Like a Rock
Author's Note: Sequel to They Don't Know. Jess has always been Hank's rock, and he hers. They're still adjusting to married life and all of the good and bad things that go with it. I hope Y'all like.
Chapter 1
They stood at Justin's grave, staring at the tombstone. Jess bent down and placed flowers in front. She fussed with the grass, pulling the weeds. She glanced up at Hank. His eyes were closed. She knew he was fighting back tears and didn't want her to see them. She stood up and slipped her hand into his. He reached out and hugged her with his free arm.
"I love you," she whispered in his ear.
"You and Erin are all I have left," he sobbed.
"And we're not going anywhere. We're both here for you."
"Thank you, Jess."
He broke the embrace and wiped his eyes. Hand in hand, they walked back to the SUV.
"Hank, it doesn't have to be this way," she said softly.
He looked over at her. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
She nodded.
"What happened to our deal? We agreed on no kids."
"We did. But I've seen you with Justin and Daniel. You're a good Dad, Hank."
"I wasn't a good Dad. I was a lousy Dad. If I was a good Dad, Justin wouldn't have been so fucked up."
"Rebellion. He was doing well. The Army was good for him."
"It was. Until it wasn't."
He started the car. They left the cemetery and drove back to Jess' condo. Once inside, Hank headed for the living room with a beer. Jess busied herself making dinner.
She had decided on something simple and filling, and spaghetti filled that bill. It was simple comfort food, and they both needed that. As she waited for the water to boil, she worried about what she had admitted to Hank. She wasn't sure how he took her announcement. He hadn't said a word about it. She wasn't sure what his decision would be, but whatever it was, she would agree with him.
Hank entered the kitchen and walked over to the fridge. He pulled another beer from the top shelf. He walked over to the counter and topped off her wine glass. He shook his head in amusement. Whenever there was pasta being made, Jess always drank wine.
"Thank you for topping me off."
"Anytime."
He set the beer on the counter and walked over to her. He slid his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck. She leaned against him and closed her eyes. He slipped his arms from her waist and turned her around so she faced him. He reached out and turned off the stove. She gave him a questioning look.
"I've been thinking a lot about what you said at the cemetery."
She nodded, not saying anything. She knew he would continue when he was ready.
"You and Erin are all I have left. It's not enough, Jess. If I understood you correctly, you admitted you want to have a baby?"
She nodded. "Or two. I know we agreed on no kids, but that was right after we got married and after the shooting up at Loyola."
"And before Nicole got pregnant."
She sighed. She hated to admit it, but she was more than a tiny bit jealous that her Bestie had not only snagged a doctor, but got pregnant shortly after they got married. She adored her Goddaughter, and shortly after the christening, she started to wonder if she was missing out on something great.
"And before Nicole got pregnant. Plus, I got used to having Daniel around."
"He grows on you."
She nodded.
"Throw away your birth control, Jess."
