Chapter 1

The sun was slowly setting over the horizon and painted the evening in a blue dim light, sapphire orbs gazed forward at the dirt path and the many trees that fluttered by the windows. A sigh escaped the driver's lips, the car was quiet as it brushed against the gravel of the driveway, the squeak of the vehicle door opening, and the small feet grounded into the gravel shaking it from its stillness. Walking gingerly toward the steps, a hand grasping the stairway bar, it was cold to the touch as the sun had completely set behind the hills and the night slowly crept. The cracking of small dirt could be heard with every step they took which were heavy and ceased at the bottom.

Staring at the front porch, the bare white of the chipped wood, the white wood pillars that held up the small roof and the navy blue door, with the door knocker, she felt heavy floating over to the door and unlocking it to a house that suddenly seemed too big.

"Home sweet home." She says, throwing her keys on the plate that stood atop the counter. It jingled when it made contact with the ceramic and her heels clinked along the floorboards. Making her way upstairs, eyes tired, and body heavy with an unknown emotion tugging at the corner of her heart. Slowly opening the door to her bedroom, the door creaked in response, finding a made-up bed, and clean floor clear from laundry or tool belts, but on the nightstand stood old receipts and loose change. Shutting her eyes tightly, swallowing thickly, she made her way over to the closet on her left-hand side, taking out a box labeled OTIS MILBURN.

Otis Milburn clinked off his phone, placing it in his pocket. A smile lingered on his fare features, hands resting in his pockets, he swung his legs back and forth staring into the starlit night.

I just hope she's not disappointed in me…anymore. He thought. The night was chilly, regarding it with a shiver even though he was clothed in his familiar jacket, the cool air still seeped through the fabric. He quickened his pace home from the trailer parks, dwelling on the familiar punk that was Maeve Wiley. She was a pessimist with a big heart that unfortunately people kept crushing on, but that didn't stop her from trying to be better.

Giggling to himself, he sent a text to his best friend Eric who he was sure was having a very eventful celebratory dinner with his family and his newfound boyfriend being the attraction. Clinking his phone shut once more, he shuffled down the stairs being careful to not fall since it was dark, but the porch light was on sending a faint light across some of the steps near the bottom.

Opening the door, he made his way inside the quiet house, shutting the door behind him and locking it, he hung his jacket up and swung his backpack off his arms setting it down by the door. Shuffling forward, he turned his ear quizzically, listening to the faint sounds of sobbing and laughing. He pinched his eyebrows in confusion and turned around the corner to find his mother on the couch leaning forward, skimming through old photos of him as a child on the coffee table.

"Mum? You alright?" He questioned hesitantly, they had put aside their differences and he'd taken responsibility for his actions during the play. Saving his mother's reputation and earning back her respect which he'd hoped the same result from his text to Maeve Wiley.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm just reminiscing." She replied, clearing her throat and wiping her tears away with her thumb, he sat down beside her and bumped her shoulder sympathetically. She smiled in return.

"Did what happened today bring you back to the beginning of Otis Milburn?" He joked, his mother pinched his cheek, he yelped in surprise, rubbing it softly.

"I'm proud of you, Otis. What you did wasn't easy, but you took the responsibility, but not only that you made Mr. Groff look like a complete fool. The twat, I'm pretty sure it was him who started this whole mess. Didn't like me the moment I opened my mouth during the emergency parent assembly." Jean confessed, staring at her son with admiration before looking back at a photo of her pregnant sitting on a bench somewhere in America and Remi beside her.

"Mum!" Otis exclaimed at his mother's sudden language.

"It's true. I can't stand the man, don't even get me started on what his wife has told me about their marriage, it's no wonder he's the way he is."

"Okay, I don't want to know, but anyway, what is all this? I haven't seen these, in like forever." Otis nervously giggled pulling the photo from his mother's hand, he had never seen her pregnant since he was the only child she ever had. He'd never questioned why she never wanted more, but seeing how his parent's relationship folded out, it was best she only had him.

"You look cute pregnant Mum." Otis complemented; Jean blushed shyly.

"Oh stop. I look like a whale and I was pissed with your Dad the whole time. The only thing that made me happy is that when you grew, you took after me and it showed today." Jean confessed, brushing his dark hair from his face, his friendly smile fell, and his expression grew serious.

"Mum." He began, Jean adjusted herself in her seat, noticing the shift in his attitude when he set the photo down gently. He turned to her, his eyes reddening, and his jaw clenched, his hands where gripping his knees nervously.

