I Won't Give Up

by Sophie Monroe

  I watched as my dad left. I’d hoped she didn’t have bad news.

  “You scared me.” She said smiling softly.

  “Sorry but it’s going to take a lot more than a bullet to keep me from you.”

  “That’s what Luke said and that’s also a good thing because I have some news that might make you have to take another one.”

  “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “You’re my baby daddy.” She reached and pulled something from her back pocket. A sonogram.

  “Holy shit I’m gonna be a dad?” I beamed. She nodded. I studied the picture of the little blob on and I was already in love. I knew it was going to be a tough road but both of our families were very financially secure and our love was an unwavering, unstoppable force. I loved this amazing girl and now we were going to have a baby. She was right though, our parents were going to flip, good thing they have smelling salts here.

  “So you’re okay? I know it’s not the best timing with school and everything but I want this baby more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”

  “Fiona I knew that night that this was a possibility, I almost was hoping for it. This is crazy, we made this.” I reached out my IV filled hand and placed it on her flat stomach. She nodded her head, eyes filled with tears.

  “I love you so much Cooper. I know I have a lot to make up for with my behavior and pushing you away but I promise I will never run away from you ever again.”

  “It’s water under the bridge and I love you too baby momma.” I said the last part knowing my dad was standing right there.

  “Baby momma?” He said looking pale.

  “That’s right Gramps. My fish can swim, they managed to penetrate the bulletproof vest. We’re having a baby.” I said grinning happily.

  “Levi’s going to kick my ass. Did this happen the night you slept over Fiona?”

  “No Kurt we never did anything under your roof.” She said turning beet red.

  “Well I’m off the hook then.” He said fake wiping his palm over his forehead. I handed the sonogram to him pointing to the gestation period.

  “Almost seven weeks.” He ran his hand over the picture thoughtfully. “Well I shouldn’t be thrilled about my teenage son and his just eighteen year old girlfriend having a baby but I’m happy for the both of you and I will help you both in anyway I can.”

  “Thank you.” Fiona said pulling him in for a hug. We sat around talking for a little longer when Fiona’s family came in. I could tell she was nervous, I told her she could wait until we were all home before she told them but she said it was probably better for everyone that we did it here. Luke came and poked the ribs on my good side. We’d actually become close over the last month or so. He’d been helping me try to get through to Fiona, I considered him a good friend. I hoped he wouldn’t freak out with Fiona being his baby sister and all.

  “Oh Cooper, I’m so glad to see you awake.” Gabby said.

  “Cooper, nice to finally meet you. Thank you for saving my daughter.” Levi said.

  “You too sir and I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping her safe.”

  Fiona cleared her throat.

  “We have some um…news.” She said nervously.

  “Is everything okay?” Gabby asked.

  “Yes. Never better actually but I think you should sit down.” They walked apprehensively to the chairs and took a seat. She strategically placed herself in front of me, using herself as a human shield of sorts.

  “As you both know I went through a very difficult time when you left dad and I’m not blaming you now and we all know that everything happens for a reason.” She took in a deep breath. “I was broken and on a path of self-destruction. Cooper saw through the broken girl and loved me anyway. We’ve always done things a little backwards and when he woke up the first thing he did was propose.” She paused letting that sink in. I noticed Gabby smile. “After I accepted I told him he’s going to be a daddy.” I watched as the realization crossed their faces. Her dads a mix of anger, hurt and love. Her mom started crying and it was yet to be determined if they were happy tears.

  “You’re pregnant?” Levi asked.

  “Yes almost seven weeks.” She said. I handed Fiona the sonogram that was still on my lap.

  “And you’re keeping it?” He asked.

  “Yes dad. We’ve already discussed this, Cooper was actually thrilled when I told him. Please just be happy for us.” She looked at me admirably. I was still on cloud nine.

  “You’re both so young.” Gabby said.

  “Mom I think you forget I’m only a year younger than you were when you had Luke.”

  “I know. It’s going to be hard but I think both of you will make wonderful parents. I’m just a little shocked that’s all. I didn’t think you two, you know.”

  That was the embarrassing part of telling people you’re pregnant then they know that you’re having sex. This was going to be a field day when we finally got back to school…

 

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The Proposal

  Fiona

  “Wake up sleepyhead we have to get ready for school.” I tried to move out from under him but he just tightened his arms around me.

  “Can’t we just stay in bed it’s so comfortable with you in it.”

  “No, it’s our first day back and you get to tell everyone that you’re gonna be a daddy.” That did it he practically leapt out of bed and ran for the shower almost tripping in the process. I swear he’s insane. I followed him into the shower and after he was done he stood behind me with both of his hands caressing my still flat stomach humming lullabies. We got out and dressed getting ready for school.

  “We should start looking for houses.” He said as I was brushing my hair. “It would be nice to be settled before the baby’s born.”

  “Okay my mom’s friend Kathy is a realtor I’ll have her put in a call to make an appointment.” He grinned. He picked up both of our backpacks and headed downstairs grabbing the keys to my Audi which now since I was pregnant he insisted on driving and pretty much anything that would require an ounce of effort. When we pulled into school he parked next to Casey. I waved and she smiled I’d texted her a little bit over the last week that we spent home but no one knew about the baby yet. Cooper opened the door and we met Casey and Harper on the way into school.

