The Game Changer The Final Score - By L.M. Trio Page 0,107
lot of issues and not that many people around to support her.”
“Thankfully, it’s over.”
“I know, right? Man, you don’t know the sick feeling I had the last few weeks over this. My mind was in a million different directions. I didn’t know how I was going to handle this if she was pregnant. You know what I went through with my own parents. How could I do that to my own kid?”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that now,” Luke answers.
“I can’t wait to get out of here. Let’s go home.”
***
JJ is sleeping on the reclining chair, while De is curled up on the couch with the blanket pulled over her head. It’s after midnight when we arrive back at the condo. JJ jumps up when she hears us come in.
“How did it go?” she whispers curiously.
“It’s all good,” I answer with a smile. “No baby.”
“Oh my God! How did you find out?” she asks excitedly, hugging me. Luke takes her by the hand and tells her he’ll fill her in on the ride home.
After they leave, I walk over to the couch and kneel down beside De as she sleeps soundly. I peel back the blanket just enough so I can see her face. I stay there for a while, watching her as a warm feeling flows through my veins and my thoughts drift to our future. We can have a fresh start together.
I want nothing more than to wake her right now and fill her in, but she looks so peaceful. I decide we have forever. I finally move to the reclining chair. Exhausted by the drama of the last several weeks, I doze off, full of relief to be home and have this huge weight removed from my shoulders.
***
“Mikey... Mikey.” I hear in a loud whisper and someone begins to poke me slightly as I sleep.
“Huh?” I jump, taking a second to get my bearings. “Hey,” I say, smiling as De comes into focus.
“When did you get in?” she asks, sitting on the arm of the chair.
“What time is it?”
“Two thirty,” she answers.
“A couple of hours ago.”
“Why didn’t you wake me? Where is everyone?”
“JJ woke up when we came in; her and Luke left.”
“Are you okay?”
“Come here.” I lift her onto my lap. “I’m better than okay. You’re here.” I hold her tightly.
“Were you able to find out anything?” she asks, her head lying against my chest. “Yep.” I take a deep breath, hardly believing it myself. “You and I are going to have a chance to start this thing between us, the way it was meant to be.”
“What are you saying?” she asks, raising her eyes to meet mine.
“She lied. There is no baby.”
“Oh my God! I’m so happy,” she says, hugging me tightly. I relay the details of the last two days. “You know it wouldn’t have mattered to me. It’s not like we were planning on this happening between us. We were both involved with other people. Things happen that we sometimes don’t plan.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. I’ve always planned on this happening between us.” I laugh.
“I’m sure,” she says sarcastically.
“I am sure,” I say confidently. “I just never imagined that I would screw up so bad and possibly have to face someone other than you having my baby. Or for that matter, God forbid, what if it was you that got pregnant by that asshole, Doctor Jeffrey? I never considered those things in the equation of you and me.” I shudder at the thought.
She laughs. “Would you have still wanted to be with me if I was carrying someone else’s baby? I mean, what if I broke things off with Jeffrey, not realizing I was pregnant, and then you and I admit that we love each other, and then I find out I’m pregnant with his baby after the fact. What would you do?” she asks, baiting me.
“Dump your ass. I don’t need that shit.”
She smacks me and I start to tickle her. I love the way we can play with each other, constantly teasing and baiting the other. No doubt, there is a strong love and respect between us.
I continue on a more serious note, “Hmm… First off, I’d have to convince you not to stay with him, ‘cause I know you, you’d feel like you had to.”
She nods her head, somewhat agreeing. I take my time with my answer, wanting to get the words right, I need her to know exactly how I feel.