Late September 1979

Honey Wheeler took the train all the way to the other side of the city, even though she knew in her heart it was silly to think store clerks sat around gossiping over who came into the store for a home pregnancy test. Before selecting that vital item, she spent an inordinate amount of time tossing mundane everyday purchases into her basket. And once she had a disguising basketful, she realized it was more than she wanted to carry back on the train. Disgusted with herself, she spent more time replacing items back on the shelves. That done, she nearly stepped up to the checkout counter without the test kit.

Get a grip!she reminded herself. But which of the three different brands was most accurate? And easiest to use? Finally, she chose one and made her way to the checkout.

During the long train ride home, she felt as if the kit advertised its presence by glowing like a neon beacon. Although anxious to read the instructions, she certainly didn’t want to pull out the box in front of all of the other riders, even with the certain knowledge they were like most city-dwellers, studiously avoiding their fellow-passengers’ business.

Back at the apartment at last, she scurried inside and dumped the contents of her shopping bag onto the bed. Grabbing the test kit, she scanned the instructions for use.

“Most accurate when used with the first morning urine specimen,” it noted in large print.

“Arrrggghhhh!” Quickly, she slipped the kit into a half-empty box of feminine products and put away her other purchases before Brian could get home and see what she’d bought. Taking some deep cleansing breaths, she willed her features into what she hoped was a calm, happy expression and walked out to the apartment’s small efficiency kitchen to start preparing dinner.

The next morning, when she stumbled into the bathroom after being awakened much earlier than usual by a full bladder, she totally forgot about the test kit. It was torture knowing she had to wait another twenty-four hours, but she knew she had no choice. Not if she wanted to be sure of the result, and not if she didn’t want to waste the test. She didn’t think she could bear to do another shopping trip like that first one.

Brian had to work a night shift that night, so she set her alarm clock to awaken her an hour before he would arrive home. Then she set the kit out on top of the closed lid to the toilet, so she couldn’t possibly forget it.

She’d used the test kit, and was waiting the required time before checking the result. Have patience, she reminded herself. The directions said it takes ten minutes. I’ll wait twenty minutes, just to be sure. I don’t want to say anything to him until I know.

She made herself go out to the kitchen and prepare toast and juice. With longing thoughts of coffee, she ate a healthier breakfast than usual as she waited. When the twenty minutes had passed, she went back to the bathroom. With shaking fingers, she picked up the flimsy strip and stared at it, as if the dark line might disappear if she looked at it hard enough. She was so intent on it that she didn’t feel or hear the familiar step coming up behind her. When a large hand clasped her shoulder and a warm voice asked, “And what do we have here?” she shrieked in surprise and dropped the test strip as she spun around to face him.

“What’s wrong?” Brian asked, his voice sharp with surprise and concern.

Tears sprang to Honey’s eyes. “You scared me,” she explained. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“What were you doing?” he persisted. “What’s that strip?”

“It’s a pregnancy test, Doctor Belden!” she snapped, suddenly angry. “What did you think it was?”

“A pregnancy test! What—how—when?” He couldn’t seem to settle on one question.

“You know—making a baby! Sex! Last month when we went to Nantucket!” She was still angry, but the tears that had come to her eyes needed someplace to go, and they slid down her cheeks without her noticing.

“Nantucket!”

“Why are you echoing everything I say?” Honey couldn’t stop the sob that rose to her lips as she finished her question. “It’s easy enough to understand!”

“But... but I thought you were on the pill!”

“I was! I am! I don’t know what happened, because I don’t think I missed a single day.” She covered her face with her hands, overcome by the feelings of shock, fear, and in some crazy way that made no sense, feelings of excitement and joy.

“Wait—didn’t you have strep throat right before we went to Nantucket? Some antibiotics can interfere with the contraceptive effects of birth control pills.” Brian scrubbed his palm across his face. “That must have been it.”

“What are my parents going to say?” Honey cried. “I’ll never be able to face them with this.” She wanted to pace, but Brian stood between her and the door, and there was no room.

“Your parents? What are my parents going to say?” Brian retorted. “At least you’re out of school and self-supporting right now. Plus, your parents basically know we’re living together. I don’t know how they could be too surprised.”