"I did something stupid, but when I went to school to make things right Ola told me something that I never realized. I try to be a good guy because I'm afraid I'll end up like…dad." Otis said quietly, staring downward at his hands before flitting his eyes upward to meet his mother's soft sapphire gaze. She stared at him lovingly, smiling gently and taking his hand in hers rubbing it softly.

"I went to see him and I…confronted him about why he left. Why he left me." Otis eyes watered, he clenched his jaw, holding back his tears.

"Yeah." She replied.

"He didn't have an answer other than the fact that he is an arsehole."

"Yeah, he is." Jean replied with a chuckle causing him to laugh in response, a tear fell down his cheek and she pulled him into her embrace, rubbing his back softly. They laughed quietly.

"You know when I got to the play, I ran into Jakob." Otis announced pulling apart from Jean, who tilted her head in response with a questioning look.

"Yeah, I apologized…properly about how I acted. He said that I'm a bit of an arsehole, but that I am a good man." Otis chuckled remembering the moment they had shared; Otis had found a better resolve with Jakob than his own father.

"He did now?" Jean replied getting up from the couch to go over to the kitchen. Otis leaned back on the coach with a stack of photos of the early years of his life with his mother and father.

"Yeah, I meant what I said. If you guys want to get back together, I'm cool with it. No more annoying only-child behavior." He repeated, giggling at some of the photos where he had dirtied his mom.

Jean ceased her movements, she was at the counter preparing some tea and crisp for the night, but her sons' word had brought her back to the reality she had found out a few days prior.

"Hm." She lulled, stirring the two cups, she stared out the window, staring at her own reflection and she felt in that moment from her sons' words that she had reached a decision.

On the drive home, music blared from the speaker, but to the driver it was tuned out, the line of sight was that of the empty road save for a few cars every now and then, and in his mind was that of a woman who he had given his entire heart to.

"It's nothing serious, come in and we'll get started." She had said all those months ago when he'd first arrived on her doorstep. Elisabet, his eldest daughter had dropped him off that morning on her way to Uni, his job at Jean Milburn's house was going to take several hours due to the severity she had mentioned over the phone. His youngest would come and get him on her way to work but knowing her fiery attitude he just hoped she wouldn't embarrass him again in front of a client.

Sitting down from the woman, he examined his surroundings to be that of an office space, noticing the rather erotic art and statues littered about the room and the books on the desk to his right-hand side.

So, she was a doctor? Married?

"So, scrotal anxiety? From your emails it appears you've been struggling with this for quite a while. Why don't you tell me your earliest memory of your scrotum?" She stared at him waiting, pen in hand, and she was genuine in her assessment of whoever this patient was. Definitely not him and he could only assume at that point she was some sort of therapist.

"Uh." He went to speak, but ceased when the doorbell rang, closing his legs with modesty and a hand up to pause the question.

"Oh, I completely forgot." She had muttered to herself. "I'm having my bathroom redone."

"Yeah, I know." She turned to him.

"I have my tools outside, so…" Standing, a foot taller than her, he smirked playfully watching her smile fall and face pale at the realization.

"So, I better go and get them." He said going to the door, he opened it before pausing for a second and turned to her.

"My earliest memory…I just turned five and I was looking down and thought, 'Oh, there are my balls.'" He smirked widely, watching her shake softly with built up laughter. He went outside, greeting the client in question who jumped at the sight of Jakob who held a strong icy gaze before he shook his hand softly and set his mind at ease as being not the therapist in question, but rather a simple handyman. He entered the house and found Jean by the door who'd apologized for the handyman's presence and wait, they went straight to their session where the man found comfort in Jean with tears.

Jakob was surprised to hear the man crying in front of such a strong presence as Jean Milburn, but also the subject surrounding his scrotum. He'd never known men could have anxiety about their own bodies especially during sex, although he wasn't one to judge seeing as he hadn't had sex in nearly a decade after his wife passed.

Taking his jacket off, sweater, he set it down on one of the sofa chairs. Going over to the bathroom in the hallway, he set down a tarp on the floor to make sure the floor wouldn't be damaged, opening the toolbox, he grabbed a few things, throwing his belt over his shoulder and he went in the bathroom.

