What A Fright
Warning: Love Scene
"Hey, baby, I'm home!" Kelsi called out as she stepped though the door. The warmth and aroma of Jason's cooking greeted her, a welcome change from the lingering grip of teenage angst that clung to her after a long day of piano lessons. When will parents stop forcing kids who didn't want to learn piano to keep taking lessons?! she thought as she followed the delicious smell to the kitchen, where she found Jason hard at work over the stove. His back was to her as he focused on his culinary creation, but it was the unfamiliar sight of his worn black baseball cap, perched backwards on his head, that brought a smile to her face.
Jason turned, and offered a small wave as he kept working. "Hey! You're home early. How were the Mozart wannabes today?"
"Oh they were alright, not exactly wannabes if they don't wanna be there," she giggled, leaning against the island as she let her eyes wander down his physique. "Someone's looking awfully handsome tonight."
He followed her gaze and glanced up with a small look of surprise at his hat still perched on his head. "Oh, didn't realize I still had that on after cutting the grass." He chuckled, reaching instinctively to take it off.
"No don't," Kelsi purred, sauntering towards him. "It really does something for you."
Jason leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh really?" He barely managed a breath in when she got within arms reach.
"Yeah, makes you look a bit sexy," she replied, her voice dropping to a soft, husky tone. "A little rugged, a bit athletic… lots of good looks."
"Is that so?" He reached out, his fingers tracing a light path down her arm. "You know, you always look good in hats too."
Before Kelsi could protest, he plucked the hat from his head and placed it on hers. She laughed, flicking her long curls over her shoulder. "What do you think?"
"Can't think," Jason said, his voice tight, "not with you looking so damn good."
He pulled her close, his lips finding hers in a kiss that was both tender and hungry. Kelsi melted into him, her arms winding around his neck. Lifting her effortlessly onto the counter, he deepened the kiss, their bodies pressed together with heat and desire.
Finally, breathless, Kelsi pulled away with a smile. She reached up, taking the hat from her head, and dropped it back onto his. "Mmm, you definitely wear it better," she teased, her fingers lingering on his cheek. "You should wear it like that more often."
"You think so, huh?" He sounded surprised, but the grin tugging at his lips gave away his boosted ego.
"Definitely," she affirmed, reaching down to trace the line of his jaw. "So hot." He leaned in for another kiss, but she pushed him back a little. "Although that scruff," she added, nodding at the rough stubble along his jawline. "It'll need to go soon if you want to keep getting lucky this week."
"I thought I might grow it out though," he replied with a smirk.
"You already gave me a little beard burn on my neck last night, so how about no."
Jason groaned playfully. "You're a demanding woman, you know that?"
"A woman who knows what she likes gets what she wants. And right now," she added, her hands running down his soft, faded t-shirt, "what I want is you."
Dinner could wait. The dishes could wait. Jason kissed her again, his hand reaching blindly for the stove knob to turn off the burner. "Kelsi…" he breathed, his hands roaming down her sides to the edge of her shirt.
"How about the couch?" she whispered back between kisses.
He grinned through the press of her lips against his and lifted her from the counter, crossing the living room to drop her down on the couch. Kelsi slipped her pants off as Jason tried to sneak away.
"Don't go anywhere," he said, "gotta run upstairs."
"There's a mood killer," she giggled, giving him one more kiss before he stood and eased his shirt off. She bit her lip as he did, feeling the moisture gathering between her thighs.
"That should keep you in the mood for a few seconds," he said over his shoulder. He soon hurried back into the living room, his belt missing already. The moment he was within arms reach, Kelsi rid him of his jeans and boxers, her fingers moving deftly to suit him up as well.
"Have we ever done this on the couch?" he asked with a sly grin as he slid easily into her, the plush, worn leather cushions sinking with the weight of their union.
"I don't think so, no," Kelsi groaned, his movements making her hips rise immediately. "Although there was that one time when—"
Jason leaned in for another kiss, cutting her off. "Kels… sometimes, you talk too much," he said softly. His hand wrapped under Kelsi's hip, pulling her close, their bodies molding together seamlessly. He sank into her with his full length, gasping as she tightened, her muscles contracting in pleasure around him. Each touch, each whispered word, each gasp for breath fuelled the fire that raged between them. It wasn't long and he was at the edge, hardly catching a breath. "You feel too fucking good. Damn it, woman, I won't last."
