Me, You, Us

By Regina Walker

Melissa and her husband have navigated two decades of marriage, weathering life's trials and tribulations. As their nest begins to empty with their teenage children growing more independent, they see a chance to rediscover the deep connection that once bound them together.

 

But fate takes an unexpected turn when Melissa discovers she's pregnant with their third child, long after her husband Christopher underwent a vasectomy. The shocking revelation shakes the foundation of their relationship, and doubt creeps in like a shadow. Christopher's faith in Melissa's fidelity wavers, setting off a chain reaction of events that threatens to shatter the family's unity.

 

As accusations fly and their children take sides, bitterness and anger consume what was once a haven of love. Melissa and Christopher find themselves confronting not only the shocking truth of their circumstances but also the deeper truths about themselves and their marriage. Their journey becomes a test of their faith, resilience, and willingness to forgive.

 

Amidst the impossible choices and unexpected heartaches, Melissa and Christopher must choose whether to succumb to the chaos tearing them apart or to rise above it, determined to reclaim the love they've lost. With the support of faith, family, and a newfound strength, they embark on a path of healing and rediscovery, hoping to rebuild what they once had and forge a bond stronger than ever before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regina Walker
• Release date: Aug 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223819455

Regina Walker

Regina Walker crafts compelling characters facing some of life's hardest challenges. Her heart's desire is to always point toward Jesus through the way her characters face challenges, relationships, and adversity. Regina is an Oklahoma import, although she was born and raised in the beautiful state of Colorado. She likes to curl up on the couch and binge-watch crime shows with her hard-working husband. When she's not wrestling with a writing project, she can be found wrangling their children, riding their horses, or working around their small hobby farm.

Book preview

Chapter One

The legs of his chair made an awful scratching sound as Christopher Watson pushed back from the table, rocked the chair onto two legs, settled it back down, and then stared hard at his wife. Resting her elbows on the table, Melissa glanced at her husband and then stared at the lines and patterns in the wood table.

He started laughing and slapped his leg, which brought her attention to him. You know today is April second, right? You had me though. Smart, waiting an extra day. He stood and walked past her, heading toward the fridge. April Fool’s. He chuckled again.

She reached out and caught his arm, sadness turning down the edges of her mouth. I waited until today so you wouldn’t think it was a joke. I’m pregnant, Christopher.

He tugged his arm free and turned his gaze away. Striding to the fridge, he pulled a beer from the door, and then leaned his hip into the island. I’ve had a vasectomy. The words came slowly, deliberately.

I know. But things like this happen sometimes, she said.

I’ve had a vasectomy since Emily was born. Remember? You didn’t let me live it down for two years that you were nursing an infant, sore from giving birth, and had to wait on me hand and foot for two weeks because I overdid it the day after my procedure. His eyes squinted at her, and his words came low, angry.

It’s been fifteen years. Almost sixteen, she said. She rested her elbows on the table again and propped her chin against one fist.

I’ll be in my shop. His boots landed heavily against the hardwood floor as he walked toward the back door. No heavier than normal, each thud reminded Melissa that he was walking away from this unexpected news. Every step she heard him take was like an announcement that she was pregnant, alone, with their third child. Every thump illuminated the great divide that had grown between them over the years. She listened for the door and jerked when he slammed it.

Smoothing her hands through her honey blonde hair, she rose from the chair, trying to formulate a plan for dinner. She ducked down and reached into the cabinets beneath the island to pull out her Instant Pot. She thought it was ridiculous to add another kitchen appliance to her collection, but when she finally tried the gift from her mom, she called and thanked her profusely.

Trying to avoid thoughts of the pregnancy test she took the day before only amplified them, and soon she was imagining life with a fully round abdomen, and then an infant in her arms. This wasn’t part of their plan. They’d just shifted to retirement savings in the last two years because they finally had enough saved for college for Dylan and Emily.

Not that she’d wanted to save for college. She put herself through school, working full time, and had never used her degree. Christopher had been the one to suggest she stay home with the kids, and she was thankful she’d invested that time in them. She fully intended on letting their kids work their way through school, but Christopher wouldn’t budge. He didn’t agree with her about making them work for it if they wanted it. He wanted to set them up for success. He wanted to continue saving for the kids another couple of years, for starter homes, instead of switching their focus to retirement.

She thought back to the first home she bought—a home in Arizona that they still owned and rented out. She worked for everything she had. Her mom and she went shopping together at the thrift store for furniture, decorations, and even dishes. She bought the best two towels they had and even found a matching bathroom set adorned with seashells.

Even back on that afternoon, she pulled out the cash she’d been saving for just that occasion and paid for the new-to-her things. Her mom had patted her on the arm with a look of pride in her eyes that Melissa was certain she would never forget.

She thought about when she met Christopher, and how frugal he was. Although their dates weren’t fancy, she felt seen and heard in a way she never had before. Not only was he handsome and charming, but he was responsible. She knew early on that their attraction to one another paled in comparison to their shared sensibility. They were the kind of couple that would make it through everything with a carefully thought-out plan.