Later, when he was on the floor going through his toolbox once more, he knew he'd forgotten something and he knew Elisabet his oldest would kill him if she found out, but this was one of his long-term projects so he could do it the next time he came and Elisabet would never need to know. He sighed in satisfaction at the thought, she was a devil and that fiery blonde hair made her all the more scarier with her hazel eyes stabbing daggers at him, but then suddenly he got a shiver down his spine when he leaned forward in his halted search.

These eyes were not putting daggers in his back. Instead, he hadn't felt eyes like these before, not even with his wife. These eyes were undressing him and violating him. Turning around to the source he saw the small blonde woman blowing her nose and glancing over at him every now and then.

"What?" He questioned her glancing and she looked started at his sudden raise in voice.

"Is the music too loud?" Maybe the music was bothering her and what he'd felt before was nothing, but his imagination feeding into his obvious attraction to this strange woman.

"No, it's fine." She clarified with a wave of her small palm.

Jakob turned the car off once parking in the driveway, he got off and shuffled over to the door with heavy steps and unlocked the door. He set down his keys on the counter and walked over to the couch, the very same couch he had taken her many times before. Her scent was littered throughout the house, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, the stairs, the bedroom, and the furniture.

She was laying on the couch, nude and in post coital bliss. Her cheeks were flushed and skin glistening with drying sweat, the sun was beaming through the open windows in the living room. He was seated on the floor beside the couch, catching his breath and also in the nude. He turned to look at her, but her eyes were closed, and he place a hand on her cheek which made her eyes snap open.

"Jakob?" She called out to him and he gazed at her. She looked to him uncertain, turning to her side, to face him fully, she grabbed his hand and kissed it.

At times, Jean could be very loving. There were moments when he'd catch her slipping and showing her true self and those moments were when he spoiled her with his passion. The only thing she never did was be honest. It was like she was afraid to let go of something. He'd ask her things, but she merely told a half-truth. That's what made him believe that there was still a chance to rekindle their relationship, she had hurt him, yet when he told her to her face how he'd felt about her, he could see tears welling in those grey eyes of hers. She turned from him, hiding her heart away and he reached for her, but it was too late.

"Dad, why are you sitting in the dark looking all sad?" A familiar voice called out to him and he turned making out the familiar silhouette with the fiery hair.

"I'm just thinking."

"About that woman?" She asked with an exasperated sigh walking away to the kitchen, he could hear glasses jingle. She had poured him some milk.

"Tell me about it." She asked, sitting beside him on the couch, handing him a glass.

"There isn't much to tell. She left and I can't keep chasing after her." Jakob said and took a sip of the milk. He heard his daughter click her tongue.

"It's a code 3." She muttered and downed her milk, getting up from the couch and going to the kitchen.

What's a code 3? He thought before setting his glass down on the same coffee table he'd destroyed when Otis and Ola walked in on him and Jean. Ola was supposed to be at school.

"Don't worry, Dad. You'll be okay."

"Thanks, you were no help." He comments and he could hear her laugh in response with the retreating steps going up the stairs.

Otis woke startled. He could hear someone vomiting, rather loudly. The upstairs bathroom was right beside his bedroom, he threw off his covers and lowered his feet onto the cold wood floor.

"Mum?" He called out, tripping over a pair of his shoes. "Ow." He muttered kicking it out of the way and swinging open his door, turning to the left to find his mother on the floor in the bathroom, her hands gripping the toilet seat and tears streaming down her face.

"Are you alright? What's wrong?" He brushed the sleepiness from his eyes and went over to her quickly, awkwardly comforting her, troubled by what he should do and he nearly gagged at the stench.

"I'm fine." She breathed. "Go back to bed." She burped and duck her face back in the toilet, hurling up more of their dinner from last night, he shook his head putting a hand to his mouth to keep him from vomiting and rushed downstairs to get her a glass of water.

"Here." She heard him say after he'd gone, she turned from the toilet and grabbed the glass, gurgling the water before spitting it out in the sink. She flushed the toilet and balanced herself against the sink counter, staring at her reflection.

"Mum, you've been sick a lot. You should go to the doctor. It could be the flu." Otis pleaded with tired eyes, it was five in the morning and Jean nodded.

"Yeah, I know. I go see my GP today. Don't worry it's probably just a small..." She trailed off and just smiled tiredly toward Otis, caressing his cheek before slapping it softly.

"Go back to bed."

Later that same day, Jean found herself waiting in the her clinic lobby, she had filled out the necessary forms and checked in with receptionist. She was number 3 and she held her purse in her lap, she stared at the wall to her right and looked at the many pamphlet. She grabbed a pamphlet in regards to late pregnancy. Reading it before stuffing it into her purse quickly when she heard her number called.

