Page 64 of Ripple Effect

“Because we all start our marriage with the intent of being perfect, but none of us are. And frankly, none of us would get married if we could see the trials life intended to throw at us,” I say simply. “We’d all be afraid of the reward if we knew the risk.”

Dr. Powell nods slowly and makes a quick note. “You got married young, Libby.”

“I was twenty-five. Not terribly young.”

“Did you have a plan for how you wanted your relationship to progress?” At my confused look, Dr. Powell clarifies. “Married, get the business established, start to have babies, that kind of thing.”

Ah. “I think I know where you’re going with this.”

He lifts his ankle to rest on his other knee. “I thought you might.” His eyes flicker down to my thickening waistline.

“Sam and Iris are excellent parents. They love their children a great deal,” I say quietly.

“Would you like to hear what Sam said about you when I asked him about it?”

I chortle. “This should be interesting. I wonder if I should have warned him his answers would affect his Christmas gift from me.”

Dr. Powell laughs. “He said, ‘Libby was nothing but supportive when Iris announced she was pregnant with our first child. There was never a time my wife ever felt like she wasn’t being showered with love. It’s one of the many reasons why Libby and Cal are Rachel’s godmother and godfather, respectively.’ How does that make you feel?”

“Like I did an excellent job of hiding my own emotions.”

“Which were?”

“That I was hurting because I felt like I was never going to have children because my husband was never home,” I admit.

Dr. Powell blinks as if what I said shocked him. “Really?”

I nod. “I was over the moon for Sam and Iris and defeated because my husband had no idea how much I was deflecting.”

“Deflecting what?”

“How resigned I was to being second fiddle in my marriage to his job.” I then tell Dr. Powell about the days around Iris’s big news.

42

Elizabeth

Year Three - Eight Years Ago from Present Day

“Hey, babe.” I’m juggling a cup of coffee and my laptop bag as I unlock my office inside Deja Vu. “What’s up?”

“I just came from the doctor.” Iris’s voice is faint. “Libs…”

The phone bobbles in my hand as the shock in hers resonates through me. “Iris, what is it?”

“I’ve been sitting here for thirty minutes trying to figure out who to call first. I…I don’t know what to do.”

“What’s wrong?” I don’t care I’m yelling so loud it’s likely the customers working with my assistant Amy on the showroom floor can likely hear me. “Spit it out!”

After a moment’s pause, she whispers, “I’m pregnant, Libs. Sam and I are having a baby.”

It takes a moment for the shock to fully penetrate. My cousin and my best friend got married less than six months after Cal and me after dating exclusively since college. Yet, with the way the two of them travel—as much as my husband—I never imagined I’d be hearing this coming from my best friend’s mouth. Meanwhile, I have to say something. This is the sister of my heart. “Are you happy?” I ask cautiously.

“I…Libs, I never thought about it. I always assumed you’d be the one with a houseful of kids, not me.”

Yeah. Me too. But I keep the thought to myself while I help my best friend edge away from panic and realize this is a moment to be celebrated. “Iris, maybe the time isn’t what you were prepared for, but you and Sam? You were made to raise a child.”

Her sniff comes through the line. “You think?”