It had been a couple weeks since Jackson almost told Kristina he was in love with her. His mind replayed the moment. He shook his head at the thought of Valerie interrupting.
It was time for their gender reveal party at the park, where their friends and family would join them. When Jackson arrived at the park, Sam and Molly already had everything set up.
"Did you guys do all of this yourself?" Jackson asked them as he glanced around at all the decorations.
"Indeed, we did." Molly told him with a chipper smile.
"Y'all make a great team." Jackson told them. "Is there anything you need help with?"
"I think we're all set." Sam assured. "Are you excited to find out the gender?" She asked her friend, trying to gage where he was at.
"Yeah!" Jackson spoke with a sincere smile, he was nervous but excited.
"What's your guess?" Molly asked him. "As much as I want a mini Davis girl, I think it's going to be a boy."
"I don't know- I'm happy with either one." Jackson replied. Deep down he feared having a boy at the thought of him turning out like his father.
"Kristina's sitting on the bench over there. She's excited but I think she's feeling a little tired today." Sam informed Jackson. He nodded and glanced over at his ex before making his way toward her.
"You feeling okay?" Jackson asked her, seeing that she was sitting alone.
"I'm just a little tired is all." She told him honestly, "But I'm excited to find out what our baby's gender is!" She cheered.
"What are you hoping for?" Jackson asked her with a smile as he took a seat next to her.
"To be honest, I want a girl but I see myself being a boy mom. So I'm not sure." She explained her feelings on it. "You?" She asked wondering what he was thinking.
"I'm scared that if we have a boy, he's going to turn out to be just like me." Jackson spoke truthfully.
"Jackson." Kristina looked at him with sad eyes, turning towards him, "That's not true."
"I'm going to do my very best to make sure of it." He assured, looking into her eyes.
"It's time for the gender reveal!" Molly hollered for everyone to gather. A group of mostly Kristina family and extended family gathered around. Molly handed them both a confetti cannon. Kristina briefly glanced at her girlfriend in the crowd who had her phone out ready to record.
Jackson and Kristina stood in front of the group. They looked at each other, counting down when to shoot their confetti in sync.
"Three. Two. One." The crowd chanted with them.
They shot their canons together, revealing an array of blue confetti. "It's a boy!" The crowd celebrated.
"It's a boy." Jackson and Kristina muttered to each other. Kristina had a big smile on her face as she pulled him into a hug. She held it slightly longer, knowing he was feeling a mixture of emotions. "This is good news, Jackson." She assured him before turning to celebrate with everyone.
Kristina was entered her third trimester of pregnancy at week 28. She was meeting Jackson at the hospital for her doctor's appointment. She couldn't believe how big their baby was getting and how she was already in her third trimester. Jackson met her in the hospital room as they awaited the doctor's arrival.
"Hey, how are you feeling today?" Jackson greeted her with a smile.
"I'm doing good. I can't believe I'm already in my third trimester." Kristina expressed as she sat on the exam bed and felt her stomach.
"You are indeed." Jackson nodded as the realization hit him when he looked at her pregnant belly. "Three more months and we will be parents." He added before their doctor entered the room.
"Kristina, Jackson," Dr. Lee greeted them with a smile, "You guys ready to check in on your little one?" She asked them as she began to get Kristina prepped.
"Absolutely." They both responded in sync, glancing at each other as they didn't expect to speak in unison. They smiled at one another before the doctor began them exam.
"Look at your baby boy." Dr. Lee cheered as she moved the wand around Kristina's stomach. "He is looking strong and healthy." She spoke honestly with them. It brought her joy to deliver good news to her patient.
"Wow." Kristina whispered with a smile, instinctively taking Jackson's hand. "That's our son." She added looking up at him. He smiled back at her, squeezing her hand and gently petting her hair back.
"Of course, I will have pictures printed for you both." Dr. Lee offered as she began to wrap things up. "Kristina, I want you to know your third trimester may be your biggest challenge yet. You've had a very healthy pregnancy so far. These next few months will be new and you may experience some physical and emotional days. The baby will begin to be more active, moving around so it may be hard to get comfortable at times. Many women experience Braxton hicks contractions that make them believe they are going into labor. If this happens, try not to panic and come in right away so we can assess what's going on."
"Okay." Kristina nodded, "What can I begin doing now to prepare for birth?"
"Have you thought of taking birthing classes? We have a free Lamaze class here at the hospital." Dr. Lee explained, she glanced at Jackson before continuing, "I'm aware the two of you aren't together but it may be something to consider. It will help you with breathing techniques you can use during birth, walk you through any complications that may come up during birth, and it would help Jackson know how to support and encourage you when it's time for your baby to arrive." The doctor explained, she could see the thoughts pondering on both of them, "Just something to consider." She added before handing them their printed images of the ultrasound.
"What do you think?" Jackson asked Kristina after the doctor left.
"It could be helpful." Kristina nodded, "I can schedule an appointment and let you know."
The next week had gone by, Kristina had agreed to the Lamaze class and she was ready for her first appointment. Jackson was already at the hospital when she arrived. She was delighted to see how early he was to the appointment. She was ahead of scheduled and didn't expect him to be there early.
