Merry Christmas, darling.

The test was positive.

She’d been expecting that result, but there was a big difference in expecting it, and seeing it on the test. It was right there, displayed for everyone to see. She was pregnant. She thought about dancing, but realized that dancing was something she’d never been good at or fond of. No, dancing with joy wasn’t her style, but it didn’t mean that she wasn’t joyful. In fact she was thrilled. She had been trying so very hard to get pregnant- taking the tests to see when she was most fertile, and whatnot. Yeah, she couldn’t wait to tell everyone. The problem was, she was currently at a seminar half a country away from her husband. She wanted to tell him, but she wanted to do it in person, and she just couldn’t wait. Chewing on her lip for a moment, she picked up her cell phone so that she could call and tell at least someone.

She could hear the phone ringing on the other end of the receiver, and waited silently until she heard the phone click, and heard a very familiar- if gruff, voice on the other end of the phone. She knew that the person wouldn’t recognize her number, but she smiled anyway.
“Jason? Hi, this is Jenny Malone….I have some wonderful news.”

The voice immediately lightened as Jason Smith made the connection between Jennifer Hame and Jenny Malone. His smile was wide, and Jenny could hear it through the phone.
“Jenny? Wow, it’s been a long time. How are you, what’s your news?”
“I’m pregnant.”

She heard him chuckle, before he turned from the speaker to share the news with Olivia. Jenny heard Olivia’s congratulations, and had to give a smile of her own to the empty room, warmed by the joy and well-wishes of two of her closest friends.
“Congratulations, Jenny.” Jason’s voice was warm. “Does Bailee know?”

She heard Olivia’s voice telling Jason that of course Bailee knew, if Jenny was calling and telling other people, and why couldn’t he ever figure these things out on his own? It was a typical conversation between the two- with Olivia’s sweet chiding and Jason’s never predictable response.
“Actually, J, Bailee doesn’t know. I had to tell someone, and I want to tell him in person.

“Oh. Wow. See, Liv! Bailee doesn’t know, so ha!”
“J, you two never change.”
“I know. Jenny, listen up. I know you’re at one of those conference-things, but fly home. Tell him the news, don’t wait. Trust me, he’ll be happy that you did.”
“Alright, thanks as always for the advice, J.”

A few hours later, Jenny was driving a rental car home. It was just a few weeks before Christmas, and she had the best present in the world to give her husband. She pulled into their drive, looking at the small cottage-style home that she and Bailee owned. It was home, and she was so thrilled to be here. She pulled her keys out, and opened the door. She hadn’t told Bailee that she was coming home, she wanted to surprise him.

“Jenny?” Bailee walked out into the hallway, pushing his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose. “Honey, you’re home early…is everything okay?” He walked up to her, sliding his arms around her waist, and kissing her hair.

“I’m fine, Bails. I just….I came home to tell you something.” Bailee paused, pulling away to look at her. Jenny’s face flushed, and she fiddled with the rose necklace she always wore.

“I’m pregnant.”