Important stuff in this chapter, people! Thank you so much to all of you who read and reviewed the previous chapter, you guys are awesome! All that good suggestions have created an angst-free chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Unable to say anything else, Jess threw herself at him, encircling his neck with her arms. Nick placed his arms around her waist, and brought her closer to him, breathing her in. They stood like that until they heard coughing.
"So... I guess it went pretty well, huh?" Cece smiled at the hugging pair.
"Listen, Jess. Can we go home? I... you know, I have some questions about the pregnancy, and we need to discuss..."
"Us? Yeah, I think you are right." she finished. Looking at Cece, she went ahead and hugged her friend. "Thank you, Cece. For everything."
"Don't thank me. Just fix this, and then call me and tell me everything. In great detail. And you," Cece turned her attention to Nick, who was standing behind Jess, "Hurt her again and I'll kill you. You know I will."
Nick smiled and nodded his head. "Thank you, Cece" he whispered to her, as he followed Jess out of the door.
The ride back to the loft was silent. Nick drove her car while Jess stared out the window, but they would ocassionaly glance at each other and smile. Once they were inside the apartment, Jess took off her coat and got rid of her shoes, leaving them by the door. Nick hung his hoodie next to her coat and followed her to the couch. Sitting with their knees almost touching, Jess lifted her eyes and looked straight into Nick's brown orbs. Jesus. I hope the baby gets her eyes.
"Soooo... where do we start?"
"I... I have some questions, Jess. About the pregnancy."
"Oh, OK. Guess that's where we start, then."
"Yeah, uhm... So, how far along are you?"
"Sadie told me I'm a little over six weeks."
Nick tried doing the math, when a disturbing thought crossed his mind. "Oh, God. You were already pregnant the night we had the True American game! With all that alcohol?"
"Yes, but..."
"Is the baby OK? Did you tell Sadie about that night?"
"Nick, it's fine. Relax. Baby's fine, I told Sadie about our... party. There's nothing to worry about."
Nick seemed to relax at her words. "And are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, I'm OK. A little bit freaked out, but nothing serious", she joked. "Baby and mommy are healthy, Nick."
"Does... besides Cece... does anybody else now about this?"
"No, I haven't told anyone. I thought I would leave our friends to you, you know? Dealing with Schmidt? I'm going to play the pregnant lady card there. He's all yours. But I think we should wait, at least a couple more weeks."
"Yes, I know. I just can't wait to tell everybody. Oh, my mother is going to be so excited!"
"Mine too. When I told her about the break-up, she cried because she thought she wasn't going to be grandmother."
"Well, I guess she was kind of wrong." Talking about her mother erased Nick's smile from his face. "Oh my God. Your father. He is so going to hunt me down and kill me!"
Jess laughed. "Hey, I'm serious here! Remember the last time he visited? He hates me! And now I've gotten you pregnant..." Nick gulped and hid his face in his hands.
"Nick, don't worry about my dad. I'll talk to him." Nick peeked between his fingers and buffed.
There was a moment of silence, interrupted by him. "So, Jess... would you prefer boy or girl?"
"Boy" she answered, immediatly.
"Really? I was sure you would want a girl!" Nick laughed. "This is new!"
"I know, I just... I always imagined I would have three kids, boy-girl-girl or boy-boy-girl, you know? I don't know why, but I always thought my first kid would be a boy. What about you?"
"I don't know. A boy would be great, easier to handle. But a girl...like a mini-you, would be fun too. I'm OK with either." he paused. "Yeah, girl. I want a girl." he smiled at himself. "Do you feel it yet?"
"No, it's too early. Nick, do you know anything at all about pregnancies?" Jess laughed. "And don't call our baby "it". That sounds awful."
"But how do you want me to refer to..."
"Don't say "it"!. We'll switch from "him" to "her" until we know the sex."
"You want to know?"
"Sure, don't you?"
"Not really. I would rather find out when he or she is already here."
"But what about the clothes, and colours and everything? Nick, gender neutral baby stuff is not that cute!"
"You're worried about fashion, Jessica? I mean, you're growing a human inside you that will have to come out from down there and you are worried about fashion?"
They started laughing at this. He suddenly got up and asked, "Do you want something to drink, Jess?", already walking to their kitchen.
