Chapter 8
A/N: A little fun fact about the previous chapter. The bit where Cathy insinuates that Susan must've been having an affair to get pregnant with Jake is based on some fan postulating that I've seen from some ADJL fans where they question if Jonathan is even Jake and Haley's biological father. Needless to say, this really annoys me to my core. For one thing, there's ZERO evidence to suggest that anyone other than Jonathan is Jake and Haley's father. Take the episode, "Hero of the Hourglass", for example. If Jonathan wasn't Jake's bio dad, then he wouldn't be so concerned about making sure he gets back together with his mother after accidentally making them breakup. Also, this postulation is just disrespectful to people who have children with those of a different race than them. Too often, the parent who doesn't look like their children, whether they're a biological or an adoptive/foster parent, gets assumed to be either a kidnapper or something worse, and it really needs to stop. So, having a sleazy character like Cathy accuse Susan of cheating on her husband to get a dragon baby is my little "take that" to this theory and the general stank attitude toward mixed raced couples and children. Alright, on with the story.
The familiar sounds of a classic sitcom filled the Longs' cozy living room. Jonathan, nestled on the couch beneath a soft, fleece blanket, chuckled along with the laugh track, his eyes glued to the antics of the quirky characters on screen.
"Oh, Crazy Gina," he said, shaking his head in amusement. "You're such a troublemaker. But I love ya' anyway." He wiped a tear from his eye, his laughter echoing through the quiet home.
He glanced at the clock on the wall, its hands pointing towards 2:00 PM. Susan had left for her baby shower a couple of hours ago, and he was relishing this rare moment of solitude. He loved his wife dearly, but he also cherished these occasional pockets of "me time," when he could simply relax and recharge without any distractions or obligations.
He stretched out on the couch, the worn cushions conforming comfortably to his body. The living room, usually filled with Susan's vibrant energy, felt strangely empty and peaceful. He savored the quiet, the gentle hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen, the soft glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the curtains.
It's gonna be different soon, he thought, glancing over at the rocking horse Lao Shi had given them. Jonathan smiled as he pictured their son laughing and having fun riding on the back of the rocking horse. He pictured Jake's tiny hands griping the handlebars of the horse, his eyes sparkling, his smile bright, and his head full of beautiful dark hair like Susan's. A sigh escaped Jonathan's lips, a mixture of excitement and trepidation for the changes that lay ahead.
He knew that becoming a father would be a challenge, a responsibility unlike any he had ever faced before. But he was also filled with a sense of anticipation, a longing to hold his little boy in his arms, to teach him, to guide him, and to share his love with him.
Just as he was drifting into a daydream about father-son fishing trips and backyard baseball games, a sudden sound startled him. Jonathan glanced up and saw to his surprise Susan bursting through the front door.
"Oh, honey..." he said, his voice filled with concern. "You're home so early. Didn't think you'd be back for another hour. How was the ba-?" He trailed off, his gaze drawn to the tear stains on his wife's cheeks. "Baby shower..." he finished, his heart sinking.
Susan shuffled into the living room, her quiet sobs echoing through the space. She collapsed onto the couch, burying her face in her hands.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Jonathan asked, his voice gentle as he knelt beside her. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, feeling the tension in her body.
Susan took a shuddering breath, trying to compose herself. "The baby shower... was a disaster," she choked out, her voice thick with emotion.
"Oh? What happened?" Jonathan asked, his brow furrowing with worry.
"The whole thing... was just a plot to... humiliate me," Susan sobbed, her words tumbling out in a rush.
"What?" Jonathan's eyes widened in disbelief.
Susan nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Cathy... you want to know what she did to me? She gave me a paternity test as a gift! A paternity test! She actually accused me of having an affair!"
Jonathan's jaw tightened, his anger rising. "What?!" he sputtered, his voice laced with indignation. "Now why would she do that to ya'? Especially at your own baby shower."
Susan sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I don't know, Jon," she said, her voice trembling. "She's just... she's always been like that. Snobbish, entitled, and looking down on anyone outside her little bubble."
