The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 70 - What Comes Next

The following day was Sunday, and although most of the Abernathy family went to church, Susan stayed home to pray. Greg left her as much privacy as possible so she could attend to them out on the balcony adjoining theirs and the baby's room while her family was gone. He knew how important it was for their walk with God to be as strong as possible in the days ahead, and so he was reluctant to interrupt her that morning, even after the family came home. Eventually though, he did.

"Susan?" Greg came out onto the balcony to find his wife sitting on one of their comfortable deck chairs, her bible open on her lap and her eyes closed in prayer. It only took a moment for Susan to open her eyes, but it took a moment longer for her to finally focus them on him.

"Did I lose track of the time?" Susan asked.

"You may have. Your family has been home for nearly an hour. Julie and Elliot should be here shortly," Greg said.

"Oh! Then we should be getting ready," Susan said as she started to rise.

"It's all been taken care of. Your mother is in the kitchen making a salad. Your father has gone to pick up the pizzas. The house is ready, thanks to all the family's efforts. All you need to do is to be there when they arrive," Greg assured her.

"That may be, but I still wanted to change," Susan said.

"You look fine," Greg said.

"I know, but its Sunday, Greg. I wanted to wear a dress while they're here today," Susan said. Her husband frowned slightly. "Oh come on ... please? Changing clothes is the most strenuous thing I get to do all day. Humor me."

"I doubt I can. You should be minimizing activity of that sort. You know that," Greg said firmly.

Susan frowned, not in anger but in way that expressed she knew he was right. Sadness momentarily touched her features and she turned her face away from him, looking towards the vast ocean spread out before them, blinking rapidly. "I'm sorry. It's not that big a deal," she assured him. "I'm just so emotional lately."

"Understandable," Greg said kindly. "What if I were to help you?"

"Thank you. I'd appreciate that," Susan said.

Greg smiled, helping her to rise. He went with her, helping her to change into the dress she'd wanted to wear. It didn't take long but by the time they emerged, Julie and her family were already there.

c

"Hi Dad." Julie stood waiting for them in the library, regarding them with a beaming expression when they appeared.

"Hello Jules," Greg said as he went to greet his daughter with a hug and a kiss.

"My, but you're looking good!" Julie exclaimed when she saw Susan.

"Thank you," Susan said with a smile. "I'm glad somebody thinks so. I'm at that stage where I feel a bit like a beached whale."

"I remember a time when you doubted you'd ever get that far," Julie reminded her.

"So true," Susan agreed as she sat down on one of the chairs in the library.

"So does that mean everything's going well?" Julie asked.

Susan exchanged a glance with her husband. She knew telling Julie about their problems was one of the reasons Greg invited her here, and this was a perfect opening to do just that, but she'd barely walked in the door.

"Not necessarily," Greg told his daughter. "Susan's had some complications. She's on restricted activity."

"Which is the reason you suggested we join you here," Julie acknowledged. She watched her father and Susan exchange a look which said volumes, but wasn't one she could immediately interpret. She thought about that for a moment or two then said. "There's a problem beyond that, isn't there?"