by Mary Smith
Dag.
Dag Limon.
Dag had been having the best season, but it was being overshadowed by all the losses. He had been—pretty much—the only one who was scoring in the games. Cabel and Taden already discussed moving him to the top line. He needed to be recognized.
As Taden called for practice to be over, Cabel made his way to the locker room. He remembered Caryn telling him to be nice to Jackson. Not that he wouldn’t be, it just became frustrating.
“Hey, Jackson.” Cabel approached him. “How’s it going?”
He shrugged, moving past him and into the locker room.
Cabel brushed it off and went toward Taden’s office. They compared notes on practice and made a decision about Dag.
“He’s doing so well because of that Twitter girl,” Taden joked.
“Whatever it is, it’s working.” Cabel stood up. “I’m going to therapy then Christmas shopping. Are you going to see Oliver?”
Taden nodded. “My to-do list is almost the same. Oliver seems very excited about Christmas.”
“Me too.” Cabel shook Taden’s hand and made his way to the parking lot and the Hummer.
Therapy went well, and they told him he could keep the brace off. He’ll always have a limp, but he could deal with it. Even though they wanted him to keep coming they decided it didn’t have to be numerous times a week.
He hit the mall to get the items he wanted for the girls. Chloe had told him what she was getting them weeks ago. He made sure to get Leia a new and faster laptop and Bria a new phone. Obviously, he picked up several outfits and gift cards because they love those gift cards.
Unsure of what to get the Longs and Oliver, Cabel took the easy road and purchased gift cards for them as well.
He already got Caryn a ring, but he picked up a new purse and laptop bag from the Coach store for her too. He also found out her mom was born in June, so he bought her a June birthstone pendant.
Somehow he managed to get all the bags home and into his bedroom without Leia seeing him. She had been in the den, in class. Bria was coming over after school to spend time with them tonight. He already planned on talking to the girls about Christmas day and his proposal to Caryn.
Hiding the gifts in the closet he would have to find the time to wrap them. He’d probably have to do it tonight. He smiled proudly at his accomplishments.
This Christmas had to be perfect.
Cabel: Do you need anything?
Caryn: No, I just got home a little bit ago. I got sick again
Cabel: What do you need? Are you okay?
Caryn: I’m tired but feeling a bit better. I think I ate something bad in the cafeteria. Stay home with the girls. We’ll talk later.
Cabel couldn’t handle the back and forth of the texts because he needed to hear her voice. He waited for the rings.
“Cabel, I have an upset stomach,” she answered.
“What did you eat?” This had been the third time she’d been sick.
“A ham and cheese sandwich from the cafeteria. The ham sort of smelled funny when I ate about half of it. I threw the rest away, and Oliver told me to come home. I’m just exhausted and lying in bed.”
He felt horrible he wasn’t there for her. “When I finish dinner with the girls, I’ll come over.”
“No, Cabel. Please spend time with your daughters. You’ve not spent any time with them. I’m just going to bed anyway.”
It had been a great sound plan, but he still wanted to be with her. “Okay, but you call me if you need anything. Promise.”
“I promise.”
He could hear her smile. “I love you, Caryn.”
“I love you Cabel.”
“Bria. Leia. Dinner time,” Cabel yelled as he finished plating the pot roast and side dishes. As the girls came into the kitchen, he told them to grab something to drink.
Once they all were seated and their plates were full, Cabel knew it was time to bring up Christmas. He just didn’t know where to start.
“What’s wrong, Dad?” Leia questioned.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Bria added.
“Well, I have two things I need to discuss with you.”
“Don’t keep us in suspense.” Leia put her fork down.
She was right. He had to talk to them. “Your mom and I have discussed the upcoming holiday.”
“Why?” Bria questioned eyeing her dad.
“Because we’ll be spending it differently this year.” The girls stared at him as he continued, “You will spend Christmas Eve with your mom and Lex. Then Christmas morning, I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go over to Oliver’s house to spend Christmas with Caryn and her family.” He waited, glancing between the girls, to gauge what they were thinking.
It seemed like forever before Leia spoke up. “Things are serious with you and Caryn.”
“May I tell you two a secret? But you have to promise not to tell Caryn okay?”
Both girls nodded.
“I’d like to ask Caryn to marry—” Before he could finish, both girls screamed and jumped from their seats and hugged him.
“Dad, this is amazing.” Leia squeezed him tightly.
“Caryn’s going to be in our family?” Bria asked with a deep excitement.
“I haven’t asked her yet. I planned to do so on Christmas, but I wanted to ask you two first,” Cabel explained.
“I like Caryn.” Bria smiled.
“I think you two are great together,” Leia added her opinion.
“So, you both are okay with the Christmas arrangement and Caryn, right?” He needed clarification from them both.
The girls sat back down and looked at each other.
“It’ll be strange without Mom.” Bria’s happy self disappeared for a second.
“I know it will be.” Cabel nodded.
“But,” Leia brought the attention to her, “we know it’s time for a change. This is a good change.” She gave him an encouraging smile.
