Page 27 of Stuffed

“I was scared to tell you,” I admitted. “I know it’s

stupid. I don’t know why.”

“It’s a big deal,” he replied. “Don’t worry about it. I knew what I was doing busting all those loads inside of you!”

I giggled and slapped him lightly on the shoulder. “This is our baby we’re talking about now! Don’t say…all those loads!”

“Okay, okay,” he chuckled. “But really—I’m thrilled, baby. Are you going to take time off from school to have the baby?”

“I think I’ll have to,” I replied. “But I could take a year and go back part-time later.”

“That sounds like a great plan,” he smiled.

Jim was incredibly supportive and I knew that even if I decided not to finish college (for some reason), he would have no problem supporting me and the baby. But I did want to at least get my degree in something, just for my own sake.

“So, is it a boy or a girl?” he asked.

“Already!?” I laughed. “How should I know?”

“Mother’s intuition?” he suggested with a grin.

“Well, my intuition is telling me that it’s definitely human,” I joked. “But beyond that, I couldn’t tell ya.”

We were both grinning at each other like a couple of kids when Jim’s cell phone rang. He groaned and picked it up, then froze.

“What?” I asked. But I already knew.

“It’s your dad,” he replied.

“Why is he calling now?” I asked, starting to panic. “He’s not getting back until tomorrow!”

“That’s what I thought. Keep quiet for a sec,” he said as he answered the call. “Hey, Randy! How the hell are ya? Calling me from Ireland?”

I could hear my father’s voice on the other end but couldn’t make out what he was saying.

“Sure, Randy,” Jim replied, tossing me a nervous look. “Yeah, I gotcha. No problem. See ya soon.”

He hung up.

“Don’t tell me—”

“Your pops caught an early flight and is at the airport,” Jim replied. “He wants me to come pick him up. Now.”

“Ugh,” I replied, pulling the sheets over my face. “Are you gonna…tell him?”

“I don’t see any way around it,” I replied. “Everyone knows but him, right? I’d feel bad keeping him in the dark.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, my heart rate suddenly elevated. “I just—I really hope he doesn’t kill you!”

“Don’t worry, babe,” he said, pulling the covers down and kissing me on the nose. “The most he’ll do is cuss me out and say I have no business being with you.”

“Oh, great!” I groaned. “That would probably be worse.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jim

I had to admit I was a bit nervous as I waited at the gate for Randy. I wasn’t worried about him being angry or trying to kick my ass or anything; I was worried about him being hurt by what I’d done.

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