Jack pulled up a chair next to the exam table, so he could cuddle close to her while they waited for the doctor. He’d mulled that very question over many times since meeting Gail, but he was no closer to having an answer.
“I really don’t know. I mean … I’m not saying I want it to change. That young woman was so strong, and brave. She’s a child any parent would be proud of. But at the same time …”
He sighed. “Do you remember that talk we had, the first time I was in the hospital? When you asked me if I believed in fate and destiny?”
It felt like a distant dream to her now – experiencing so much from that instant ( enough to last two lifetimes ) – but still she gave a nod. “I remember you said..you d-didn’t believe in fate but..we didn’t t-talk about it much after that..” Not that she recalled anymore – tucking herself against the crook of his neck, hand now rubbing along the swell in her belly.
Fate and destiny.. Katelynn had not given it much thought.
Jack wrapped his arms around her, resting his cheek on the softness of her hair. “And I still don’t. I don’t like the thought that the future is fixed no matter what we do. So … I’ll be glad if this child turns out to be that young lady, but I’m not going to hope for that specifically.”
He kissed Katelynn’s forehead. “All I want is a happy, healthy child for us to raise and love. Anything else will just be a bonus.”
The blue man looked up as there was a knock on the door, and the doctor came in. She was a petite woman, not much taller than Katelynn, with bobbed salt-and-pepper hair, and wire-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. When she moved, it was with the quick, perky movements of a small bird.
“Good morning, Mrs. Maple! And Mr. Maple, glad to see you here again!”
Jack Maple 