"Jason! Harder, baby!" she shouted as he pounded into her, hitting her deep and strong.
"You do know how to get what you want," Jason said with a grin. He let out a low groan of pleasure, climaxing hard from the intensity of their passion. Her release flowed steadily after, pulsing over him as she let out a long sigh.
Kelsi reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. "You can fuck me on the couch anytime," she said with a soft smile as her kisses burned down his neck, the heat dwindling as she came down from her own climax. "Although, it is a little sweaty," she added, feeling her skin sticking to the worn leather.
When Jason withdrew, his expression of satisfaction vanished. "Oh shit," he muttered, "Kelsi, it…"
"What?" She followed Jason's gaze. "Oh no."
A thick, pearly blob clung to the condom, dangling precariously from the tip. The latex was obliterated, the soft light of the living room lamp catching on the frayed edge where it had snapped.
Kelsi's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. Her eyes, wide with disbelief, darted from the condom to Jason and back again. Just moments ago, she had been basking in the afterglow of a passionate encounter, and now, a wave of dread washed over her.
"Shit," Jason breathed, the colour draining from his face. "I... I didn't even feel it break." The enjoyment of the moment evaporated, leaving behind a cold dread that settled in the pit of his stomach. His mind raced, a wave of nausea washing over him as the weight of his carelessness pressed down on his chest. He hadn't considered the condom might break, he was only focused on delivering exactly what she wanted. He cursed repeatedly under his breath, jumping up and heading to the kitchen in search of something to clean up with.
Kelsi, meanwhile, slipped away to the bathroom, needing a moment to compose herself. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it as she took a deep breath, her face buried in her hands. "Fucking seriously?!" she muttered, muffled by her hands and more in frustration than panic. A brief cold dread washed over her as the obvious fear flooded her mind. She splashed cold water on her face, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "Okay, not ideal, but not the end of the world either," she mumbled, reminding herself she was on the pill. Still, the added worry of a possible pregnancy without the condom's backup made her hands tremble as she turned off the water.
Jason had slipped back into his jeans and paced outside the bathroom door, his guilt growing with every frustrated sigh he heard from within. "Kels?" he called softly, "are you okay? Can I come in?"
A beat of silence, then Kelsi's answered, "Yeah, I mean no, don't come in. I'm… I'm fine. Just a minute."
He felt a hint of relief. He wanted to be there for her, to offer comfort and support, but he also respected her need for a moment alone. She finally opened the door and offered him a shy smile, receiving his comforting kiss on the cheek. "What should we do Kels? I guess we could get you a morning-after pill," Jason offered, his voice tight as she drifted past him. "I can run out—"
"No way," she cut him off sharply.
Jason stared at her wide eyed. "Excuse me?"
Kelsi turned to face him. "Seriously, Jason? Don't freak out. I've been on the pill since high school. It's not a big deal."
"Not a big deal?" he asked, his voice rising. "Kelsi, what if—"
"I'm not taking it, J," she snapped back.
"Okay..." Jason replied, his voice trailing off, unsure of how to proceed.
"I was with my roommate when she took it, it's brutal," she said, her voice firm. "And I'm not taking it. Besides the condoms were just a backup, you know that."
"I'm only looking out for you, Kels," Jason mumbled, worry flashing across his face.
"Look," she said, her voice losing its sharp edge, "I know you're worried, but I'm not going to poison my body just because a condom broke. I'll be fine."
He squeezed her hand, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Okay," he sighed, "I trust you. But don't you think you should call your doctor?"
"You mean call my mom?" She laughed, offering him a reassuring smile. "Yeah, no, but I'll call the women's clinic if I need to." But even though she teased him, a tiny knot of worry tightened in her stomach. What if...? She quickly pushed the thought aside. No, she was protected, everything would be fine.
Jason nodded, a wave of relief washing over him. He knew Kelsi was strong and independent, but he couldn't help but worry. He pulled her close, kissing her softly. "I love you," he whispered. "And I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
His warmth and the steady beat of his heart against Kelsi's cheek were reassuring. For now, she would focus on that, on the feeling of his arms around her, on the love that hummed between them. The "what ifs" could wait.