“You think your parents will be upset because this will affect your residency and you’ve always said you wanted to finish residency first, then get married, and be settled in a practice before starting a family.” Finally, Honey gently pushed him to the side and escaped the confines of the bathroom. She started to pace the way she’d intended to do before he arrived. She could always think better while pacing. After a couple of trips across the studio apartment, she spun around to face her boyfriend, who had followed her out of the bathroom.

“You said my parents basically know we’re living together, but your parents aren’t blind. They probably know a lot more than they’ve said.” She resumed her pacing. “But Mother’s friends on the Sleepyside Hospital auxiliary and the New York City Ballet Foundation—her sorority sisters—everyone—will know I’ve been living in sin, and they’ll all be gossiping about us. I’ll be so embarrassed.”

“Wait a minute, Honey!” Brian stepped up to face her and took hold of both of her arms. “This isn’t just about you. The people who would look at you and point, and gossip, will look at me and call me a jerk and a horndog. But you have other choices than being an unwed mother.”

“Are you talking about abortion?” Honey felt the blood drain from her face. “I can’t believe you would suggest that!”

“I wasn’t suggesting it!” Brian’s face flushed crimson. “It’s legal, that’s all I’m saying! If it was what you wanted, I wouldn’t try to stop you.”

Honey broke away from him and ran back to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. It was the only place in the apartment with a door that closed. In the bathroom she dropped to the toilet seat and covered her face with her hands, sobbing. She didn’t know what she wanted, but she was absolutely certain she did not want an abortion. Since she first moved in with Brian, she had dreamed of marrying him after he finished residency, and she’d planned her wedding down to every detail. Now, when she—when they—were facing such a crisis, he hadn’t even mentioned marriage. And even if he did suggest it, by the time a wedding could be arranged she would be as big as a house.

And he hadn’t even mentioned it. She burst into fresh sobs.

“Honey!” Brian was knocking at the door. “Honey! Open the door and let’s talk about this.”

Behind the barrier of the closed door, Honey let her tears fall freely. Children—and she wanted Brian’s children very much—would naturally follow the dream wedding. That was the plan she’d laid out for her life. Now, everything was ruined and Brian seemed oblivious to her feelings. She listened for him to say something—anything—that would indicate he wanted to marry her and take on the responsibility of a child.

“Honey! Please come out and talk to me. If you want to have the baby, of course I’ll support your decision.”

Silence for a moment. She could hear him breathing through the door. She could imagine him running a hand through his dark, wavy hair, a characteristic gesture he used when he was frustrated with a situation. But she was waiting for some special words from him, and they didn’t come. She drew a shuddering breath. Now he was walking away, his footfalls fainter and fainter. The squeaking hinge of the apartment’s front door was easy to identify, and she heard the click as it latched again.

The apartment was silent. Brian had gone out. That was the only explanation. Honey looked in the mirror. Her eyes and nose were swollen and blotched with red. After splashing her face with cold water, she unlocked the bathroom door and came out. Something inside of her felt heavy and tired, so tired she would never feel energetic again. I thought Brian loved me. I didn’t want this to happen, but it did. I thought he would do the honorable thing—wait, I only found out today, at the same time he did. I don’t know what I expected him to do, because I didn’t have time to think about it first. But I don’t know. I need to be by myself and figure out what comes next.

She pulled a weekend-size suitcase from under the bed and laid it on top of the bed to start packing. But before she could move more than a few underthings into it, she heard the front door again, and she whirled around to see Brian standing behind her in the archway that set the bedroom alcove apart from the living room-kitchen area.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” Honey threw up her hands. “But I feel like I need to get away by myself to figure it out.” She felt her eyes start to tear up again.

“Why?” He stepped forward and faced her. “You’re pregnant with my baby, and you want to have the baby. We’re already living together. I love you, Honey.”

“What are you saying, Brian?” The tears overflowed, but she barely felt the wetness tracking a path down her cheeks and splashing onto her white blouse. “A few minutes ago you sounded like you didn’t want the baby, like it would derail your life.”

“If I did sound that way, I’m sorry. I was just shocked, that’s all.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Honey Wheeler, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. In fact, with you and hopefully, our children.” He pulled her toward him, and she didn’t resist. “Madeleine Grace Wheeler, will you marry me?”

“Are you only saying that because of the baby?” It was what she’d wanted to hear, but she couldn’t help feeling suspicious that he’d only proposed because of the surprise pregnancy.

