Free Saving Forever - Part 5 (Saving Forever #5) by Lexy Timms Page B

he said Charity was trying to keep up with the young kids.
    Charity came back and sat down beside Elijah, who reached for her hand under the table and squeezed it. She smiled at him.
    Margaret watched their exchange. “You’re having a baby.”
    Elijah and Charity stared at her in surprise and said at the same time, “Pardon?”
    Margaret smiled, evidently amused. “Charity’s having a baby.”
    Her father nearly spilled his wine. “Impossible! She’s finishing her residence. They can plan for children in a few years.”
    Margaret rolled her eyes at Charity’s dad. “Scott, she can do both.”
    “No you can’t.” Scott turned to Elijah for help. “Explain to your mother the hours and amount of work involved.”
    Elijah leaned back in his chair. “You’re right. It is a ton of work. It’s hard enough to do without family, but to have to carry a baby.” He shook his head. “It would seem near impossible.”
    Scott clapped his hands. “See, told you, Margaret.”
    “But Charity is doing it. She’s in her second trimester. Nearly twenty weeks.” He smirked as he looked back and forth to his mother and father-in-law.”
    Charity burst out laughing. She couldn’t tell who was more surprised, her father or Elijah’s mom. “I’m sorry.” She covered her mouth with the hand not in Elijah’s. “Why do you both look so surprised?”
    Margaret spoke first. “Five months? You’re almost five months? You mean weeks, right? You are almost five weeks along?”
    “Is this some kind of prank?” Her father set his crystal wine glass on the table. “It’s impossible!”
    Charity smiled at her father. “I assure you Dad, it is very possible. No joke.”
    “You’re really pregnant?” he whispered.
    “I am.”
    “Who’s your OB?”
    “Dr. Govender.”
    “Good choice. But why the hell did you go back to the hospital to work? Once the baby’s born, you aren’t going to want to go back.”
    There was the old Dr. Scott Thompson sharing his opinion as if it was the only one that mattered.
    “Scott!” Margaret’s tone held a warning. “Don’t say another word. These kids are grown up enough to make their own decisions.”
    “Or mistakes,” Scott muttered but didn’t say anything else.
    “Times are different than they were for us. If Charity wants to finish her education and become a doctor, that is her choice to make. If I recall correctly, you were just going on and on the other day, when we were FaceTiming, about how proud you were of her. Why would that change now?”
    “Time out a minute,” Elijah interrupted. “You FaceTime?”
    “Of course.”
    “Why haven’t you ever FaceTimed me?”
    “You never gave me your iPad address? I’ve asked you and you never sent it.”
    “Oh. Okay.” Elijah shook his head.
    Margaret turned her attention back to Scott. “You should be even prouder of your daughter now. I think it’s amazing! Now I have two children to brag about and finally a grandchild!” She got up and walked around the table, putting her arms around Elijah and Charity. “Before Elijah met Charity, I was beginning to doubt I would ever have one.” She squeezed Charity’s shoulder. “Or at least one I would ever have the opportunity to meet.”
    “Mum!” Elijah looked mortified.
    She kissed the top of his head. “Oh sweetie, calm down. Charity’s the best thing that ever happened to you. We both know that.” She straightened and clapped her hands. “So what have you all done to prepare for this new arrival? Do you know what you’re having? Have you started decorating the room? Have you bought stuff? You’re going to breastfeed, I assume. What about pumping? Are your friends throwing a baby shower? Ohhh! I’d love to plan one while I’m here.”
    Charity blinked, trying to focus on the questions and pick which ones to answer. She didn’t what to say to most of them. She had the book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” but hadn’t had time to read much. She knew