Charmed

Chapter Twenty Six

I'm pregnant? No, surely not. Claude and Lisa were gaping down at me, their expressions identical. I looked away from them, clenching the sheets tightly between my fingers. I was going to be a Mama. Oh, my. Was I ready for a baby? Was anyone ever ready for a baby? A million different thoughts and questions began wading through my mind, terrifying but exciting at the same time. I had so many emotions that I wasn't sure what the right one was.

"Gwen." Lisa's voice dragged me out of my reverie, and I blinked to find her and Claude sat on either side of me, reaching for my hands. "Are you going to freak out?"

I pushed the covers away from me, somehow finding the strength to stand up. My legs were like lead, refusing to move. I clutched the cabinet tightly, my knuckles whitening. Lisa held her hands out, ready to catch me if I suddenly fell.

I couldn't close my mouth; it was hanging open in a persistent gape. "I'm... I'm pregnant."

Claude grinned at me. "This is incredible! I'm going to be an aunt."

My mind immediately reached for Darius, but I collided with the block he had put up. I fought it, trying to get inside his mind, but he was too strong. Deep inside I knew that he wouldn't want to find out that he was going to be a father over our mind link. He would want to be here so he could hold me, kiss me. But he wasn't due back for another five days, and I didn't want to keep this from him for that long.

"I have to go to Baxton," I said immediately, rushing over to my wardrobe and pulling out my riding clothes.

"Woah." Lisa grabbed my arm and steered me away from the outfits. She sat me down on the armchair in front of the fire, casting a small orange glow over our faces. "Gwen, you're pregnant. You can't travel that far on horseback."

"Of course I can," I scoffed, moving to stand.

Claude clamped her hands on my shoulders, forcing me back down. "No, you can't. It's far too dangerous."

"I would have been able to do it before this morning," I argued.

"Yes, before we knew you had a child inside of you. You know you can't go."

"But Darius is in Baxton. Darius is the father of my child, my husband. He deserves to know!"

"Gwen." Lisa forced me to look into her dark brown eyes. "You know he wouldn't like you riding all that way, especially alone. You're going to have to wait until he returns from his trip."

"But that's in five days." I couldn't wait that long.

Lisa brushed my hair from my face, a small smile touching her lips. "It'll fly by. Just keep yourself busy."

I fought with them for a few more minutes before the exhaustion drowned me. I gave up, retreating to the bed and closing my eyes. I desperately wanted Darius' arms around me, holding me to him. I played his reaction through my head, seeing both the good and bad scenarios. I hoped he would react well.

We had been talking about children just last week, about where they would live and what would happen when the baby arrives. I never dreamt that I would be finding out we were going to have our very own child so soon.

Lisa brought up a light lunch of soup and bread, which I miraculously managed to keep down. I changed into a light summer dress, needing the fresh air on my skin. Dany joined me, staying close beside me, almost as if she knew I was fragile and wanted to protect me.

I headed for the bench that was hidden beneath the willow tree, sitting down and relaxing beside the small brook. The sound of the flowing water calmed me, soothed me. I let the feeling wash over me, closing my eyes and allowing the sun rays to beam down onto my skin through the leaves of the trees.