3.5 Big News

"That's it, we'll get rid of these flees in no time." I said as i bathed Cassh, one of the newest members of our family. During the past year i had adopted two horses, two cats and a dog. The cats names were Cassh and Iina. They were the rarest race of cats -  American Wirehair. Their coat was like a terrier's but still soft in a strange way. They were truly rare and it had taken me a long time to find two different litters to adopt from. It had been expensive as well, but it was all worth it. I wanted them to mate so i could have kittens. They were a some playful little things. They loved to run around chasing each other.
Since Lulu was now too old to have puppies i didn't really need another dog, but i wanted one since in my head it suited a farm to have a dog. He was a German Shorthair Pointer and his name was Brooks.
The horses were of the breed Pinto. They were obedient and easy to handle. Their names were Neela and Dash. In Isaac's opinion i should have stayed with just the cats, as he said they were going to be a handful when we were gonna have children. Isaac had moved in with me about six months ago. We wanted to be with each other all the time, as well as he could help out with the animals.

I prepared for the last performance that fall. It was to be held in the park where the annual fall festival was at the moment.
It was definitely a night to remember as i strummed away on my guitar and sang my favorite songs.

There weren't a lot of guests to perform for, but the ones that had shown up cheered for me, and it meant the world to me. Afterwards i walked through the festival checking out the different attractions that it had this year.
I visited the Haunted House.

And entered the Pie Eating Contest, which i won.

In the winter i took the horses out for riding around the neighborhood.

During the next couple of years my number of performances dropped significantly to the point that most people had forgotten about me.
"You can't keep doing this!" Isaac yelled to me. "Why are you so willing to let yourself go because of your pets?"
"Do i have to remind you that you wanted to help take care of them?" I shot back at him. "You know how much they mean to me."
"You mean how much all animals mean to you. Not just these pets you have acquired." He gave me a stern look. "You know what i think? I think you are trying to fill out the void that has been in your heart ever since your mom died."
I bit my lip.
"See? I know you know i'm right. This is it. I can't handle this anymore. It is either me or your pets."
I stared at him in disbelief. "You can't be serious? You want me to get rid of all my pets or you are leaving? Are you insane?"
"Not all your pets, just the horses and Brooks. Don't you want a family with me? Children and grandchildren? You can't have it both ways. I can't deal with both children and all these animals. It's too much. I have a job to do, and you do too if I remember correctly. When was the last time you were out performing? We need the money. Our income has dropped dramatically in the last few years."
I looked down at my feet with tears in my eyes. "I know. You're right. This has to stop. I will put the horses and Brooks up for adoption tomorrow morning."
He came over and hugged me, rocking me back and forth. "There there, it will be alright. Don't worry. You will be happier too once you are out performing again. Remember it was your dream to become a famous singer. People are starting to look away from you and forgetting you. You need to make a big come back!" We stood there for a while holding each other. "Hey! I have a great idea. If you can get a gig at the park, we can invite all our friends down there and have a big celebration of your come back. It will be great, trust me."
"I trust you," I said, breathing in his scent. I loved how he smelled. His natural scent was so overpowering.
"If you want we can rebuild the house so we don't have the barn anymore."
I guess that made sense. It would be painful for me to walk by there and remembering how i got rid of my lovely horses.
"By the way don't you think it is time for Ian to move out too? It would be nice to have the house to ourselves."
"Stop!" I stood up straight and looked him into the eyes. "One thing is my animals but I am not kicking out Ian. He is welcome to stay as long as he wants."
"Okay i'm sorry. Of course he can stay." He said as he pulled me into a hug again. "I'll call the builders for a meeting on Friday. Then we can get started at rebuilding the house."
"That sounds great," I said talking into his chest. God i loved him. He was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me. I was so thankful for moving to this amazing town.

I sold the horses and Brooks and soon the builders were busy with rebuilding the house, while we lived at a hotel. The house turned out amazing! Isaac really had a knack for house designs.

Not long after we had rebuild the house, I fell ill. It started an afternoon when i was getting ready to go perform my first show in a long time that night. We had invited all friends and family to the event so they could watch as i made my come back as a singer. I suddenly felt an urge to throw up and i hurried to the bathroom.

"Honey are you okay in there?" I heard Isaac at the door. It made sense. That man had ears like a hawk had eyes. "Yes I- I'm fine, thanks!" I called out to him.
"Okay... well i'm heading to work in a minute. Do you need anything beforehand?"
"No no, i'm fine. Just... go to work. I'll be out in a minute." I raised myself up to look in the mirror. Was i glowing? It must just be from throwing up so hard. That was the worst i had ever thrown up. Even the late parties i had been to in my life hadn't causes me to throw up that hard.

I moved my hands down to my stomach. Had i gained weight? My stomach was protruding a little. Wait. It couldn't be. But it would explain it all.
I drove to the pharmacy in a hurry. When i got home i went to the bathroom to take the test. A few moments later my suspicions had been confirmed. I was pregnant. So much for a big come back. At least the man behind the counter at the pharmacy had recognized me and he had even asked for an autograph, saying it was sad i had retired. I had said i was not retired at all and that i was going to make a come back soon. "Not if you're pregnant you aren't," he had said. I guess he was right. I couldn't go perform when i was pregnant. I needed to relax for the baby's sake.
I called my agent to cancel the show. He got really mad at me, yelling how i could be so reckless to get pregnant. "How can you say that!" I said to him deeply hurt. "I will love this baby from the world and beyond. How dare you to say that i was reckless. If you can't accept i need time off the stage because of pregnancy i guess i will have to find a new agent." and i hung up before he had a chance at replying. I took the rest of the day to read books on pregnancy and to wait for Isaac to come home. Ian was playing a game at the stadium so i couldn't even call him.
When Isaac arrived home that night he found me watching television in my sweats. "Hi honey," he greeted me with a kiss. "Are you alright? You never sit around in sweats watching tv and," he pointed at the large empty bowl on the coffee table that had once been full of chips, "eating a whole bowl of chips! What's wrong?"
I looked up into his beautiful green eyes. "I'm pregnant." I said. I waited for a response but he said nothing. "Did you hear what i said? I'm pregnant!"
"I can't tell you how happy i am," he said truly sounding very happy. "Congratulations honey! By the way how did the show go tonight?"
"I didn't go. I can't perform when i'm pregnant." I said sadly.
"That's too bad honey. But now now we are going to be parents. Wow," he said to himself. "I'm gonna be a dad. Holy moly!"

"Let me take you out tonight. I think we both need a break from it all, at least for a couple of hours."
"Really?" It had been a while since he had asked me out. "That sounds wonderful dear. I can't wait." I smiled at him while bubbling inside.

Since Isaac got off work so late, we couldn't get to the restaurant before they closed so instead we went to the diner downtown.
As we finished the dessert, he said: "I have a surprise for you outside," and winked at me. He took my hand and i followed him outside of the diner. He held me close and kissed me tenderly.

"I love you and i will love you forever," he said getting down on one knee.
"Beatrice Holmberg," his green eyes looking deeply into mine, "Will you marry me?"

"Yes," I said quietly, a stray tear on my cheek. He put the ring on my finger and kissed it. We hugged and kissed. "Come on," he said with a wink, tugging at my hand. We hurried home, got undressed and crawled under the covers on our bed. "I love you so much," I whispered in his ear. He looked at me with passion in his eyes as he lowered himself under the covers so he was covered completely and did unspeakable things to me that gave me great pleasure. We made love that night like it was the first time all over again. My life felt perfect at that moment. I was so happy.