Cat's Out of the Bag

Chapter 1

"I guess the cat's out of the bag, huh?" Joe asked Taylor as she slipped out of the dress and into sweats and a hoodie.

"Guess so," she said shortly.

Joe looked at her. He felt rotten. He had screwed up earlier at Clarke and Cailin's wedding. Everything was fine, then Kelly had announced that he and Erin had eloped when they were in Vegas. Cailin, in total shock, had asked if anyone else had any other earth shaking announcements. Foolishly, he had stood up and announced that Taylor was pregnant. She hadn't spoken to him since. He walked over to Taylor and turned her to face him.

"I'm so sorry. It just slipped out," he apologized.

Taylor looked up at him. His brown eyes were looking down at her, pleading. She never could resist those eyes of his, especially when they were looking at her like they were now, begging for forgiveness. She sighed. Joe was the only man she had ever loved. She had fallen in love with him when she was sixteen, and she was lucky enough to find him again after she so stupidly left Chicago, joined the Navy, went to Corpsman training, and then to get her nursing degree. When she saw him at a scene, all of those feelings had surfaced again. She felt so lucky to have a second chance with him. They had planned a spring wedding at 51, but after the explosion, losing Shay, and Boden firmly putting his foot down that there would be no more weddings taking place at 51, they had postponed their wedding and never rescheduled.

Cruz saw her looking at him but saying nothing. He dropped to his knees. "Taylor Elizabeth Williams, I love you. Will you marry me?" he asked.

She looked down at him. "I already said yes once, Joe. The ring is still on my finger."

"Let's do it this time. We can have it on the Navy Pier. I'll call and get something set up."

She smiled. The Navy Pier was the site of their first date. It was also the site of their first date after getting back together. It held a history for both of them, and it was a spot that they both loved and loved to visit. "You don't have to, Joe. I can do all of that."

"Then call and set it up. I don't care if it's before or after the baby comes. I just want to marry you."

He slowly lifted her hoodie, hands gently caressing her slightly swollen belly. He gently kissed her belly. "Love you, Baby Boy Cruz."

"Girl," Taylor corrected.

Joe stood up. "Boy. Cruz's do not make girls."

"50/50 chance with every pregnancy, Joe. You can say Cruz's do not make girls all you want, but chances are even we're going to have a girl."

"No pink in Castle Cruz," he reminded.

She tapped her foot.

"Would you be disappointed if we had a boy?" he asked, fearful of her answer.

"No, of course not. Whatever sex our child is, they will be welcomed, loved, and probably spoiled rotten."

Joe smiled a half smile. "Got that right."

Taylor hugged him. "I love you, Joe."

"So, I guess we have to tell our parents, huh?" he asked sheepishly.

Taylor nodded. "And brace yourself for a lecture about not using birth control. Although that is my fault, not yours."

"It happens, Tay. It wasn't your fault that you were so sick you couldn't take your pills."

"Yes, but I should have realized we needed to use a backup method."

He placed his index finger over her lips. "We were going to have a baby eventually. It's not a big deal. Don't blame yourself. It doesn't do any good. Barn door's open, horse got out. We'll deal with it."

"Looks like we already are," she said as she hugged him. "We've got a wedding to plan."