“Honestly, I’ve wanted to ask that question for a long time.” He kissed the top of her head. “I just felt it wouldn’t be fair to ask you to marry me when I’m so busy with my residency. We don’t have time to take a real honeymoon, and anyway, I can’t afford to take a nice trip right now. I wanted to do it right, to give you everything you deserve.” He tipped her face up and kissed her forehead and jaw before brushing a delicate kiss on her lips. Her lips opened to him, and for long moments, there was no more talking, just touching, tasting and holding.

Finally, Honey leaned back and looked up into Brian’s eyes. “If you really mean it and aren’t just saying it because of the baby, then yes, Brian, I’ll marry you.” She clung to him, laughing and crying at the same time. He stroked her hair, and she felt the first stirrings of confidence since she’d missed her monthly cycle. Maybe, just maybe, everything was going to work out.

“Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, Honey and I have some news that we hope will make you as happy as it makes us.” Brian looked from Honey’s mother to her father. Each of them wore a slightly quizzical expression.

The Wheelers had been pleasantly surprised when Honey called to see if she and Brian could visit that weekend. Brian’s schedule was punishing and currently involved hours of weekend call. Honey might drive down to Sleepyside alone, but even she had a busy schedule with her accessible clothing line, Stylability. She knew her parents were curious about the unexpected visit, but they were too polite to ask what was behind it.

Dessert plates had been collected by Celia Delanoy’s new trainee, and neither Miss Trask nor Regan was at dinner tonight. Regan was out with his latest girlfriend and Miss Trask was visiting with her brother and sister at Pirate Cove.

So, for the moment it was just the family…and Brian. He hoped the famous Wheeler redheaded temper wouldn’t explode at their news. Taking a sip of water, he mentally prepared to give news that might be upsetting, just as he might have to do at the hospital. Thankfully, this wasn’t life and death. Not yet, at least.

“We’re getting married.” He took Honey’s hand. “It’s been something we’ve thought about for a long time, and we just decided to go ahead and do it now.”

“That’s wonderful news,” Mrs. Wheeler said, clasping her hands in front of her. “Honey, we’ll start looking into venues and caterers, a band for the reception… oh, everything!” Her eyes sparkled. “As soon as Miss Trask returns from Pirate’s Cove.”

“Yes, it’s about time.” Matthew Wheeler’s wide grin belied the slightly annoyed words. “You’re a very lucky man, Brian Belden.”

“Thank you, I know I’m the luckiest man in the world.” Brian reached to shake hands with his future father-in-law.

“But wait, Mother,” Honey spoke up. “I just want a very simple wedding, here at home with just our closest friends and family.”

“We can have the wedding here if that’s what you want, darling.” Madeleine frowned for a second before deliberately smoothing out her features. “But it will take quite a bit of planning. I’d say at least three months. And by then the weather will be prohibitive for any kind of outdoor wedding. Unpredictable snow, cold, and so many people will be getting away to warmer places until spring settles in.”

“I can’t wait that long.” She gulped back a sob. “Mother, Daddy, I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant!” Madeleine’s hand went to her chest, and Matthew’s genial smile froze in place as his twinkling green eyes turned into chips of green marble.

“I take full responsibility,” Brian hurried to say. “But I promise, I will always cherish your daughter and care for her and our children as the most precious things in the universe.” He pushed his chair back and stood, walking around the table to stand behind Honey. His strong right arm circled her shoulders as he clasped her left hand in his.

“Pregnant!” Matthew found his voice.

“Brian, don’t say you’re responsible!” Honey’s eyes snapped. “It was a mutual, consensual decision on both our parts. I won’t say I’m sorry and I won’t deny I wanted to be with you that way.” She pushed back her chair and stood next to Brian, crumpling her napkin in her hand and drawing a deep breath before speaking again. “Mother, Daddy, we truly love each other. This—the pregnancy—moves our plans up a little sooner than we’d intended, but it doesn’t change what we ultimately were going to do anyway. But you see why I don’t want to wait for six or eight months in order to plan everything perfectly for a formal wedding.”

Madeleine walked around the table to embrace her daughter. “Darling, I won’t pretend this news isn’t a shock, but yes... I’m sure we can line everything up to have a wedding here in mid-October. Three weeks... it’ll be a challenge, but we can get it done.”

Later, Honey and Brian cuddled in bed. “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” she admitted.

