Page 19 of Pregnant By the Joc

“Baby you would look beautiful. You always look beautiful.” He is so sweet.

“Now you tell me. Why is this something we have to do now?”

“It’s a girl, Ripley. I don’t want her growing up thinking guys shouldn’t marry her. Or believing I didn’t think her mom was worthy of being my wife before she was born. I want her to know her worth and know I knew her mother was worth everything. Besides,” he puts his head down like the next thing is going to be ludicrous. “If we aren’t married, we will be in different places in line for graduation and for the senior pics. I can’t not be next to you when we walk on stage.” Is he serious?

“Are you serious Cobi?” He says nothing but I can tell he is for real. I can’t even say anything right now. “Look why don’t we continue thinking about names.” he sighs visibly.

“Sounds good. What letter did we leave off on?” he asks.

“I think L.” We have been going through the alphabet writing down all the ones we like. He reaches for the notebook we have been using and turns to the page. “You go first.” Smiling, he hits me with one.

“Lola.”

“I like that. How about Lailah.”

“Okay that is a good one. What about Lorelei?”

“Too Gilmore Girls. How about Lilith?”

“Uh no. Not naming my princess after some stone-cold bitch fromFrasier.”

“Fair enough,” I tell him trying not to giggle at the fact he even knows what that is. “What about Lorna?” He frowns so I know he isn’t fond of it. We go back and forth for about an hour before I finally fall asleep.

* * *

“Crap. I hate being late,” I tell him, waddling as fast as I can.

“Slow down baby. It’s fine.” That’s easy for him to say. People stare when you walk into a room late.

We have been taking Lamaze class for the last two weeks on Saturdays. I find it extremely helpful and honest because they don’t try to make it seem like this beautiful thing that is devoid of pain. The videos they showed last week definitely told the truth. They also went over some options for pain management. I am leaning toward doing it without any, but Cobi told me I was crazy. He said if he has to look at me in pain he was going to end up hurting the doctor. “Sorry we’re late.” I tell the class walking over to our spot.”

“No worries. We have actually just begun. Carmen went into labor at the start of class.”

“Oh wow.” I am unsure what else to say.

“Shall we begin?” We all nod and listen as class starts. For this class apparently, a doctor comes in and talks us through the process, answering questions about possible complications. Cobi and I both listen intently, filing everything in our get prepared column. The doctor talks about the importance of keeping mama stress free closer to the due date and making sure we are comfortable. She talks about high blood pressure in the third trimester and how dangerous that can be for me and the baby.

I notice he has been really quiet the entire time and once we are in the car I ask him about it. “Babe, what's wrong? You have been really quiet.” He looks pensive for a moment before he turns to me and holds my hands.

“I’m sorry Angel for pressuring you to marry me now. I will wait for you as long as you want me to. All that matters is you and the baby being healthy. So if you want me to, I will wait.” he is so damn adorable. I love him so much.

“Would you be happy getting married in a courthouse? I mean we can plan something later, but right now, I only want your family and Heather. I want to spend this time getting ready for the baby and get used to being parents not planning some big thing when all that matters to me is right here in front of me.”

“Hells yeah Angel. A courthouse is fine for me if that is what you want. I just want to be your husband, baby.” He kisses me so sweetly it brings tears to my eyes.

“Then make me your wife in front of the people who love us.”

“Anything you want, baby. Anything.”

ChapterFourteen

Jocobi

Four Weeks Later

Nine Months Pregnant

“I can’t believe we are doing this.” Ripley's voice makes me turn, concerned about the level of emotion.

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