I head into the kitchen and down three glasses of water. Walking back into my room, I sit on the edge of my bed and stare at the floor. The urge to pee hits so I head back into the bathroom and this time, I manage to pee on the stick.
Placing it on the vanity, I pull up my panties and when I look at the stick, I immediately see two pink lines waving their sparkly jazz hands at me. “Shit, I’m pregnant.”
18
Jesse
It’s almost time to head to the Christmas fair and I haven’t heard from Reese all day, which is very unusual since we hooked up. I decide to call her but it goes to voicemail so I send her a text.
JESSE: Do you want me to pick you up tonight?
Staring at my phone, I wait for a reply but I get nothing back straight away. I’m concerned but then again, Reese is baking to win the title tonight. I look over at my snickerdoodles and smile, they aren’t my best but they are still delicious.
Looking at the time, I realize I need to haul ass, otherwise I’ll be late. Quickly I grab a shower and dress in jeans and an olive green Henley. My phone beeps; I hope it’s from Reese. Picking up my phone, I smile when I see it’s from her but deflate when I see her reply.
REESE: Sure
One word, that’s all I get. Something is up, I feel it in my bones but I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.
JESSE: Great. Pick you up at 5 p.m.
Again, she replies with one word.
REESE: Okay
My spidey senses are on high alert now, something’s up. I don’t have time to think too much because it’s time to leave. Grabbing my snickerdoodles, I head over to Reese’s house. When I get there she’s out front but she doesn’t look happy, actually her face is void of any emotion.
“Hey, Jackass,” she says, as she climbs into my Jeep, leaning over she kisses my cheek. She smiles but it feels forced, something is up. Maybe she’s nervous about the baking contest?
“Hey, Short Stack. You look stunning today.” She’s wearing knee-high boots, tights, and a sweater dress that accentuates each and every curve on her delectable body.
“Thanks,” she says, again giving me a one word answer.
“Everything okay?” She nods but doesn’t say anything else. “You sure?”
She turns to look at me. “I’m sure. Just nervous.”
“Worried my doodles will kick your balls?”
“Please, my balls will kick your doodles’ ass.” For the first time since I picked her up, she smiles and it reaches her eyes. “Let’s go so I can officially kick your doodles.”
“Moving on from my balls to my doodle, are we?”
“Yep,” she cheekily replies with a wink and just like that, my girl is back, but there’s a niggling feeling that something is still up.
She reaches over and cups my cheek in her palm, it looks like she wants to say something but her cell beeps. She pulls away and grabs her phone. “It’s Drew, she and Rusty have a table over near the funnel cake stand.”
“That’s an odd spot, I thought Drew would be by the bar boozing it up on rum punch.”
“For the next nine months she won’t be.” Reese’s eye bug wide open and she covers her mouth. “Forget what I just said.”
“They’re pregnant?”
“Nooooo,” she draws it out and I eye her, “Okay, yes they are but you can’t say anything.”
Miming zipping my lips, I grab the fake key and slip my hand between her breasts, pocketing said key. She smacks my hand away, “Feind.”
“Have you seen your boobs today? They’re on point.”
She looks down at her chest and then back up at me, worry mars her pretty face. “You’re such a boob man.”
“Only for yours, baby.”
“Just drive, Jackass.”
Pulling away from the curb, I make my way to the fair. Parking the Jeep, we each grab our baked goods and we head over to where the baking competition is held. We each sign in, drop off our entries, and then head over to meet up with Drew and Rusty. Drew is devouring a funnel cake with gusto.
Later that evening, Mrs. Stefanie Arnold, the Christmas bake-off coordinator announces, “And the winner of the annual Christmas bake fair is Reese Turner with her decadent rum balls,” Then she adds, “The ones decked in nuts sealed the deal/win for me.”
Drew, Rusty, and I all cheer for Reese as she walks toward Mrs. Arnold to claim her ribbon. She poses for the obligatory photos and she’s glowing, smiling with glee. She eventually makes her way back over to our table. Drew is now eating a hotdog smothered in chili and mustard. “That’s disgusting, babe,” Rusty says to his wife, but she ignores him and hones in on her gross hotdog.
Reese’s face turns green and before anyone can say anything, she races off. Looking to Drew and Rusty, they both shrug. Standing up, I follow Reese and find her throwing up. “You okay, Short Stack?” I ask, gently rubbing her back.
She lifts her head up, tears are pouring down her cheeks. “Reese, babe, what’s the matter?”
She stares at me and through her tears mumbles, “I’m pregnant.”
“Come again?” I say, not quite sure I heard her correctly.
“I’m pregnant, Jesse. Clearly you’re a shitty bus driver because you didn’t pull out to avoid children.”
“I thought you’re on the pill?”
“I am but clearly this falls into the point-zero-one-percent category.”
Silently I stare at her, processing her words. A smile graces my face at the news and joy fills my heart, my reaction takes us both by surprise. “You’re okay with this?” she hesitantly asks me.
“Yeah, I am.” I pause. “Are you?”
“I’m shocked. Scared. A little excited.” She sighs and looks up at me. “To be honest, I was scared to tell you.”
“Why?”
“Well, you can be a jackass—”
“I’m your Jackass and your my Short Stack.”
“Not what I meant but yes, you’re my Jackass and I’m your Short Stack. Are you really okay with this?”
“Reese, I really am okay with this.” Sliding my arm around her waist, I pull her to me and press my lips to hers but she pushes me away.
“Eeew, I have vomit mouth.”
“I don’t care. I want to kiss my baby momma and the woman I love.”
Her eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. “You love me? You can’t, it’s too soon.”
“I can and I do. Reese, I love you with all my heart.”
“I love you too, Jesse.”
“This kid is going to be so lucky to have us as its parents.”
“And I’m lucky to have conceived since I keep decking you in the balls.”
“Thornton men and their balls are tough, nothing stops them from getting what they want. After all, I got you, didn’t I?”
“You say such sweet things to me,” she says, her face etched with the biggest smile I have ever seen.