Pulling frozen, cubed chuck roast from the freezer, Melissa ran tepid water into the sink. Dropping the package into the water, she let the meat float for long enough to thaw the edges so she could easily get it out of the package.

The front door flung open and in came two squabbling teenagers. Emily yapped at Dylan then shoved her earbuds into her ears. She shouldered him as she passed him, glared over at Melissa, and disappeared down the hall.

Hey Mom, Dylan said. Shutting the front door behind him and his sister, he kicked off his shoes and lined them up on the mat.

How was school? Melissa hadn’t thought much about how they would take the news of a new baby, but staring over the island across the front of the house, she wondered if Dylan would find even a small measure of excitement in the news. She would wait until Christopher was ready to tell them with her.

Fine. I’ve got homework. He raised his backpack in the air and then ambled down the hall to his room.

Three.

Two.

Bass from some new band he was listening to rattled the walls and Melissa’s nerves. She braced herself for Emily’s coming outburst, but it never came. She locked the lid on the pressure cooker after dumping the last of the vegetables and the broth over the meat in the pot. April was getting to be too late for hot, heavy meals like beef stew, but ten minutes of prep for a proper dinner was worth serving something out of season.

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Just as the timer on the Instant Pot started chiming, the back door eased open. Melissa looked up and saw Christopher sniff the air. A good meal always cheered him up, so she just offered a sweet smile to him and continued sweeping the kitchen.

I’m going to get a room. His tone was low and determined and he walked past her toward the stairs. Climbing them two at a time, he disappeared from her sight. Melissa abandoned her pile of dust and followed him, although she moved up the stairs slower than he did.

A room? What are you talking about? She closed their bedroom door behind her.

A room. Like at a hotel.

Why?

Because I don’t want to look at you and I cannot lay next to a woman who’s cheating on me. You could have done this a million other ways, Melissa. But to start with a baby announcement? That’s low, even for you. He knew the words were hostile, and while a warning went off in his mind not to say things he couldn’t take back, he ignored it.

Even for me? Her face contorted in confusion and frustration. I didn’t cheat on you. Your vasectomy failed. How do you get to go get a room when we, she gestured between them, when we are expecting a baby that we didn’t plan for? What about how I feel?

What about how you feel? He was incredulous. He shoved clothes into his duffel bag. I guess you should have considered how you would feel before you found a lover and ruined our entire family. Have you told Dylan and Emily?

I thought we would tell them together, Melissa said.

I don’t want to tell people about your baby and how it got there. That’s on you. He slung his bag over his shoulder and disappeared into their bathroom.

Melissa paced the floor. The thick, cream-colored carpet absorbed the sound of her footfall and for a moment, it was quiet around her. Her thoughts were a mess, and she was at a loss for what to say to convince Christopher that the baby growing in her womb was their child together.

You know what makes me the angriest? He leaned in the bathroom doorway, holding his shower bag in one hand. Disgust drew deep lines around his eyes and mouth as he looked at her like she was a stranger, a filthy, stinky stranger on the street. I’ve been good to you, Melissa. You’ve had everything you could ever want. I’ve always worked hard. I’ve invested wisely. I’ve listened to you and your opinion. I’ve been a good husband. I didn’t deserve this. And after all these years, too. Dylan and Emily are almost grown. I don’t know what you were thinking but I hope it was worth it.

He pushed off the door frame, averted his eyes from her, and disappeared from the bedroom. She thought about going after him, but she felt rooted to the floor, and she didn’t know what she would say. As with every argument they’d had over the last nineteen years, she would know what she wanted to say an hour after it was all over with.

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How long has he been gone? Lisa dipped her spoon into the gelato and coffee concoction in front of her.

Two weeks. He won’t even talk to me, Melissa said.

Tuesday morning, twenty minutes after opening, they practically had the mall to themselves. It was the perfect time for a treat and a little shopping, although Melissa didn’t feel like either.

I guess you got hot chocolate on yours because of the baby? Lisa gestured to Melissa’s ice cream treat.

Caffeine. Bad for it. Melissa pressed her spoon through the gelato and then lifted a bite to her lips.

"It. You never would have said that about Dylan or Emily. It offended you so badly. Lisa’s eyes lit up with the memory and she grinned at her friend. Should we shop for him or her today? You get a tiebreaker. Do you have any inclination one way or another?"

It felt as though Lisa was in another universe talking and joyous and looking forward to the future. Melissa just wanted to curl up in bed until this whole nightmare was over.

I’ve never been unfaithful to Christopher. Not once in nineteen years. No inappropriate online conversations. No ex-boyfriends cropping up. No work romances. I’ve been fully devoted to the man. How does he get to act like I’ve done something wrong? Melissa stabbed the gelato with her spoon and shoved it away from her.

He’ll come around. If it’s not a nice break to have him out of the house and to get a break from his laundry and snoring whatnot, give him an ultimatum. A time limit, Lisa said.

Or what? Melissa cocked a wary eyebrow in her friend’s direction.

Or what doesn’t matter. He’s going to come straight home. Lisa licked the gelato from her spoon and grinned at Melissa. I can always tell Robby that you’re fed up and going to talk to a divorce attorney since Chris has moved out anyway.

