Yellowstone

Chapter 34 - Weatherman

"I'm pregnant, Walker."

The words slipped out of her mouth and it felt like time froze.

"Pregnant? You're-You're pregnant?" Walker stumbled over his words and Elisabeth immediately felt her heart drop.

"You mean... I'm gonna be a dad? And you're gonna be a mom?"

"Yeah..." She sounded as if she was about to break down in tears, praying that he wouldn't be angry with her.

His eyes glossed over as he laughed, taking his hat off and brushing a hand across his inky hair.

"We're gonna be parents... we're gonna be parents!" His voice showed no signs of anger, just pure, child-like joy.

"You're not mad?" She asked cautiously as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"No, baby. Why the hell would I be mad? It's a new chapter in our lives together."

"I'm sorry I had to tell you over the phone... I just didn't want Rip or really anyone else in the bunkhouse knowing."

"Don't apologize, honey. I understand. Do you know how far along you are?"

"Month and a half, give or take. So I should be around two and a half to three months by the time me and Rip get back. I might even be showing by then."

"Jeez, I don't know if I can sleep now. I'm too excited."

"Sorry to ruin your beauty sleep, cowboy." She snickered. "Go curl up in my trailer. I'll be back before you know it."

"Well... where do you have it parked?"

"Left side of the barn. It's next to an old rust bucket of a Dodge."

"Alright. I love you. And you're gonna make an amazing momma."

"Jeez, don't make me cry on the highway, I still gotta drive." She giggled. "I love you too, baby. Now go get some sleep."

She gently pressed the button to end the call and it felt as though a weight had been lifted off of her chest.

Knowing that Walker was overjoyed at the fact that he would soon be a father comforted her.

And knowing that he would soon be sound asleep in her trailer allowed her to relax.

Another long blank of time passed before Elisabeth nudged Rip awake, pulling into a gas station to fill up the tank.

They stretched their legs and restocked on snacks and water, enjoying the fresh air and the view of the mountains.

"Hey!" Rip called out, prompting Elisabeth to look over her shoulder.

"You want some smokes? They have your Marlboro's." He asked, jerking his head towards the desk.

She shook her head. "Nah, I'm good."

Rip arched an eyebrow in suspicion. "Alright then. You want me to drive?"

"If you don't mind."

"Yeah, no problem."

Rip hopped up in the drivers seat and Elisabeth curled up in the passenger seat beside him, her eyes growing heavy as she draped a hoodie across her frame.

Subtly, she placed a hand over her lower stomach, cradling her barely there bump.

Despite her only being in her first trimester, there had already been a slight change in her body's appearance.

Elisabeth had always had a thin frame, so her belly would likely be more obvious by the time she and Rip returned to the Yellowstone.

She knew she'd have to hide it from Rip for as long as she could, knowing that with his reactive nature, he wouldn't like it.