunch of houses, so he’s doing all the beginning legwork on it.”
Becky Lee stood up. “I better go get all set for work before the lunch crowd gets here. Izzy, I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks, Bec.”
“I’ll see you guys soon.” Becky Lee headed to the storage room off the kitchen to get her server apron and get ready to start her shift.
~ * ~
Bella watched her friend walk away from the table. She turned to Jenny. “I almost felt bad telling Becky Lee about being pregnant. I know she’s always wanted kids. I’m sure she’s happy for me, but still, I know it must be hard for her.”
“I’m sure it is. I just wish she’d find someone as wonderful as Owen or Clay. She deserves it. I think it’s been years since she’s even dated someone for more than a handful of dates.”
“Well, she knows what she likes, always has. She’s never going to settle for anything else.”
“Sometimes what we think we need and is exactly right for us is different from what is really best for us.”
Bella laughed. “Like me and Owen. Never would have thought that one would work. He’s all fancy businessman from a big city, I’m a shop owner in a small town.”
“Yet, look how it all worked out.”
A wave of gratitude washed over Bella. She sometimes couldn’t believe how lucky she was. She and Owen did seem to be the perfect fit now—even if they came from totally different backgrounds. She placed her hand on her belly. Now she was having his baby.
A smile slipped across Jenny’s face when she noticed the hand on the belly movement, the one so many women had done for so many centuries. “Owen is in for another new experience in a few months.”