  “Did you hear the news?” Cooper asked them.

  “What news?”

  “I’m gonna be a dad.” He beamed.

  “Wait. What?” They looked at me.

  “Yep you heard right. I’m pregnant. We’re due in June.”

  “Wow. Congrats.” They both looked shocked and at a loss for words.

  Throughout the day Cooper told anyone that would listen and even those that wouldn’t including teachers, the principal. At lunch he carried the tray saying he would be packing us lunch from now on because this stuff wasn’t good enough for the baby. It was going to be a long nine months… When we sat Riley came up to the table with Tabitha on her heels.

  “Is it true?”

  “I’m not sure what you’re talking about but if you’re asking if Fiona and I are getting married and having a baby then yes it’s true.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead.

  “You wouldn’t know if you were a week pregnant!”

  “Stop yelling you’re giving me a headache and she’s not a week she’s almost eight weeks.”

  “How do you even know it’s yours she could just be saying that to try and keep you.”

  “First she’s not vindictive like you and second not that its any of your business but if you really want to know it was from passionate love making sans condoms and the whole time I was hoping this would happen so why don’t you just get on your merry way.” They both stomped away. I felt my face blush but I was mostly just relieved that he was taking control of things.

  Over the next couple months I started feeling more and more like my old self but a better version. I was learning who Fion
a Prescott was.

  Cooper

  “Does this look good here?” I asked pushing the curio against the wall in the dining room. Hopefully it did because I was out of breath and exhausted. I spent the last hour moving the heavy wooden piece of furniture from wall to wall.

  “Perfect.” She smiled.

  We were finally moved in to the house that we bought together. It was a Victorian style home with a wrap around porch and peaked roof. Fiona fell in love with it right away. It was located in the more historical part of town. We have four bedrooms leaving us plenty of extra room for growing.

  Tonight’s going to be our first night here. It was causing some gossip but neither of us cared; we were both in our own little bubble. Everyone knew she was pregnant now and that we weren’t married but I was planning on changing that as soon as possible. I even bought a Toyota Sequoia SUV so both her and baby would be safe. She still had her Audi R8 but Levi gave her a new Audi Q7 SUV since the R8 doesn’t have backseats. Surprisingly our families have been really supportive since we left the hospital, Fiona and Levi were on speaking terms again not that she didn’t make him grovel from time to time. Levi and Gigi broke things off but Gabby wasn’t going to take him back, I can’t say I blame her and I know he didn’t expect her to.

  Fiona was a little over sixteen weeks pregnant and was finally starting to have a little bump. I was absolutely in love with her growing belly. She could out eat me, all she wanted was fried chicken so needless to say I was making lots of late night trips to Bubba’s and enjoying every minute of it. The look on her face when I handed her the bag made it worth it. We started picking out baby names, she liked Berkley, Savannah and Madison for girls and Logan, Mason and Zachary for boys. I didn’t care either way as long as she was happy. We were scheduled to find out what we were having after new years, which was soon since it was going to be Christmas in a few days. We invited Carl come stay with us over the holiday, the Fed’s agreed to drop all charges against him if he testified against Giovanni and the rest of the guys, thankfully most of them were looking at very lengthy jail time. It also saved Fiona from having to testify in court, I wanted to avoid that at all costs because she didn’t need that kind of stress for her or the baby.

  “Can we decorate the tree now?” She beamed causing me to sigh. I was exhausted but couldn’t deny her happiness.

  Luke and both our dad’s had been here earlier helping us get situated but they all finagled their way out of staying for more than a couple hours. I handed her each ornament so she could decorate the lower half I did the high ones since I didn’t want her getting on a ladder. Once she was satisfied I demanded bedtime. I loved bedtime with her; we’d spent every night at either one of our houses since I got out of the hospital but now we had our house. We walked hand in hand up the stairs to the master bedroom. I stripped down to my boxers and handed her my shirt, she pulled my shirt over her head like she did every night and rubbed her hand over my newest tattoo. Fiona. I had it tattooed over my heart where it belonged. We climbed into bed and I pulled her close to my side rubbing my hand over our son or daughter when she screamed.

  “Are you okay?” I asked in complete panic.

  “Did you feel that?” She asked breathing heavily.

  “Yeah the baby kicked. Haven’t you been doing your reading?” I teased. I read every parenting, birth, and fatherhood book I could get my hands on and she teased me relentlessly because of it. I even got a DiaperDude diaper bag when we were out looking at furniture for the nursery.

  “That was the weirdest thing I’ve ever felt in my life, I’ve only felt little flutters up until now.” I kissed her passionately. I pulled her close and drifted to sleep.

  The next morning I moved out from under a sleeping Fiona and looked out the window facing the backyard only to see it had snowed last night. I headed downstairs to make her breakfast in bed. I whipped up some scrambled eggs and toast. I grabbed a box of orange juice putting it all on a tray and headed back up the stairs when I heard what sounded like glass shattering. I placed the tray down on the stairs and looked out the window next to the door, sure enough the windshield on Fiona’s R8 was completely gone. I scanned the outside of the house but didn’t see anything. We’d had the house set up with security cameras so I’d check it out while Fiona was eating her breakfast. I picked the tray up and headed back to our bedroom.

