Time for Change(43)

Getting to the hospital was a blur. The doctors were surprised to see him again as he helped Rachel into the ER. Eric, one of the best doctors he knew, took over the care of Rachel. From the sidelines he watched as blood was drawn, her head examined, and the gynecologist came down to exam her.

All the time, he stared at Rachel wanting to wrap his arms around her and never let go.

Four hours passed with tests coming back positive with the pregnancy and everything looking fine. Only then did he hold her tightly. The doctors were going to keep her in overnight for observation. Being a doctor, he found some work to do.

“I’m sorry,” she said when the last doctor left the room.

Standing up from his chair, he walked to the bed. “What are you sorry for?” he asked, taking her hand.

“I should have told you about the pregnancy.” Tears were running down her cheeks. “David knows and his girlfriend. He was there when I took the test. I mean, he was there with the result. He didn’t watch me pee on the stick or anything. I’m going to shut up now.”

Chuckling, he reached out to stroke her head. “You should have told me about the pregnancy. Why didn’t you?”

She let out a breath. “I don’t know. We’re new at this, and I was worried because I didn’t know your thoughts about Talia or what it would all mean. You’ve had a daughter before, and you lost her. I didn’t want to give you any other cause for pain.” She ran a hand over her face.

Moving her hand out of the way, Chris sat down on the bed, looking at her. “You kept it from me in case I didn’t want our child.”

Rachel shrugged. “I guess. We’ve never really talked about kids or having a family. When we did talk about it, you said we were young and had all the time to have a family.”

“I want to have a family, Rachel. I’ve not been using condoms at all. I want us to get pregnant. I want us to have lots of children. Our house would be perfect with lots of kids, don’t you think?”

She was biting her lip. Tears had glazed her eyes over.

“Honey, were you worried?” he asked, stroking her cheek.

“Talia was your daughter, and you lost her. I didn’t know if you wanted another child. We’ve had so much loss.”

“I loved Claire. She was the most charming, beautiful woman, and the fact I got a chance to be part of her world, makes me happy, but you, Rachel, you brighten up my whole world.” He took both of her hands in his, leaning forward to kiss her lips. “I’m not with you for ease or anything like that. When I say I love you, I mean it. I love you as if you were my wife.”

“I can never be Claire.”

“And Claire would have something to say to that. I don’t want you to be Claire, and neither would she. Claire would want you to be yourself. I’m not with you to be with someone else, baby. I’m with you to be with you.”

She looked down at the joined hands. “I never knew what to expect.”

“I’m not very good at explaining everything. I always thought you knew how I felt.”

Rachel shook her head. “I know you love me. I didn’t know what else to expect.”

Lifting her head with a finger underneath her chin, Chris stared into her eyes. “I want a family with you, Rachel. I want to have the next fifty years with you by my side. I love you with all my heart and soul, and I don’t want a single moment to change.”

He cleared his throat as he felt the emotion well. Staring down at his hands, he reached into his pocket where he’d stored it after collecting it that afternoon.

“Claire will always be in my heart, and so will Talia. I believe they’re in your heart as well.” He stopped to press his hand to her breast. “That doesn’t change the fact you’re my future.” Chris presented the box to Rachel. “Which is why I was going to ask you to marry me on Christmas morning.”

She gasped, staring down at the box.

“You don’t have to do this, Chris.”

“Our child needs my name. We’re getting married, and there’s no chance I’m going to risk anything happening to you. We’re in this for life, remember? We’re partners, and this child is going to have two loving parents to come home to.” He opened the box, presenting the ring to her. “Rachel, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Waiting for her to answer was the longest time Chris had waited for anything. As he stared into her eyes, she never gave anything away. Biting his lip, he tried to see what she was thinking. Nothing was happening. He felt exposed unable to read what was happening.

“Yes,” she said. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she looked at him. “I’d love to become your wife.”