The next morning when I woke up Jackson was gone, He didn't so much as say goodbye. I wondered for days if it was because he regretted his decision, if I should have run to the pharmacy and grab a Plan-B pill but I didn't. I silently hoped nothing would change between us and that the aching feeling in my stomach would be a small child forming.
His texts were short but that was normal with him - the most complex phone the man had ever used was a Nextel burner phone. One morning though out of the blue he sent me something that I will never forget, it was exactly what I needed. 'Ready for a change. I'm in 100%.'
The rest of the run he is just as short with me, It's usually like that so I try not to think much into it. That was something I've never thought too much about so as I sit at his house, ass sitting firmly on the pavement of his porch steps I wait to hear the purr of his Dyna. I know he should be home soon, it's only a matter of time and tonight we will talk this through. After all, It's been exactly twenty-nine days, six hours, seventeen minutes and forty some odd seconds since my last period and there is no sign near of aunty flow. I don't want to jinx things or get my hopes up but I am always twenty-eight days on the dot!
I can't lie to any of you and say that I haven't thought about testing, I have. I even went as far as going to the store and picking up a mother lode of pregnancy test. Have I cared to take one? No. That is definitely something I want to do with Jackson there. Either way, he should be the first to know. The only one to know of our plan thus far, I figured it was better this way. Why tell anybody if there possibly isn't even anything to even tell?
I'm pulled from my thoughts by the sounds of a motorcycle. I find myself standing, brushing the dark denim of my skinny jeans. I readjust my top, picking up my pregnancy test filled purse. I feel a tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach, something very unfamiliar to me in regards to Jackson Teller.
The butterflies. Great. Clearly, I'm nervous to tell him my period is a LITTLE late. What if he freaks out? What If I freak out? What if I am pregnant and he decides he wants nothing to do with me. Oh, the possibilities.
"Hey." I call, stepping off the stairs as soon as his bike comes to a halt. As he steps off he takes a moment to smile at me, the same smile he always gives me when its been awhile. I find myself wanting to jump into his arms but I hold back.
"Hey, Darlin'." He says, stepping off his bike. He leans down to take off his helmet and straps it onto his motorcycle. He reaches into one of the side compartments, "I got you a surprise." He moves to hold his flannel clad arms behind his back, "Close your eyes."
I feel silly but as he steps closer, I drop my purse and do as I'm told. I can feel him coming closer to me, he's standing dangerously close to me. I can feel his breathing on the top of my head, I can smell the distinct cologne he's always worn. I feel one of his hands reach behind me, rubbing the small of my back. I almost forget how distant we've been to each other when I feel his lips hit my forehead. "Okay, Open them."
I step back from his grip, in his open hand is one of those cute little Pandora Bracelets. It has two small charms, one I make out as a baby carriage and the other is a silver bear with a blue bow. I can't help but laugh at this, even if I was pregnant there would be absolutely no way for either of us to know.
He doesn't wait for me to respond, instead he slips it over my slim wrist. I can't help but smile at him, "That was very sweet of you, Jackson." I rub my free hand over the charms, "A little ahead of yourself but very nice."
"Come on inside, I have to change out of these clothes." He releases me, walking with his usual swagger up the stairs.
"After you." I call, picking up my bag. When we go inside he excuses himself to his room, I sit impatiently on his couch. My now bare foot taps against the wood paneling. When he emerges, he's shirtless. His sweat pants hang dangerously low on his hips, for once I have a hard time looking away. The last time i saw him he was barely more covered than this. My mind wanders back to our intimate encounter but I quickly shrug it off as he approaches me once more.
Jackson eyes me and then my purse, "What ya got in there? I'm not gonna steal it." That is when I realize I'm clutching the purse very closely to my chest, as if somebody is on their way out with it.
"Well..." I mumble, before I can say anything else Jackson reaches his hand's for the bag, which I give him half heartily. "Don't laugh." I can feel my cheeks burning hot.
After examining the bag he turns to me, "Why would I laugh? A little much but I get it." He pats my shoulder as he passes me, dropping his shoulders as he saunters towards the bathroom. "Aren't you curious? Well, that is a stupid question. Obviously you are. But what are you waiting for?"
"You, silly goose!" I follow closely, making my way closely behind him. Jackson turns on the light to his bathroom, which is fairly large inside and plops himself down on the sink. "Well." He crosses his arms over his broad chest, I can help but roll my eyes at him.
"You're really gonna watch?" I raise an eyebrow, dropping my purse on the counter next to him. He takes one of the boxes and begins to tear it open.
"Why not? After all, I've been in you." He speaks bluntly, winking. I can't help but feel my cheeks flush. "Also, I've seen you piss a million times."
"Point taken." I roll my eyes, taking the stick from him. As he's reading the box I take the moment to pee, ignoring the frivolous instructions he is spouting out.
When I'm done, I simply place it on the counter next to him. I pull up my pants and find us both staring at the stick, luckily this is an idiot proof version. It will apparently blink either pregnant or not pregnant. Honestly, I don't know what I want the answer to be in this moment. Yes, I want a baby but are we really ready? Is anyone?
The test displays an hour-glass, it blinks feverishly at us. I feel my stomach drop as the screen momentarily goes blank. I turn to face Jackson, unable to look at the test. "I can't look." His eyes are focused down at the screen, I can't tell the emotion on his face.
He picks it up, pushing himself off of the counter. The next thing I know his arms are wrapped around my middle, hugging me tightly. He presses his lips to my ear, "Hi, Mommy."
I feel my stomach drop, my arms go around his neck tightly. I squeeze my eyes shut unable to believe him. Me, a mother? Jackson Teller must have super semen. Out of the smallest of small chances, we got pregnant in one time. One time! I pull back from him, taking the test from his hands. It is indeed flashing 'pregnant'.