"Water's fine, thank you."
He grabbed a glass of water for her and a beer for himself, and went back to the couch.
"So, Jess, about what I said earlier... I don't want to pressure you, but..."
"I know, Nick. And I need to tell you, I love you too." Nick smiled at this. "But I don't think rushing back to a relationship is the best idea, you know? We still have some issues, and it's no longer just the two of us. I grew up to divorced parents, and it was terrible. They spent weeks without talking to each other, and that's the last thing I would want for our baby."
Jess stared at Nick, trying to decipher his expression. "You are right." Nick fell back against the couch. "You are right."
"Listen, Nick. I'm not saying we won't ever get back together... I'm just saying, let's see how things go before we try again, OK? We can't mess this up again, Nick. You mean too much to me, and now with the baby..."
"Jess, I understand. And I agree with you. Baby comes first now." Seeing her about to protest, he added "And I wouldn't want it any other way."
"So how long do you want to wait? Because you know it's kinda hard for me to keep a secret..." Nick changed subjects quickly.
"I guess a couple more weeks... don't you think? Maybe until I hit week 8 or 9, and the risk is lower..." Jess bit her lip, trying not to think about the risks.
"Hey, Jess..." Nick placed his hand on her chin and lifted her head, focusing his eyes on hers. "Nothing is going to go wrong, OK? We'll be extra careful." His hand leaving her face, he placed his palm against her abdomen. Smiling at her, he rubbed her belly gently. "I can't wait to meet you, baby."
"Do you think we should tell our parents like... over the phone?"
"Well, my brother Jamie is getting married soon, so I guess I'll tell my mother then." Nick said. "I, uh... Jess?"
"What?"
"Would you mind coming with me to the wedding? That way we can tell my mother together." Please say yes, please say yes.
"But wouldn't that be weird? I mean, we would confuse everyone if we showed up together again and announcing a pregnancy."
"Not really" Nick said, "You see, I actually haven't told my mother about the break-up."
"You what?"
"I couldn't bring myself to tell her, Jess. She loves you so much, and we were still trying to figure things out... so I didn't tell her."
Jess smacked his head lightly. "Hey, hey, you don't wanna come just say so, but don't hit me!"
"I'll go with you. When is it?"
Trying to fight the urge to triumphantly fist-punch the air, Nick smiled. "I booked a flight sixteen days from today. They get married on the 30th of June, so we would be there by the 29th."
"You booked your flight already?"
"Yeah, but don't worry. I can change it so we can go together."
"OK, then. But what about my parents? They are not coming to L.A any time soon, so..."
Nick scratched his head. "What about the 4th of July? We could throw a party here. Invite them both, tell them we're celebrating it this year. And then we'll surprise them!"
"I guess that could work. And we'll tell the guys at the same time?"
"That depends on you, Jess."
"What do you mean it depends on me?"
"Well, if you come up with morning sickness or... other pregnancy signals... they'll probably find out by themselves."
"You are right. Oh!" Jess clapped her hands. "What if we told them right before we leave for Chicago? They would have enough time to freak out and calm down before we got back!"
"You evil genius!" Nick and Jess high-fived, and started laughing. "Man, they're gonna freak so hard", Nick said, sipping his beer.
"I know. But they'll have time to adjust." Slumping back into the couch, Nick asked, "Wanna watch a movie? Or are you tired? I know it's late..."
"Nah, I'm OK. I thought I was tired, but I'm not. I get to pick the movie."
"Well, that's new" Nick said, protecting his head from another slap. "Veto on Dirty Dancing, Pirates of the Caribbean and anything that centers around animals, or dancing. Old movies and Disney are out, too."
"Nick! You basically ruled out all good movies!" Jess laughed while going through their DVD collection. She pulled out Chicago and puppy eyed him. "Please?"
"That's a musical, Jess."
"But you haven't seen it! There are murders and gross scenes and trials... And it honours your city!"
"OK, OK. Chicago it is. You win this time." I get the feeling that she'll be winning plenty of times this following months. Nick smiled and brought his arm around Jess.
Next chapter will be set mainly in Chicago. Nick's family :) Don't forget to tell me your thoughts!
