Well, it wasn’t over. Jessica hadn’t been in this battle for Gabe for as long as Britney had been and no one was as determined as Britney Crawford. For the next hour, Britney wandered through Gabe’s workplace, chatting to random people, and introducing herself. She especially loved Mario, the fellow who ran the coffee and snack cart. He was a friendly fount of information who happily introduced her to a number of employees.
Feeling like she had made some headway but knowing she needed to get back to her condo before the moving guys came, Britney said goodbye to Mario, promising to visit again.
In fact, she was going to make herself a regular nuisance to Jessica. Britney planned on bringing lunch every single workday to her dear fiancé. Gabe had said she could cancel his meals service and starting tonight, he was eating her cooking only.
Many popular magazines toted a way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Britney was about to put the theory to the test.
A short drive later and she barely made it to her condo door before the movers arrived. She directed them to take her chair, nightstands, and bed, while she emptied the dresser into boxes to make it lighter for them to carry. She probably should have come home directly after talking with Gabe to be more prepared for the movers, Britney reflected. However, she had wanted to stamp her mark on Gabe at his workplace so by the end of the day, everyone would know he was getting married. She should also ask Gabe what co-workers he wanted to invite to the wedding.
The rest of the morning was spent trying to keep ahead of the movers, packing up items which were going to her new home.
Her new home! Just thinking the thought was exciting. Britney was about to embark on a new adventure with Gabe. She pushed a strand of hair out of her face as she bent to tape another box shut. The movers had taken the bed apart and were taking the last pieces to the moving truck. Britney didn’t have much time to grab some necessities. While she could bring over boxes on her own, she preferred to not have to take too many trips.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” asked Tara as she leaned in the doorway. “I had to find out through the grapevine. When you didn’t answer your phone I came directly here.”
Britney looked up at her best friend with some trepidation. “I wanted to tell you. You were the first person I thought of when it happened. I also thought you wouldn’t be happy for me.”
“Brit,” sighed Tara, coming into the room, sitting on the floor beside her friend. “If you are happy, I’m happy.”
“I have always loved him,” shrugged Britney. She grinned and showed Tara the engagement ring. “We’re getting married the last Saturday of the month.”
“What?” Tara jerked her eyes off the ring to look at Britney. “Are you kidding? Why so fast?”
“We want a child,” announced Britney.
“This is more than about a child,” guessed Tara. “Spill.”
Britney sighed. She had known Tara would want the truth. Tara knew Britney’s troubled history with Gabe and wouldn’t be convinced he had suddenly fallen in love with her, realized his feelings and magically proposed.
It was a nice fairy tale, but it wasn’t true.
“His father gave him and his brothers an ultimatum,” mumbled Britney. “They need to each get married within the month, produce a pregnancy within the year and on the five year anniversary of the marriage the brothers will each receive their inheritance. If they refuse, they lose their positions with the company and are disinherited.”
Tara stared at her in shock.
“So Gabe and I are getting married,” Britney tried for a happy tone which fell a little flat. “We’re going to have a child together. I have got five years to make him love me.”
“Oh Brit,” Tara wrapped an arm around her friend. “You can’t make someone love you. They have to choose to love you.”
“I can do this,” a determined Britney stated. “I will be the best wife anyone could ever have and Gabe will be lost without me.”
“It’s happening again, we’re spiraling down the Gabe hole,” sighed Tara. “This is going to be just like when you dyed your hair green.”
“Except I’ll be his wife and have his baby,” remarked Britney.
“If you get pregnant. A lot of women don’t get pregnant the first year of marriage,” noted Tara. “You face an even bigger obstacle with your health. Is your doctor even allowing this? I thought he wanted to perform a hysterectomy.”
“He does. It’s best to perform a hysterectomy before the cancer spreads,” replied Britney. “I’m not going to do that. I’m going to have this baby first. After the baby is born, then they can perform the surgery and I’ll do the cancer treatments.”
“You’re risking your life,” warned Tara.
“I want to be a mom. I want to have a normal pregnancy and a happy baby. I’m willing to take the risk,” responded Britney. She clasped Tara’s hand in hers. “I need you to support me through this. I don’t plan on telling Gabe about the cancer.”
“Brit! He needs to know,” insisted Tara.
“If he does, he’ll break off the engagement and find someone else,” she squeezed Tara’s hand. “It will tear out my heart if he marries anyone else. You know that. Gabe can’t know about the cancer. Please Tara, help me through this.”
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” questioned Tara. “Lying to your husband isn’t a good thing. I worry you’ll end up like you always do, hurt by Gabe.”
