by Vicki Green
I turn towards him with tears in my eyes. I can’t stop them from running down my face. Dang, I’m such a crying mess anymore. “Baby, baby. What’s wrong? You know you can tell me anything. You look so scared,” Jesse says as he reaches up and cups my face in his right hand.
My chin is quivering now. “I. I. I took another pregnancy test yesterday.” I swallow hard. Oh, my God, help me! I swallow hard. “Jesse? It was positive.”
I look into his eyes trying to gage his reaction. He smiles. He smiles? Huh? Not what I was expecting at all.
“Wow! Baby! That’s awesome! I am so happy!” He yells as he grabs me into a crushing hug. He pushes me away quickly with his hands on my shoulders. “Oh, sorry! Did I hurt you? I guess I am just more excited than I thought.” He laughs.
I am sitting there, tears still streaming, and I am looking really confused. “You’re really happy about this?” I ask.
Now Jesse is the one that looks confused. “Why wouldn’t I be happy? You’re gonna have a baby. I’m ecstatic!!!” He says searching my eyes. He slumps his shoulders and looks deflated now. “You’re not happy about this,” he says as a statement, not a question.
I shake my head. “No, I am happy, truly. But, Jesse? How will we know if it’s your baby or- or-or not yours?” I ask him pleadingly.
He holds me close and tight. “Baby, we will find out but either way, I will love this baby because it’s a part of you. If it’s not mine, we will have other chances to have our own. Now,” he says pulling back and looking at me with concern. “You need to not worry about that, at all. You’re mine and there is nothing in this world that can happen to change that. I mean it, Cassie.”
I am crying harder now, reaching for him and putting my arms around his neck. “I was so scared to tell you. I can’t lose you, I would die without you, Jesse,” I cry into his chest.
“Baby, shhhh. You’ll never lose me. You’re stuck with me forever. Don’t you ever forget that,” he says laughing. He pulls back a bit, “Hey, now. No more tears unless they are happy tears, ok? We need to get you to a doctor soon and have them make sure everything is ok with you and the baby, right?”
I am now wiping my eyes with my hands, still sniffling. “Yes, I have a phone number for one that Stella gave me. I’m sorry that I told her first, but I needed someone to talk to.”
He shakes his head. “No, baby. I understand and Stella’s like your mom. It was good that you went to her,” he says as he hugs me again. “I’m so proud of you, my brave girl.”
As I move back I see his eyes now have tears in them too. I put my hand on his cheek. “You’ve saved me again, Jesse. I love you so much.” I kiss him lightly. He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “I will always save you when you need saving, baby. I am your Savior, Forever.”
~*~*~*~
The next morning I call Stella’s OB, well mine now too, and they were able to get me in that afternoon. I am so relieved. Jesse insisted that he go with me. Hell, who am I to argue? I want him there so I definitely didn’t put up a fuss.
~*~*~*~*
After peeing in a cup and being thoroughly examined, we are sitting in a small office in front of Dr. Zellar. He is an older man, gray hair, wide rimmed glasses, but looks like a nice man, almost fatherly.
With a smile on his face he rubs his hands together. “Well, congratulations are in order. It’s a little too soon to determine a due date. I am going to have you come back in two weeks to check you again. But if I were to guess due to what you put in your paperwork,” he says looking at the paper, “I would say sometime towards the end of December.” He smiles over to me and Jesse.
Jesse looks over to me and smiles with a wide grin. He takes my right hand and squeezes.
“Here are prescriptions for prenatal vitamins and something for your upset stomach,” he says leaning over to give me the scripts.
The doctor clears his throat and lays down the paper. He pulls his glasses down a bit and looks at me with concern. “I’m sorry I have to ask about this but I noticed in your information that you have been sexually assaulted recently.” I nod slowly. “Were you checked out after, was everything ok physically?”
“Um, yes. Everything was ok. Dr. Zellar, is there a way you can test to see if the baby is Jesse’s?” I ask pleadingly.