Jonathan's heart ached for Susan. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his warmth and strength enveloping her. "I'm so sorry, honey," he whispered, his lips brushing against her hair. "You don't deserve this."
Susan clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt. "I just... I just wanted my family to be happy for us," she sobbed. "I wanted them to accept you, to accept our baby..."
"They will," Jonathan assured her, his voice firm. Gently, he lifted Susan's chin so she was looking him directly in the eyes. "It might take time, but they'll come around. And if they don't, it's their loss. We have each other, Susan." He patted Susan's belly, "and we have Jake. That's all that matters."
Susan's tears subsided as she found comfort in Jonathan's embrace. She leaned her head against his shoulder, the warmth of his body a soothing balm against her wounded spirit. "I'm so glad you're here for me," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
Jonathan gently stroked her hair, his fingers tracing patterns on her scalp. "I wouldn't have it any other way, hun," he whispered, his voice a low rumble of reassurance.
Susan's brow furrowed as a thought crossed her mind. "I wonder..." she began, her voice hesitant. "Could Cathy be jealous?"
Jonathan's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Jealous?" he echoed. "Of what?"
Susan nodded slowly. "Yeah," she confirmed. "Cathy's been trying and failing to get pregnant for the last few years now." She paused, her hand cradling her belly. "Maybe she's jealous of my pregnancy."
Jonathan's expression softened, and a flicker of understanding crossed his face. "Maybe," he conceded. "It's tough when you're tryin' to start a family and it doesn't happen. But regardless, Cathy had no right to take 'er frustration out on ya'."
"Yeah, but that's just how she's always been," Susan said with a sigh. "She's been like that since we were girls. If I drew a better picture than her, she'd tear it up in a fit of rage. If I won a board game, she'd flip the board over and storm off." She paused, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "I remember one time we were playing hide-and-seek, and I found the best hiding spot. She actually pushed me down the stairs because she was so mad that I won."
Jonathan's grip tightened around Susan's shoulders. "That's awful, Susan," he said, his voice laced with anger. "I can't believe she did that to ya'."
Susan shrugged. "It's just how she is," she said, her voice resigned. "She's always been competitive, always having to be the best. And when she's not, she lashes out."
Jonathan nodded, understanding dawning on him. "So, this whole baby shower fiasco... it was just another one of her tantrums?"
"Exactly," Susan confirmed. "She's jealous that I'm pregnant, that I'm having a healthy baby, that I'm happy." She paused, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "It's sad, really. She's so focused on what she doesn't have that she can't appreciate what she does have."
Jonathan's heart ached for Susan, for the pain her family caused her. He pulled her closer, his warmth and strength enveloping her. "Well, we're not gonna let 'er negativity affect us," he vowed, his voice firm. "We're gonna focus on our own happiness, our own little family. And we're gonna raise Jake to be kind and compassionate, no matter what challenges he might face."
For the next few minutes, Susan and Jonathan sat nestled together on the couch, the soft cushions conforming to their bodies like a warm embrace. Susan's tears completely subsided as she found solace in Jonathan's presence, his gentle touch a soothing balm against her wounded spirit. She closed her eyes, picturing Cathy's smug face, but then quickly replaced the image with one of Jake, his chubby cheeks and gummy smile a beacon of joy and hope.
Let Cathy stew in her own bitterness, she thought, a newfound determination hardening her resolve. I won't let her negativity poison my happiness or my son's future. The best kind of revenge is to live my best life and raise my son to the best of my abilities.
"Hey, hun," Jonathan's voice broke through her thoughts, his warm breath tickling her ear.
"Hmmm, yes, dear?" Susan murmured, her cheek resting against his shoulder.
"I know somethin' that might cheer ya' up," Jonathan said, a playful glint in his eyes.
Susan looked up at him, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Oh? And what is that?"
"How about readin' a storybook to our little boy?" Jonathan suggested, his hand gently rubbing her belly.
Susan's smile widened, and a giggle escaped her lips. "Oh, I know he would love that," she said, her eyes sparkling with affection.
