Chapter 18

Later that night, John and I had the discussion we needed to have. I know I had told him about being pregnant hours prior, but we both had had time to think about this life changing event. None of us needed to give up our job. Well, that was my case really. I had more than a job, I had a career. I was a legal assistant.

What John and I really needed to talk about was our relationship itself. We had been together for almost eight months. We were happy. I was not looking for an engagement ring or to get married, at least not at the moment. No, what I needed was John to be there for me and our baby. I told John exactly that…

"I am going to be there, Trish," John said. "You have no worries there. I'll be twenty-seven in a few weeks. I have to take responsibility. I'm an adult. Besides my parents would give me crap if I walked out on you, our baby, and our relationship. I have no plans for either. I actually wanted to ask you about moving in together!"

"You want to move in together?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes," John replied, smiling himself. "I have been thinking about us living together for a couple weeks. I want to take that step! I was very surprised when you told me you were pregnant, but everything happens for a reason. Having a baby is a bonus."

"I'd love to move in with you. Moving in together is a good step to go in a serious relationship before getting engaged."

John smiled. "A lot of people in our situation would say getting married is the right thing to do, but there are a lot of people who are having kids before they get married. Some of them are in our age group. Those people that do get married would also end up divorced in the end anyway. My parents were married for a long time before they had their problems and got divorced. I do not want to rush into anything."

"We don't need to get married, at least not right now. We'll get married when we want to," I said. "I just want to be with you, John! I also just want you in my life and our child's life!"

"And I'm going to be. I've had my fun. I enjoyed the single life for awhile. But when you came into my life, I wanted you and only you. I still do. I want you and our baby! I was a little scared at first when you told me you were pregnant, but after thinking about it on the plane and since we got to Atlanta, I am very excited. I want to be as great a dad as my own."

"Being there for me throughout this pregnancy and being there for the baby everyday of his or her life once he or she is born, is a good way to go…"

"…I'm going to be!" John said. "You won't be getting rid of me."

"I don't want to get rid of you," I said with a smile. "I love you so much!"

"I love you more."

I smiled and kissed him passionately on the lips.

The next day, which was Friday, I went and did stuff with Christie and the rest of her bride's maids. Christie's bride's maids consisted of me, Melissa, Amy, and three of Christie's best friends. The seven of us got manicures and pedicures. Then we all went out to lunch. Christie bragged that she was going to be an aunt.

"Trish is pregnant," Christie said when we were at lunch.

"Oh, my god," Holly, one of Christie's friends said. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks," I said.

"Who's the daddy?" Ashley, another one of Christie's friends, joked.

"My wonderful boyfriend, of course."

"You all will meet him this evening at the wedding rehearsal," Amy said. "Along with mine."

"Didn't Melissa hook up with one of his brothers?" Jenna, the third friend asked.

"Yes, I did," Melissa said.

"He is always asking about her too," I said.

"He's not dating anyone?" Ashley asked.

"No, he's dating. He's just not trying to get serious with anyone. He wants to keep his options open."

"Yeah, and his options are named Melissa," Amy teased.

We all laughed. Melissa blushed.

"You should come out to Boston this summer, Mel," I said.

"Is that an invitation?" Melissa asked.

"Yes!"

"Well, I accept that invitation!"

I grinned. That would make Boog's day when I told him Melissa would be out in Boston when it was summer.

Later that evening, after the wedding rehearsal, John and I were at the wedding rehearsal dinner with Amy and Phil. My grandparents (maternal and fraternal), my aunts, uncles and cousins were at the dinner. Jake's parents, grandparents, an aunt, an uncle, and a few cousins were there too. Jake's groom's men were there as well. There were six of them to match up with Christie's six bride's maids. The whole wedding party was there as they were supposed to be.

Jake's parents had paid for the rehearsal dinner. They had chosen a large steak restaurant. The restaurant had taken one large room and set it up just for us. It was very exciting.

I had been so happy to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. They were all really excited to see me and meet John as well. I told them all that I was pregnant and there was even more excitement. I was very glad my grandparents were all excited to be great-grandparents. I thought they were going to be disappointed in me, because I was pregnant and not married. All of them were old fashioned.

But it was a great evening. But the real excitement would be tomorrow when Christie and Jake got married.