A/N: FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MARRIAGE…..(HEE HEE), READ TO FIND OUT. SAME DISCLAIMER AS ALWAYS, I DON'T OWN THEM. PLEASE REVIEW, I'D LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK. THANKS!
CHAPTER 12: EXPECTATIONS
It had been a little over two months, seventy days to be exact, since the wedding. Woody and Jordan were in a perpetual state of bliss. They were content with each other, comfortable in their life together, everything was perfect. Everything except for Jordan's fatigue. She chalked it up to the 'excitement' of being a newlywed. It hit her hardest in the evening, and Jordan being a night owl, couldn't understand why she was totally dead on her feet by 10pm. Otherwise she felt fine, she became nauseous and dizzy at a crime scene about three weeks ago, but it was a case that involved a body decomposing for ten days in the ninety degree heat. Disgusting, Jordan thought to herself as she felt her stomach turn at the memory.
Luckily Lily came into her office, and interrupted Jordan's daydream. "Hey Jordan, I know this is going to sound crazy, but do you have a box of tampons?", Lily whispered as if the subject was taboo. "The ladies lounge is out, there's none in storage, and I can't request any until the fifteenth, when the supplies check comes in.", she explained as Jordan rummaged through her cabinet. "Ah-ha. Here Lily, take the box.", Jordan smiled, handing it over. "Oh thank you Jordan, all of the female employees are forever in your debt.", Lily joked. "Are you sure you don't need any?", Lily asked. "No, I'm good.", Jordan answered, a wave of realization coming over her. As soon as Lily left her office, Jordan sunk down into her seat and pulled out her calendar. "Oh my God, oh my God.", she repeated again and again as she turned the pages back.
Jordan kept her suspicions to herself, she was by all accounts, in denial. She made every excuse she could for why the last red circled date on her calendar was a week before her wedding. She decided to bypass the whole home test and go directly to the doctor for a blood test, it was more accurate and would not leave any evidence for the detective to find. And taking any tests at work would be totally out of the question. Unfortunately, because it was Labor day weekend, she could not get in to see a doctor, but the nurse could do the blood work. She would have to wait until Tuesday to get the news, it was going to be a very long weekend.
Monday was the annual Labor day barbeque by Max's. Jordan, Dolly and Lily were in the kitchen preparing the salads and side dishes. For the first time in five days, Jordan was not thinking of the possibility of pregnancy. She and Lily were trying to get any information they could out of Dolly about her budding relationship with Nigel. "We're just good friends.", Dolly insisted, trying to dodge the questions. "C'mon Dolly, Nigel and I are just good friends. So spill it.", Lily laughed. "Yeah Dolly, Nigel wont tell us anything, even though Woody has threatened him with bodily harm.", Jordan stated, trying to control her laughter. "Okay, we're just really, really good friends.", Dolly confided, with a glimmer in her eye. The three immediately burst out laughing.
"You girls ready in there, we're starving. Everything's done out here.", Woody called through the screen door. "Be right out.", they giggled in unison, as Jordan's cell phone rang. Dolly and Lily brought the rest of the food out, followed by a bewildered Jordan carrying a bowl of fruit salad. Garret and Max started to pass out the drinks as everyone dug into the food. "Oh none for me Dad.", Jordan said, nodding to the bottle he was passing her. "Jordan Hoyt, did you just turn down a beer?", Garret asked, stunned. Jordan nodded as a huge smile broke out across her face. "I can't hold it in any longer, I just found out a few minutes ago. Woody and I are going to be parents, we're having a baby!", she screamed. The entire table started to bustle with congratulations. Jordan looked over at Woody, her eyes gleaming. Woody sat there speechless and stunned as he lowered his head. When he finally found his voice, "Excuse me.", was all he could whisper.
Woody fumbled with his crutches, his body not cooperating, he finally gathered himself together and rose, heading toward the kitchen door. Jordan came up behind him, "Woody what's wrong?", she asked, holding the door open. "Nothing, I just need……some space. Some time…..to think.", he stammered, entering the house. "Wait. Time to think about what?", she inquired, becoming annoyed. "Are you sure?", he whispered. "Of course I'm sure, I wouldn't have told anyone if I wasn't. Why?", she asked angrily. "It's just .….with my injuries.…", Woody started, but was interrupted. "Woody, the doctor never said you couldn't have children.", Jordan said softly, rubbing his shoulder. "He never said I could either?", Woody shot back, looking away. "What the hell are you implying?", she yelled. "No Jordan, I'm not implying anything. I'm sorry. It's just…….I didn't think it would be this easy.…..or this fast. With everything that's happened……", his words trailing off.
They walked slowly into the living room, Woody sank into Max's easy chair, Bailey came over and took her usual spot, right at Woody's feet. "Woody what are you trying to say? I thought you would be thrilled. You've always talked about having a family.", Jordan rambled, kneeling beside him. "That was before….", Woody admitted, looking down at his legs. Jordan knew that look all too well.…..he was scared. "How can I be a good father Jordan? I mean I can't teach my son how to play baseball. I can't teach my daughter how to ice skate. I can't show them how to ride a bike or drive a car. I can't.….", he stated, looking briefly at his wife before looking down again. "Woah, Woody. In the last sixteen months I don't think I've heard you say can't as much as you did right now.", Jordan chuckled, taking his hand in hers. Woody put his free hand through his hair and shook his head. "I know your scared, I'm terrified. Hey, look at me.", she demanded, bringing his face up, his teary eyes meeting hers. " I know you love me and this baby, Woody. You can do this, we both can.", she said, hugging him tightly. He nodded slightly, still unsure of this.