A Time to Love

Chapter 21

The longest four days of Sarah's life had finally passed but her future remained dependant on the results concealed within the envelope in her father's hands. 'Wait' she demanded, slapping his hand away as he began to tear the envelope open 'I want Zander here for them too.'

The second s torturously ticked by as Sarah stood by the window, like a dog eagerly awaiting his masters return. She raced to the door as the car came to a stop and as Zander came closer, she leaned in to kiss him but quickly reconsidered, given what they were about to discover.

'Let's get this over with then' Sarah breathed in and held on as her father finally unsealed the envelope and lifted out the paper.

Stephen looked between his wife, then Sarah and finally Zander before he turned it round for them to see. 'It's negative' he answered cheerily as his daughter snatched it from him, seeking the confirmation herself. When she saw that he was truthful, she tore the paper up and jumped into Zander's arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as she did.

'It's all over now' she whispered 'we can finally be together, properly.'

When his embrace was seized, he placed Sarah delicately back on the ground and held out his hand invitingly for Stephen to shake.

'No offence' Zander said 'but I'm glad you're not my dad.'

'None taken lad' he tapped his arm and then quickly pulled him into a hug, whispering a warning in his ear 'you better take care of my daughter.'

'I will' Zander promised 'I'll take care of them both' and he placed his hand against Sarah's stomach, were her bump was beginning to show.

'Well you may have had a lucky escape there' Debbie retorted as she lifted the empty glasses, that they had been drinking from that morning off the table and carried them to the kitchen 'but you still went behind my back with that...' remembering Zander's presence, she halted her bitter words. 'You've got a long way to go before I forgive you, if I forgive you.'

***

'I've been thinking' Zander began as they drove down he road a few weeks later, on their way to the hospital for Sarah's twelve week scan 'we'll be a proper family soon and you've been spending a lot of time at mine recently, especially since things have been tense at home.'

'Zan' Sarah chuckled at him stumbling over his words 'spit it out. I'll have given birth before you get to the point.'

'Sorry' he glanced in the mirror at her watching eyes 'I guess what I'm saying is, will you move in with me?'

Sarah had forgotten where they were and when she remembered, it was too late, she had already jumped on Zander and flung her arms around him 'Of course I will' she screamed and placed a kiss on his cheek as he laughed and warned: 'Careful' reminding her that they were currently travelling down a busy motorway, so that this time, it was her turn to apologise.

It wasn't too long before they were sat in the hospital waiting room, surrounded by several other pregnant women and expectant fathers. Sarah linked arms with Zander and squeezed his hand gently. In an instant, the sweat from his palms rubbed onto hers and, sensing his anxiety, she assured:

'Everything's fine. This is all just to check on baby's progress.' She placed her head against his shoulder, immediately realising that his pounding heart had regulated its rhythm when she heard the blood pulsating around his body.

'How do you know?' he wondered out loud, just as she was about to close her eyes.

'Know what?' Sarah sighed.