Stars and constellations, p.42
Stars and Constellations, page 42
part #6 of Light in the Dark Series
He drapes an arm over the back of the booth, his eyes boring into me. I’ve always gotten the impression that Jace sees more than he lets on. He’s definitely not a dumb guy, that’s for sure.
“Trust me, Nova’s all I want and will ever want.”
“Good.” I nod. “You guys are great together.”
His lips tip up in a half smile. “I think so too.”
Mindy comes back with our drinks and takes our order. I tell her mine and then Jace orders.
“I’ll have the cheeseburger with fries, nachos, uh … and the filet salad.”
“You seriously want all that?” Mindy looks at him in disbelief.
“Yes.” He nods. “She’s paying,” he says by way of explanation.
“I’ll get that in.” Mindy turns and heads over to one of the computers to enter in our order.
“What happened to ordering the most expensive items?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I decided to get what sounded good.” He looks out the window.
It’s a nice day, and hot, for early September. You wouldn’t believe fall is just around the corner, but it’ll get cold soon. Much too soon in my opinion. Sometimes I wish Xander would get traded somewhere warmer, but then again, staying near our friends and family is a whole lot more appealing. Especially with the baby to think about.
Mindy brings us the order of cheese fries. I’m starving so go to grab one and Jace smacks my hand away.
“Hey,” I defend. “What’s that for?”
“These are mine.” He points at the fries.
“Are you going to deny a pregnant woman fries, Jacen?” I glare.
He narrows his green eyes on me. “Are you going to call me Jacen all fucking day? ‘Cause I can leave and take my fries with me.”
I sigh. “Fine. Can we call a truce?” He nods and lets me continue. “I’ll stop calling you Jacen, for the day, at least, if you share your cheese fries with me.”
His lip curls, clearly not pleased with this proposal, but, finally, he nods and agrees. “Fine. Deal.”
He moves his hand and lets me grab a fry. I dip it in the ranch and try to suppress my moan. I ate a piece of toast with jam for breakfast, but that was hours ago.
I grab my fork and end up shoveling half of Jace’s cheese fries onto the small extra plate Mindy dropped off.
Jace glares at me. “Did you have to take all my fucking fries?”
I point at his plate. “You have half. This is called sharing, Jace.” I put emphasis on his name since I didn’t say Jacen.
“That’s called, you stole all my fucking fries and I want them back.”
“You ordered like three meals,” I defend. “I’m growing a human, what are you doing?”
“I’m fucking hungry and that’s my food.”
I pick up a fry and make a big show of eating it. “Don’t make me tell Nova you were mean.”
He narrows his eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would, and you know she’d choose my side in this situation.”
He shakes his head. “You’re as crazy as they come.”
I smile widely at him. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment,” he grumbles.
“I know.” I smile like a shark.
Jace reluctantly shuts up and I can finally enjoy my—his—fries in peace.
Mindy comes by at one point to refill our drinks and tell us the rest of our food will be ready soon.
“Are you gonna steal the rest of my food too?” Jace asks, fighting a smile.
I shrug. “Depends on if it looks good or not.”
I’m surprised when that gets a gruff laugh from him. He’s not a big laugher. Jace is kind of … intense.
Our food arrives and Mindy clears away the empty plate of cheese fries.
My B.L.T. looks delicious, and despite the fries I just ate my stomach rumbles.
“So, I know I must’ve been your last resort to hang out with. I’m surprised you didn’t go by yourself.”
I frown, growing serious. “I’ve been spending a lot of time on my own lately. Xander’s tired, or at practice, or the gym—and his playing season is going to start soon, so it’s just going to get worse. I get sick of being in the house by myself all day long, since nobody wants to hire me, and now I’m pregnant so they really don’t want to hire me. Rae’s busy working, Cade too, and even Nova. While I’m just cooking a baby. It sucks. Is it bad that I miss living with Rae and Cade? At least then people were running in and out of the house all the time. Now that it’s only Xander and me it’s so … quiet.”
Jace doesn’t come back immediately with something snarky like I expect. Instead, he stares at me, his head tilted to the side like he’s studying me.
“I get that,” he finally says.
“You do?” I ask, my voice small.
“Well, sure.” He wipes his fingers on a napkin. “Right now, Nova’s gone a lot. She has work, and her and Joel are trying to start a business together, so that’s her focus. I work most evenings. It’s hard to see each other. The apartment is quiet a lot and it sucks. So yeah, I get it.”
“I guess you do,” I sigh. “I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy or what, but I feel really emotional about it, which I hate.”
“Right now is a big transition for you,” he reasons. “You’re not in school anymore, you don’t have a job yet, you’re in a new house, and your husband is gone. It’s a lot of new and different things. I think it’s perfectly reasonable for you to feel emotional or off balance about the whole thing. I don’t think it’s because you’re pregnant.”
“Hmm.” I sit back in the booth. “You know, you’re actually kind of smart.”
He laughs fully at that. “Don’t tell anybody. I have to let them think I’m just a pretty face.” He rubs his jaw and smirks.
“I can’t believe summer is over,” I mutter, looking out the window.
“Winter’s not so bad.”
