Pleasantly Surprised

Carl cleared his throat as he walked into the kitchen.

"What are you doing home so early?"  Nina, his wife of almost three years asked, putting the dishes away.  "I was hoping to fix you a nice dinner.  Now you've gone and ruined the surprise." 

Nina feigned her displeasure so well Carl started to wonder what was going on.  He shrugged it off and chalked his suspicions up to his own news.  He didn't know how to break the news to her and decided to wait until after dinner.  Nina deserved a little happiness, although it may not sustain her for the struggle they would certainly be facing in the months to come.

"I'm a little tired, honey," Carl lied.  "Why don't you go ahead and prepare your feast and I will be pleasantly surprised when you call me down to dinner."

Pleasantly surprised you will be!  She beamed inwardly.


Carl was pleasantly surprised indeed, as he took the last spoonful of crème brûlée.  He had to admit Nina's culinary course was paying off, but that wasn't important now.

In unanticipated unison, both Carl and Nina blurted out, "I have news!"

The excitement in Nina's voice bothered Carl.  His dejected tone worried her. 

After a flimsy back and forth of you go firsts, Nina insisted Carl reveal his news.  She figured it couldn't be that bad and was sure her news would would it all better anyway.

"I got laid off!"  Carl knew that three years ago this statement would not have carried the sentence it carried now.  Nina did too, as her eyes filled with tears.

Carl comforted her by saying, "Everything's going to be okay."

"No, it's not!"  Nina bawled.  "I'm pregnant!"

Shocked by this bombshell, Carl's only response was a meek, "I'll get you a tissue."

Word count: 297