Two Of Hearts (Three Of A Kind #2)

by Beth Rinyu

  I reached over and caressed his face. “Jason, this is not your fault in any way, please don’t think that.”

  He pushed my hair behind my ear and kissed me on the forehead. “I’m sorry for what I said to you last night, Carrie. I didn’t mean it.”

  “I don’t want to fight with you anymore, Jason.”

  He nodded, but still looked a million miles away and knowing Jason the way that I did, I knew he was still beating himself up over Teigan.

  “Oh, no, the blood bank is closed,” I said to the nurse as she appeared from behind the curtain. “Take it from him and say it’s mine,” I joked and pointed at Jason. I was happy when I saw him finally crack a smile.

  “Relax. I’m not here for more blood.” She laughed. “I just need to take your blood pressure again.” I gave her my arm and looked over at Jason who was just staring straight ahead, blankly. I wished I could cheer him up, even a little.

  “Ah shit, my dad just called,” Jason said, looking down at his phone.

  “Well go outside and call him back.”

  “Will you be okay?”

  “Umm…Jas, in case you haven’t noticed….I’m in a hospital.” He flashed me an adorable grin. “Whatever you do….please do not tell him where I am! My mother will cancel their trip and be here in a matter of minutes.”

  “I won’t, I promise. I’ll be right back,” he mumbled as he walked out.

  I knew that Jason was always hard on himself when it came to certain things and this thing with Teigan was tearing him up inside. “Okay, Carrie.” I jumped at the sound of the doctor’s voice as he came from behind the curtain. “I’m Doctor Vargo,” he said as he scanned over my chart. “Blood work looks good…”

  “Told ya! I could have saved you all a lot of time and needles and myself a lot of blood!”

  He shook his head and smiled. “The work-up did show that you are pregnant.” Suddenly my know it all attitude deserted me.

  “Oh.” I responded very meekly. I didn’t know why I was shocked. Having sex without a condom equals a risk of pregnancy. Having sex twice without one doubles that chance. It wasn’t rocket science. Still, I didn’t think it would really happen. Not now, anyway. The doctor began to give me his spiel about eating three meals a day and drinking plenty of water, especially now that it wasn’t only me I had to worry about. I halfheartedly listened the entire time, wondering when I should break this news to Jason. Not tonight, that was for sure, he was too out of it over Teigan, and I wasn’t sure how he’d take it. I wanted him to be fully focused when I did. I wanted it to be the perfect moment. One that we could both look back on with happiness instead of one that would just take his mind off a horrible situation. So many thoughts going through my head, but I was feeling nothing but complete joy over this whole situation. It wasn’t part of my plan just yet. When I forged out my life plan years ago, I didn’t intend on having children until I was at least thirty and married and certainly not with Jason, but sometimes things happen and the best of those things are those that aren’t planned out to perfection. And this was definitely one of those things. The doctor was wrapping up with his instructions and exiting when Jason walked back in.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  I nodded, wanting to burst with the information that I had just learned, but his grayish eyes and the look on his face told me not to. I always knew when Jason had a lot on his mind and tonight he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  ***

  During the ride back to my apartment, I managed to redirect Jason’s questions about what the doctor said, assuring him that what had happened tonight was just from dehydration, and he seemed content with that. I felt bad keeping something like this from him, especially when it involved him, but I just knew that now was not the time. He walked me inside and was getting ready to leave after he made sure that I ate something more than just the crackers and juice they had given me at the hospital. I didn’t want him to go. I wanted him to stay, like he normally would before this little blow-up that we had gotten into the other night, but I knew the fight wasn’t why he was leaving, and was the last thing on his mind right now. I knew the reason he wanted to go was because he wanted to be alone and unnecessarily torment himself over something that wasn’t his fault. I wasn’t going to allow him to do that to himself, and I would use whatever means necessary to make sure that it didn’t happen.