Dr. Zellar looks at Jesse, then back at me and smiles. “Actually, yes there is. We simply take a blood sample from you and Jesse and run a DNA test. They are very accurate with the latest technology. Also, at that time, I would like to do an ultrasound. After all the stress you’ve been under it’s a good idea to check and make sure your baby is doing ok.”
I look at Jesse and smile. Finally, I could find out for sure who the father is. I am actually hopeful for once.
Jesse looks over to the doctor. “So, how far along does she need to be in order to do this test?”
The doctor smiles at Jesse. “She needs to be at least 9 weeks along in her pregnancy and by her test today and her information,” he looks at the papers again, “she may be only a few weeks along. You can just make an appointment on your way out to have the test done in 6 weeks.”
I smile at him, then at Jesse. “Um, Jesse? Can I have just a few minutes alone with Dr. Zellar?” He nods at me and leaves the room.
“Ahem, doctor, um, Jesse and I have only had unprotected sex once.” I am so uncomfortable talking about this. “So, um, is there even a chance that the baby can be Jesse’s?”
He leans forward and rests his elbows on his desk, clasping his hands. “Cassie. If you were ovulating at that time and there was no protection, then yes, the baby could be Jesse’s. But the test will tell us for sure. It is such a small chance that it wouldn’t be because of the Morning-After-Pill you took. Try not to worry.”
I am feeling more hopeful and relieved by the time we get home. We have a quiet dinner and go to bed early. I am exhausted.
I slowly awake to a loud banging. It sounds like someone is beating on our front door. I look over at the clock on the dresser. 3 AM? What the fuck? Jesse stirs in the bed behind me and I feel his arm tighten around my body. “Who the hell can that be,” he asks in my hair. I start to move to get up but his arm pulls me back into him. “No, baby. You go back to sleep. I’ll go get rid of whoever is knocking down our door,” he says quietly.
I sigh and snuggle into his warm body. “Um, baby?” He laughs. “You have to let me get up.”
I groan, “But you’re nice and warm. I’m cold and you feel so good.” He whispers in my hair, “I’ll warm you back up when I get back.”
I finally move a bit so he can get out of bed. I start to drift off but hear him yelling as he opens the front door. It gets quiet, and I can’t hear anything anymore. Ok, now I am more than curious.
I get up, put my robe on and head to the stairs. I stop abruptly as I look down and see Allie standing in front of Jesse. He has his arms around her and I can hear her crying into his chest and blubbering on about something. What the hell?
I watch Allie and Jesse walk towards the family room as I descend the stairs. Once I get there they are sitting on the couch. Allie has quieted down now and is sitting there sniffling.
I grab a Kleenex from the end table and hand it to her. She stands and envelopes me in a hug. “Oh, Cassie. I am so sorry to wake you guys up. But-But I didn’t know where else to go.” She starts crying again. I look at Jesse who is clearly concerned for his sister. I push her back and ask her, “What’s wrong Allie? Are you ok?”
She shakes her head, sits back down and blows her nose. “Dad and I got in the biggest fight. I told him I wanted to leave and pursue my writing and he went crazy! He told me I would never make it writing, that I am stupid for wanting to try and if I leave his company he won’t have anything to do with me ever again!” She is blubbering now through her tears.
I sit in between her and Jesse and put my arm around her shoulder, patting it while trying to console her.
Jesse leaves us to get Allie a glass of water. �
��Allie, surely he doesn’t mean that? What father wouldn’t want anything to do with their child, really?”
Allie wipes her nose and turns to me. “Oh, Cassie. He can be so mean sometimes, especially if he doesn’t get what he wants. He doesn’t want me to leave his company. I am the hardest working employee he has.”
Jesse returns and gives her the water and sits back down by me. He puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me to him. I lay my head on his shoulder.
“Allie. Don’t worry about dad. You need to do what’s best for you, what you want. Life’s too short not to be happy and go after your dreams.” Jesse looks at me and whispers in my ear. I nod and smile. He then looks back at Allie. “We have plenty of room here Allie. It’s a perfect place to write your book. You can just stay here until you get on your feet.” Jesse smiles at her and then at me and winks.
Allie looks at us both, biting her nail. “Oh, I dunno. You guys are just starting out. You don’t need a third wheel hanging around.” She smiles shyly.
