(Author's Note: So, I messed up a little bit guys. This chapter was meant to be posted BEFORE the previous one. Oops. It really doesn't matter much; the only thing that's out of order really is how far along Katherine is in her pregnancy, but it makes me feel better to point that out to you. Plus, there's a little something that's hinted at in the previous chapter that is elaborated on in the next one, so it would make more sense for them to be next to each other. Oh well.
Standard disclaimers apply. I own nothing but my own imagination.)
It was nearing one in the morning, and Katherine was exhausted, but after a long night of writing, rewriting, and editing, her article was finally finished, ready to be turned in the next day. She put her writing things away slowly, taking time to arrange her pens and paper next to her typewriter exactly the way she wanted instead of scattering them from her desk messily like usual. When she had finished, her things put away and all the lights turned off, she crawled sleepily into bed, and almost immediately Jack's arms were around her middle, his face buried in her shoulder, and he was shaking ever so slightly. Katherine was surprised he was even still awake, as he'd given up on convincing her to take a break from her work and gone to bed hours earlier.
"Jack? What's wrong?" She asked worriedly, holding him and stroking his hair. There was a long pause before he answered her.
"Ace, I'm scared," he admitted eventually, speaking very quickly, "I-I don't know the first thing about being a father. Even before my old man died, he was hardly ever around; he was always working to support me. I don't have any idea how to be a father. What if I'm no good at it, Ace? What am I gonna do?" Katherine sighed. She could hear his voice was thick with panic, telling her two things. First of all, he'd been worried about this for a while, probably since they'd found out about the baby. Second, this was probably tremendously difficult for him to admit, even to her.
"Jack, look at me." He did as he was told, and she could see the fear in his eyes. It wasn't a normal fear; it was the kind of fear that eats at you from the inside out. It was the fear of not being good enough, the fear of letting down someone you love. She knew that fear well. "You are going to be an amazing father. Do you know how I know that? Because I've seen it in you. I know you. How many boys have you given your own food and blankets to? How many of them have you taken care of, and protected? You care about those kids more than anything, and that's what will make you a good father. Just ask Crutchie, or Les, or Romeo, any of them. You practically raised some of those boys, so why on earth should it be any different with our kid?" Katherine was almost starting to tear up. Stupid pregnancy hormones. "Look," she laughed, "If either of us is inexperienced, it's me. I don't know how to be a mother either, but we'll figure it out, together."
Jack's face lit up, even in the dark room. "For sure?"
Katherine smiled, "For sure." The familiar phrase seemed to calm him down immensely, as Jack immediately curled himself around her protectively, resting one hand lightly on her barely swollen stomach.
"For the record, I think you'll be a great mother, Ace. Our kid is gonna be real lucky to have you." A smile wormed it's way across Katherine's face as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"God, I love you," she told him matter-of-factly.
"I love you too Ace." Katherine nuzzled into her husband's chest, knowing that, no matter how nervous Jack may be, he was going to be a great father. There was no one she'd rather have helping her raise a child.
(I hope you guys like it! Please review! Speaking of, I want to thank a guest who reviewed as "Jaquline", for being so sweet. You're great, and you made my day! Thanks sweetie!
Much love,
PrettyLittleMonster Xxx)