A Time to Love

Chapter 23

Christmas day arrived with Sarah now six months into her normal progressing pregnancy, the latest scan confirming that in three months-time they would be welcoming a baby boy into their home.

'I'll get that' Zander said, jumping from his place on the couch when the doorbell rang. He lifted Sarah's feet from his legs as he rushed to answer the call.

'Merry Christmas' multiple voices chimed at different times as he opened the door and he responded with the same greeting but as everyone brushed past, he allowed them too. Until Stephen approached and he grabbed him by the wrist. 'Can I speak with you?' he pulled Stephen into the kitchen before he had a chance to answer.

'Alright lad. My daughter isn't giving you bother is she?'

'No Sarah's great. That's what I wanted to talk about' Zander searched deeply inside his pockets and pulled out a small black box with a gold trim, he opened it, revealing a silver ring with a diamond encrusted on the top.

'Is that?' Stephen began to ask.

Zander nodded, clarifying before Stephen could finish his sentence 'An engagement ring, yeah' then after a short pause 'What do you say? Can I marry your daughter?'

Stephen stared at the ring before lifting his eyes to Zander and looking between him and the ring briefly, he snapped the box closed and handed it back to Zander before offering his hand to be shaken. 'Yes, you can have my daughter' his handshake was quickly morphed to a hug 'when are you planning to do it?'

'Today, after dinner. I was thinking of gathering everyone around and asking her, make it special. Do you think she'll like that?'

'She'll love it' Stephen assured but no sooner had he tapped his perspective son in law on the shoulder had the kitchen door slowly opened, forcing Zander to shove the box back in his pocket when he saw Sarah enter, bump first.

'Who'll love what?' she questioned, waddling to the sink and filling a glass to the brim before gulping it down.

'No one love' Stephen hugged his daughter 'Merry Christmas.'

'Thanks dad' Sarah kissed his cheek and slowly walked towards the kitchen table, lowering herself onto the chair.

'Are you ok babe?' Zander pushed the fallen hair away from her eyes 'you look a bit pale.'

'I'm six months pregnant, I'm allowed to look pale.' Sarah protested while she rubbed her eyes.

'Zander's right sweetheart. Perhaps you should have a little sleep, just for a few hours.'

Sarah opened her mouth, about to protest but Zander knew what she was about to say so argued before her protests could come to fruition. 'I'll handle dinner and I'll wake you when it's ready.'

'Ok, if it'll keep you both happy.' She agreed, too tired to fight back but as she stood, she fell backwards. Both Zander and her father grabbing her before she could hit the ground.

'Come on, I'll help you to bed.' Zander offered, taking her by each arm and guiding her upstairs 'then once you've had a rest, I've got a surprise for you after.'

***

With dinner on the table and shortly devoured, Zander raised his hand to quiet the guests and as both sets of parents looked on, half with knowledge of what was about to happen as Zander held out his hand towards Sarah and pulled her up from her seated position. Guiding her to the centre of the room, he placed his hands on either of her shoulders and held them there while he cleared his throat and began to speak.

'Sarah Louise Smythe, you are the most amazing young women and I don't think I would be the man I am now if it wasn't for you' he shifted his hand down her arm and took hold of her hand but as he began to pull the box from his pocket, he felt Sarah slip away and her mother release a startled gasp as her daughter fell backwards, being caught in the arms of her father before she could hit the ground.

Zander rushed towards her, allowing the box to fall to the ground and almost be kicked under the couch by frantic feet rushing to aid his stricken girlfriend. Within a few hours, Zander was sat by a hospital bedside with his hand protectively placed over Sarah's.

'You gave us a bit of a scare earlier' he said softly as Sarah lay, staring at the ceiling but after she was lost in thought, she turned to Zander and gently stroked his face.

'I'm sorry you never got to finish what you were saying.'

'It doesn't matter' Zander kissed the back of her hand.

'What were you planning to say?'

'Oh nothing, it'll keep.' He answered, trying to shield his disappointment 'so, remind me what this is for again?' he indicated the straps were fastened around Sarah's almost fully grown bump.

'It's a monitor, to check his heartbeat.'

Zander's smiling expression changed to one of immediate panic and he instantly quietened at the words "monitor" and heartbeat." 'Is he alright? I mean, you're not going to lose him?'

'Of course we're not going to lose him' she stroked his face 'listen.'

The silence within the room became penetrated by the loud grumbling that could be heard from the heart monitor. 'He's got a strong, healthy heartbeat.'

***

Sarah was woken by the heavy sensation on her chest, opening her eyes furiously she shot up so that the sensation disappeared. Zander had slept on the chair beside her and he instantly jumped to his feet.

'What was that? Are you ok? Is it the baby?'

'I'm fine' Sarah lifted herself up and then positioned herself against the pillows. 'Have you been there all night?'

Zander nodded through his yawn as he stroked his hair and threw his head against the backrest of the chair. 'I didn't think there would be any point in going home if I have to come back and collect you.' Almost as soon as he had said those words, the door softly and the doctor entered, holding a clipboard with all Sarah's medical information written on the paper.

'Good morning Miss Smythe. Have you had a good nights sleep?' she had the cuff wrapped around Sarah's arm as soon as she had asked the question and the sphygmomanometer began to tighten around her arm as it read her blood pressure.

'When I could get sleep yes.' Sarah eventually answered the question 'but this one doesn't seem to be interested in sleeping.'

'You'll have to get used to that.' The doctor smiled as she released the blood pressure cuff and wrote the reading down. 'Well Miss Smythe' she began 'your blood pressure has gone back up to a healthy level so I'm happy enough to discharge you.'

Sarah squealed with excitement as she started to shoot up from the bed but she was quickly restrained and commanded 'You have to take it easy for the next few days, in fact, I would recommend you do nothing but put your feet up for the next three and half months.'

'Don't worry doc' Zander smiled in her direction 'I'll make sure she does exactly what you say.'