  “Wake up sleepyhead.” I said placing the tray on the end table.

  “Morning.” She said groggily. I felt bad for waking her up since I knew how much the pregnancy took out of her but really should go to school and if she didn’t eat when she woke up she didn’t feel good. I walked over to my side and opened up my MacBook pulling up the security software. I zoomed in on the driveway camera to see a black Tahoe doing a drive-by tossing what looked like a brick or something towards the car. I needed to go check it out. I’d let her Fiona fall back asleep, I decided since it was right before winter break I’d just let her sleep they wouldn’t be giving out any assignments anyway. I threw on a pair of sweats and headed downstairs. I pulled on my jacket and boots walking cautiously to the car. There was a rock with a note attached.

  You will pay for getting away!

  Garrett… I couldn’t think of who else it could be. He was supposed to be held on bail. I jogged back into the house and called Luke. Once I filled him in on what happened he was on his way. Him and Levi were going to call a wreaker to take the car so Fiona wouldn’t know anything happened I didn’t need her being stressed, it wasn’t good for the baby. When Luke came inside I showed him the note and he seemed just as confused as I was about Garrett being out on bail, Levi put in a call to see if he could find out who put up the bail which was set at one-million no ten percent. Luke and I played x-box for a while until Fiona came downstairs looking mussed up and sexy, my t-shirt’s were starting to strain against her midriff. I made a mental note to pick up some bigger ones next time I went to the store.

  “Morning.” She croaked walking over and climbing into my lap wrapping her arms around my neck.

  “Morning princess.” I said kissing her lips lightly. I knew Luke approved but I still didn’t think he’d like to see me mauling his sister in front of him.

  “Hey Luke what are you doing here? Why didn’t you wake me up? We missed school.”

  “I know baby but you looked exhausted and I didn’t want to wake you up plus I doubt there’s much going on today anyway.”

  “Good morning to you too sis.” He teased. “Why don’t you go back to bed you look exhausted.”

  “’Kay.” She mumbled trying to climb off my lap but I picked her up and carried her back upstairs. Levi got a call back saying the bail was confidential but it would seem from the description of the surveillance video that Gigi had put up the cash. When they were together he has apparently added her to his bank accounts. He was furious, but knew she was a women scorned and who knew what she was really capable of. While we were sitting around Carl arrived saying that he was on his way. We filled him in on what happened.

  “What did you say her last name was?”

  “Cipriani.” Levi said.

  “That’s Joey Cipriani’s daughter, he’s a crime syndicate in Biloxi, we’ve had dealings with him in the past. He’s a mean son-of-a-bitch.”

  “This just keeps getting better and better.” I mumbled.

  “Listen just keep extra vigilant and make sure Fiona doesn’t go anywhere alone. I doubt he wants anything to do with this he’s more into the drug and weapon trade.” Carl said.

  “Well as you know I’m planning the proposal tonight. Can one of you trail behind to keep an eye on anything suspicious? I’d cancel but it took so much planning I don’t want to have to reschedule everything.” I’d put so much thought into this I wanted it to be perfect.

  “I’ll trail you.” Carl said.

  “I’ll come with you.” Luke said. I felt better knowing they wouldn’t let anything happen.

  “Thanks. Listen I better go have
her get ready. Let’s try and keep this quiet I don’t want to upset her.” I headed upstairs.

  “Hey princess. Time to get up. We have plans tonight.” I slid in bed behind her.

  “Hey.” She said giving me a shy smile. “I can’t believe I slept most of the day.”

  “You obviously needed it.”

  We both got ready. I made sure she dressed warm for what I was planning. Once we were in the car I put a blindfold on her partly because I wanted her to be surprised but I also didn’t want her to see that Luke and Carl were trailing behind us.

  “Where are we going?” She asked.

  “It’s a surprise.” The ring in my pocket felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. I wasn’t concerned with her saying no since I’d already asked her and she accepted but I wanted her to have a real proposal something that she could tell our kids about.

  We arrived at The Barn where I had the entire back of the restaurant closed off. I had ordered buffalo wings, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and iced tea as well as chocolate cake and ice cream. Her face lit up like a kid on Christmas. I had made a compilation CD of all our songs playing lowly in the background. She loved when I sang for her so I decided to sing part of The Gaslight Anthems ‘Biloxi Parish’

  “I’ve been fumbling with your heart strings and that’s good enough for me

  and if I’ve rained on one of yours for hours then I know I must be working

  Try it on for size my darling see what a man you can make of me

  I will eventually haunt you but you’ll eventually be my queen

  And I’ll be with you through the dark so that you do not go through the dark alone

  On your own

  I’ve been down at Biloxi Parish and that’s all the same to me

  I found that nothing truly matters that you cannot find for free.

  I love you more than I can tell you and when you pass through from this world

  I hope you ask to take me with so I don’t have to wait for long