“Your dad took the news better than I expected,” Brian agreed. “I hope we’ll be as lucky with my parents.” Nevertheless, he reached for her with a hand that was damp with nervous perspiration. They were to eat dinner with the Beldens on Saturday night. Thankfully, neither Mart nor Trixie lived at Crabapple Farm, and Mrs. Belden had told Brian that none of his siblings would be there.

Saturday morning, Maddie asked Honey to join her in her office and discuss wedding plans.

“I hope you’ll be able to come down for a few days to review everything, but we can get a menu together and decide on an invitation list,” Maddie said. “And we need to talk about a dress.”

“We can put together the invitation list; it won’t be very long.” Honey’s voice took on a firm tone. “If you and Daddy want to do a big party, maybe I don’t know, next summer? After the baby comes?” She shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know most of Daddy’s business associates, or your charity board members, either. I’m not interested in putting on a spectacle for a bunch of strangers.” She frowned momentarily, then smoothed her face with determination.

Maddie shrugged. “Darling, it’s your wedding—yours and Brian’s. We’ll do our best to give you the kind of wedding that’s right for you.” She squeezed Honey’s hand.

Honey, surprised, returned the squeeze, before pulling a bridal magazine from the design portfolio she always carried. “Look at this dress, Mother. I found a pattern almost exactly like it, and it’s something I can make myself. It should go together quickly.” She held the magazine out, and Madeleine gazed at the simply-cut dress with a lace-covered bodice and graceful floor-length circle skirt, covered in turn with a gathered layer of chiffon.

“It’s lovely,” Maddie said with sincerity. “Are you sure you have time to sew something this elaborate, though?”

“I’ll get it done. I’ve used all the fabrics before, and Julia, one of my seamstresses with Stylability, also makes wedding attire as a sideline. She’ll help me if I run into problems.”

“What about bridesmaids? And their dresses and flowers?” As Maddie spoke, she was jotting down key words.

“Of course, Trixie and Diana must be my bridesmaids. Brian wants Jim for his best man, and Mart and Dan can take care of any other attendant duties. The Wedding Place in Sleepyside rents men’s tuxedos, and I think it would be best to do a shopping trip with Trix and Di, and let them pick out their own dresses. But I want to keep everything very low-key! If Mrs. Elliott and Max can do our flowers on short notice, it will be perfectly perfect. I’ll call her today and set up an appointment.”

Maddie snapped her fingers. “Oh, dear! We’ll need an officiant. How do you and Brian feel about asking a local minister? We’re not really church people, you know.”

“Yes, and truly Brian and I aren’t, either.” Honey sighed. “Don’t some government officials have the power to marry people? A civil wedding, isn’t it called?”

“I’ll find out first thing Monday,” her mother promised, making another note on her steno pad. “I’m sure there is a local magistrate who can do it.”

“I suppose that leaves food and music,” Maddie mused. “I’ll call my usual caterers and see if they can work this in at short notice. If we have no more than 40 guests, I believe they can probably accommodate us. But I’m not sure about musicians.”

“It would be wonderful if Bob and Barbara Hubbell could sing and play for us,” Honey exclaimed with a snap of her fingers. “They’re performing for several weeks on a television variety show that’s filmed in New York City. I’ll see if I can get in touch with them by Monday.”

“If they’re not able to do it, maybe one of the singers or organists from one of the local churches could do something.” Maddie tapped her pen against her chin. “Margie Lynch knows one of the singers at Our Lady of the Foothills, and an accompanist. If we do the actual wedding in the ballroom, the accompanist can use my piano.” She jotted down the information. “Call me as soon as you’ve spoken with Bob and Barbara; I’ll be ready to speak with Margie as soon as I hear from you.”

“I’m sorry this has to be so rushed, Mother.” Honey blotted her eyes. “I know you’ve dreamed of doing a wonderful big fairytale wedding for me. It’s just not what I really want.”

“Don’t worry, darling.” Madeleine reached out to caress her daughter’s hand. “If I’ve learned anything in the past ten years, it’s that it’s important to be flexible.”

Later that afternoon, Honey sat in one of the comfortable armchairs in her old bedroom, humming a little tune as she listened to the sounds of running water while Brian showered in the en suite bathroom. She was already dressed for dinner at the Beldens’. As soon as Brian was ready, they would walk down the flagstone path that had taken the place of a well-worn track between the Manor House and Crabapple Farm eight years ago. She shivered as she contemplated the prospect of a change in their family status.