Cabel looked at Bria, who smiled and nodded.
“Change is good.” He grinned.
Chapter Fourteen
The toilet had become Caryn’s best friend, and she couldn’t figure out why. Oliver had finally been released from the hospital. Since he’s been home, he had tried to make his way to his home office, but Caryn had stopped him at every turn. Right now, he was taking caring of her.
“Why don’t you go to the doctor?” Oliver patted her cheeks with a cool washcloth.
“I think it’s acid reflux or maybe I have some sort of ulcer.” She stood, rinsing her mouth in the sink.
“I believe it’s more than that.” Oliver rested his hip against the bathroom counter.
“You seem pale. Let’s get you on the couch.” She took his arm and began to lead him back to the living room.
As she made him stretch out and relax, he grabbed her hand and made her sit on the edge of the couch.
“I don’t want to be a parent who pries into their child’s life.”
“But you’re going to.” She sighed.
“I am. I’ll ask one question and then let the subject go.”
“Okay, one question.” What would be the harm with one small question she thought.
“Could you be pregnant?”
Of all the questions in the world, she didn’t want that one. The thought crossed her mind a million times. Last night, after a glorious night with Cabel, the thought stayed in the front of her mind. Waking up in his arms felt like a dream. A dream she wanted to remain in for a long time.
When she went to her office that morning, she made another connection. Her period was well over a week late. Ten days to be exact.
“Caryn, why are you crying?” Oliver squeezed her hand.
“Because I could be.”
His face lit up, but Caryn quickly stopped his elation.
“This might not be a good thing.”
The joy was wiped away from his face and was replaced with confusion. “Why?”
“Cabel and I
never talked about this.” She paused, rubbing her forehead. “With all the work I’ve been taking on, the stress of the media about us, the fundraiser, and everything else in between, I missed my birth control pills.” The burn of the salty tears brought a lump in her throat. “He’s going to think I tried to trap him.”
Chuckling, Oliver shook his head. “Out of anyone in this world, Cabel will not think you’re trying to trap him.”
“It really could be stress. I haven’t taken a test or gone to the doctor.”
“If I know you, as well as I think I do, you have a test with you.” Oliver called her out.
After clearing the rest of her schedule until New Year’s, she left the office and went to the local drug store and bought three of them. She remembered from long ago that you should always take three to ensure it wasn’t a false positive or a false negative. She told Oliver as such. “Then this is what we’re going to do.” He sat up taller. “You will take a test, then leave it and come back in here. We’ll watch a movie, and you will drink lots of water. After the movie, you’ll take a second test, without looking at the first, then we’ll watch another movie, and then you’ll take the third one. Together we’ll wait the allotted time and then look at all three.”
Wiping her cheeks, she nodded. “Together.” She got up and went to her purse, pulling out the three boxes.
She took one to the bathroom and with shaking hands, managed to do her business, but she knew she’d peek at it, so she wiped it off and placed it in the bathtub, closing the curtain.
Staring at the perfectly white plastic curtain, part of her wanted it to be stress causing her issues. She couldn’t be sure if she was ready to have a child not to mention what about Cabel? Yes, he had two children already, but did he want more? Did he want any with her? For the second time today, she washed her face and went back to her father.
On the coffee table were three glasses of water and Sean Connery as James Bond was on the large TV screen. Caryn should have argued with Oliver for getting up and retrieving the water, but instead, she sat on the end of the couch, stretching out.
There was no way this plan would work. Nothing could keep her mind off the actual possibility a human was growing inside her. She held tight to glass number one, sipping it often.
Somehow, her mind allowed her to get sucked into the world of the unrealistic situations on the screen and she drank down glass number two. By the time the ending came she had almost finished glass number three, and her bladder told her it couldn’t hold anymore.
“Don’t look.” Oliver used his fatherly tone.
“I won’t look.” She walked faster to the bathroom, picking up box number two.
Her focus stayed on the task and—like the last one—she wiped it off, moved the curtain only slightly back and placed it in the tub.
Coming back into the living room, there were three more glasses of water and another James Bond on the screen. Even though Oliver appeared to not have moved from the couch she gave him a kiss on the cheek as a thank you and sat back down at her previous spot.
Goldfinger didn’t help to keep her mind off everything as well as movie number one had. Caryn missed her mother. She would have been over the moon with a grandchild. Caryn could almost see her mother on the floor playing with the child. A boy who looked like Cabel. His daughters were beautiful, and a boy would be perfect in the bunch. Maybe the baby would have red hair like her or a mix of them both and have strawberry blond.
Glancing at Oliver, who was deeply involved with the movie, she knew he would be the picture perfect grandparent. He already was as a parent. He’d rope the moon for her if she asked. For him, she could make it through the rest of the movie and a glass and a half of water. No matter how bad she wanted to run into the bathroom and look at the previous two tests.
Finally, she downed the last glass and James Bond saved the day. She raced to grab box three and ran into the bathroom before she exploded. Like the other, she cleaned it off but left it on the counter this time. When she opened the door, Oliver stood on the other side of the hall, leaning against the wall.