  “Are you gonna be okay?” he asked, reaching for his keys from the kitchen counter. I shook my head. “Well, what’s the matter? Do you need something?”

  “Yeah, I do…you.”

  He stared down at me like he was battling internally with allowing himself any pleasure. So, I moved my hand under his jeans and boxers, helping him surrender to himself and me and give in to what we both wanted. It didn’t take him long to raise the white flag…among other things, reassuring me that he wasn’t going to be alone with his thoughts tonight. Instead, he was going to be with me and our baby….even though he didn’t know it yet. I smiled at that thought…..our baby. Mine and Jason’s. If someone had told me that would be a reality back in high school when I first laid eyes on him, I would have laughed in their face, but here I was, years later, smiling so deeply on the inside that I felt like I was going to burst over that same reality.

  ***

  Jason

  Sex was the last thing on my mind tonight, but Carrie had a way of making me change my way of thinking. I pressed my lips against hers and she pulled me closer, taking my face in her hands and kissing me deeply. I lifted her shirt over her head and she did the same for me. She began to kiss my chest as I breathed in the familiar scent of her perfume. Reaching behind her, I unhooked her bra, throwing it on the floor and taking her breast in my mouth. She threw her head back against the wall and let out a moan. I had never felt such a need for her like I did at that moment. Her hands moved back to my waist, and she unbuttoned my jeans while my tongue glided down her neck. I pulled down my jeans and boxers, reaching under her skirt and moving her panties out of the way. Placing my hand under her thigh, I lifted her up and wrapped her leg around my waist, pushing her against the wall and easing myself into her. I closed my eyes, wanting to be in the moment forever.

  “Oh Jason,” she whispered, running her hand through my hair as I moved in and out of her, each breath becoming heavier. Her hands moved up and down my back as I continued the rhythm, feeling her body finally giving in and contracting around me. She let out a loud cry of pleasure as I continued my movements until I finally found my own release.

  “I love you so much, Carrie.”

  She placed a gentle kiss on my cheek while I tried to catch my breath.

  “I love you, too. Does this mean we’ve officially made up?” She smiled, exposing the cute little dimple in her left cheek. I managed my best smile back and nodded. “Good, then let’s go into the bedroom and make up some more.” She stood on her tippy toes, brushed her lips against my cheek before taking my hand and leading me into her bedroom.

  ***

  Carrie rested her head on my shoulder and ran her finger along my chest. "Are you feeling a little better?" she asked.

  "I just keep thinking about him lying there in that hospital bed. When I talked to him just the other day, he promised that he was going to get his act together. He was supposed to start back up at school next week and for the first time, he was actually talking about what he wanted to do after he graduates."

  "Yeah, he told me the same thing when he was in to see me the other day." She let out a deep sigh.

  "And, now he's fighting for his life,” I whispered.

  "Jason, I know you feel terrible over this and so do I, but Teigan chose to go to that party. He knew what type of kids were going to be there. You were just doing your job when you arrested that kid. This was not your fault in any way at all. If anything, you helped Teigan. If it weren't for you believing in him, he may have been a lot worse off by now. So many other cops would have just brushed him off as
another bad kid and let the system handle him. You went above and beyond, so please don't feel like you had anything to do with this."

  "I just.... I feel so bad for his dad too. He reminds me a lot of my dad. Hardworking and trying to be the best father he can be. I just keep thinking, what if I had done that to my father?"

  "But, you didn't, Jas. You were the best son he could ever ask for, just like you’re the best boyfriend." She stretched her neck and kissed me on the lips. "Now, about Brett."

  "Carrie, really. I don't want to talk about that."

  "Well, too bad. I want to get this out there. I truly had no clue that he was stopping by."

  "Carrie, it's fine." The last thing I wanted to talk about was Brett, but she was determined to get it out.

  "He apologized for what he did, and I apologized to him as well."

  I lifted my head from the pillow and stared down at her. "What did you apologize to him for?"