"So, we're really doing this?" I look up at him, my hands fingering the ends of his hair. My best friend and I are having a baby. Wow.
"You betcha little ass we are." He grins from ear to ear, "We're going to be the coolest fucking parents ever."
I feel my eyes well up with tears, I've never been one to cry but as he let's go of me they fall freely. "How are we going to tell people?"
"Hey, don't cry!" Jackson goes to wipe my cheek but I smack his hand away. "This is what you wanted, remember?" His smile droops slightly, arms crossing over his chest.
"No, no. It is!" I assure him, "I just... I don't know." I sigh in defeat, running my hands through my hair now. I scratch lightly at my scalp, "What are we going to tell your mother? Well, her and everyone?" I force a smile, trying to focus on something else.
"There is only one way to find out. Let me get changed, we're meeting her for the wedding." I flush the toilet, washing my hands as he exits. "Oh, and Spencer! I hope you've remembered something nice in that little space car of yours!" He laughs obnoxiously, causing me to roll my eyes.
Shit. Opie's getting married! How the fuck did that possibly slip my mind? I must be the worst friend ever. I've known Opie forever! I feel like such a little shit now. I mean, honestly I don't know Lyla too well but she takes good care of his kids and seems to make him pretty happy so I stand by their decision. I just hope our news doesn't take away from the glow of theirs. Maybe we should wait until another day? But then as I think about it more I remember how hard it is to get us all in one room, old ladies and all so maybe tonight is the night? Is it too soon? Probably but we shall see.
And luckily, I always come prepared. I literally keep an outfit for any occasion in my car, so as he does whatever the hell he does I make my way outside. In my trunk I find various things, my eyes focus on a pair of blue suede pumps and a black strap less sweet heart a-line dress with a floral overlay across the chest. I'm so glad I decided to lay in flat in the trunk, I can't help but smirk. Grabbing both of those along with my makeup bag I head back inside.
I ignore Jackson as I pass him, who is now clad in his usual Flannel, cut, and dark jeans. I emerge fifteen minutes later a changed woman, makeup and everything. As I'm putting on my shoes I feel his arms slip around my waist from behind, he rests his hands on my flat stomach. "I wonder if it can feel my hands."
"First of all, Jackson. It's not an it, it's a baby! Second of all, it as you refer to him or her is about the size of a pen drop right now."
He laughs, pulling away from me. I roll my eyes, stepping away from him. "I'm nervous."
"Well, they're gonna find out one way or not. Might as well get it over with in one full swoop." He smiles, "You look beautiful by the way." He pats my shoulder, walking past me. "Now, I'm the best man. We can't be late."
We take his suburban, his hands rest gently on my thigh squeezing it ever so often. He doesn't usually do this but in the moment I'm comforted. I don't speak the entire way there, instead I focus on the road.
When we arrive we are quickly separated, in fact I don't see him again until the ceremony ends. It's beautiful and simple until the very end, when Opie promises to ride her like his Harley. It sends us all into a fit of giggles, I can't help but tear up. I sit next to Gemma, who looks just as happy as ever. Her eyes shift around the room, from Jackson to the bride and groom. I can't help but think it will never be like this for either of us now. Will it be hard to meet somebody eventually with a baby in tow, with my best friend there to constantly compete with. I'm not making sense, even in my thoughts but as I wipe my cheek I notice everyone standing to head to the reception hall.
Jackson waits for me, he casually places his arm around my shoulder as we take seats. It isn't like any wedding venue I've ever been to before. There is no designated table for the wedding party, instead we sit closely to Opie and Lyla, Gemma and Clay and a few other of the Sons. I can see Ima shooting us daggers from across the open room but I choose to ignore her. Jackson stays close to me, all the way up until the toast. It's his turn, I watch as he stands to speak.
"Opie Winston is my best friend, my confidant, my brother. We have walked every walk in life together. I've watched him grow into the man he is today, as a son, a brother, a father, and now a husband and I hope one day I can amount to half the man he has become. I think we all think that is major part by both his children and by Lyla. I cheers to both of you tonight. I see the way your eyes light up when she walks into the room and the way you nurture him so well. I praise you both as single parents and know together you will be unstoppable. I'm blessed tonight to say that I will be soon joining you on that journey." He stops for a moment, staring around the room as everyone looks at him questionably. "I'm pleased, We're pleased to announce..." He motions to me, "We're having a baby." I watch as jaws literally drop around the room, Gemma sighing loudly. I notice her hand is gripping Clay's firmly under the table. "And if it is alright with you, Spencer and to Opie and Lyla." He turns to me, "I'd like them to be the God Parents!" Even I'm shocked by this but I find myself nodding frantically, wanting this moment to be over. Leave it to Jackson to shock even me. They graciously nod as well, raising their glasses even higher. "Cheers to you two, on your newest journey in life and for joining us on ours."
As everyone clings their glasses and takes swigs of their champagne, my eyes move to Ima and then to Gemma. They're both shooting daggers at the two of us, arms crossing over their chest. Clay, who sits next to Gemma on the other hand is clapping, grinning from ear to ear. I take a sip of my water, offering the two a small smile and a wink to Ima, who's now squaring in on the two of us.
"We need to talk." Gemma says in a low voice, tapping her hands against her elbows. "Now, Jackson." She turns to him.
*Rate and Review :)
- I know Jackson's hair doesn't follow the season but I just love his hair long! I also didn't feel the need to include Tara.
-I'm open to suggestions as well, let me know guys!
-I'm so thankful for the positive feedback I've received on this story! 3