Of course, Jim and Trixie had already married, just a few months earlier. But this was different. Jim had completed his master’s degree and had a job teaching at a school for children with behavior problems that couldn’t be managed in a regular classroom. Trixie had also graduated and had recently begun working in the state forensic lab.

Her own small business designing and manufacturing clothing for adults with various disabilities was not a distraction for Brian, but this pregnancy would be different. Brian had just started his second year of residency in July. His focus should rightfully be on his work and training. She couldn’t help feeling guilty about her pregnancy being a distraction from this important phase in his career.

To distract herself from these thoughts, she congratulated herself on calling Ethel Elliott and getting her flowers arranged.

“Congratulations, my dear! I’m delighted to hear this news,” Mrs. Elliott had said. “I’ll have some lovely mums blooming then, in gold and maroon colors. They’ll show beautifully in a fall wedding. I’ve made stunning fall bouquets of mums, calla lilies, California poppies, and berries.”

Brian emerged from the bathroom, showered, shaved, and dressed in a sports jacket and tie. This formal garb, compared to his usual dress, somehow bestowed enhanced reality to the current situation. Honey jumped up and smoothed the skirt of her gold-and-green wool dress and slipped into a matching double-breasted blazer.

“You look ready to take on anything,” she assured him with a smile that only trembled a little.

“It’ll be fine,” he replied, squeezing her hand in support. “Don’t borrow trouble. You know Moms and Dad love you.”

“It’s not their love I’m worried about. I’m afraid they’ll be upset at the effect on your training right now.”

She couldn’t help wondering how Brian’s parents would react to their news. Helen and Peter had married very young themselves, and although nothing had ever been said to indicate Brian was conceived before the marriage, anyone who could count could figure out it was a possibility. More than any morality angle, she feared that Brian’s parents wouldn’t want their son to have the distractions of a wife and family as he finished his residency. The elder Beldens had struggled in their early years of marriage. Economic challenges aside, they knew the demands of childcare and conflicts with a job. Brian’s work schedule during residency was much more time-consuming than Peter’s first job as a bank teller had been.

From long habit, Brian and Honey walked around the side of the farmhouse to the service entry. As usual, the door wasn’t locked, so they walked right inside.

“Moms! Dad! We’re here,” Brian called. Honey heard Helen Belden’s quick, light steps and couldn’t help smiling for a moment. Crabapple Farm had become a second home to her long ago, and she knew it as well as the Manor House. Then she remembered why they had come, and her smile faded.

“Brian! It’s so good to see you!” Helen reached up to hug her tall son quickly, before turning to Honey. “Honey! You look fresh and lovely, as always! Please, come on into the dining room. Can I take your jackets?”

Brian helped Honey slip out of her blazer and shrugged out of his own sports jacket. “I’ll hang these up, Moms,” he said, suiting his action to the words. They all moved on to the kitchen, where the aromas and other signs of a recently cooked dinner tantalized.

“I hope you’re both ready for some beef stroganoff,” Helen said. “I believe everything is ready.” She raised her voice. “Peter! Have you got that fire going yet?”

Peter appeared from the direction of the living room. “Nice to see you get a weekend off once in awhile,” he said with a smile of approval. He shook Brian’s hand and clasped both of Honey’s. “How’s your clothing line doing?” he asked.

“It’s doing well,” she replied. “At the moment we’re working up seventeen new orders. That may not sound like much, but there’s a certain amount of customization to each piece, depending on the individual’s handicap. But I’m happy with it.”

The four of them sat down at the dining room table, where a salad of fresh, sliced late heirloom tomatoes awaited them, while a casserole of beef stroganoff and a bowl of fresh steamed broccoli stayed hot over chafing dishes on the sideboard.

Honey was afraid she wouldn’t be able to swallow a bit of Helen Belden’s delicious food, but as she glanced at Brian, she saw that he—at last—was feeling the same apprehension. Somehow it gave her courage to see that he was also struggling; it settled her stomach as well as her nerves. She still wasn’t sure she could eat anything, but decided to let him take the lead, telling herself not to worry.

Helen offered grace, and Peter Belden cut his tomatoes into bite-size pieces. But before he took his first bite, he set down his fork and cleared his throat.

