Jackie Clarke awoke with a start when the alarm went off. Groaning, she slowly rolled over and slapped the snooze button, hoping to gain another five minutes of sleep before she had to absolutely get out of bed. She didn't really want to go out today. All she wanted to do was stay home in bed and sleep. She hadn't been feeling well for the past week and Kevin and the kids were starting to get concerned. But in the end, she knew she had an on-post business meeting and it would look pretty bad for the post commander's wife not to show up to the meeting. The alarm sounded a second time and this time she got out of bed, hoping her recent nausea wouldn't strike again. Sadly that didn't happen as she found herself hugging the toilet thirty seconds later, "Mom?" she heard Sophie call from the hall.
Jackie quickly got up, flushed the toilet, and rinsed her mouth before opening the bathroom door, "What is it honey?"
Sophie opened the door and stuck her head in the room before she asked, "Are you okay? You went to bed awfully early last night."
Jackie forced a smile and approached her daughter, kissing Sophie's forehead, "I'm okay Soph. Probably just some stomach bug."
Sophie nodded and said, "Well, Emmalin and I were going to go the movies today. Is that okay?"
Jackie smiled and said, "Of course sweetheart. Have a good time."
"Thanks Mom," Sophie beamed and left the room. Jackie sighed and went to shower and dress before heading down to the kitchen to find something she could stomach. Not much appealed to her so she finally settled on some yogurt before heading to the meeting. When she got to the main hall, she immediately regretted not eating more than yogurt as she could already feel the headache she had had since last night getting worse. She smiled weakly and took a seat next to Claudia Joy. After the meeting, the three women decided to go back to Denise's house for lunch.
Once they arrived at Denise's house, she turned to Jackie and asked, "Are you okay Jackie? You were quiet the whole meeting."
Jackie perked her head up as she was nodding off again, "Yeah, yeah. Just not feeling great. I think it might be a mild case of the flu or something."
"Oh really?" asked Claudia Joy, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course," said Jackie, though her voice waivered slightly.
"Well what have your symptoms been?" asked Denise.
"Denise," said Jackie in a warning tone.
"Hey, I'm just saying maybe your nurse practitioner friend can help you figure out what might be causing your issues," said Denise.
"Fine," succumbed Jackie sitting down and taking a sip of tea, "I've been tired all the time, moody, like I flipped out on Kevin over nothing the other day, nauseous…"
"And vomiting," ventured Claudia Joy with an eyebrow raise.
"Yeah," admitted Jackie, "Mostly it's in the morning but it can strike at any time of the day. I honestly haven't felt this way since I was pregnant." Both Denise and Claudia Joy snickered a little and Jackie glowered at them, "What?"
"Think about what you just said Jackie," said Denise gently.
Jackie thought about it for a few moments, "I said I haven't felt this way since I was…" she paused and shook her head, "No, no way!"
"Think about it Jackie, you did just say you've been exhibiting signs of early pregnancy," said Claudia Joy, "Have you had tender breasts on top of everything else?"
Jackie faltered before she spoke again, "Maybe," she said softly.
Denise took Jackie's hand and asked, "Jackie, when was the last time you got your period?"
"Denise, I've been so irregular lately I wouldn't know when my last one was. You know menopause naturally happens eventually," said Jackie, casually sipping her tea.
"So you and Kevin were slacking on the birth control," said Denise.
"Y-Yes," Jackie stuttered, "I thought I was unable…"
"Trust me Jackie, I can't say it's common, but I've seen it before, women pregnant in their mid-forties," said Denise.
Jackie sighed, her rational side in complete agreement with the two women in front of her, "I have to go to the PX later today to pick up some things. I'll get a couple pregnancy tests then."
Later that day, Jackie arrived at the PX and gathered the items she needed, hoping to avoid the family planning aisle for as long as possible. She still didn't believe Denise and Claudia Joy 100% about being pregnant. Finally she couldn't put it off any longer so she went and quickly grabbed three tests before heading to the register. She handed the cashier her ID card and started putting the items on the counter, "Ma'am," the cashier nodded happily. Jackie smiled and nodded politely as the cashier rung up the items. She smiled and handed Jackie her bag and receipt. She looked around to make sure no one was listening and said, "Good luck ma'am."
When Jackie arrived home, she was too distracted by other things to bother taking the tests. Okay maybe she was putting off taking the tests, but before she knew it, Sophie was home from the movies and Kevin and Patrick were home from work so she didn't have time anyways. Soon after Patrick and Sophie had gone to bed, Kevin confronted Jackie, "Are you alright 'Key? You didn't eat much at dinner."
"I'm fine," Jackie lied though Kevin sighed when she answered. He could always tell when she was lying, "Just a busy day with Claudia Joy and Denise that's all."
"I thought all you three ladies did was go to a meeting and then lunch at Denise's?" questioned Kevin.
"I did and then I went to the PX," she said, "Now can you please just drop it?" she shouted irritably.
Kevin sighed and came up behind her, rubbing her shoulders, "Honey, will you please tell me what's going on?"
"I'll tell you what's going on! I think I'm pregnant Kevin!" she blurted out unintentionally. Kevin stood there a little shocked before he inhaled a deep breath and scrubbed his hand over his face, not knowing what to think or say. Jackie started to cry and said, "I'm…I'm sorry I didn't mean to tell you that."
Kevin sat down on the bed, still trying to absorb the information. He patted the bed and Jackie sat down next to him. She sat down and he took her hand, "Do you know for sure?"
Jackie shook her head, "N-No. I bought the tests today after Denise made me realize I might be, but I've been too afraid to take them. I mean, I was afraid of your reaction, of the kids' reactions, of everything that could go wrong…"
"'Key," Kevin interrupted her, stroking her face, "I know this would be extremely unplanned, but a new little Clarke, I mean I couldn't think of anything more exciting. I know the risks of complications do increase with age, but you eat well, exercise, and are in good shape. We have enough money to raise another child."
"But, we'll be starting over. Patrick is now in the Army himself and Sophie will be away at college in another year," said Jackie.
Kevin smiled and wiped away the tears running down her cheeks, "Well then we won't feel the pain of the empty nest now will we?" Jackie chuckled lightly and Kevin squeezed her hands, "Now, we need to know one way or another 'Key." Jackie nodded and pulled the tests from her nightstand drawer. A few minutes later, they were both anxiously sitting on the bed waiting for the timer on Kevin's iPhone to buzz. Kevin grabbed her hand, "Honey, it's going to be okay."
Jackie nodded nervously, "I know it's just a lot to think about going through everything again."
The alarm sounded and Kevin rubbed Jackie's back, "You ready 'Key?"
Jackie nodded and looked at the tests to find three little words staring back at her. Each test clearly read 'Pregnant'. Jackie started to cry only unlike she had originally thought they would be, they were tears of joys. She turned around to face her husband and grinned from ear to ear, "I'm pregnant Kevin! We're having a baby!" Kevin eagerly stood and observed the tests himself. He kept a straight face as he pulled her closer to him, and soon began to passionately kiss her. He leaned back and gazed into her blue eyes, a few tears falling down his cheeks. He was at a loss for words, but he didn't need any, "You don't have to say anything," Jackie smiled, leaning in for another kiss.