Gabriel's Redemption

Chapter Sixty-eight

December 28, 2011

Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Julia and Gabriel were standing in the en-suite of their bathroom in Richard’s house, eyeing two different pregnancy tests that were sitting on the vanity. Both tests displayed the same result.

“Julianne?” Gabriel’s voice was a heartbreaking whisper.

She wasn’t looking at him; she was staring at the tests. She stood still, like a deer trying to evade a predator.

“This is my fault.” He lifted a hand to touch her but then thought better of it.

She turned her head, as if she were suddenly aware of his presence.

“How is it your fault?”

He paused, struggling for words.

“I didn’t protect you. I knew how anxious you were about getting pregnant. I should have worn a condom. I should have asked you about your pills.” His voice dropped. “I failed you.”

Julia closed her eyes and drew a very deep breath. “Gabriel, you didn’t fail me. I’m the idiot who forgot her pills.” A tear slid from the corner of her eye and down her face.

He caught it with his fingers.

“That’s enough. You aren’t an idiot. You were in a hurry because you were trying to get to me. As usual, you were worrying about someone other than yourself.”

More tears traced the planes of her pretty face, and her shoulders began to shake.

“It’s too late.”

He moved into her and her fingers gripped his shirt, clutching him as if she were drowning.