Don’t do that. Melissa held her head up with her hand, her elbow propped against the table. That would just stir up trouble, which is not what I want to do.

Well, you should, I’d never tolerate behavior like that out of Robby. Lisa finished off her gelato and pointed to Melissa’s. Are you going to eat that?

No, it’s making me queasy.

Morning sickness? Lisa raised a brow.

All-day sickness.

Finally! Lisa laughed aloud.

What’s so funny? Finally what?

You had such perfect pregnancies all those years ago. I was sick as a dog, and you ate whatever you wanted. It’s probably not right to be happy that you’re feeling it this time around, but it so wasn’t fair. At least now you know the pain I was in. Lisa took a bite of Melissa’s treat and her grin widened. It’s good with hot chocolate.

I didn’t say it wasn’t good, Melissa said. She looked out of the corner of her eye, away from Lisa. She was having one of those moments where she wondered how they had been friends for twenty years.

I don’t know why you’re in such a sour mood. Having a baby again will be fun. But if you really don’t want to have a baby at your age, you could always—

Don’t say it again, Lisa. You know how I feel about abortion. I’m keeping my baby. And by the grace of God, I’ll be keeping my marriage, too. Melissa thought back to the day she told Lisa and how her first reaction was to suggest an abortion. The thought made Melissa sick. If that wasn’t bad enough, Christopher called late one night to ask if she’d consider getting one. She squashed that thought and told him it was out of the question, to which he’d responded that he wasn’t going to raise another man’s baby with her.

By the grace of God? Are you getting all religious on me? Lisa drug the spoon through her lips to clean it off then pointed it at Melissa and shook it back and forth.

Not all religious. But I did pray for the first time in ages. I don’t know how else to get Christopher home.

An ultimatum, I’m telling you. And I know I’m not supposed to say it again, but if you both had different plans for your life now that the other two are almost grown, abortion or adoption would solve all of that. Lisa cocked her head to the side and widened her eyes for emphasis.

Melissa shoved her chair back from the table and stood up. I don’t feel like shopping today. I’m going to go home and get in a little nap before Dylan and Emily come home. I’m going to tell them tonight.

I hope that goes well. My kids would flip, Lisa said.

I have no idea how they’ll react, but they keep asking why Christopher isn’t home, and I feel like I should tell them something.

Make sure they know how much of a jerk he’s being, Lisa said.

Melissa huffed out a breath and shoved her left hand into her pocket. You have to know I won’t do something like that. After all these years.

I’m just saying, you could learn to be a little pettier, especially with the way he’s behaving.

Lisa’s petty side had long since driven Melissa crazy. Normally, Melissa wouldn’t mention anything that would bring out Lisa’s petty side. But she felt so alone with the way Christopher was behaving that she had to have someone to talk to.

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Melissa stretched out on her bed and yawned. She rolled over slowly and felt a twinge in her lower back. She had too many months of pregnancy remaining to start hurting so badly now. Lifting her head from the pillow, she cracked open an eye and stared at the clock. Four-thirty? How did it get late so fast?

Pushing herself out of bed, she shoved her feet into her slippers and walked out into the living room. Dylan sat on the couch watching television, but Emily wasn’t with him.

How was school? Melissa asked.

Fine. Dylan never even turned his head.

Emily yanked her door open. It’s about time. You were dead asleep. And you look awful. Are you okay?

Melissa rubbed her index finger under her eye and sighed. Not exactly. Let’s talk. Dylan, can you turn off the TV, please?

Whatever. He rolled his eyes but clicked off the screen with the remote in his hand.

Thank you, Melissa said. She walked past Dylan, over to her big comfy chair, and she curled her legs under her. Pulling the blanket off the back of the chair, Melissa covered her legs and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Are you sick? Emily asked.

Not exactly, Melissa said. Who would have thought telling two teenagers that they were going to be a big brother and big sister would be so hard? Melissa felt like canceling the talk and she hadn’t even started.

Are you finally going to tell us where Dad’s been? Dylan was skeptical. It wasn’t like his dad to be gone for an extended period, but there hadn’t been a trace of him in two weeks. Dylan had called him a couple of times, and he’d always answered, but he’d been cryptic about where he was or why he was gone.

He’s staying at a hotel right now, Melissa said.

Oh my gosh! You are getting a divorce, aren’t you? Why, Mom? Whose fault is it? Emily paced the living room, stomping her feet down with each step. She tried to calculate whose fault it was more likely to be. Her parents weren’t the lovey-dovey types, and while her best friend’s parents were always dancing in the kitchen and having fun, her parents sometimes didn’t even acknowledge each other. She wasn’t sure who she thought was to blame, though.

No. Stop. Emily. Melissa waved her hand through the air, letting the blanket fall down to her waist. I don’t think Dad and I are getting a divorce. Dad is just upset, and we have a few things to figure out.

"What did you do?" Emily’s words came out through gritted teeth, and she narrowed her gaze. If her dad was the one upset, then her mom must have been the one who did something awful.

I didn’t do anything. Sit down, please.