“What brings the two of you to Sleepyside this weekend?” he asked pleasantly. “Of course, we’re always happy to see you. But I’m surprised to see you take a weekend off when you were just here last month. I thought your schedule was packed and you wouldn’t be back before Thanksgiving.”

Brian had already taken a bit of his tomato. His fork dropped onto the salad plate with a clang, and he grabbed his napkin to cover a choke that turned into a cough.

“Right, Dad,” he said after taking a sip of water. His voice was only a little hoarse. “That’s what I thought and planned, too. But um... our plans changed. We’re getting married in a few weeks, as soon as Honey and her mother can get everything set up.”

“But, Brian,” his mother said with a puzzled frown. “What’s the rush? I thought you wanted to wait until your residency was finished.”

Honey looked from one of Brian’s parents to the other, feeling the heat rising from her neckline to her forehead. She opened her mouth to explain, but Brian placed one hand on top of hers.

“Actually, Moms and Dad,” he began and cleared his throat, squeezing the hand he held. “We’re pregnant. As you can imagine, we want to do this sooner than we originally planned.”

Peter Belden laid his fork carefully on his plate, and Helen mirrored his action. “Well, you’re both adults,” she said. “… and old enough to make decisions without asking for permission. Honey, you know we already love you like our own daughter, and we’ve looked forward to you officially joining our family for some time now. A baby will complicate your lives at this point, while both of you are so busy, but if you are a team, you’ll be amazing parents as well as spouses.”

Peter nodded his head and raised his water glass. “Here’s to the future Mr. and Mrs. Belden!” Helen followed his lead, with Brian and Honey a beat behind.

As the others took a celebratory sip, Honey suddenly burst into tears. She was overwhelmed at the contrast between her fears about this announcement and Brian’s parents’ actual reaction.

Helen Belden jumped up and reached her side in three steps. “There, there,” she soothed, pulling Honey to her in a tight hug. “You must have been worried about how we would take your news.”

“Y-y-yes, I was. I was afraid you would be upset over the distraction a baby might bring to Brian’s training. And I was afraid it was really my fault.” A choked sob escaped, and she blotted her eyes with her crumpled napkin. Helen hugged her again and patted her back.

Peter Belden cleared his throat. “Things like this are never caused by one person. If anyone should know that, we should. He gave Brian a level look. “But your mother was right. You and Honey are old enough to make decisions without consulting us. Do we wish the sequence might be different? Maybe. But we had an unplanned pregnancy that worked out simply fine in the end, and you can, too.” He also stood up and gave Brian a bear hug.

“Well!” Helen let go of Honey, and turned to hug her son, while Peter Belden embraced his future daughter-in-law. “We’d better eat our dinner, before the food is scorched by the chafing dishes,” she said.

Honey blotted her tears one last time, and the four settled down to enjoying the meal. She found she had an appetite after all.

The evening had passed pleasantly enough. Honey couldn’t stop feeling that the Beldens were disappointed—although they said nothing to indicate that—and she remained apprehensive herself as she contemplated the upheaval a baby would soon bring to their lives. But she tried to take heart from their confidence that she and Brian could be a strong team.

“That went so much better than I expected,” Brian said as they were undressing for bed. “Didn’t you think so?”

She nodded. “Yes… yes, it did. Oh, Brian, I truly can’t wait to hold our baby. And if we can be as good a team as your parents, we can do this.” She climbed into bed and settled into her favored sleeping position. Brian joined her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her head onto his chest.

“Your parents are no slouches, either, when it comes to teamwork. They’ve all been supportive.” He kissed the top of her head and she turned her face toward him so that she could return the kiss. “We’ll do this together.”

Later that night...

Honey awakened with painful cramping in her lower abdomen. She slipped out of bed and headed for the bathroom, fearing a GI virus. But even in dimness of the bathroom’s nightlight, she could see that it was no GI bug that had caused the spasm. Another sharp cramp seized her and persisted for what felt like minutes, and as tears sprang to her eyes, she grabbed a towel and held it between her legs as she went to awaken Brian.

“We need to go to the hospital,” he told her. “Sit tight while I get dressed.”

Her mind felt numb, but she sat obediently on the edge of the bed and waited as he pulled on a sweatshirt and jeans and jammed his feet into socks and sneakers. Without bothering to comb his hair, he swept her into his arms and carried her down the steps and out to the car.