“Nonsense,” I say taking one of her hands in mine. “You’re like the sister I always wanted. We want you to, really. We don’t mind at all. You can take a bedroom in the basement, more privacy that way. It’s quiet and there’s a smaller room you can use as an office for writing. It’s like an apartment down there.”
Allie sighs, stands and lunges at us putting an arm around us both. “Oh! You guys are the greatest!” Jesse and I both laugh.
Once she releases us from her death grip, Allie sits back down beside me. Jesse looks at her and asks, “Ok, so when do you want to go and get your things?” Then he looks over at me. “I can just take her so you can get some rest, maybe start back at the Café, if you want. We’ll only be gone a few days. You ok with that?”
Allie interrupts, “No! I have all my stuff with me!” She smiles. “Huh? How?” Jesse starts to ask her. “I left after the fight and took everything I need. I was so mad that I had already decided to leave. It wasn’t until I started driving that I decided to come here. I just needed you guys.” She shrugs.
Jesse leans back into the couch and I let out a huge yawn. Jesse laughs and kisses my hair. “Ok. It’s late or I should say really, really early. Why don’t we get some sleep and then I will help you unload your car in the morning.” He smiles at Allie. “Late morning.”
We all stand. “Sounds good to me. I am beat! Thanks so much for taking me in and helping me out. I’ll just go get my small bag.” And with that she starts walking to the front door.
I get up and stop her, giving her a hug. “It’s no problem, Allie. We are glad to help. The bed is made down there so go ahead and get a good night sleep. We will talk more in the morning.” I laugh. “Or, when we get up.”
Chapter thirty-one
It’s close to noon when Jesse fixes us a huge breakfast. He sets everything up everything buffet style on the island counter.
“Hmmmm, everything looks and smells delicious,” I say looking up at Jesse as he holds me in his arms. He gives my mouth a peck. “Nothing but the best for my girls,” he chuckles.
Shortly after we sit down to eat Allie walks in yawning and gives us a small wave. She makes her way to the coffee pot, pours herself a cup and leans back against the counter. Taking a sip she closes her eyes. “Hmmmm, that’s just what I needed.”
After grabbing a plate and filling it with food she sits next to Jesse and begins to eat. “I will cook dinner. It’s the least I can do. I can pitch in with cooking, cleaning, whatever you guys need me to do. I have some money. I cleaned out my account on the way out of town so I can give some money for rent too,” she says with a mouth full of food. She looks at us, swallows then smiles.
Jesse swallows while shaking his head. “Nope, not needed, sis. Really, don’t worry about that, save your money for what you really need it for. You need to buy a desk and whatever for your writing so use it for that and any other expenses you have, ok?” I nod at him in agreement.
With tears in her eyes she smiles. “You’re the best brother I’ve ever had.”
Jesse laughs with a smirk, “I’m your only brother, but thanks.”
I look at Jesse, raise an eyebrow and cock my head. He nods and winks at me knowing what I am about to say. “Um, Allie? There’s something I want to tell you.” Jesse clears his throat and looks at me. “I mean that WE want to tell you.” I smile. Allie turns in her seat towards me and gives me her complete attention.
“So, we found out yesterday that I’m pregnant.” I say with a small smile. Allie starts to stand up but I wave her off so she sits back down looking confused. “Allie, we’re not sure yet if it’s Jesse’s baby, if you know what I mean. We are gonna have a DNA test done in 6 weeks and they will do an ultrasound then too, just to make sure the baby is ok.” I look at her with sadness in my eyes.
So quick I didn’t know what was happening, Allie is holding me and rocking me back and forth. She says in my ear, “Congrats! Oh, my God! I am gonna be an Aunt!” She is squealing now in my ear. Owwww!!
She looks over at me smiling wide. “Cassie. I will love that baby and be the best Aunt no matter what you find out. I will be there for you all the way!”
I am so relieved now. I can’t believe how much support I have from my friends. I should have never doubted them.
~*~*~*~
After we unload Allie’s car we take Jesse’s SUV to go find a desk. I cannot believe how full her car was. Not one more thing could have fit in there.