Jonathan chuckled, rising from the couch and stretching his arms. "Well, I've got just the story," he declared, heading towards the stairs. "I'll be right back."
As Jonathan bounded upstairs, Susan's gaze drifted towards the rocking horse in the corner, its worn paint and faded mane whispering stories of a bygone era. She smiled as she thought back to the countless hours she had spent as a child, perched on its back, her imagination soaring as she galloped through her own little world. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, mixed with a sense of anticipation for the day when Jake would ride the same horse, his laughter echoing through their home, his own dreams taking flight.
She pictured Jake, a bright-eyed little boy with a mischievous grin. She imagined him growing up strong and brave, a hero who would protect the magical world and make them proud. And she knew, with a certainty that went beyond words, that she would do everything in her power to nurture his spirit, to guide him on his extraordinary journey, and to love him unconditionally, every step of the way.
Jonathan bounded back down the stairs, a triumphant grin on his face as he held a worn storybook in his hands. The cover, faded and slightly torn, depicted a whimsical illustration of a frog and a worm, their cartoonish features hinting at the lighthearted tale within.
"Alrighty, highty," Jonathan announced, settling back onto the couch beside Susan. "The story I've got for us to read is The Frog and the Worm."
"Oh, that's a classic!" Susan exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with recognition. "I remember reading that one as a child."
"Yeah, my father used to read it to me all the time whenever I had a bad day or needed help sleepin'," Jonathan explained, his voice softening with nostalgia. He traced the worn edges of the book, a wave of warmth washing over him as he remembered those cherished moments with his father.
Susan smiled, her hand gently caressing her belly. "That sounds so nice," she murmured, picturing a similar scene with Jake, their laughter and shared love filling their home.
Jonathan grinned, his heart swelling with affection for his family. He wrapped his arm around Susan, his hand resting on her belly, feeling the gentle curve beneath his touch. He opened the book, its pages rustling softly as he positioned it in front of her stomach.
"Alrighty, The Frog and the Worm," he began, his voice taking on a soothing tone. "Once upon a time, there was a little frog that lived in a small lake..."
As Jonathan read, his voice rising and falling with the rhythm of the story, Susan closed her eyes, a peaceful smile gracing her lips. She imagined Jake listening intently, his tiny form nestled safely within her, his heart beating in time with the words. She pictured him growing up strong and kind, his laughter echoing through their home, his dragon spirit soaring.
A tear escaped her eye, tracing a path down her cheek. This was her family, her little world, and she wouldn't trade it for anything.
Susan hummed softly as she adjusted the straps of her silk nightgown, its smooth fabric cool against her skin. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, her hand gently caressing the curve of her belly. A feeling of contentment washed over her as she thought about the little life growing within her, the tiny kicks and flutters that had become a constant reminder of the miracle she was carrying.
Jonathan, meanwhile, stood in front of the bathroom mirror, his toothbrush creating a rhythmic tune as he scrubbed away the remnants of dinner. He glanced at Susan through the reflection in the mirror, her silhouette framed by the warm glow of the bedside lamp. A smile spread across his face. She's so beautiful, he thought, his heart swelling with love and admiration. Even more so with a little miracle growin' inside 'er.
Jonathan finished brushing his teeth, spitting the minty foam into the sink. He savored the fresh, clean feeling in his mouth, but then a faint, unpleasant odor reached his nostrils. He wrinkled his nose and lifted his arm, sniffing his armpit.
"Phew! By golly, that absolutely reeks," he remarked, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Better hop in the shower before I stink up the whole house." He glanced towards Susan, who was now curled up in bed, engrossed in a thick paperback novel. "I'm gonna shower before bed, okay?" he called out.
Susan looked up, her eyes momentarily leaving the page. "Alright, hun," she replied with a gentle smile. "I'm just going to finish this chapter."
"Sounds good," Jonathan said, grabbing a fluffy towel from the rack. He closed the bathroom door behind him, the sound of the shower starting a moment later, a soothing symphony of rushing water that filled the quiet room.
Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell ringing downstairs echoed. Susan looked up from her book, her brow furrowing."Now who could be at the door at this hour?" Susan groaned.
Sighing, Susan set her book down and climbed out from the covers before making her way downstairs. As Susan descended the stairs, the doorbell rang again. "Alright, alright! I'm coming! Geez!" she cried.
Susan swung open the door, ready to unleash her pent-up frustration on whoever had the audacity to disturb her peaceful evening. But her anger quickly melted away as she saw the cyclops and centaur from the party, their faces etched with concern, standing on her doorstep.
"Oh... it's you two," she said, her voice softening. "What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Miss Susan," the cyclops greeted, her deep voice a comforting rumble. "Sorry to bother you at this hour."
"We were just in the neighborhood and thought we'd come by and see how you were doing," the centaur added, her hooves clicking softly against the stone steps.
"Oh..." Susan's heart warmed at their unexpected visit. "I'm doing okay. I was just getting ready for bed."
The two female magical creatures exchanged a look, their concern evident in their eyes.
"We're really sorry about what happened this afternoon," the centaur said, her voice gentle.
"Yeah, what Cathy did was absolutely unacceptable," the cyclops added, her single eye blazing with indignation.
Susan's brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't know why you're apologizing. It's not your fault."
"We know," the centaur said, "it's just... we felt bad that what was supposed to be a celebration of your transition into motherhood got ruined by Cathy's problematic behavior."
"So, we wanted to check on you," the centaur finished, her large hand gently resting on Susan's shoulder.
Susan smiled, touched by their kindness. "That's really sweet of you, ladies," she said. "You really didn't need to, but I appreciate it."
The cyclops and centaur grinned, their eyes twinkling with warmth. "And we also brought you something," the centaur said, gesturing towards a large, colorful bag she was carrying. "You left your gifts behind."
"Oh..." Susan's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "My bad." She chuckled, rubbing the back of her head.
"We thought we'd make sure you got these," the cyclops said. "They're some really nice gifts."
"They really are," Susan agreed, her gaze drawn to the bag. She pictured the soft toys, colorful clothes and dragon-themed books as a feeling of gratitude washed over her. "And I just know that my Jakey is going to love them."
"We're sure he will," the centaur said with a smile.
"By the way," the cyclops added, "we haven't properly introduced ourselves." She extended her hand. "I'm Isana."
"And I'm Diana," the centaur said, following suit.
Susan shook their hands, her smile widening. "It's nice to officially meet you both," she said. "I think I heard your names mentioned at the party, but it seems I've forgotten."
Isana and Diana chuckled. "No worries," Diana said. "It's easy to get lost in the chaos of those family gatherings."
Just then, Jonathan's voice boomed from upstairs. "Honey!" he called out. "Who's at the door?!"
Susan's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, crap, it's my husband," she whispered, her eyes widening in alarm. She quickly turned towards Isana and Diana. "You should probably go now, before he sees you. As you know, he doesn't know anything about the magical world."
Isana and Diana nodded in understanding. "We'll be on our way," Isana said.
"You have a good night now, Miss Susan," Diana added. "And take care of yourself and our future protector."
"I will," Susan promised, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you again for everything."
As Isana and Diana turned to leave, Susan called out, "Goodbye, ladies! And thanks for the gifts!"
She closed the door behind them, a sense of relief washing over her. She had managed to avoid another magical exposure, but she couldn't help but wonder how much longer she could keep Jonathan in the dark about her family's true heritage.
Susan carefully carried the bag of gifts up the stairs, her heart warmed by the thoughtfulness of her new friends. She entered the bedroom, where Jonathan was sitting on the bed, his hair still damp from the shower, a towel draped around his neck.
"Hey, honey," he greeted, a smile spreading across his face as he saw her. "Who was that at the door?"
"Oh... no one..." Susan replied, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Just a couple of friends from the baby shower."
"Oh... okay..." Jonathan said, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion. He noticed the bag Susan was carrying. "Whatcha got there?"
