It's been three months, that's really hard to believe. I'm ready to finally hold you again. I sat in Penelope's mansion on the couch in the living room watching the housewives of somewhere for Caden. I glanced over at Penelope as I saw her approach me in the corner of my eye"You okay?"
She smiled holding a container of strawberries "Mm! Yeah, I'm fine! Baby's craving strawberries."
I extended my hand out non-verbally asking for a strawberry. She smiled "Look at you! Acting like a dad already!"
I chuckled "I guess so."
She put the container of strawberries down on a nearby table as her smile had faded. "So Caden's coming out of rehab soon."
"Yeah, picking him up at 5pm, it's 11 am so we have time so I can go to your ultrasound ."
She sat next to me on the couch" You're going to be a good dad. But, I wish you were more like this during our relationship."
"Not to be rude or anything, but you broke up with me over something that was completely valid. There's no need to regret it, I'll be in our child's life forever."
She nodded "It's just-
"Just what?"-
She pressed her lips onto mine. I immediately pulled away without thinking another thought. I glared at her "I-I don't know if I gave you the wrong idea but I'm with Caden, I'm gay."
She looked down as she started to tear up "That doesn't mean I won't be there for our kid, it just means I can't marry you."
"It's okay, I shouldn't have done that, you've been so good to me the past few months", I let her lay on my chest. Penelope fell asleep shortly after that, I flipped the channel on the news. I turned up the volume once I saw a picture of Jack. "Jack Stien-Young was only 17 years old when he died at the hands of Liam Smith. It was no accident as Liam had intended on causing Jack's death. Lior Mayes a close friend of Jack and MVP for James Springland Soccer team winning the team championships had testified two months ago calling Jack "A sick man who only believed in the humiliation of the less fortunate." Lior Mayes was called a hero for beating Jack senselessly and won the countersuit of 80 Million dollars for assault. Jack has been sentenced Life in prison without the possibility of parole. Jack's mother is forever grateful for his loving friend and the donations for her son's funeral."
I flipped the channel again, bored out of my mind trying not to think about Jack. I watched Penelope's tiny belly move up and down, I wondered if I was the father of her son or daughter, I wondered if I was waisting my time but I brushed the thought aside. I put on some Batman movie for three hours. At the end of it, I got up and stretched "Penelope, Penelope, wake up."
She woke up slowly "Oh!", she immediately gained excitement.
"I can't wait to find out our baby's gender, by the way my belly's shaped I think it's a boy", she slowly got off the couch.
"I don't know, I want it to be a girl", I yawned.
I grabbed the keys off the coffee table as she followed me to the car. I opened the door for her as we walked into the garage. I opened the car door for her then sat in the driver's seat.
"I sort of want a boy since they aren't that difficult", she spoke.
I started the engine heading to the clinic" I want a girl because I'm up for challenges", he smiled.
She giggled "if you say so."
We rode in silence for a bit before we reached the local clinic. We walked in, checked in with a receptionist then sat in the waiting room for at least eight minutes. An Ultrasound technician had greeted us as she pulled us into the room and asked if we were excited. I nodded as Penelope jumped with Joy as she talked about her dozens of dozens pregnancy books and parenting stuff. I sat quiet eager to hear our babies heartbeat. I watched as Penelope lifted up her shirt as the ultrasound tech put gel onto her stomach. I moved my chair closer to her and held her hand. She turned her head to give me a slight smile. I finally heard the babies heartbeat. She looked at me and smiled, the ultrasound tech smiled as she looked at Penelope "It's a girl!"
I had a big grin on my face "I knew it!"
Penelope laughed. The ultrasound tech gave her some advice before she left. She grabbed my hand pulling me outside and giving me the ultrasound pictures. We reached the car, I sat in the drivers seat while she stared at the pictures in awe. "What are we going to name her?"
As I drove I squinted a bit remembering a fond memory I had with Jack. He's been on my mind lately. I stared at her "Jacqueline, well, Jackie for short."
She smiled "That's cute! I was thinking Paula, or Penny. But Jackie sounds so badass! Jacqueline it is."
I smiled. I didn't think it'd be that easy. To show my gratitude I kissed her on her forehead. "You don't know how much that meant to me, thank you."
She blushed "Ugh, Lior", she turned away covering her blushed cheeks.
I chuckled "You're going to be a good mother."
She smiled as her blush disappeared "And You are going to be a good father."
I finally reached her house again. I dropped her off, as she stared at me with a bit of sadness in her eyes.
"Going off to see Caden?", she looked down at her swollen ankles but I could tell she wasn't hurting from that.
I nodded as my smile faded, I had fun with her but I was ecstatic to see Caden, I tried to downplay it for her because I knew how she felt.
"Have fun!", she forced a smile on her face. I nodded as she walked towards the door "Hey!", I yelled. "What?", she asked in a confused manner.
"This doesn't change our relationship and I won't let it, I promise."
She gave me a tearful smile "Okay, if you say so!"
I sighed and stopped the car, slowly getting out of it "Penelope Elizabeth Pickets, you have no reason to not trust every word I say."
She pushed me away as I tried to hug her "Leave me alone."
I finally managed to sneak a hug and I felt her melt into me as she cried, she could barley catch her breath.
I smiled at her "I'll always be here, I promise."
She apologized to me "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to act like a bitch, go see Caden!"
I nodded and kissed her forehead before walking to the car and watching her make it inside before I left on the highway. I had a big grin on my face as I drove to the rehab center. I drove three hours, I was basically speeding so I got there in two and a half. I prepared my nerves as I parked my car in the parking lot. I clenched my steering wheel after I turned my engine off, I took a deep breath. I finally stepped out my car and looked up at the clear blue sky. I clenched my keys and closed my door, I slowly walked to the entrance with my heart beating out of my chest. The receptionist called for Caden as I stood there, pacing around for at least five minutes. As soon as I saw his face my smile grew. He wasn't pale anymore, his track marks were healed. He wasn't sweating, he looked genuinely happy. I nearly cried when he embraced me, he smiled "Oh my god, you don't know how much I missed you."
I looked up at him then kissed him, it didn't matter anymore of what the world would think of me because I was with the person I loved the most. Our kiss almost became steamy so I gently pulled him to the car. Though I shouldn't get into the details, the car smelled like sex. Caden stared at me as I drove the car back to Penelope's house "Well, how are you and Penelope?"
"She's fine, we're fine, but I don't know about her wanting to see you though."
"Lior?"
"Yeah", I answered.
"Leave her", Caden smiled.