“You should be resting.” She leaned her back against the wall.
“I’ve rested. Now, I’m just taking a wall.” He smirked. “How long do we have to wait?”
“Three minutes. Three very long minutes.” They stood quietly for what seemed like an eternity. “I’m scared,” she admitted out loud.
Oliver furrowed his brow. “Why?”
“What if Cabel doesn’t want to be part of my life or want a baby? He’s truly the first man I’ve loved. I’m a strong woman, but right…” A sob escaped her and Oliver wrapped her in his arms.
“You are strong. You are not alone. I will hold your hand every single day if need be—to show you you’re not.” He kissed the top of her head. “But I know Cabel and he loves you, and he’ll be there for you and this baby.”
Caryn cried in her father’s chest. The tears were real and all the mixed up whirlpool of emotions were behind it. She couldn’t stop. She even tried to stop, but they kept flowing…until they quit on their own.
“I ruined your shirt.” She wiped at the tears staining his shirt.
“I don’t care about this shirt,” he stated. “I care about you and your well-being and my grandchild.”
“If there is one,” she corrected, wiping the stray tears.
“Let’s find out together.” He kept an arm around her, leading her into the bathroom. “Sit here.” He put the toilet seat down.
“They’re in the shower, but I’ll get them.” She jumped up because he shouldn’t be bending over. Keeping her eyes closed she felt around the tub until she found both tests and sat them on the counter. “I’m not sure if I want to know now.” She sat back down on the lid.
“I’ll look.”
Caryn put her head in her hands as Oliver checked all three. When he finished he placed his hand on her back.
“Well?!” she asked without moving her hands.
“You have to look for yourself.”
Dropping her hands, she knew he was right. Taking a deep breath her shaky legs held her weight as she stood. Moving toward the counter. The three white sticks sat there staring at her. Holding her breath, she looked down at the displays.
Caryn left a message for Taden that she wouldn’t be able to see Jackson today. She hated to cancel, but Taden said since tonight was the last game before Christmas break it wouldn’t hurt.
Oliver told her to go home, but she stayed through his dinner. For the first time, in a week she wasn’t hungry. She made sure he took his meds before leaving and going to her house.
She stopped at the store and purchased the rest of the items for the Christmas dinner. She also picked up more wrapping paper. Tonight, she would make sure all the presents were wrapped. She just wanted to throw them in gift bags since she didn’t feel like doing anything, but she loved wrapping presents and wanted this Christmas to be perfect.
After unloading everything into the house, she checked her phone. Two missed calls from Cabel and five texts throughout the day.
Cabel: How’s your day?
Cabel: How are you feeling?
Cabel I’m getting tired of signing my name.
Cabel: Are you staying at Oliver’s tonight?
Cabel: This game is going great.
Caryn turned on the TV. The Bears were up by three. She sat down on her couch and watched for several minutes. It was like a new team was on the ice. It seemed the chemistry had come back.
Keeping the TV on and the volume up, she put away everything. She grabbed her iPad and double checked her ingredients list, ensuring she hadn’t missed anything. Laying all the dry items along her counter, she checked them off the electronic list. Opening her fridge and freezer, she did the same. When she finished and saw everything had been checked off, she felt a sense of accomplishment.
Pulling the bags from the hall closet she didn’t realize how much she really had bought for everyone. The
announcers cheered as the Bears scored again. Caryn saw the ice filling up with hats. Dag Limon had his second hat trick of the season. She knew Cabel had to be in the best mood at this moment.
She wrapped Cabel’s watch first. Then the two shirts she got from a flash sale sent via email. They got her every time. It was also where she got a pair of sleep pants, four workout shorts and matching shirts. Had she remembered his shoe size, she would have probably bought those too.
For the girls, she had help from Cabel. She got Leia a new messenger bag and two different gift cards. For Bria, she found a gift set of makeup, which was okayed by Cabel, and gift cards. Janan and Nova would receive an all-day spa treatment. Hamilton, Taden, and Teo were harder to shop for, but she finally got them a ‘Tie of the Month” membership. Klara had been the easiest. A few cute outfits and several toys.
Oliver was the most difficult because what do you get a billionaire? Then it came to her a few months ago when she found one she had done for her mother. A memory scrapbook. Caryn had numerous pictures of her and Oliver. There had been one page left and thanks to Greer, it was for the picture taken at the fundraiser.
The announcers declared the Bears the winners of the game just as she finished the page and had written a message on the back cover. Hoping it wasn’t too sappy she put it in a box and wrapped it up and placed it with the other gifts.
Her phone rang and when she looked at the display, she didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Hi, Cabel.”
“Hey.” There had been a lot of background noise. “The girls are at Chloe’s since they’re doing their Christmas in the morning.”
She knew which path this would head down, and she wanted to see him. “Why don’t you stay here? But only if you bring a large order of McNuggets and a strawberry shake.”
“Deal,” he said. “Love you,” and he ended the call.
Opening her purse, she knew she had one more gift to wrap, but she’d give it to him when she was ready.