Free Sacrifice (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 2) by S.M. Spencer

laughed and walked up and gave me a big hug, smiling the whole time.
    ‘Am I forgiven, for calling in the A-team?’ she asked, looking over to Sam.
    ‘Yes, Crystal, you’re forgiven—but only because I know you had my best interests at heart. And speaking of my best interests, has Lili mentioned that she has agreed to become my wife?’
    Crystal stepped back and threw her arms up in the air and did this whoop whoop whoop thing that looked so funny I couldn’t help but laugh. Then, taking my face in her hands, she kissed first one cheek then the other, and gave me another big hug before stepping back.
    ‘I couldn’t be happier for you both,’ she finally said.
    ‘Thank you, Crystal. I’m pretty happy myself,’ I said as I moved over to stand next to Sam.
    ‘Can I help you plan the wedding? Do you think your mother will come? It would be so wonderful to meet her.’
    ‘Well, she’s terrified of planes. She’s never even been on one. But maybe this will be enough of an incentive for her to try.’
    ‘I hope so. Now, am I allowed to suggest that this wedding be planned for a date very soon?’ she asked, suddenly looking quite serious.
    ‘Soon? Like, how soon? We haven’t really talked about dates yet, but I suppose it would be nice to have Claire here too—she’s coming over for Christmas break. She arrives on the fifteenth of December. Is that too soon?’
    ‘Well, that all depends.’ She looked at me, then at Sam, and then back at me. ‘Hmmm … perhaps just after Christmas could work. You’ll have had your baby by then, and he can be whisked away safely before the wedding. However, if you want to be married before the baby is born, then we’ll need to move quickly.’
    I turned to Sam, and he looked as surprised as I felt. I started to ask him what was happening, but before I could speak, he shook his head and sort of shrugged, and nodded toward Crystal as if to say, ask her.
    I turned back to Crystal. ‘Baby?’
    ‘Yes, you’re going to have a baby. I can see it in your eyes.’
    ‘You’ve got to be joking, right? I mean, you are joking, aren’t you? Seriously,’ I replied indignantly.
    ‘No. I’m not joking, not at all. Your baby will be born in six weeks from when you conceived. And I assume that was since you’ve arrived?’
    I stood there, speechless. What the …? Pregnant? I mean, already? And six weeks—what on earth was she talking about? That was barely time to come to terms with the idea of becoming a mother, let alone actually giving birth and having a baby. Six weeks? I vaguely remembered something Sam had told me about Michael, something about how fast he grew … but it hadn’t occurred to me that it could actually happen like this. Not to me.
    Crystal stared at me with a smile that touched not only her lips, but her eyes as well. She looked so happy. Why wasn’t I?
    I finally found my voice. ‘Yes of course … last night. But six weeks? Are you sure? I mean, that hardly seems possible. Six weeks ?’
    ‘Yes, six weeks. Oh, but don’t look so scared,’ she said, taking my hand and rubbing it gently. ‘Really, it isn’t as bad as you think. Your body won’t get anywhere near as large as a normal pregnancy. The baby will be born quite small—he will weigh less than two pounds at birth.’
    ‘Crystal, are you sure about this? I mean, I can’t believe you’re serious,’ I said, looking down at my stomach. Could there really be a baby in there?
    ‘I’m quite serious. Sam, be a dear and take her into the living room. You two sit down, relax. I’ll make us something to drink. I’ll be with you in a moment.’
    Sam led me into the living room where we sat down on the sofa. I looked at him, hoping to find some answers in his eyes, but he just smiled as he kissed my cheek and held my hand.
    In a few moments Crystal came in, carrying two steaming cups.
    ‘Here, it’s just herbal tea—very refreshing. It will make you feel better.’
    ‘Will it? Really? I mean,