Kelsi woke with the sound of her alarm, a wave of nausea greeting her along with the sunshine of a new summer morning. She groaned, pressing a hand to her pounding head. This wasn't how she wanted to start her day. As she stumbled towards the bathroom and got ready for the day, a thought struck her: her period still hadn't arrived yesterday. Nearly four days late. For Kelsi, whose cycle was like clockwork, it was enough to trigger a surge of panic.
The events of the past weeks flashed through her mind. The broken condom, the lingering "what ifs," the uneasy feeling that had settled in her stomach and refused to dissipate. She'd tried to brush it off, to convince herself that everything was fine, but now, with this nausea, the doubts were back in full force.
Later that evening, as Kelsi and Jason were getting ready for bed, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, his lips lingering behind her ear. "Mmm, you smell good," he murmured, running his hands over her waist. "I guess it's about that time and you're probably not interested, but I can't help but be sure." His hands began their familiar exploration, but Kelsi tensed slightly.
Jason noticed the subtle shift in her body language. "Are you feeling okay, hun? You seemed a bit upset the past week." he asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, forcing a smile. "Just a little tired."
He pulled back, his brow furrowed. "You sure?"
Kelsi hesitated, debating whether to tell him about her anxieties. "I'm fine, it's okay."
He looked hard into her eyes until a flicker of realization crossed his face. "Your period's late, isn't it?"
She froze. "How did you know?"
He chuckled softly. "Come on, Kels, I know your body better than you. I wasn't expecting you to jump me the other night, but it was too good to think about anything else at the time."
A blush crept up her cheeks. "Yeah, but it's only a day or two late..."
Jason's expression turned serious. "Kels?"
She hated how she could never lie to him. "Okay, it's four actually. I've never been late before. And after what happened... it's just all so..."
"I know, Kels," Jason said softly, reaching for her hand. He led her back to their room to sit in the bed.
"Do you... do you think I could be...?" she trailed off, unable to say the word that had plagued her mind in the last weeks.
Jason's expression was a mixture of concern and uncertainty. "Honestly? I don't know. It's possible, I guess. But those pills are supposed to work right?" He paused and shook his head with a deep breath. "It's my fault," he said quietly. "I should have been more careful. I don't know why I didn't feel it…"
"Hey, no," Kelsi interrupted, squeezing his hand. "Don't blame yourself. We were having too good a time." They shared a soft chuckle, the memory of the pleasure they'd shared easing the tension of the moment. "What if I am pregnant, J? We're not ready for..." Her breath was shaky as she once again searched for words.
"A kid?" Jason finished her sentence, his voice gentle. He took another deep breath. "Kelsi, I'm not going to lie, it's a scary thought. We have plans, things we want to do..."
"Exactly," Kelsi said, her anxiety growing. "Your new training, my new job... all of that would have to be put on hold. And what about... what about you?" she asked, her voice muffled against his chest. "What if you don't want this? What if you're not ready to be a dad?"
Jason pulled back slightly, his expression earnest. "Kelsi, you know I'm no slouch. If I'm going to be a dad, I'll be the best dad I can be. And honestly," he added with a faint smile, "if this is happening, then it's for a reason. It might not be the plan we had, but it would be kinda cool, a little piece of you and me running around."
Kelsi felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Really?"
"Really," he confirmed, wiping the tear away with his thumb. "But first things first, we need to find out for sure."
She nodded, a sense of resolve settling over her. "Okay. Tomorrow I'll get a test on my way home."
The crisp ringing of pneumatic tools echoed through the shop, a familiar sound to Jason and Luke. Yet, something was off. Luke noticed Jason's distracted gaze, his usually steady hands fumbling with a wrench.
"What's got you all worked up, brother?" Luke asked, leaning against the workbench, a grin playing on his lips.
Jason hesitated, his eyes darting away. "Nothing, man," he mumbled, attempting to focus on his task.
"Come on now, Cross, out with it. You're actin' like you got a dead squirrel in your pocket."
