Chapter 5: Chapter 5
The wedding reception was in full swing, the hum of conversation and laughter filling the air like a symphony. The hall was adorned with twinkling fairy lights, casting a romantic glow on the scene below. The scent of freshly cut flowers and sweet cake permeated the air, a stark contrast to the earthy aroma of the campsite they had left behind. The band played a lively tune, encouraging the guests to dance and celebrate the union of Scott and Maryann.
Josh stood by the punch bowl, his eyes scanning the crowd for a familiar face.
He had lost track of Heather and Maryann in the chaos of the reception, and he was starting to feel like a fish out of water. He had never been one for large crowds, and the noise and activity of the wedding were starting to grate on his nerves.
"Hey there, handsome." Maryann nudged him in the ribs. "Where's the ball and chain?"
"Hey Maryann. I don't know were she got off to. I kind of thought she was with you." Josh said continuing to scan the crowd.
"Not with me. Scott and I snuck off and... Consummated...twice." Maryann said with a gleam in her eye." Now I know why you and Heather could stop at just once.
Josh blushed. "Quiet Mary, No one else knows. Besides, we're married now. We've been banging nonstop since she got on the pill."
"Yeah, I didn't want to stop but Scott was worried the guests would wonder where we were. Tell ya what, I'll check the bathroom. She's probably there if she's not with you.
Maryann disappeared into the crowd, leaving Josh alone with his thoughts. He took a sip of his punch, grimacing at the overly sweet taste. He set the cup down on a nearby table and continued his search.
Maryann opened the bathroom door. And heard someone retching in one of the stalls. "heather? Is that you?" Maryann called out as she looked under the stall doors."
Yep, it's me," Heather's voice came back, weak and shaky. "I'm... not feeling so hot."
Maryann pushed open the stall door, finding Heather slumped on the floor, her face pale and sweaty. "What's wrong, Heather? Did you eat something bad?"
Heather shook her head, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "No, it's not that. I think... I think I might be pregnant."
Maryann's eyes widened in shock. "Pregnant? But... how? When? Josh said you were on the pill!"
Heather looked up at her, tears welling in her eyes. "Not that time at Yellowstone. I started on them when we got back but...i missed my last period and I'm late for this one, and I've been sick for days."
"I'm not upset, I just worry people will suspect the truth. I don't want them to know we couldn't control ourselves.
That we let... that I... made things go too far. Josh tried to resist you know, but I pushed him farther and farther and now I'm pregnant."
"People will talk. They'll make assumptions and when it comes to me...they'll be right. Do you remember that night in yellow stone? Scott call you a whore and Josh defended you but he called me a slut and Josh didn't even make him apologize. Do you think that's what Josh thinks of me? That I'm just a slut but he's too good of a man to just abandon me?"
Heather's voice cracked, tears streaming down her face.
Maryann's heart ached for her friend. She knew Heather was strong, but this was a lot to take in. She knelt down beside her, taking her hand in hers. "you're not a slut, but you might be a fool." Maryann words hit Heather like a face full of cold water.
"I remember that night well. He defended me after what Scott said, but do you remember what happened the instant Scott insulted you? Josh hit him. I'm never seen Josh even get mad before, he's always been so chill but he told Scott if he insulted you again he was taking his life in his hands. Have you seen Scott? He's 6' 3" and almost all muscle, and he was scared. Josh was ready to take down his best friend for you."
Maryann took a deep breath, "Heather, I know you're scared, and I know this is a lot to take in, but you need to face the facts. Josh loves you. He's not with you out of some sense of duty or because he pities you. He hit Scott for you. He stood up for you when no one else would. And he's been by your side since you found out about the baby, hasn't he?"
Heather looked down at her hands, twisting them in her lap. "I haven't told him yet.
I couldn't bring myself to say the words, to make it real," Heather admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Maryann squeezed her hand, offering a small smile. "Well, you can't hide it forever. You're starting to showing already, and people are going to start noticing."
Heather's hand instinctively went to her belly, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through her. "I know. I just... I don't want to disappoint him, Maryann. He deserves better than this."
Maryann laughed. "have you noticed we are all complaints of each other. Josh and I at quiet romantics and we love fiery passionate people. I can tell you because I'm the same as Josh. He won't be disappointed, he'll be so excited. He already told me he couldn't wait to start a family with you but didn't think you were ready.
He's going to be ecstatic, Heather. You just need to give him the chance to show you that."
Heather took a deep breath, Maryann's words sinking in. She knew Josh was a good man, and she trusted him. But she was still scared. Scared of disappointing him, scared of ruining their relationship, scared of the future.
Maryann helped Heather to her feet, handing her a paper towel to clean up. "Come on, let's go find Josh. You need to tell him before someone else does."