“Bleh.” I gag. “It’s cold and wet, and did I mention cold?”
He chuckles. “It’s not that bad.” He picks up his burger and takes a bite, making a big show of chewing.
“Is it good?” I ask.
“Fucking fantastic. So, what’s new with you?” he asks.
I raise a brow. “Are you seriously asking me about my life?” I have to bite my tongue not to call him Jacen.
“I’m trying to be nice. You make it difficult.”
I laugh. “Well, we bought a house.”
He groans. “I fucking knew that. I’ve been there.”
“No, we bought another house. Xander calls it a cabin, I call it a mansion. It’s like a getaway house. He wanted some place for all of us to be able to go and hang out. He’s really excited for the winter when you all can go snowboarding.”
“No shit. That sounds fun.” His eyes widen, clearly impressed.
“I’m excited about it. I wasn’t at first, but once he told me why, I understood.”
“So what the fuck is up with this dinner at Rae and Cade’s place? It keeps getting canceled and it’s pissing me off.”
“I don’t know what’s going on. Maybe she’s pregnant too,” I joke.
Jace laughs. “That’s all we need, two of you pregnant at the same time. Though, I doubt any one of them would be as psycho as you.”
“You say psycho, I say … nope, I’m psycho.”
We finish our meal, and Jace ends up asking for a box to take the rest home with him for Nova.
“Are we done now?” he asks when we exit the building.
“No, I want to shop a bit.”
An inhuman growling type noise escapes him. “No.”
“Yes.” I grab his arm and tug him in the direction I want to go.
There are all sorts of stores, so this could take hours.
I smile to myself at that.
Jace might lose his mind by the end of this, but oh what fun I’ll have.
“For the love of God, let me walk you back to your car,” Jace groans, tilting his head back dramatically. “I only have two hours before I have to go to work.”
“One more store,” I plead. “Just one.” I hold up a finger and wiggle it around.
“Fine,” he reluctantly agrees, weighed down with my shopping bags.
For the record, I didn’t ask him to carry them, he offered, and he’s probably really regretting that now.
We enter a cute little boutique. It’s full of unique clothes and I immediately eye a pretty boho chic dress.
The walls of the store are painted yellow and around the top are little plaques with quotes.
It’s a really cute little store.
“Can we go now?” Jace asks.
I glare at him over my shoulder. “We’ve been in here five minutes. Chill.”
He groans. “I’m never, ever, for the rest of my life, answering a fucking text from you, ever again.”
I hold up a hand. “Silence.”
He groans and rolls his eyes.
I move further into the store and Jace hangs back. Good riddance.
I browse their jewelry and pick up a bracelet with a dainty moon and various stars.
“Constellations,” I murmur to myself.
“Hi, can I help you with anything?”
“Ah!” I jump back, startled by the salesgirl since I didn’t see her. “Um, hi. Yeah. I want this.” I point to the bracelet.
“Is that it?” she asks.
I nod. I’ve done enough damage today.
Apparently, shopping is my form of therapy.
I follow her to the checkout and notice a sign proclaiming WE’RE HIRING.
I point at the sign. “Do you have an application?”
“Yeah, sure. I can stick one in your bag?” she asks and I nod.
Working in a cute boutique like this is about as far as you can get from my degree, but I think I’d like it.
“Did someone ask for an application?” another voice calls from the back room behind the register.
“Yeah,” the girl checking me out says back.
A woman appears, she’s probably in her forties, with dark brown hair, and kind brown eyes. They’re slightly crinkled at the corners like she’s spent a lot of time smiling.
“Are you interested?” she asks.
I nod enthusiastically. “I really need a job, and your store is beautiful. I think I’d be happy somewhere like this.”
“You’re hired,” she says.
My jaw drops. “Are you serious?” I feel like I’m being Punk’d.
She nods. “Yeah, I’m sure. We need the position filled, desperately, and you look nice enough so you’re hired. Can you start Monday?”
“Yeah, absolutely.”
She holds out her hand for me to shake it. “You’re hired.”
I pay for my bracelet and head to the front.
“You look really fucking happy about something,” Jace comments, holding the door open for me.
“I just got a job,” I tell him.
His eyes widen, impressed. “Good for you.”
“It’s not social work, but I think I’ll like it. I mean, I love clothes so it should be a good fit.”
Jace walks me back to my car and helps put the bags away.
“See you later,” he calls, walking away. “And never text me ever again.”
“I’m calling tomorrow, honey pie!” I call after him.
He gives me the finger. “Blocking your number, psycho.”
I get in my car and text Xander.
Me: I got a job.
I’m surprised when he texts right back.
Xander: Really? Good for you? Where?
Me: A little boutique downtown. It’s called Sunshine’s.
Xander: Cool.
That one word tells me all I need to know. He’s not happy about this.
But I need to get out and have my own life. Can’t he see that?
18 weeks pregnant
Baby is the size of a sweet potato
I leave work early and head straight to my doctor’s appointment.
My heart is racing in my chest, I think it’s excitement, but maybe it’s fear. I can’t really tell anymore.
Today, we find out if we’re having a boy or a girl.
