Fate

Chapter 6

Skye

We barely spoke the week after his explosion. I kept my head down. Making sure to keep my head down and try not to talk about it. The nausea was overwhelming. A number of smells triggered my need to run to the nearest toilet. I didn't tell anyone. Not until we were at Connor and Sari's and whatever snack that Sari opened triggered the nausea. I ran to the bathroom, turning the faucet on to try to cover the sound of me getting sick.

I emerged from the bathroom, having wiped my mouth after rinsing it out really quick before coming into view. Sari and Maria was glaring at me. Quiet. Jason was frozen. As if waiting for me to disappear or the subject to change. Connor and Carter just stared at me with s**t eating grins slapped on their face. I stopped and gave a small 'what' nod of my head. Carter looked at Jason, his smile getting slightly smaller, before looking back to me. "Am I going to be an uncle?" he asked, hope in his voice. I didn't know how to answer. I let my eyes look at Jason. He stared back at me with a cold look in his eyes. I looked back to the boys and gave a small nod.

They exploded. In glee. Both of them jumped up, enveloping me in a hug. "WOOOOOOOO!!" Connor screamed with joy. "WE ARE GOING TO BE UNCLES, f**k YEAH!" Carter screamed at the same time. I couldn't help but laugh. That excitement, that overwhelming love they were showing was what I needed. Sari and Maria had big smiles on their faces. They turned to Jason, who was still quiet with no emotion on his face. Jason just shook his head and took a swig of his beer before managing. "You guys are the first people to know that she's pregnant." The girls looked at each other before joining in with their fiancés who have yet to let me go. Carter whispers in my ear, "I am so happy for you, even if he isn't." I mouth a thank you to him.

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A couple of weeks go by. It's the day before Thanksgiving. Jason has seemingly accepted the baby. Knowing I won't give it up. I told him the night after the group found out that if he wanted an out, he has it. That I wouldn't hold it against him, but if that was what he wanted, I would want him to sign away his rights. I wouldn't want my child to be forced to have a relationship with someone who didn't want them. I had my first ultrasound appointment a few days ago. He decided at the last minute to come with me. When that heartbeat fluttered on the screen, he grabbed my hand. He whispered to me, "I don't want an out. I'm in." Squeezing my hand in reassurance. I accepted it. The doctor had said that I was measuring just under 3 months. The baby was healthy and on track. They gave me literature to dive into to help protect the baby. They wrote the gender and put it in an envelope. I promised Connor he could bake a cake for a gender reveal after Thanksgiving. So, as of now, only he knew what we were having.

Jacob and the rest of Jason's usual circle of friends showed up to the apartment around 8. It was tradition to go out the night before Thanksgiving. We hadn't told any of Jason's family about the baby, so I said I was too busy preparing for Thanksgiving to come out. No one questioned it. I grabbed my ingredients for the two things I was in charge of, grabbed Bella and headed down to the car. Since I wasn't joining the crew, Jason's step-mom, Kennedy, invited me over to cook. She greeted me warmly when I got there. Throughout the night she kept glancing at me, knowingly. She was always my favorite. Always the one that could tell before you said anything. We worked together in unison. I slipped into the guest room a few hours later. Snuggled next to Bella. I knew that Jason would end up crashing on the couch. I drifted off to sleep.

Thanksgiving morning. Filled with a walk down to the main strip to watch the race. Followed by packing up all the food to head to another family member's house. The home was filled with warmth and cheer. I am standing at the kitchen island with Kennedy when her daughter Charlotte, Charlie, came up to us with a pitcher in hand. She makes a whiskey tea every holiday that warms you right up. Poured a cup for herself and her mom and looks at me "Do you want some?" she asks carefully. "No, thank you," I reply in a calm voice. She smiles and looks at her mom. Kennedy grabs my hand. "So when are you going to tell me that you're pregnant?" she asks, raising an eyebrow at me. I should have seen this coming. I glanced between her and Charlie and just smiled. They both hug me. "I knew it when you didn't come out last night!" Charlie exclaimed. "Jason wouldn't let it slip. He just kept changing the subject. He's so obvious." I smile at her. I wouldn't let it out that Jason was less than thrilled when I told him. Wouldn't shatter their view on him.

Jason found his way over, undoubtedly saw them hugging me and knew what was going on. He wrapped an arm around my waist. The first PDA contact since I told him. He kissed my cheek and looked at Kennedy and Charlie. "So, you both know?" he asked. They nodded their heads and hugged him. Giving him congratulations. He told them thank you before grabbing a glass and fork, clinking them together. "Can I have everyone's attention?" he said loudly. The family and friends gathered quieted and turned towards him. My heart started beating quickly. Knowing that once he said it, there would be a flow of hugs and words. That my personal space would be invaded. I took a deep breath. Focused on his words, "We have some news," he declared, wrapping an arm back around my waist. "We are having a baby!" I forced a smile on my face. I was happy about my baby, just not the onslaught of hugs coming. Everyone took a beat, looking between the two of us. Jason's dad spoke up first, barely a second later. "Well you two work fast!" and everyone erupted with laughter. Everyone was moving toward us. All smiles and congrats. I found myself thanking each person, answering questions that I could.

Soon the family moved on in their own conversations. I was able to breathe. I gave Jason a look of wanting to leave. He was so wrapped up in football with his family. I asked Jacob if he could drop him off at home so that I could head out. He agreed. I kissed Jason softly. Barely getting a goodbye from him. His dad wrapped me in a bear hug before refocusing on the game. I quietly made my way outside, grabbing Bella along the way from her snuggled up spot in the corner. I hugged his step-mom goodbye. I drove home in a trance. It's out there. They know. They were happy. Jason acted happier. He was starting to come around.