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I feel a twist behind ret

Garrett doesn’t know I’ to do, to keep it from him, just until I knew for sure He’d pushed me away and sworn he could never be a husband and father And as h all the uncertainty, I wanted to protect hi up all his old fears and pain for nothing? Drugstore tests lie all the tinant, I still couldn’t bringcould happen, I reasoned with myself It’s too soon to tell

Besides, what could I say? He broke up withafter I walked away that night was the hope of this pregnancy, and my own family Juliet When I told her what had happened--spilled the whole sorry story on her in an avalanche of tears--she didn’t hesitate for a second She offered up her home and her friendship to me in a heartbeat, and I still thank heaven for it, every day It hasn’t been easy, rebuilding our fractured relationship, but soether and try

It was a wake-up call, Juliet toldShe couldn’t stand the thought of another generation of McKenzies suffering the same broken relationship and terrible distance that we’ve been through We could mend this, not just for our sakes, but for our children too

"I want my kids to know their aunt," she said shyly

"You’re not…"

"No!" Juliet protested "Why does everyone keep asking that? I’h time without you I want us all to be better than our parents were"

And I do too

"I know I have to tell Garrett," I say to Juliet, letting out a long breath "I just don’t kno to find the words It’s been months now," I remind her "He hasn’t called once I moved out of the apartment, and I haven’t seen him since Now I’m just supposed to waltz back to Beachwood and be like, ‘Surprise!’?"

"Maybe don’t say it like that," Juliet tells , and soon E at the bit to tell hi him promise to keep it under wraps for now--and fro of Garrett’s reaction He couldn’t even have a si to turn his whole world upside down

I don’t know if I could stand to see hi to"I know I need to figure so out, but for now, can we just celebrate the fact that it’s healthy He’s healthy," I correct"Of course! I’ Garrett will be happy, I proht But you don’t know hi the little bu in the world Garrett ant"

Juliet agrees to stop pressing the Garrett issue, and as we head across town to grab soht to the little photo of the ultrasound, staring at every line and speck I didn’t feel ready to be a mom, and in a way, I still don’t, but somehow, it doesn’t matter From the moment I saw those little blue lines on the test, I knew deep down this wasto be a real live person in six hs "A real live person eating and barfing all the tirin "Don’t spoil the fantasy"

"Youby E the street directions "He said they were getting the furniture in today"

"Ooh, yes," I agree, brightening "I can’t wait to see it"

We drive to the bustling part of don and pull up outside ill soon be Emerson’s new restaurant They found an abandoned old workshop to use, and with a whole lot of work, it’s been transformed into a cool, rustic, open-plan space There are still construction benches and wiring everywhere, but as weto become in just a few short weeks

"Hey baby," Juliet finds E bar "Is this it?" she de her hands over the pock back to look around the space Bare brick, iron girders; it looks sexy and azines"

"Fro plan the big opening, using my PR contacts to set up reviews and press for the launch next month I found a couple of other small businesses who need PR services too, so h to support me and my future addition, anyway

"So, what news?" E cautiously between ood" She beams "Carina, show him the picture!"