The next morning, Honey slept late. Sometime after the sun came up, Brian showered and went downstairs, where he found Matthew and Madeleine Wheeler sitting at the dining room table, finishing their coffee and reading the paper.

“Good morning, Brian,” Madeleine greeted him. “I hope the two of you slept well.”

Matthew Wheeler looked over his reading glasses. “Is Honey all right?” he asked, a line forming between his brows. “I know she’s not an early riser, but this is late for her.”

Brian poured himself a cup of black coffee and sat down heavily. He wondered if he looked as tired as he felt. He scrubbed his face with one hand, noting but not caring about the rough beard stubble.

“She’s all right now.” He glanced at each of Honey’s parents in turn. “But she’s not pregnant anymore. She had a miscarriage during the night. We went to the hospital, but there was nothing they could do to stop it. They did a D and C, and after a couple of hours, released her to go home.” He felt tears welling in his eyes. This wasn’t the way he’d planned or hoped things would go. At the same time, now they wouldn’t have to deal with the complications of a pregnancy... and a baby. As soon as this thought crossed his mind, he felt like the worst heel of all time.

“My poor baby!” Madeleine had tears flowing down her cheeks, and she had tossed her paper aside. “I must go to her.” She stood and took a step toward the foyer, where the stairs led to the bedrooms on the second floor.

“I’m sure she’ll want you when she wakes up,” Brian said, forcing his lips into what he hoped was an understanding smile, but felt like a grimace. “I’m going back up to sit with her as soon as I finish this cup of coffee. I’ll let you know as soon as she’s awake.” He took a sip of his coffee to see how hot it was. Not scalding.

“We never heard you leave.” Matthew’s tone sounded almost accusatory.

“I’m sorry.” Brian stood and downed his whole cup of coffee in a few gulps and put the empty cup down on the table. “All I could think about was getting Honey to the hospital as quickly as possible. I suppose the rooms upstairs are far enough apart that the sound didn’t carry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Matthew pulled off his glasses and drummed his fingers on the table. “Of course, it was more important to take care of Honey than to awaken us and waste time talking. I was out of line.” His eyes, too, were suspiciously watery. “Please tell Honey we love her and we’re here for her... and for you, too.”

Later that afternoon...

Honey and Brian stood on the Wheelers’ dock, looking out onto the lake. The sky was beginning to be overcast, with scudding clouds disturbing the blue of earlier in the day. The water below their feet lapped against the pebbly shore, choppy and dark, without the glint of sunlight that lent warmth to the spot where the Bob-Whites had spent so many pleasant days. Honey shivered in her fleece jacket and Brian placed his arm over her shoulder, lending her warmth from his body.

“We don’t have to get married now,” she said slowly. A tear splashed onto the wooden board beneath her feet.

“Are you saying you don’t want to get married?” Brian’s tone sounded carefully neutral. What did he mean by that question? Had he changed his mind, now that there was no pregnancy to push their timeline? Was it really important to him... now?

“Don’t want to get married? What do you mean? Do you want to take back your proposal?” Her voice came out sharper than she intended.

“Honey Wheeler.” Brian took both of her shoulders and turned her to face him. He lifted her chin so that they looked directly into each other’s eyes. “I want to marry you. It’s what I’ve wanted for years. There’s no one else for me.” He took a deep breath. “But maybe you’d rather not marry me now. Or maybe you’d just rather wait until next summer… or until I finish residency like we originally intended. We don’t have any reason to rush. I just want you to be happy.”

The sun peeked from behind the scudding gray clouds for an instant, and Honey’s face lighted, although her lashes were wet and spiky with more tears. “There’s nothing I want more in the world than to be your wife, Brian Belden. Nothing.”

“Let’s don’t wait, then.” Brian’s arms wound around her, and her hands reached up to pull his face down to hers.

A sudden gust of wind heralded a shower of raindrops that didn’t at first break their embrace. But as the drops became bigger and pelted their hair and faces, Honey and Brian broke apart. Grasping each others’ hands, they laughed and began to run back up to the shelter of the Manor House.

After a few steps, Honey’s pace slowed, and Brian scooped her into his arms. “We’re a team, and teamwork makes the dream work.” He winked and continued to trudge slowly up the hill toward the house. Neither of them paid attention to the weather, even as marble-sized hailstones began to pepper them along with the raindrops.