Page 77 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

I shook my head. Was I good with it? I mean, it wasn’t great timing, but that was just typical of my life with Amy. Everything so far had been unexpected, but that didn’t mean it was bad. On the contrary, it was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

Starting a family hadn’t been a large part of any conversation we’d ever had, but we had mentioned it in passing. I knew without a doubt that I wanted this with her. I just hadn’t thought about it being something in our immediate future.

Clicking on the sent message, I hit reply and started typing again, but then my laptop pinged and a new message appeared. Amy. She’d replied already.

From: Amy Benson [email protected]

To: Daniel Stephenson [email protected]

Date: Fri, May 6, 2016 at 11:45 AM

Subject: RE: missing you already

I’m really sorry Daniel. I know this was the worst way to tell you, but I didn’t know how else to do it. Please don’t be mad.

A.

From: Daniel Stephenson [email protected]

To: Amy Benson [email protected]

Date: Fri, May 6, 2016 at 11:48 AM

Subject: RE: missing you already

Princess, mad is the farthest thing from what I am right now. I’m a little shocked, but mad? Hell no. We’re having a baby! I seriously hate that I’m not there to share this with you, but believe me when I say I AM happy. I want everything with you, Princess. Babies and all.

How have you been? Have you been sick? Make sure you go through those numbers I left with you. All the insurance details are in there. All right? Have you told anyone else yet? When are you due??

So many things were going through my head I was having trouble compartmentalizing them. Anxiously, I waited for her to reply. The second it came through, I opened it and soaked up her words.

From: Amy Benson [email protected]

To: Daniel Stephenson [email protected]

Date: Fri, May 6, 2016 at 11:51 AM

Subject: RE: missing you already

Do you know how hard it is to type while you’re

crying?? I love you so much! I know this isn’t exactly what we planned – not that we’ve gotten to plan much of anything, but it makes me a little bit happy knowing I have a piece of you inside me.

I’ve been feeling a little bit sick. I’m not sure if that’s morning sickness or just stress. I guess I’ll figure that out soon enough. Your mom’s been looking after me though. And David. He got me in with Dr. Anderson at his clinic. She’s wonderful. And a very experienced OB. I will definitely look into the insurance details and pass them to her.

The only people that know at the moment are your mom, Seth, Amber, and David and Kathryn. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to tell you first. I actually hate that. But I really needed help ?

And I’m almost 8 weeks now. We’re due December 17. Lots of time for you to spend with your fat wife after you get home ?

A

Reading the last of her e-mail, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. I tried to picture Amy with a very large baby bump, the image doing something very strange to my chest. If I didn’t think I had enough to fight for to make it home before today, I certainly did now. I was going to be a freaking dad.

Chapter 39

Amy

Deployed time: 5 weeks

---