Chapter Twelve

Author's Note: Alright, after mindless debate with myself, I have decided that I'm going to just continue posting here. I will tweak what I want to tweak in Unknown Secrets(it won't change the plot much, if at all, so no need to re-read it if you've already read the entire story), and continue to update this story as best I can. I'm going to leave the board as is for now. I may decide to do something with it later. There's three reasons I changed my mind.

One: I refuse to let someone ruin my creativity. I'm not perfect, I never claimed to be, and the disclaimer tells you all you need to know. I don't write to ruin lives, I write because I get bored and it's a creative outlet. I'm not hurting anyone, and the story is completely fictional. If you can't read fiction and take it for just that, FICTION, then you probably shouldn't search for it in the first place, right? I mean, it really is that simple.

Two: Moving the stories would be entirely too much(read, time consuming) on top of working and having a life.

Three: I just got a new laptop and it's the biggest PITA to re-save everything from my laptop to repost else where when said things are already posted somewhere. So I just decided I will leave them as is.

And before anyone asks, yes, I am still doing a sequel to Unknown Secrets, so no worries.

Alright, enough of my rambling, here's chapter thirteen. Sorry for the long wait. For that I blame the internet issues, and my internal debate. Hopefully it won't happen again.

"It's a boy." That one simple phrase kept ringing in Chasity's mind. She was going to have a son. As the reality of this whole situation began to set in, time seemed to stand still. She was going to be a single mother. But how? How was she going to do this on her own? Suddenly she began to wonder if proceeding with the adoption process would actually be her best option.

As if he knew exactly what she was thinking about Jon squeezed her hand, bringing her back to reality. "You can do this, stop doubting yourself. Besides, I already told you, you're not doing this alone," he told her, once again squeezing her hand. "I'll be here helping you the best way I can." Chasity looked at him funny, as if he was insane. He knew she was trying to figure out how he figured out what she had been thinking about. "It's written all over your face. You were never good at hiding your fear from me back in high school, and despite the time we spend apart, you're no better at it now. We may have lost touch for ten years, but that doesn't mean I've lost my ability to read you like an open book."

Despite herself, Chasity smiled. She was amazed that despite the ten year hiatus they went on, he was still able to read her, even though she had changed drastically in that time frame.

Doctor Mitchel cleared her throat, breaking up the conversation between the two friends. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I just wanted to assure you that the baby is perfect for this point of his gestational age." She pulled her rubber gloves off and disposed of them in a sterilized plastic bin. That's when Chasity realized that she had been so wrapped up in talking with Jon that she totally missed Doctor Mitchel finishing the rest of the exam. "Just make sure you keep doing what you've been doing and you should be just fine. I will see you for your next check up this time next month." Chasity smiled as she sat up and straightened her clothes out on the exam table. Jon stuck out his hand and helped her jump off the table.

"Thank you, Doctor Mitchel. I will see you next month," Chasity told her, leaving the room with Jon.

Chasity quickly made her next appointment at the desk on their way out. Now she sat in the passenger's seat of Jon's car contemplating how she was going to be a mother. Once again, Jon knew she was still fighting a battle with herself about keeping and raising the baby, which they now knew was a boy. This time he didn't say anything to her. He just remained silent and cranked the car, driving back toward Chasity's apartment. He was hoping if she thought it over herself, she'd make the right decision. He'd already told her she wasn't alone, but he couldn't force her to believe him, she had to do that on her own.

They stayed silent the whole car ride back to Chasity's while she continued to collect her thoughts, and Jon concentrated on the road in front of them and getting them back to her place without any issues. Pulling into the parking lot, Jon parked in Chasity's designated parking space and turned the car off before turning toward her in his seat and breaking the silence. "Look Chas, I know you're scared. This is a huge life changing experience for anybody. Raising a baby isn't easy, doing it alone is even harder," Jon paused, taking a deep breath. "You know how I grew up; I've told you the story a million times. My mom was no mother of the year, and my dad wasn't even father of the day, let alone year, and while I wish I had a better life, I'm glad my mom didn't decide to get rid of me." Jon paused as Chasity continued to listen closely. "I always promised myself if I had kids I'd make sure I was a better father than my father ever was to me. I know this baby isn't mine, but despite our ten year separation, I still feel like you're one of my best friends, and I refuse to let your child go fatherless, so I will be the best father-figure I can be."

Chasity honestly had no idea how to respond. She had no idea how to show her gratitude. She opened her car door and stepped out, prompting Jon to follow suit. Before he could reach her side of the car she met him halfway and wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him into a tight hug, and almost knocking him backwards. Jon quickly regained his balance and wrapped his arms around Chasity, returning the hug. "All I can say is thank you. I'm beyond grateful for everything you've done so far and everything you want to do," Chasity sniffled before continuing. "It's been ten years since we talked regularly and yet you jumped right back into my life and when you figured out I was pregnant, and I had no idea who the father was, you stayed by my side when you easily could've ran," Chasity released her hold and looked up at Jon. "I have no idea what I did to get you back in my life, but whatever it was I'm glad I did it."

