Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 11 Read Online Free Page B

made up for any loss.
    The memory of Ian ’ s little hands, soft snores, and downy hair filled her heart with a longing for a child that she ’ d never known. “ I don ’ t suppose Aggie would give up Ian, ” she whispered , still reeling from the realization that children meant a side of marriage she firmly intended to skip altogether.
    “ I think she ’ s a little too attached just to hand him over, ” Chad agreed .
    “ But she has so many! ”
    It took several seconds for Chad to catch the teasing glint in her eye. “ You ’ d think she could spare one or two, wouldn ’ t you. Besides, by the time she and Luke have half a dozen of their own , they ’ ll be overrun .”
    Willow ’ s jaw nearly connected with her bowl. “ You think they ’ ll have more? ” The idea of more than one child was overwhelming to Willow , but then she ’ d always imagined herself with two. Eight nearly sent her into hyperventilation . D eliberately having more just made no sense.
    “ I think Aggie and Luke will want the chance to experience parenthood from the ground up , so to speak. Luke was joking about having an even dozen —since their last name isn’t Baker .”
    She rolled her eyes at the bad pun before remarking, “ That is just incredible. I ’ m overwhelmed at the thought of those two children staying with me. The idea of having more —”
    Chad nodded. “ I understand. What seems normal to me is foreign to you. I was just curious .”
    She ’ d disappointed him —again . Willow saw it and felt terrible about it immediately. Her fears and insecurities shouldn ’ t dictate her life , and she was ashamed that she ’ d let it affect Chad ’ s as well. “ Well, if Aggie won ’ t share, we ’ ll have to figure something out eventually. I want a baby to snuggle with someday. Not anytime soon mind you, ” she hastened to add , ready to consider yielding but not before she had time to adjust. “ In a few years though, we might have to think about it .”
    A small smile played around Chad ’ s mouth as he murmured, “ Something to think about, that ’ s for sure .”
    Willow pushed her chair away from the table and grabbed her bowl for a refill. “ Would you like more? ”
    Chad passed her his bowl, gently wrapping his fingers around her wrist as he did. “ Breathe. I ’ m not planning to pressure you about it .”
    At the stove, her thoughts boiled over and spilled out in a rush. “ Well, I mean, it ’ s not like the end of the world, is it? Animals mate all the time and it ’ s no big deal. I ’ ve never been around it much — just the few roosters we tried and didn ’ t like —oh, and the time they bred a goat here instead of at Feldman ’ s. But surely we —well, I— can get through it a couple of times so we can have two or three children .”
    It took every ounce of Chad ’ s self-control not to laugh. In carefully measured tones, he agreed. “ I ’ m sure we can .”
    “ Stop laughing at me .”
    “ I didn ’ t —” he protested throwing up his hands.
    “ You were thinking it. It ’ ll just take a little getting used to .”
    “ Gee , thanks .”
    Her mind whirled trying to categorize his sarcasm. “ Oh Chad, I don ’ t mean to imply you ’ re repulsive or anything —”
    “ Glad to hear it .”
    “ I —” A strange expression crossed Chad’s face—one that terrified her, although she wasn’t sure why .
    “ Of course, there ’ s usually some kissing involved , and I know how fascinated —”
    “ Knock it off, ” she protested , blushing. He had seen her rewind the movie. Drat.
 

     
     
    Half way to the stream, Chad reached for Willow ’ s hand. “ What? ” She pulled it back into her pocket. “ It ’ s too cold for that .”
    With a conspiratorial grin, Chad grabbed her hand again and laced her gloved fingers in his. “ Then let ’ s share my pocket .”
    “ Why? ”
    “ Because we ’ re engaged , and that ’ s what engaged people do. Come on!