Heather nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
"Okay, let's go find him."
They pushed open the bathroom door and stepped out into the bustling reception hall. The noise and activity hit them like a wall, and Heather hesitated, suddenly feeling overwhelmed.
Maryann noticed her friend's pause and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. "You can do this, Heather. Everything will be okay."
Heather took another deep breath and nodded, allowing Maryann to lead her through the crowd. They spotted Josh across the room, still standing by the punch bowl, his eyes scanning the crowd.
As they approached, Josh's face lit up with relief.
"Thank god, no I don't have to get hit on every 5 minutes I swear every girl at a wedding circle a guy by him self like buzzards. Can't they see my ring?" Josh said as he embraced his beloved wife.
"oh Josh, they saw it. You're just that hot." Heather teased.
"So Josh, Heather was just telling me something." Maryann said trying to spur her friend on.
"Well, go on, you tell him."
Heather took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. "Josh, I... I have something to tell you."
Josh's smile faded, concern etched on his face. "What is it, Heather? You're scaring me."
Heather wrung her hands, looking down at the floor. "I'm... I'm pregnant, Josh."
Josh froze, his eyes widening in shock. I thought you were on the pill?"
Heather nodded, tears welling in her eyes, "I am now, but..."
"Yellowstone" Josh said thoughtfully. A slow smile crept across his face. "I warned you.
Heather look a little surprised. "yeah I guess you did." Josh's smile was infectious and she blinked away her tears. "You're not mad?"
"Are you kidding? I'm ecstatic, elated, I don't have a word for how I feel. It's like my soul is so swelled with joy it won't fit in my body." Josh's eyes sparkled as he look down at the woman he love, the vessel of his love and a new child of god. His joy overflowed and he threw his head back, "I'm gonna be a dad! Josh shouted with excitement drawing the stairs of several on lookers fallow by a round of applause and cheers from the other guests. Josh hugged Heather tightly. "god I love you."
Heather giggled and looked to Maryann. "I thought you said you romantics were quiet." Heather teased her friend, smiling from ear to ear.
Heather found Maryann with tears in her eyes as she smiled back. "We tend let our feelings out all at once. I'm so happy you have each other." Maryann's soft voice conveying her love for the pair.
Scott quickly maneuvered through the crowd and threw his arms around his friends.
"Josh! That's amazing news! I can't believe it! Congrats man!" Scott exclaimed wholeheartedly.
"Thanks buddy. I can't believe it either. I'm so happy. I can't wait for our family to grow." Josh replied, beaming with joy.
"Well you better get some while the getting good, I hear the sex stops when the kids come. You better fill your canteen." Scott teased.
"oh you don't have to worry about that. But if you want to fill your canteen anyway...I'm game" Heather said, offering herself to her husband right then.
"Yicks!" Scott released his hug. And took a position next to Maryann. "um, if you need it, Maryann and I found a room a bit a little while ago you can use."
Josh looked at Scott and said with a needy voice. "show us."
As the door closed the muffled noises of love making met the ears of Scott and Maryann making the pair blush.
"Damn, those two are into each other. It's kind of inspiring." Scott said in mild awe.
Maryann elbowed him in the ribs. "They're newlyweds, they're supposed to be into each other."
Scott laughed, rubbing his side. "that's true, but we're newly weds too."
Maryann gave Scott a suggestive look. "do you think their baby will need a playmate?"
Maryann asked, breaking the silence.
"What are you saying, Maryann? Don't you think we should wait a few years before thinking about having kids?" Scott replied, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"Well, I was just thinking...We're both young, and I know neither of us wants to be an older father or mother, but what if...what if we started trying for a baby now? It might take a while to conceive, and I can imagine both of us being excited about raising our first children together." Maryann suggested tentatively.
She looked up at Scott, her eyes wide and hopeful.
Scott was taken aback by the suddenness of her suggestion. He hadn't really thought about having kids anytime soon. But the more he thought about it, the more the idea grew on him.
"We're gonna need to find another room" Scott said a sudden urgency in his voice.
Maryann laughed, "didn't mean right now." A mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I did, we waited, we were good, now I'm gonna find a room and pump a baby into you."
Scott declared as he started dragging Maryann through the church. She laughed and tried to resist but eventually gave in to her husband's persistent tugging.
As they found an empty room, Maryann's heart raced with excitement. It had been so long since they had made love almost 30 minutes. It seemed inhumane and she couldn't wait to feel his touch again.
Scott broke their kiss and looked around him. "It's a shame you know."
"what I?" Maryann asked as she dropped to her knees and unzipped his fly.
"Well we had to burn the tent and--hauh" Scott's thought was disrupted as Maryann took him into her mouth. "--I liked this church but I'll get the matches later. I have a feeling we're gonna make a mess."