All Chapters of Decisions I made : Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

252 Chapters

The Carseat

Lela's father was absolutely incapable of doing anything quietly.That was something the entire family already knew.So when he called that afternoon and said, "I need you and Jack to come down to the dealership," Lela immediately became suspicious.She was sitting at the kitchen table with Jack, sorting through the final wedding details."What does he want?" Jack asked."I don't know.""Did he say?""No. Just that we need to come to the dealership."Jack shrugged."Maybe he needs us to sign something."Lela stared at him."Probably."She knew exactly what her father was up to.Or at least she thought she did.When they arrived at the dealership, Lela immediately spotted her father standing outside.He was grinning.That was never a good sign.Jack stepped out of the car."What's going on?"Her father held up the keys."Come on."Lela looked at Jack."See?""What?""He's doing something."Jack laughed."Your dad is always doing something."They followed him inside.A salesman walked t

The Wedding

The wedding day finally arrived.After months of planning, arguing over details, changing decorations, worrying about the venue, and trying to keep the biggest secret of their lives hidden, Lela woke up that morning with one thought running through her mind.Today, I get to marry him again.She lay in bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling.Her hand slowly moved to her stomach.Nobody knew.Not yet.She smiled."Good morning, little one," she whispered.Then she laughed quietly."I'm going to have to figure out how to walk down an aisle without throwing up."Getting ReadyThe house was already chaotic.Hairdressers were arriving.Makeup artists were setting up.Bridesmaids were running in and out.Phones were ringing.Her mother was checking everything twice.And her father was apparently running the entire operation from his office.Lela walked downstairs in her robe.Her father looked up."There she is.""Good morning, Dad."He stood and hugged her."You ready?""I think so."

The Secret Almost Came Out

The reception continued late into the evening.The band was playing.People were dancing.Lela's family had completely taken over the dance floor, and her father seemed determined to make sure nobody sat down for more than five minutes.Jack leaned toward Lela."Your dad is exhausting."She laughed."He's always been like this.""I see where you get it."She looked offended."Excuse me?"He kissed her cheek."I love you.""Better."They laughed.For a while, Lela managed to forget everything.She danced with Jack.She danced with her father.She danced with her mother.She even danced with Monica, who insisted that because she was part of the family, she needed her own special dance.But eventually, the exhaustion caught up with her.She quietly stepped away from the dance floor.Jack noticed immediately."Where are you going?""Bathroom.""You okay?""I'm fine."He watched her walk away.Then looked at her father.Her father gave him a knowing look.Jack smiled.In the BathroomLela

Next Morning

The house was finally quiet.The music from the reception was gone.The laughter had faded.The last guests had left.And for the first time all weekend, Lela could breathe.She sat on the edge of the bed, slowly taking out the pins from her hair.Jack walked into the room and shut the door behind him."Finally."Lela laughed."Finally."He dropped his jacket over a chair."I don't think I've ever been to a wedding with five hundred people.""Neither have I.""And I definitely don't want to do it again."She laughed."You don't have to."He walked over and sat beside her."You okay?""I'm exhausted.""Me too."He looked at her."But happy?"She smiled."Very."Jack took her hand."Mrs. Sullivan."She smiled."Mr. Sullivan."He kissed her.Then his eyes dropped toward her stomach."So..."Lela immediately knew what he was thinking."Don't."He laughed."What?""You're already thinking about baby names.""Maybe.""It's been two days.""I've had time."She laughed."You are ridiculous."

Secret Dad Couldn't Keep

The morning after the wedding, Lela and Jack were still in Pennsylvania.They hadn't left for Georgia yet.After the long wedding weekend, everyone was exhausted, but Lela's father had insisted that the family have breakfast together before Jack and Lela headed back south.Lela walked into the kitchen wearing an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, her hair pulled into a messy ponytail.Jack followed behind her, still half asleep.Her father looked up from his coffee."There they are!"Lela smiled."Good morning, Dad."He stood immediately and pulled her into a huge hug."Good morning, sweetheart."He kissed her forehead.Then he looked at Jack."Morning, son.""Morning.""Did you two sleep?"Jack laughed."Not nearly enough."Her father grinned."Long night?"Lela immediately looked at him."Dad!"He laughed."I'm talking about the reception.""Uh-huh."Jack started laughing.Her father winked."Come on. Breakfast."BreakfastEveryone gathered around the kitchen table.Pancakes.Eggs.