  "For being in love with you the whole time I was with him."

  I didn't think I could love Carrie any more than I already did, but each time I was with her she would manage to do or say something that made me realize that my love for her couldn't be measured. "I love you Carrie, I really do, and I’m so sorry for flying off the handle at you and saying what I did yesterday."

  "Jas, we went over this at the hospital. We're good. Remember?"

  "Yeah, I know, but I just felt like it needed to be said again."

  "Well, apology accepted.....again."

  "So, we're definitely good then?"

  "Yup, we are......except..."

  "What?"

  "Well.....does little Miss License, Insurance and Registration know you're taken?"

  "Who?"

  She rolled her eyes and did her best imitation. "Umm....Jason, can I talk to you for a minute." I couldn't hold back my laughter knowing right away that she was mimicking Jackie.

  "Carrie, you are so crazy......and that's why I love you so much." I hovered over top of her and kissed her neck, preparing to show her just how much I loved her once again.

  Chapter 30

  Carrie

  Two days had passed and Teigan was slowly being brought out of his coma. Jason had been spending all of his downtime at the hospital and would come home disheartened each time, making it impossible for me to find the perfect moment to tell him my news. Even the doctor’s optimistic outlook on Teigan's recovery didn't make him feel any better, and I knew exactly why, he was still blaming himself. It was as if he was now on some mission to make sure that the kids that did this to him got what they deserved. I was practically bursting with need to tell him. I had been avoiding calling Gia for fear that I would slip to her. I was so glad that my mom and Ben were still in Aruba because I knew if she was around, I wouldn't be able to hold back. Jason had to be the first one to hear it. No one else was going to get that news before him. I had scheduled my first doctor's appointment for next week, and knew I had to tell him before then, I just wished that he would snap out of it by then.

  I stopped off at my grandparents on my way home from work to check on Rufus like I had promised mom. When I walked in, I found my grandmother in her usual spot - in the kitchen cooking, and when I looked out the window, my grandfather was in his usual summertime spot - his garden.

  "Hey Gram!" I shouted, startling her as she turned around from the stove.

  "Oh, Carrie you scared me!" She held her hand over her heart and smacked me lightly on the butt. My grandparent's house lived up to the old people stereotype, right down to the retro kitchen, the plastic slipcovers on the sofas, and the strong scent of mothballs that hit you in the face as soon as you walked through the door.

  "Sorry," I giggled, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Where's Rufus?"

  “Did she send you over here to check on him? I raised two kids, babysat for you and your sister from the time you were in diapers, and she doesn't trust us with the dog?" She asked with her hand on her hip.

  I couldn't hold back my laughter, every time my grandmother would get uptight over something, her Italian accent would come out ever so slightly.

  "No, she didn’t....okay, she did, but I came over to see you and Pop too."

  She shook her head. "He's outside with Pop. Poor dog, she never lets him play outside; she said he stinks when he does. Dogs are supposed to stink!" Suddenly, I was seeing a grooming appointment for Rufus in the very near future. Like the minute my mother came to pick him up. "Look at him out there." She smiled at Rufus, running around aimlessly. "Dogs need to run, not sit around all day."

  "Well, it's awful hot out there today, and you know, Rufus is an old man."

  She waved her hand in a dismissing manner. "So is your grandfather, and he's still out there. Sit down, honey. Let me get you something to eat."

  "Oh no, I'm good, really."

  "I got some nice meatballs cooking on the stove. You want a nice meatball sandwich?" My grandmother was the ultimate food pusher who wouldn’t take no for answer. "Or do you want something sweet? I made a nice German chocolate cake yesterday." Another thing about my grandmother, everything she made was nice.

  “Actually, I’ll take some mean chocolate cake if you have some.” I busted out with laughter over the look of confusion on her face.

  She waved her hand in the air once she finally got it. “Such a wise guy! Just like your mother.”