"You're here early." Kristina greeted him by the check in area.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He replied with a smile. Jackson was genuinely excited to support her through this. It was the least he could do.
"Thank you, Jackson." She told him sincerely. "You've been at every appointment. I appreciate your support." They walked into the room to get set up for the class. The instructor guided them and the rest of the couples to have the women sit in between their partners legs with their back leaned against their chest. Jackson allowed Kristina to settle and get comfortable. He followed the instructors words and placed his arms around her, resting them on her stomach. They took in deep breathes together and exhaling. As he softly massaged her stomach, she placed her hands on his, guiding them to where she needed soothing. She eased into his touch even more as the class went on, feeling completely relaxed. His head rested against her shoulder in the crook of her neck. They really hadn't been this close to each other since they were physically intimate together. Kristina briefly thought back to their moment a few weeks ago when they were interrupted by her girlfriend.
When the class came to a close, they stood together in the lobby. "Our next appointment will be in a couple weeks." Kristina informed him.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Jackson told her with a grin. He would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy being able to be this close to her again.
"I did. Thank you for being here." She nodded, looking into his amber colored eyes. She couldn't help but smile, feeling more connected to not only her baby but him as well.
"I loved being able to be here for you." He told her, taking ahold of her hand. They both stood there for a moment, feeling comfortable at the touch of each other. All the arguments they had at the beginning of the pregnancy fading away, they focused on the moment they were in now.
The elevator door dinged and out walked Valerie Spencer. She was there on work duty and hadn't expected to see the sight before here. "Kristina?" She asked as she walked over to the pair in the lobby.
"Valerie." Kristina uttered, separating herself from her ex.
"Is everything okay? Why are you two at the hospital?" She asked worried, ignoring how close they just were.
"Yeah, everything's fine! We just finished our first Lamaze class together. Dr. Lee suggested it would be good for us." Kristina explained to her girlfriend.
"Oh." Valerie nodded, feeling confused and hurt, "You didn't mention this to me before." She wondered why Kristina didn't tell her she had this appointment today. She was also hurt and a bit jealous her girlfriend didn't ask her to do it with her.
"I'm sorry, I thought I mentioned it after my last appointment." Kristina lied, she knew she didn't tell her girlfriend. She had a feeling Valerie would have disapproved of Jackson going with her.
"It's fine." Valerie forced herself to say, "I have to get going though. Duty calls." She told her girlfriend before shooting a harsh glance at Jackson and walking away.
Kristina and Valerie ate dinner that evening, feeling the weight of an uncomfortable conversation lingering between them. She knew her girlfriend was upset about her failing to tell her about the Lamaze class. Once they finished eating, Kristina began to gather their dishes.
"I got them, don't worry about it." Valerie stood up in effort to take over.
"No, it's okay. I want to." Kristina replied, trying to take the dishes.
"Kristina." Her girlfriend fought back, shooting her a stern look before placing her dish back down and taking a deep breathe. "We really need to talk." She finally said, ready to confront the issue neither of them wanted acknowledge all evening long.
"Yeah." Kristina nodded in agreement, placing the dishes down.
"Why didn't you tell me about the Lamaze class?" Valerie questioned her girlfriend, feeling her detective instincts kick in.
"I knew you would be upset." Kristina admitted, looking into her girlfriends eyes that were now full of hurt. "I'm sorry. I realize now telling you would have been a lot better than not telling you." She apologized.
"I am definitely more upset that you didn't tell me." Valerie confirmed. "But why? It just feels like you're trying to hide something..." She implied, thinking of her girlfriends ex. "I'm going to ask you a question and I just want your honesty. Is there something going on between you and Jackson? I feel like I have walked in on moments between you two that have been... intimate."
"Nothing is going on between us." Kristina began, taking a deep breathe before continuing. "Nothing that's crossed the line. But we have had moments of connection?" She questioned, not really sure how to explain what was going on.
"I can imagine you two got physically close during Lamaze class." Valerie stated, shaking her head at the thought of Kristina's ex touching her girlfriend.
"Yeah." Kristina nodded. "To be honest, I'm really not sure how to explain what I'm feeling."
"About what?" Valerie spoke, taking her hand in hers. She was upset but she still cared for girlfriend. "About us? About Jackson?"
"Both?" Kristina replied, feeling Valerie drop her hand as she spoke.
"Wow." Valerie shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe her girlfriend was questioning their relationship. She wondered if she wanted to be with Jackson this entire time. "So now what? Do you still have feelings for Jackson?"
"I don't know, Val." Kristina sighed. "I'm confused, okay? I didn't expect this! I feel terrible." Kristina spoke, slightly defensive but not wanting to come off aggressive. She wasn't mad at Valerie, she was mad at herself. "I feel like a terrible girlfriend. I don't want to admit that I still have feelings for my ex." Kristina expressed frustration, running a hand through her hair. "But I do." She stated, the words stinging Valerie's heart. "And I don't want to hurt you more than I already have."
"So, this is it, huh?" Valerie asked, tilting her head as she could see the weariness in the woman's eyes before her. As much as this hurt, she could see it hurt Kristina as well.
"I'm so sorry." Kristina apologized sincerely.
"You take care of yourself, Kristina." Valerie nodded, briefly kissing the woman's cheek before walking out the door.