Jason sighed, a defeated look crossing his face. "Just… Kelsi," he confessed, his voice low.
Luke's grin faltered. "What's up with her? Is she alright?"
Jason hesitated again. "Well, it's complicated," he began, his voice growing more hesitant. "We, uh, had a slip up almost a month ago. Broke a condom."
Luke's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You broke a condom?! What are ya? 15?" he asked, his voice laced with torment.
Jason nodded, his cheeks flushing. "Yeah, I guess I banged her too hard one night and it broke. Just like a damn stupid teenager and now she's been feeling off. Her period's late, and she's worried."
Luke was silent for a moment, holding back a chuckle with pursed lips. He'd never been in this exact position, but he could imagine the fear and uncertainty Jason and Kelsi must be feeling. Yet he couldn't help but try to see the bright side to help his friend feel a little better. "Was it at least any good?" he said with a smirk.
Jason threw a rag in his face. "Don't be an asshole, Perry," he replied, but couldn't help a smile that was a dead giveaway of how good it was.
"Well," Luke said, "that's a lot to take in."
Jason nodded, his eyes downcast. "I know. My nerves are shot to hell. I don't know what we'll do if she's pregnant."
Luke reached out and gripped Jason's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. You're not alone, Jason. And if you do have one on the way, I better be an uncle."
Jason looked up at Luke, grateful for his friend's support. "What kid wants a goof like you for an uncle?" he retorted playfully then heaved a deep breath. "Thanks, man. I really appreciate it."
As they returned to their work, the tension in Jason's shoulders hardly dissipated, but he felt a slight relief at knowing he had friends who would be there for them no matter the outcome. Their worries had been shared, and the weight on his shoulders felt just a little lighter.
The pharmacy lights blurred as Kelsi rushed to the checkout. Her mind raced, a chaotic blend of fear and disbelief. She awkwardly made her purchase and hurried home, hardly able to function as her period was now two more days late.
Back at home, Jason was studying for a course at the island, the weight of what they had to do tonight showing in his furrowed brow and blank stare at the screen.
"Hey, babe," he said, looking up as she made her way in, "how was your day?"
She stepped quickly into the kitchen and dropped the box in front of him. "Can we do this now?" she asked, her eyes glassy with worry.
Jason stood and took the test in one hand and hers in the other. "Of course, let's go upstairs. It's going to be okay, Kels."
They sat side-by-side on the floor of the bathroom, the silence thick with nervous anticipation. The timer on Kelsi's phone ticked by, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, it beeped, making them jump. They shared an uncertain look before Jason stood to retrieve the test from the counter.
"Well, there's your answer," he said, dropping to the floor and holding the test out for both of them to see. One solid line.
Kelsi's breath released. "Negative," she whispered, tears of relief welling up in her eyes.
Jason looked at the test, a whirlwind of emotions crossing his face - relief, but a strange flicker of disappointment. Something in him, however small, had wanted a different outcome.
Kelsi ran her hand through her curls and sighed heavily with relief, dropping her head on Jason's shoulder. "Thank goodness. I must just be stressed," she said softly. "I'm so not ready to be a mom."
Jason nodded, his cheek resting against her hair. "You're right, we weren't ready for that." He paused and stared up at the bathroom ceiling. "But I'll be honest… I kinda wanted it to be positive."
She sat up sharply and stared at him with wide eyes. "What?! Jason that's crazy! We're only 24, we can't have a baby now!"
"Calm down, Kels, geez!" he replied with an uncomfortable chuckle. "I just meant that this makes me want a future and a family with you even more."
Kelsi returned an inquisitive look. "Really? But are you sure about that for us? I mean living together is great, but can you be sure you could put up with me for all of that family stuff too?"
"Sure we could. The thought of being a dad, having a kid with you, it freaked me out, but it made me really happy too. I think you would make an incredible mom and you and I, we're doing good together. I don't see why we couldn't do all that together too."
A soft smile pulled at the corners of Kelsi's lips. "Promise me you'll put a baby in me one of these days… when we're ready," she said, bringing a gentle roll of laughter between them.
Jason stood and pulled her to her feet, leading her around the corner to their bedroom. "I'll put two in you if you'll let me, you know I love the process."