The Quiet Voice | Complete

Chapter 27

Chelsea kept staring at the picture of Hank on her desk, thinking back to when they first met. Had the last year really gone by so fast?

She was about to make a phone call when there was a knock at her office door.

Chelsea eased herself out of her chair and walked the few steps to her door.

She was pleasantly surprised to see Hank's dreamy blue eyes looking back at her, as soon as she opened the door.

"Hello, Beautiful!" Hank couldn't wait to plant a kiss on Chelsea's rosy lips, as soon as he saw her. "I thought I'd surprise you for lunch."

"Lucky me!" Chelsea beamed with joy, seeing Hank at her door. "To what do I owe this surprise?" She never knew that she could love someone so much in such a short time.

"I've been thinking of you all day and couldn't bear another moment without seeing you." Hank crossed the few steps to Chelsea's desk and took a seat in the visitor chair. "Come, come. Get your handbag so that we can get going. I've booked for us at your favourite tea garden, so we can't be late."

"Yes, sir," answered Chelsea as she saluted and giggled from the pit of her belly. She absolutely adored spending time with Hank, he always found a way to make her laugh.

Chelsea quickly double checked her calendar to make sure that she wouldn't miss any appointments, before she grabbed her handbag from the cupboard in the office and met Hank at her office door.

Chelsea gave Hank the keys so that he could lock her office door and they were on their way.

It was a beautiful day outside and the drive to their lunch date didn't take long at all. The radio played softly in the background while they caught up on each other's day so far.

"So, did you have any new patients today?" asked Hank as Chelsea cleaned her sunglasses before putting them back on her face.

"No, all were either follow-up visits or check-ins with mother's waiting to go into labour." Chelsea's expression saddened, "it must be so scary to know that you're carrying a baby who you're so in-love with, but willing to give to a family who can better provide for him or her. I don't know if I'd ever be so brave. My heart breaks for every mother on the day she says goodbye to her little angel."

"I know, Sweetheart," Hank reached over as he drove and put his hand on Chelsea's knee, "we luckily will never be in that position."

Fear gripped Chelsea's heart for she hadn't mentioned to Hank that she feared she might not be able to carry to full term. Her miscarriage with Jonathan was one of the most painful experiences of her life and she never wanted to go through that again. But was she willing to never try to fall pregnant again? She didn't know the answer to that question and didn't want to think about it at that moment in time.

Hank pulled into a parking bay at the tea garden and Chelsea noticed that the parking lot was rather empty. That was very strange for such a lovely sunny day, but she didn't give it too much thought.

He came around to her side and opened her door for her, he took her hand as she exited the car.

They walked hand-in-hand to the entrance of the tea garden, still soaking in the lovely weather. Hank was comfortable in his jeans and crisp white shirt and Chelsea in a long, gypsy style, white and light blue floral dress and golden sandals.

The hostess greeted them and showed them the way to the table which Hank had booked, especially for today.

They were seated in a private garden booth which felt like a little patio area all of their own. Chelsea ordered a peach ice tea and Hank ordered a cola tonic and lemonade.