"So, your about 8 weeks, see that flicker? That's your baby's heartbeat. Have a listen." The GP pointed out on the screen from where she had the wand router inside Jean's cervix to monitor the fetus. It was an unpleasant feeling, but she'd quickly forgotten it's presence the minute she saw the flicker on the screen and now the sound of the heartbeat sent tears brimming.

"That is a strong heartbeat." The GP pointed out and Jean nodded in agreement, it was. Like a drum, consistent and melodic. After the removal of the wand and she was dressed once more, she stood face to face with her GP who went through the intricacies of their next course of action.

"Tell me how you feel about all of this? I know when you found it, you did not take it as something you had been aware of." The GP questioned, turning to Jean softly who folded her hands in her lap. She pursed her lips.

"Yes, you're right. It was something I and my partner weren't planning. I'm sure he will be quite surprised when I tell him. So surprised he probably won't believe me." She trailed off with a nervous chuckle and her GP shared in her humor.

"Yes, I am sure he will have a hard time believing it. It's important you tell him regardless because this put's future partners at risk of unwanted pregnancy if his vasectomy isn't intact any longer." The GP assessed and Jean swallowed thickly at the thought of future partners with Jakob, he hadn't been with anyone, but Jean since his wife died, she could only imagine if he had, how many women he might of impregnated without realizing and she found herself wanting to laugh.

"Well, I take it you plan on continuing your pregnancy?" The GP stated with a seriousness behind her eyes and Jean was quiet for a long moment, staring at her hands and flat stomach, thinking about the tiny life that dwelled inside, incubating until it came time for it's release.

"Yes, I'm keeping the baby." Jean announced to herself mainly and the GP smiled in return, delighted about the news.

"That's good. We can now move forward with what to expect. I expect that you will be due in Fall of next year, sometime in November. Your about 8 weeks, I'm assuming there was an eventful Valentine's Day between the two of you." The GP poked fun at Jean who blushed in response, scratching the back of her head embarrassed.

"Yeah, you could say that."

"Hm. Well I'd say November 11th. Seeing as this is your second pregnancy, the baby could come early. I see from your first pregnancy, Otis, came right on time?"

"Yeah, he did."

"This baby is actually outdoing your son in terms of gestation, either that or the Americans didn't monitor you well enough." Her GP stated and Jean stared at her in confusion.

"Gestation wise, your son was a bit behind during this time, but he is a male so I can assume this might be a female by the rapidness in development of the fetus. We won't know for another couple of weeks. Anyway, your blood work results I will go over with you on our next visit, I advise you to see me weekly. You are considered a geriatric mother so it's important we monitor you and the baby very closely to ensure everything is well. Have you began to experience any symptoms?"

"Yeah, last week and this morning. Vomiting and increased fatigue." Jean responded.

"You've also gained some weight. About 2 pounds. Make sure to take prenatal vitamins, eat a balanced diet, and get plenty of exercise. Oh and try not stress out too much, not good for the baby or you."

"Understood." Jean replied.

After scheduling her next appointment with the receptionist, Jean made her way over to the car where she set down a pink binder labeled JEAN F MILBURN along with her purse on the passenger and grabbed her phone from her purse.

She scrolled down and came across JAKOB NYMAN.

"Otis what are you doing out here?" Otis turned around at the sound of Ola's voice, he was on his way home from Maeve's trailer, she wasn't home again and this Issac character assured him he'd let him know, but that she'd been gone for quite awhile. Not wanting to seem persistent, Otis let it go and went home, but on his way there he ran into Ola along with another taller girl who stood beside her with wild blonde hair.

"Who's this?" Elisabet asked pointing to Otis rudely, Otis tilted his neck in confusion before Ola pushed her sister's hand away.

"This is Otis. You know the guy I was with."

"Right. That weird relationship. That must of been awkward walking in on my Dad and your Mum." Elisabet folded her arms over her chest and lifted an eyebrow toward Otis who smiled nervously and looked to Ola for help.

"I have to admit. I did as well except they weren't wearing any clothes and I wish I hadn't forgotten my keys. Your Mum has a nice butt."

"You never told me that." Ola slapped her sister against the arm and she yelped in surprise.

"Well she didn't want Otis here to find out because she knew he wouldn't take it well and judging by the way there relationship ended, I'm guessing she was right in wanting to keep it a secret."