The Longest Breakfast Ever

Nobody seemed to be in a hurry to leave.That was the problem.Lela had originally thought breakfast would take maybe an hour. They would eat, say their goodbyes, load the Explorer, and start the long drive back to Georgia.Instead, her father had apparently decided that breakfast needed to become an entire family event.By the time everyone finished eating, he was still sitting at the table, drinking his third cup of coffee and talking about everything from the wedding to the new car to Jack's Army career.Lela sat beside Jack, quietly sipping her sparkling water.Every few minutes, she caught her father looking at her.And every time he did, she gave him the same warning look.Don't.He would smile.Then look away.Then, five minutes later, do it again.Finally, Lela leaned toward Jack."He's going to tell her."Jack whispered back,"Who?""My mom."Jack glanced toward her father."He hasn't.""Yet."Jack smiled."Your dad is trying.""He's terrible at trying."Her father looked acr

Going Home

The miles seemed to disappear slowly.Lela slept for nearly two hours before finally waking up.She opened her eyes and looked over at Jack.He was driving with one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting near the center console."How long was I asleep?"Jack glanced at her."About two hours.""Really?""Yep."She stretched carefully."I feel like I just closed my eyes.""You needed it."She looked out the window.The scenery had changed completely."Are we in Virginia?""Almost."She sighed."How much longer?"Jack laughed."You ask that every hour.""Because every hour feels like three."He smiled."Get comfortable.""I am."She adjusted herself in the seat.Then she looked down at her stomach."I still can't believe it."Jack smiled."Neither can I.""We're actually having a baby.""Yep."She looked at him."You're really happy.""I am.""Even with everything going on?""Especially with everything going on."She smiled."How are you not freaking out?"Jack laughed."Oh, I'm f

Everything Changed

The alarm went off far too early.Lela opened one eye and immediately groaned."No."Jack laughed from beside her."Good morning.""No, it isn't.""You were the one who said we needed to get back today.""I changed my mind."He sat up."We've got to go."Lela pulled the blanket over her head."I live here now."Jack laughed."Come on.""No."He pulled the blanket down."Get up."She looked at him."You are very annoying.""You married me.""I was obviously not thinking clearly."He laughed."Get dressed."Lela finally sat up.The room was quiet for a moment.Then she looked at him."Are you nervous about your meeting?"Jack's smile disappeared slightly."A little.""What do you think it's about?""I honestly don't know.""You don't think you're in trouble?""No.""Then what?"He shrugged."Could be anything."Lela watched him carefully."You'll tell me?""Of course."She smiled."Okay."Back on the RoadThey checked out and loaded their bags into the Explorer.Lela climbed into the pa

The First Appointment

The next few days settled into a strange kind of normal.Lela was back in Georgia.Jack was back at work.The wedding was over.The mountains of decorations, flowers, dresses, tuxedos, photographs, and family gatherings had finally been replaced by laundry, grocery shopping, Army paperwork, and trying to figure out what they were going to eat for dinner.But underneath all of it was the secret.Their secret.Lela kept thinking about it.Every morning when she woke up.Every night before she went to sleep.Every time she walked past the car seat her father had installed in the Explorer.And every time Jack looked at her with that enormous grin that made it obvious he still couldn't believe they were having a baby.She had made an appointment with the doctor for the following week.And now that appointment was getting closer.Monday MorningLela woke up before Jack.She lay quietly in bed, staring at the ceiling.For some reason, she couldn't go back to sleep.She turned her head.Jack

The Packages

The next morning started quietly.Almost too quietly.Lela was sitting at the kitchen table in one of Jack's oversized T-shirts, drinking her sparkling water and eating toast when she heard it.Knock. Knock. Knock.She looked toward the front door."Jack?"No answer.He had already left for work.She got up slowly and walked toward the door.Another knock."Coming!"When she opened it, the UPS driver was standing there with a mountain of boxes.Lela blinked.Then blinked again."Uh..."The driver smiled."Good morning.""Good morning.""I have several packages for you."Lela looked behind him.There were boxes stacked on the porch.Some were small.Some were enormous.She looked back at him."Several?"He laughed."Yeah.""How many?"He checked his scanner."Nine."Lela's mouth dropped open."Nine?""Nine."She looked at the labels.Every single one was addressed to:BABY SULLIVANLela stared at the boxes.Then at the driver.Then back at the boxes."Who sent these?"The driver shrugg

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