The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 21 - News for the Children and Matt's Plans

            Susan never set her alarm before going to bed after the party, so consequently she slept late the next morning. Much later than usual in fact, and she was still in bed sleeping when Matt returned from the early church services on Sunday.

            "You went on your own?" Greg asked in surprise.

            "Ashley and I went," Matt told him. "We've been doing that."

            Greg nodded.

            "So what's wrong with Mom? How come she's so tired?" Matt asked.

            "Well, we were all up late last night and your mother did put a tremendous amount of effort into the party," Greg reminded him.

            "Yeah I know, but it's almost ten o'clock. Mom never sleeps until ten ... not unless there's something wrong with her," Matt said.

            "There isn't anything wrong with her, Matthew. But there is a reason she's suddenly so tired. I'm hoping I can persuade her to talk to you about it when she gets up," Greg was saying just about the time Susan came downstairs dressed in her bathrobe.

            "What is it you want me to talk to Matthew about?" Susan asked her husband.

            "I think you know," Greg said.

            "What is it Mom?" Matthew asked in concern.

            "Nothing bad ... or at least I don't think you'll think it is," Susan assured him.

            Matthew regarded her warily. "So what is it?"

            Susan sighed, exchanged a look with her husband who nodded, then turned back to her son.

            "I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you ... but if I am going to tell you, I should probably tell the whole family all at once. Where are Jessie and Zack this morning?"

            "Jessie's playing in her room and I think Zack's on the computer," Greg said. "Would you like me to call them?".

            "Please. Let me get dressed and I'll be right back," Susan told them.

            Susan was good to her word and returned to the family room a few minutes later to find everyone assembled there.

            "Greg said you have something to tell us," Zackary said. "Something important."

            "Yes, I do," Susan said.

            "Is it bad?" Jessie wanted to know.

            "I don't think so, but it's something that will probably affect us all," Susan said.

            "What kind of a thing Mom?" Matt asked warily.

            "There's a chance I may be having another baby," Susan told them.

            "You mean you might be pregnant?" Matt asked.

            "No. I mean I am pregnant ... and I've been waiting to make sure everything looks okay before saying anything," Susan explained.

            "Because our last baby died Mama?" Jessie asked.

            "Yes," Susan said.

            "But Mom, I thought you couldn't have anymore," Zackary protested.

            "I didn't think so either," Susan told him. "But sometimes the Lord has other plans for us. That can be true about almost any thing, but when it comes to families it most definitely is. This has been a bit of a surprise because of what the doctor told me last fall, but I've been to see him several times since we first suspected. He's been following me very closely just to make sure I stay safe and to check on the baby. So far he says things look okay and that we should just wait to see if they're going to stay that way."