  She opened up the refrigerator door and began to take out the cake.

  “Gram, I’m really not hungry at all. Will you just sit down? I haven’t talked to you in a while.”

  “Okay, well at least have a nice cup of coffee.” I finally relented and had a cup of tea, not that I really wanted that either, but if that’s what it took to get her to sit down and relax, then I would force it down.

  “So, what’s been going on, sweetie? How’s work?”

  “It’s good. I’m -”

  “How’s Jason?”

  “He’s -”

  “You haven’t heard from that other one, have you?”

  My head was spinning. I paused before answering her last question, figuring there would just be another rattled off before I had a chance to reply. The “other one” was an endearment that use to be solely reserved for my dad but was now passed on to Brett.

  “As a matter of fact, I did the other day.”

  Her eyes widened as if I had committed murder. “Carrie! Why would you even give him the time of day after what he did to you?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “Because I really don’t care. I ended up with the best boyfriend ever in the long run.”

  A huge smile stretched across her face. “Aww, that Jason. He is such a good boy and such a handsome one too. Well, his dad is too. I told your mother she upgraded from that other one when she married him.”

  Even though my mother had let it go, my grandmother still held a grudge against my father for what he did to her. Much like my mom, who still held a grudge against Brett.

  “Yes, Gram, Ben is very handsome, but that other one is very handsome too, and he’s still my dad.”

  She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her.

  “There’s my beautiful granddaughter!” My grandfather’s voice carried from the back door just as it slammed shut.

  “Look at the mud you’re tracking in!” my grandmother scolded, looking down at her once spotless floor, now covered in dirt. My grandfather ignored her and bent down to give me a kiss, while she hurriedly got up and reached for the broom.

  “Rufus!” I looked down when I felt a cold wet nose, pressing against my leg and my mother’s once white dog was unrecognizable, covered in mud from head to tail.

  “Yeah, yeah….I know, he’s getting a bath,” My grandfather chimed in before I could get any words out.

  “Well, my mom comes home in two days. I don’t think that’s even enough time to get all that dirt off him.”

  “Oh my goodness! Get him in the bathtub now before he jumps up on my f
urniture!” My grandmother yelled when she set her eyes upon Rufus. Not that it would have mattered, all she’d have to do is wipe down the plastic.

  My grandfather scooped up Rufus in his arms and headed up to the bathroom, shouting along the way, “Carrie, don’t go anywhere. I got some nice tomatoes from my garden that I want to give you.”

  Honestly was anything in this house not nice?

  After my grandmother swept up the mud and then broke out the mop, she finally made an attempt to sit back down. She was halfway in her seat when she got back up and stuck her head in the fridge. “I need a glass of this to settle my nerves,” she said, placing the bottle on the table. When she pulled out two wine glasses from the cabinet, my nerves started to rattle.

  “Oh, no. None for me.” I pushed the glass away from me.

  “Oh, you have to taste this, we got it when we were on vacation at one of the wineries in the Finger Lakes.” She totally ignored my protest and poured me a glass anyway.

  “No, I really don’t want it.”

  “Oh, Carrie, have a little. You know, they say a glass of red wine a day is good –“

  “I can’t. I’m pregnant.” Did I really just blurt that out? There were a million and one other reasons that I could have used to not drink that glass of wine, and I had to break out the big guns. I didn’t know who was more stunned by that admission, me or my grandmother. When she gulped down the entire glass of wine in seconds, I was going with my grandmother. “Sorry – I didn’t mean to shock you with that.”

  “I’m just – “ she shook her head. “It’s just, you’re still my little grandbaby and now you’re gonna –“. Tears spilled from her eyes. She reached over and gave me a hug. “When are you due?” I could hear the excitement building in her voice.

  “I’m not sure. I actually found out the other night, kinda by accident. Jason and I were visiting a friend in the hospital and I passed out. When they did the blood work it came up.”

  “Oh honey, why did you pass out?”