It makes it all the more real, because now, instead of some vague shadowy creature that I see in my head it’s going to be a real person.
Not that the baby wasn’t real before, because I know it is, and there’s no denying the kicks I now feel—Xander still hasn’t been able to feel one—or the outrageous morning sickness I’m still dealing with.
My phone rings and I press a button my steering wheel to answer. “Yeah, hello?”
“I’m almost to the doctor’s office, are you there yet?” Xander asks.
“No, I’m on my way, though.”
He breathes out a sigh of relief. “Okay, good. I might beat you there, then. I’m close. Coach was being a pain in my ass and didn’t want to let me leave practice early.”
“Xander,” I sigh. “I don’t want you to get in trouble in work.”
He growls over the phone. “This is one appointment I’m not missing. Don’t even try to argue with me about this.”
I laugh. “Okay, okay. I want you there, don’t get me wrong, I just don’t want to put you in a bad place.”
“It’s fine, Thea. I’ll see you in a few.” His tone softens.
“Bye.” I hang up and exit off the highway.
Ten minutes later I pull into the lot of my doctor’s office and park by Xander. He’s already standing outside his truck, leaning against the door.
I hop out and meet him. He bends and kisses me, smiling.
“How was work?” he asks.
“Fun. It’s only been a week, but so far I like it. Laurel, the owner, is really chill.” I shrug. Xander I haven’t really talked too much about my job. He’s been busy with football season and tired when he’s home, and, frankly, I know he’s not too happy about my working so I think he’s choosing to keep his mouth shut because he doesn’t want to piss me off. He understands why I want to work, but he also wishes I didn’t want to.
He puts his hand on my waist and guides me inside. I sign my name to check in and we sit down.
The sight of all the pregnant women and baby-covered magazines doesn’t send me into a frenzy anymore, so at least I’m making progress.
“Thea Kincaid?” they call, and we hop up.
We follow the nurse back to a room. She takes my blood pressure, checks my weight, and makes me pee in another dang cup. Seriously, what do they do with all the pee they collect?
Once all that’s done, we wait for the doctor.
I touch my hand to my chest. “My heart’s beating so fast,” I tell Xander. “I’m so nervous.”
He grabs my hand and holds it in his. “Don’t be.”
There’s a knock on the door and then Dr. Hawkins steps inside. “Howdy, kids. How are we today?”
“Good,” I answer.
He sits down in his swivel chair and looks over my chart. “How’s the sickness?”
“Still pretty bad,” I answer. “In a way, it’s better, because it’s not as often, but it happens at the most random of times. I notice lately it’s more related to smell than food. Like, the other day I sprayed my perfume and it hit me wrong.”
“Hmm.” He clucks his tongue. “If it gets much worse I can prescribe you something to help with the nausea, but if you think you can do without it, that’s better.”
“I’d rather not take it if I can help it,” I tell him honestly.
He nods. “Is there anything else you’d like to discuss before we start?”
“I think I’ve been feeling the baby kick for about two weeks now, but Xander still can’t feel it. Is that normal?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing to worry about. What you’re feeling is probably like little flutters, right?” He waits for me to nod. “So, it’ll probably be another week or two before they’re solid kicks and then he’ll be able to feel it on the outside. Don’t stress about it. Every pregnancy is different.” He claps his hands together. “All right, lie back and roll up your shirt.”
I do as he says, revealing my rounded stomach. It’s still small, but there’s definitely a baby in it. Xander, unable to help himself, reaches over and rubs my stomach. His hand is large and when he spreads his fingers he’s able to cup almost my entire stomach.
His dark eyes flick up to mine and he smiles.
I smile back.
I wasn’t on board with this whole baby thing. Heck, I’m still scared. But seeing my husband look at me like this makes me fall more in love with him and gives me hope that this is going to be okay.
Dr. Hawkins squirts the goo on my belly and pulls out his magic wand.
At least that’s what I call it.
He flips the screen toward us and the baby looks back at us.
“Look at the little legs.” I point, and you can see the baby kicking them around.
The doctor takes some measurements and snaps some photos. He presses another button and the heartbeat thunders through the room. It’s so strong and fast sounding.
I glance over at Xander and he has his left hand pressed to his mouth, looking in awe at the screen.
I thought, maybe by now, it’d get old but it still feels awe-inspiring each time.
“Is it a boy or a girl?” Xander asks, looking from the screen to the doctor. “Do you know?”
Dr. Hawkins smiles. “You want to know? I can tell you.”
“Yes!” we both shout simultaneously.
I hold my hand out to Xander and he takes it, squeezing it.
Dr. Hawkins smiles. “It’s a girl.”
“It’s a girl?” I gasp. “Are you sure?” Tears begin to fall, and I’m helpless to stop them.
“I can tell you with one-hundred percent certainty that it’s a girl. Look right there.” He points at the screen between the legs. “That right there means it’s a girl.”
I glance at Xander and find that he’s crying too. “Xander,” I breathe. “We’re going to have a daughter.”
He leans over and cups the back of my neck, drawing my lips to his. He kisses me deeply, our tears mingling together.
“This is real,” I tell him.
He wipes my tears away and smiles. “So real.”
We’re having a little girl.
