I Heard A Rumor

Chapter 14: Promise

-six months later-

-September 2022-

I stare down at the index cards in my hand and try to slow my breathing.

In and out. In and out.

This is all I've ever wanted. Why am I so nervous?

I hear the bathroom door open and shut.

Please let it be him.

"Lovey?", I hear Jon's voice and a soft knock against my bathroom stall.

I stand up, wiping my tears on my sleeve before getting up from the toilet and opening the stall.

"Thanks for meeting me. I really needed to see you before I go on stage."

He smiles, "Of course. I've just been sitting on my phone waiting for everything to start." He pauses, "I'm so excited for you and I'm so proud of you." I feel my cheeks light up and feel that tension I've been feeling for the past few hours lighten up.

I look up at him, leaning against the wall. "I just can't really believe that we're here. Even after everything. It's just all so surreal. But I'm not scared. Because I know I'll always have you by my side. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous for this speech."

"You're going to do great. It's completely normal to feel nervous. That just means you love and care about what you do. Remember my first floor speech? I kept pushing it off and off because I was just so nervous about it. And there was no real reason for it. I'm so happy I did it though, and giving floor speeches is one of the best parts of being in the Senate now."

I laugh lightly, "You don't have much of an excuse for taking so long to release that damn official portrait of yours."

Jon rolls his eyes, "Look, I just wanted someone to.. share it with?"

"That sounds like an excuse, babe."

Jon, seemingly accepting defeat, changes the subject, "Are you sure you're okay though? I mean, you did text me, hiding in the bathroom. I know you, and I want you to kick ass on that stage and be your best self."

I tuck some loose hairs behind my ears and look straight at Jon. "I just want to do the best job that I can do. This is such a huge responsibility. Working with the Vice President on a commission for gender equality in the first place. I just have to do this right. I'm now in the position where I can right so many wrongs that have been the system for decades. I just don't want to fuck it up. And I just wanted to get that out, for the next few minutes, I don't want to worry myself to tears. I just want to be with you."

Before I can even start to lean in, Jon grabs my waist and pushes me against the wall and kisses me hard. For just a few moments, I let myself forget everything as I close my eyes and kiss the man I love. Jon's hand is placed on the back of my neck and I pull him even closer to me to savor the taste of his lips on mine, wanting them to stay on mine forever.

All of a sudden, I feel a sharp kick in my stomach.

"Jon," I breathe into the kiss, abruptly pulling away.

"You good?", he asks softly, still massaging the back of my neck.

I laugh, "Yeah, I just think Naomi didn't like how pressed up you were on me."

Jon's eyes go wide as he looks down at my very large stomach. He chuckles as he leans down and touches my stomach, his eyes go soft. "Sorry about that, Nomi. I got a little carried away with how much I love your mom. I'm so excited to meet you in a little more than a month. I know I can't promise not to get carried away with your mom. I promise that you and your mom are going to be the most important people in my life because you are the best things that have ever happened to me."