Jon walked Chasity back to her apartment and followed her inside. He glanced around the apartment and realized for the first time just how small the place was. "Hey Chas, quick question, where's the baby going to sleep," Jon questioned. Chasity looked around and shrugged.

"In my room with me, I guess." Jon nodded.

"Okay, that'll work to start out, but with as small as this place seems, I don't think a full size crib will fit next to your bed." Chasity shrugged.

"I'll have to make it work to start because I refuse to let you do anymore. You're already doing way too much," Chasity chided.

As much as Jon wanted to rebut what she just said he didn't. He just filed the info away in the back of his mind for later and changed the subject of the conversation completely. "Do you have any name ideas for the little guy? I know you only just found out it's a boy, and you still have time, I was just curious if you had been contemplating any ideas for either sex." Chasity shrugged.

"I have a couple ideas, but nothing permanent, I don't think." Jon nodded.

"What ideas do you have," he questioned. "Just curious," he quickly added.

"Well, I do know I want his first name to definitely be Kaleb, I've always loved that name. It's his middle name I'm not positive on," she told him. "I've thought of Michael, or Ryan, but I've also thought about maybe…" Chasity trailed off looking away from Jon who was listening intently.

"What else where you thinking of," Jon questioned, curious as to why she had paused. "Oh for the love of that child, please don't say you were thinking of something like tree or orange, or something ridiculous like that," Jon exclaimed. It was the only reason he could figure she'd trail off like she had. Chasity chuckled and shook her head.

"No, no, it's nothing like that. I'm not that crazy, or Hollywood obsessed. I was actually thinking… You know what, never mind. You probably won't like it, so forget I mentioned it." Jon shook his head.

"Uh-uh. Tell me your idea and let me make that decision." Chasity sighed.

"Fine, I was thinking of naming him Kaleb Jonathan Gains, but I know you…" before she could finish Jon cut her off.

"Go for it."

Chasity stared, open mouthed, at Jon. "Why are you looking at me like that? Close your mouth before you end up catching flies," Jon told her, chuckling lightly and tapping her chin to close her mouth. Snapping her mouth shut at his command and light touch on her chin, she continued to stare at him.

"You'd be okay with me naming my son after you," Chasity questioned, the surprise evident in her voice. Jon laughed.

"He's not my baby." Realizing what he said, Jon held his hand up, stopping her from freaking out on him. "Don't take that the wrong way. I just mean I don't have a say in the matter. If you did want to name him tree or orange, that would your decision. I can't tell you no, same goes for wanting to name him after me; it's your decision, I can't stop you." Chasity frowned.

"But I want you to tell me you're okay with it; that you like the idea. Just give me something. Tell me how you feel about it, Jon!" Jon shrugged.

"What am I supposed to say? It's fine with me. I honestly don't care."

Chasity wasn't getting the reaction she wanted from him and it was beginning to aggravate her. "This isn't a puppy or kitten we're discussing, Jon, it's a baby. If you could be a little more serious about this conversation that would be great," she snapped; the aggravation overflowing and evident in her voice. Jon shook his head.

"I'm well aware of what we're talking about. I just saw the sonogram with you. I am taking this seriously." Chasity had no rebuttal and Jon threw his hands up. "I honestly don't know what you want me to say. I have no say in your child's name. I just asked if you had any idea what you wanted to name him, that's all. So if you want to name him after me, go ahead, as I already said, I can't stop you."

Now it was Chasity's turn to toss her hands up. "But I am asking you to have a say. You said you wanted to be a father-figure for him, so I'm asking you to play the 'father' role here and help me name him. If you can't help with something like this how do you expect to help with something bigger, like which formula to use, which bottle brand is better for him, or which diaper brand is best," she questioned.

Suddenly Jon felt like maybe he had bitten off more than he could chew. He wanted to be the father-figure, but he didn't realize exactly what it entailed. He was beginning to doubt this whole idea. "Chas, I've gotta go. I…I have to think," Jon panicked as he rushed out of the apartment.

Chasity watched him rush out of the apartment and knew as he left that she had thrown too much at him too fast. The look in his eyes was all she needed to see to know he was petrified. She sighed as she plopped down onto the sofa, running her hands over her face. She knew she very well may have just lost any help she had, and giving up Kaleb at this point was no longer an option. Not after today's appointment. She might just have to find a way to face motherhood alone because it was a very distinct possibility she'd just punched her ticket to being a completely single mother.