Chapter Twenty Nine

At the deputy’s Christmas party was where Rex announced his intentions of running for sheriff. Jayme wasn’t feeling well and Bella was with Simon and Paige. While Rex mingled with his fellow deputy’s and the mayor, Jayme danced with numerous people, all of who work with Rex.
Needing a break to catch herself, Jayme headed for the bathroom. As she sat on the toilet, her head was spinning as if she were still dancing. She was worried that Rex would be able to read her symptoms before she was ready to tell him. But she still wasn’t quite ready yet.
As the night drew to a close, Jayme felt worse and now exhaustion was taking over. Laying her head on Rex’s shoulder as he drove them to her parents to pick up Bella. Jayme waited in the truck as Rex went inside to gather Bella and her things. Rex explained that Jayme wasn’t feeling well as he gathered her and left.
The next morning, Jayme called to make an appointment with Dr. Adams. She wanted to start her prenatal visits as soon as possible. Setting up her appointment for the third of January, Jayme hung up the phone and made a note of the day and time.
Pulling the unwrapped gifts from the closet, Jayme finished wrapping them, then put them under the Christmas tree. Feeling slightly better, she decided to clean up the house before she felt worse. Pausing to feed and change Bella, she started to feel the nausea that was associated with pregnancy. Laying Bella in her bassinet, Jayme ran to the bathroom.
Jayme was laying in bed when Rex came home, she was asleep. With a kiss on the forehead, Rex woke her up. “Hey, are you alright?” He was concerned about her being in bed.
“I just haven’t felt good these last couple of days.” Jayme said.
“Are you ill?” Rex asked, feeling her forehead.
“Not really, just exhausted, I guess.” Jayme answered. “I’m sorry, I should’ve had dinner ready for you.”
“No, don’t worry about it. If you feel up to it, we can go out to eat instead. Or, if you don’t, I can pick something up.”
“Ok, let me get up and get ready, we can go somewhere.” Jayme said, feeling slightly better.
“I’ll get Bella ready.” Rex said.
Jayme’s appetite was poor, she didn’t feel like eating, especially with the nausea hanging over her head. She merely just played with her food and didn’t eat much. She didn’t realize that Rex had been noting her symptoms over the last few days and suspected something was off. But pregnancy was not on his list of suspects.
Jayme woke on the morning of Christmas Eve, the sun was already lighting up the pink sky and it was snowing. Jayme stared out the window, watching the snow fall, when the familiar nausea hit. Jayme pulled back the covers and quietly slipped out of bed when she saw Rex still sleeping beside her. Jayme pulled the bedroom door closed, then closed the bathroom door before dropping to her knees in front of the toilet.
Jayme heaved but nothing came out. There was nothing in her stomach to come out. It only made her stomach sore. The heaving made her feel hot and she started to sweat. For a few moments, Jayme laid on the linoleum floor, soaking up the coolness.
Coming from the bathroom, Jayme returned to the bedroom to grab her robe. Rex was awake and sitting on the edge of the bed. Looking up at her, he saw the redness in her face and eyes. Instantly he stood up and went to her. “Jayme, are you alright? You look like you don’t feel well.” Rex asked.
“Yes, I’m alright and no, I’m not feeling well.” She answered.
“Do you still want to go to your parents house tonight?” He asked.
“Yes, I can’t miss that.” Jayme said.
“Alright. But just remember, I’ll be right there if you need me…” Rex said and kissed her on the forehead before walking from the bedroom.
She knew everyone was due to be at her parents house around six PM. Jayme and Rex left their house to head to Simon and Paige’s house. Pulling in the driveway at quarter after six, Rex saw the vehicles and knew everyone else was there. Rex was nervous as they walked up the sidewalk toward the house.
Stopping just short of the door, Rex turned to Jayme and hugged her. “I hope you know how much I love you.” Rex said before he pulled away and dropped to one knee. “Jayme, again, I want to ask you to be my wife. Will you give me the pleasure?” Rex asked and opened the box in his hand.
“Yes, Rex!” Jayme nearly shouted. “I’m ready now.” Jayme answered.
With a huge smile on his face, Rex stood up, removed the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. Jayme was surprised that it fit so well. Looking at the ring, she instantaneously fell in love with it. With a twenty four karat gold band, the diamonds were circling a ruby, her birthstone. And red was her favorite color.
“Thank you, Rex. It’s so beautiful.” She said and hugged him again. “I’m so glad you asked me that because in approximately eight months, I’ll be having your baby.”
“You’re pregnant?” Rex asked.
“Yes. Merry Christmas.” Jayme smiled and kissed him.
“This is the best Christmas ever…” Rex shouted and kissed her again.
It was when the front door opened and they both turned to see Simon standing in the doorway. “What are you two doing out there, it’s cold. Come on inside.” He said and held the door open for them.
Rex and Jayme went inside the house and removed their shoes and coats. Paige announced that dinner was ready, they were just waiting on Rex and Jayme. Everyone gathered in the dining room while Paige carried all the food out. Jayme offered to help but Paige was about finished. It was only seven of them. Simon, Paige, Garrett, Sheryl, Rex, Jayme, and Bella.
After dinner, Sheryl and Garrett played with Bella while Jayme helped her mother clean up the kitchen. Rex and Simon sat in the recliners watching the football game airing on TV and discussing different subjects. When Jayme and Paige were finished, they joined the others in the living room. Jayme excused herself when she took Bella, explaining that she would be getting hungry.
Jayme took Bella into her old bedroom and laid her on the bed, changing her diaper first. Then Jayme fed her. Thinking about the proposal, Jayme looked at her ring in a better light. The Ruby was actually the center of a swirl of diamonds. The wedding band was gold with the same engravings.
As Jayme returned to the living room, mingling with her family, Rex stood before everyone and tapped a fork on his wine glass. “Excuse me…” He said, gathering everyone’s attention. “I have an announcement to make…” Rex said and looked at Jayme, motioning for her to come to him. “Jayme and I have an announcement to make.”
Assuring that they had everyone’s attention, Rex continued. “I’ve asked Jayme to marry me and she said yes.” Rex said.
With the four others, there was commotion and congratulations. “When will this wedding be held?” Garrett asked.
“We’re not sure yet,” Jayme started, “I’m sure it will be sometime within the next eight months.”
“Jayme… are you pregnant again?” Paige asked.
“Yes.” Jayme answered.
“Oh, congratulations again.” Paige said and the others joined in on congratulating them.
“It looks like we’ll have two weddings to plan.” Paige said.
“Why don’t we just have a double wedding?” Garrett suggested.
“I don’t mind.” Jayme said, looking at Rex.
“It’s all good.” Rex smiled.
“Wow, this is so exciting.” Paige said.
“Have you two set a date yet?” Jayme asked Garrett and Sheryl.
“Not really. We were talking about a July wedding.” Sheryl answered.
“That would work for us, I think.” Jayme said, again looking at Rex.
“Yes. I’m good with that.” Rex said. “It’s whatever you want, Jayme.”
“Not really, the choice is yours just as well.” Jayme said.
“I’m not picky. I’m happy if you’re happy.” Rex said.
“Ok. Maybe a July wedding then.” Jayme said.
After a few toasts, the party started to thin out. Garrett and Sheryl were the first to leave. Next, Rex and Jayme packed up Bella and took her home. It was late when they arrived home. Jayme fed Bella one more time before they went to bed.