"It's all my baby shower presents," Susan explained. "I accidentally left them behind, and my friends were kind enough to drop them off for me."
"Oh, how nice of them," Jonathan said, his curiosity piqued. "So, what all did ya' get?"
Susan grinned, reaching into the bag and pulling out a fluffy teddy bear. "Well, there's this," she said, holding it up.
"Aww, a teddy bear," Jonathan cooed, his eyes softening. "Classic."
"It's not just any teddy bear," Susan corrected him with a playful wink. "It sings songs."
She pressed a button on the bear's paw, and a cheerful melody filled the room. The bear's slightly off-key rendition of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" brought a smile to Jonathan's face.
"Oh, that is absolutely precious," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "Little Jakers is definitely gonna love that."
Susan giggled, her heart swelling with affection for her husband and their unborn son. She reached into the bag again and pulled out a stack of colorful storybooks. "And there's these," she said, handing them to Jonathan.
Jonathan adjusted his glasses, his eyes scanning the covers. "Oh, those are interesting," he remarked, noticing the dragon illustrations. "Stories all about dragons."
"Well, Jake is of Chinese descent, courtesy of yours truly," Susan explained, a proud grin on her face. "And dragons are a huge part of Chinese culture, so what better way to teach him about his heritage than with these little storybooks?"
Jonathan nodded, his smile widening. "I see," he said. "That makes sense." He paused, picturing his son curled up with the books, his imagination taking flight as he learned about the magical world and all that dwelled within it.
Susan smiled, her thoughts echoing Jonathan's. And more importantly, to prepare him for his role as a dragon, she added silently, a wave of anticipation washing over her.
Susan pulled out the box of pull-up diapers, a giggle escaping her lips. "We're definitely going to need these," she said, picturing a tiny Jake waddling around in the colorful diapers.
Jonathan chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh yes, Jake-a-roo is gonna need those. At least until he's potty-trained."
Susan giggled. "Yep. Hopefully, he masters using the potty quickly," she quipped, imagining the potential messes and challenges of diaper changes.
The couple continued to rummage through the bag of gifts, their laughter echoing through the room as they admired each item and imagined their son enjoying them. Susan admired the teddy bear, its fur a comforting texture against her skin. Meanwhile, Jonathan flipped through the pages of the dragon storybooks, their colorful illustrations sparking his imagination.
"Well, sweetheart," Jonathan said, wrapping an arm around Susan and pulling her closer. "Looks like ya' got a good haul of gifts there."
Susan smiled, leaning into his embrace. "Absolutely, darling," she agreed. She rubbed her belly, feeling a flutter of movement beneath her palm. "Jake is going to have such a fun childhood with all these wonderful gifts."
"Indeed," Jonathan said, his voice filled with warmth. He gently placed his hand over hers, feeling the baby's tiny kicks against his palm. "I can already tell that Jake's gonna grow into a fine young man."
"We can only hope he does," Susan said, her eyes sparkling with love and anticipation. "But I have no doubt that we'll raise our son to the best of our abilities."
Just then, a series of strong kicks rippled through Susan's belly, and she gasped, a laugh escaping her lips. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "Yes, that's right, Jakey, we're talking about you again." She gently rubbed her stomach, a wave of maternal affection washing over her.
Jonathan chuckled, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and excitement. "I can't wait to have fun with you, my son," he murmured, his face hovering close to Susan's belly. Another kick landed squarely against his cheek, causing him to yelp in surprise.
"Ow!" he said playfully. "He just kicked me in the face there!" He rubbed his cheek, a grin spreading across his face.
Susan laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Hey now, Jake," she chided gently, "let's not kick Daddy in the face."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, their hands intertwined, their hearts filled with love and anticipation for the arrival of their little one. Susan closed her eyes and smiled as she pictured Jake's tiny face, his bright eyes, his mischievous grin. She imagined him playing with the teddy bear, listening to the stories, and exploring the world with boundless curiosity and wonder.
He's going to be amazing, she thought, a tear escaping her eye. He's going to be extraordinary.