Page 62 of Reclaimed Dreams

Chapter19

32 years ago

“Dom, we need to talk.”

Oh shit, what had he done now? That tone of voice from Jo usually meant he was in for a serious conversation. “Sure, babe.”

“Come sit down at the table.”

He cautiously lowered himself into the chair across from her. She slid a plastic tube across the table at him.

“We’re pregnant again.”

Dom’s heart leapt into his throat and blocked his words. He bounded from his seat and was around the table in a flash, pulling her into his arms for a twirling hug and then his lap as he took her chair.

She laughed and swatted at him playfully, but then her serious face came back. “I’m glad you’re happy. So am I, but I’m also scared. I’ve been throwing up again in the mornings, just like last time.”

Dom held her closer, as if he could keep all of the bad memories at bay using his hug as a shield. “Have you seen your doctor yet?”

“I go next week, but I’m already exhausted. I don’t know how I can keep this up and teach, let alone split my time later.”

He rubbed a hand up and down her back. “So don’t go back to work.”

“What do you mean, don’t go back to work? Dom, I have to work. We have bills and babies are expensive.”

“So is daycare, according to the guys at work. And with my parents gone, and yours retired down in Florida, that’s what we’ll have to rely on. I don’t see Aunt Dulcie as a viable option.”

“No, she’d probably put bourbon in the bottle.”

“But how else am I supposed to get the baby to sleep?” Dom said in his best imitation of his aunt.

Jo laughed and pulled them back on track. “So, seriously, how would we make up the loss in income?”

“I’ll take on extra shifts, maybe get a second job.”

“Dom, you’re already exhausted.”

“So are you, and you’re carrying our kid! My shoulders are strong. Let me carry us for a while. I know I’d rather have the peace of mind knowing our kids are being raised by you than a stranger.”

“Oh, it’s kids plural now?”

“I like to be optimistic. So let’s talk logistics. You want to finish the school year or no?”

“There’s only two months left, and I’d hate missing all of the fun stuff after making it through the hard parts. I want to finish this year with my kids.”

“Okay, and then you’ll give notice, spend the summer resting, and once the baby gets here—”

“If the baby gets here.”

“When the baby gets here, you’ll be a stay-at-home parent for a few years. And then we’ll reassess the whole job thing. I can carry us at least that long.”

“Are you sure?”

“Is that what you want?”

Jo nodded her head softly.

“Then that’s what we’ll make happen. We’re a team in this, Jo, just like everything else. You are doing the amazing part right now, carrying a baby. I’m just the grunt labor keeping the lights on. Let me do this for you. Let me do this for us, for our family.”

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