Once Allie picks out her desk and accessories Jesse tells us he wants to go into the computer store next door and look around. Allie and I decide to walk down the street so I tell Jesse we will meet him at the Café in a half an hour.
As Allie and I are walking down the street she abruptly stops me with her hand on my arm. She is staring at a tattoo parlor, called Bucks Tattoos. Original, I think to myself and grin.
Allie looks over at me. “I’ve always wanted a tattoo. Let’s go in and look around.”
“Ok, we can go but we’re not buying anything right now, Allie. We don’t have time since we are meeting Jesse,” I smirk. She smiles and nods at me.
We walk inside and I am mesmerized by all the tattoos that are adorning the walls. I walk over to a wall and begin perusing them.
“G’Day, ladies. How may I help you this fine day,” a sexy deep voice says from behind me. I spin around to see where that sexy voice came from and there stands a man with a large build and sandy brown hair that reaches to his shoulders. He has tattoo’s adorning his arms. I can only see his back as he is facing Allie.
Allie quickly looks over to me and then back at him. “Um, hi. This IS a fine day,” she says as she is grinning ear to ear. Oh my!
She moves closer to him and reaches out her hand. As he takes it, she begins shaking it. “I’m Alexa. Allie to my friends.” I roll my eyes and giggle. He continues to shake her hand all the while staring into her eyes.
“Well, aren’t you the beaut, Miss Allie,” he says in an accent that sounds familiar. Australian, maybe?
Allie blushes so much she is beginning to look like she has a severe sunburn. I giggle again.
He looks over at me quickly. Still shaking Allie’s hand he says to me, “And what is your name, lovely lady?”
“I’m Cassie. Nice to meet you.” I reach my hand out and wait for him to take mine. But he just stands there smiling at me still shaking Allie’s hand. I look down at their hands and back up to his eyes. He realizes that he hasn’t let go of her hand.
He turns back to Allie and finally releases her hand, his smile spreading even wider. “Oh! Sorry!” He says laughing, turns and shakes my hand. “I’m Shane Barton. Nice to meet you lovely ladies.” He drops his hand quickly.
Now that I get a better look at him can you say HOT? He is wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt. His eyes are a dark brown, so dark they almost look black. The dimple to the right of his mouth really stands out when he smiles.
Turning back to Allie he looks up and
down her body, slowly, eventually coming back to meet her eyes. “So,” he says rubbing his hands together, “are either of you interested in getting a tattoo? We do fine work here.”
“Actually,” I speak up, “I have been thinking about getting a tattoo and I actually know what I want and where but I can’t for a while. Sorry, but I would like to look through your books to see if you might have what I am looking for, if that’s ok?”
He turned to me and nods. “Sure! No problem. Step right over here to the counter and hopefully we have what you want. If not, if you can bring me a picture of it,” he says guiding me to the counter. Allie follows us and stands next to me at the counter.
“Um, do you have any books with symbols? I know the one I want,” I ask. Shane nods and pulls out a book from underneath the counter.
“I’ll just give you ladies some time. I have another book in the back that might have what you’re looking for in case that one doesn’t,” he says as he turns and walks to the back of the store.
I open the book and begin looking through the pages of symbols. Allie nudges me on my arm. “I didn’t know you wanted to get a tat. How cool! I’ve wanted to get one for a long time but haven’t found the one that I really want to get yet. That and my dad would have freaked.”
“Hey, Allie? Please don’t tell Jesse. I mean I wouldn’t ask you to lie to him or anything but just don’t share, ok? I want to surprise him. Of course I can’t get it until after the baby is born. Can you keep a secret that long?” I say while smirking.
Allie crosses her heart with her finger. “Mum's the word, sista,” she says winking.
“Ah! What’s the secret? I won’t tell,” Shane says waggling his eyebrows. I giggle as I look up at him. He hands me another book and I quickly begin to thumb through it. After several pages I slam my finger down. “Oh, my God! That’s it! This one right here!” We all look down at where my finger is and it’s the heart shaped symbol that Jesse has on his arm.