"I apologized to him." Otis clarified.

"I'm sure you did. I'm sorry. I'm Ola's sister in case your wondering. I spend most of my time in the city for University, but I come back every now and then to check on my father. Make sure he's not getting out of hand. For example, the license he had suspended not too long ago."

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you and I'm sorry about what happened."

"No, don't be. I don't think it was entirely your fault. I actually think it was your Mum's. Whatever she did, she really has him hurting. I haven't seen him like this for a long time, but I called in the cavalry. They should be here in about a week or so."

"You didn't." Ola shook her head and Otis stared at her in confusion.

"Yes, I did. She's on her way." Elisabet smiled walking away and Otis looked to Ola with so many questions on the tip of his tongue.

"My sister, Elisabet. She can be intense, more than me. She takes after my Dad believe it or not." Ola explained going over to Otis.

"Who did she call that has you worried?" Otis asked.

"My Dad's sister, she lives in Sweden, but she's very close with him and stayed with us for about 2 years after my mum died to help my father get his life back together. He took it really hard. Although, every time she comes. She can be a bit like Elisabet and then paired up with my Dad. They will wreak havoc."

"Do you think Elisabet is right? About my mum?" Otis suddenly and Ola turned to him with her hands folded over her chest.

"That she has a nice butt?"

"No, that she was the reason for the break-up. She hasn't talked about it and I've been thinking it was my fault. Now I'm not so sure." Otis clarified.

"I don't know. Whatever caused there falling out, I'm sure it wasn't you. He likes you. You, you just didn't give him a chance." Ola replied and Otis bit his lip nodding, she patted his arm.

"It's okay. You and your mum are always welcome. I'm sure they will talk it out eventually."

"Yeah, I hope your right." Otis replied.

What should I say? Jean thought standing outside the familiar wooden auburn door, she would have rung the bell, but chose not to because she was still having cold feet about going inside and spilling her guts.

He needs to know. For the sake of future partners. It's not about me. She told herself and knocked on the door, she could hear the shuffling of his feet and when the door open she held in her breath. There he stood, his hair had gotten longer, his stubble was more pronounced than usual and he looked tired. It must of been a long day with whatever work he had done.

"Jean." He called her name so softly, it made her heart hurt. She bit her lip and gathered herself.

"Can..Can I come in? I need to tell you something, it's important." She stuttered at first before blinking the small tears from her eyes and looked to him fiercely, he smiled gently and moved aside for her.

"Thank you."

Going over to the living room and sitting down on the couch, the same couch she had laid on staring into his cerulean eyes many times. Her heart pounded and she felt nausea stirring in the back of her throat.

"Jakob." She began and he'd handed her a warm cup of milk. She was surprised, it smelled good and eased her nausea. She took a small sip and let out a gratified moan at the flavor. He shifted at the sound.

"Jakob. I don't how to start this, but I'm going to just say it because you need to know for the sake of future partners you may have." She said and he went to speak, but she held a hand up.

"I found out I'm pregnant and that your vasectomy may not be intact anymore so you should go and talk with your doctor about that." She began and he appeared silent, but behind his eyes were scrutiny.

"What is this?" He questioned, his expression becoming angry.

"What I just said. I'm pregnant, Jakob. You're the father and your vasectomy isn't intact." She repeated and he stood up from the couch, separating from her.

"I gave you time and this is what you come back with." He started and she pinched her eyebrows in confusion.

"Why can't you ever be honest with me?" He questioned, his voice becoming higher.

"I am. Do you know how hard it was for me to come here and tell you?" She said standing up as well becoming angry.

"It doesn't seem too hard to lie to my face." He accused and saw her face go red with anger.

"You know what. I came here because it was the right thing to do. So that other women don't end up in my situation. I decided to keep the baby, in case your wondering and I didn't come here to ask you to take me back! I just came to let you know because I AM being honest with you!" She yelled at him and he stared at her hard, he'd never seen her so angry since the pan incident in her kitchen.

"I don't believe you. It could be Remi's or someone else's" He accused.

"Are you serious?" She whispered.

"You know what? I don't deserve this. I was was doing the right thing for once and this is what happens for doing what's right? Fine. Don't believe me." She said grabbing her purse and stomping toward the door opening it, pausing and turning back to him.

"I'm not asking you for anything, you just deserved to know." She said and slammed the door, hot tears streaming down her face, she sobbed throwing her purse in the car and pulling out of the driveway quickly and took off.