She was going to be fine. Of course she was.
Another wave of nausea swept through her.
At eleven o’clock that morning, Dr. André Monteux called from Monte Carlo. A voice said, “Just a moment. I’ll put the doctor on.”
The moment stretched into a hundred years, and Jennifer clutched the telephone tightly, unable to bear the waiting.
Finally, Dr. Monteux’s voice came on and he said, “How are you feeling?”
“About the same,” Jennifer replied nervously. “Are the results of the tests in?”
“Good news,” Dr. Monteux said. “It is not the bubonic plague.”
Jennifer could stand no more. “What is it? What’s the matter with me?”
“You are going to have a baby, Mrs. Parker.”
Jennifer sat there numbly staring at the telephone. When she found her voice again she asked, “Are—are you sure?”
“Rabbits never lie. I take it this is your first baby.”
“Yes.”
“I would suggest you see an obstetrician as soon as possible. From the severity of the early symptoms, there may be some difficulties ahead for you.”
“I will,” Jennifer replied. “Thank you for calling, Dr. Monteux.”
She replaced the receiver and sat there, her mind in a turmoil. She was not sure when it could have happened, or what her feelings were. She could not think straight.
She was going to have Adam’s baby. And suddenly Jennifer knew how she felt. She felt wonderful; she felt as though she had been given some indescribably precious gift.
The timing was perfect, as though the gods were on their side. The election would soon be over and she and Adam would be married as quickly as possible. It would be a boy. Jennifer knew it. She could not wait to tell Adam.
She telephoned him at his office.
“Mr. Warner is not in,” his secretary informed her. “You might try his home.”
Jennifer was reluctant to call Adam at home, but she was bursting with her news. She dialed his number. Mary Beth answered.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” Jennifer apologized. “There’s something I have to talk to Adam about. This is Jennifer Parker.”
“I’m pleased that you called,” Mary Beth said. The warmth in her voice was reassuring. “Adam had some speaking engagements, but he’s returning tonight. Why don’t you come up to the house? We can all have dinner together. Say, seven o’clock?”
Jennifer hesitated for a moment. “That will be lovely.”
It was a miracle that Jennifer did not have an accident driving to Croton-on-Hudson. Her mind was far away, dreaming of the future. She and Adam had often discussed having children. She could remember his words. I want a couple that look exactly like you.
As Jennifer drove along the highway, she thought she could feel a slight stirring in her womb, but she told herself that that was nonsense. It was much too early. But it would not be long now. Adam’s baby was in her. It was alive and would soon be kicking. It was awesome, overwhelming. She—
Jennifer heard someone honking at her, and she looked up and saw that she had almost forced a truck driver off the road. She gave him an apologetic smile and drove on. Nothing could spoil this day.
It was dusk when Jennifer pulled up in front of the Warner house. A fine snow was beginning to fall, lightly powdering the trees. Mary Beth, wearing a long blue brocade gown, opened the front door to greet Jennifer, taking her arm and warmly welcoming her into the house, reminding Jennifer of the first time they had met.
Mary Beth looked radiantly happy. She was full of small talk, putting her visitor at ease. They went into the library where there was a cheerful fire crackling in the hearth.
“I haven’t heard from Adam yet,” Mary Beth said. “He’s probably been detained. In the meantime, you and I can have a nice long chat. You sounded excited on the telephone.” Mary Beth leaned forward conspiratorially. “What’s your big news?”
Jennifer looked at the friendly woman across from her and blurted out, “I’m going to have Adam’s baby.”
Mary Beth leaned back in her chair and smiled. “Well! Now isn’t that something! So am I!”