The Perfect Ride

Chapter 40

***
Two months had passed. It was now November. Jess and I had been together eight, amazing months. Roz was 35 weeks pregnant and ready ready pop any moment. She didn't even go to the shows anymore and neither did Jess. Cooper was afraid Roz might go into early labor, and wanted someone with her, so Jess was the guy. We were back in California for the final couple of shows. It was November 14th, meaning we had less than a month left on tour, so the last couple shows were going to be big ones.

I was currently getting ready, and talking to Cooper.

"Roz said she's been in some pain today" He says.

"Well, that's pretty normal for a woman about to give birth" I say. It was cute that he was worried. Jess worried too, but I didn't let Cooper know that.

"Do you think she could go early?" He asks.

"Yeah" I say.

"What?! Sadie!" He almost yells. I finally look at him.

"Women have babies early all the time. Sometimes they're early, sometimes they're late. Sometimes they're born right when they're due. It's the magic of pregnancy, Coop. Roz will know when it's time, and she'll let you know too" I try to reassure him.

"I just love her so much. I want her to be okay" He says, flopping down in a chair.

"Her body is designed to do this. She will be okay" I say. He nods.

"You know I kind of hate it" He says.

"Hate what?" I ask.

"Well, this baby...I mean, Cody is her father. I know that...I will be the man who raises her, and will be the one she calls 'daddy', but...I wish she had my blood" He says.

"I get it" I say.

"I guess, I...I wish I was the one who gave her first child, you know? I hate that I'm not" He says.

"I know, but Coop, you are the man Roz loves. She doesn't want anyone else" I say. He smiled and nodded.

"Yeah" He says. "You know you and Jess are lucky. You fell in love so fast, and you guys know you're meant to be. He gets to be the father of all your kids".

"Just because you and thst little peanut won't share blood, doesn't mean you're not her father. You've worried yourself sick over her since the day you and Roz because friends. You're going to be the one to nurse her first broken heart. You'll teach her to drive a car and ride horses. You'll be at every game she plays, every race she has, you'll be there for her always. You'll show up for her, always. That is what makes you a father".

"Wow, Sadie" He says.

"What?" I ask.

"One day, you'll be an amazing mother" He says. I smiled. "Jess truly is a lucky man". I let out a sigh.

"Yeah" I say.

"What's wrong?" He asks. I sit down next to him.

"This tour ends in Texas in less than a month. Jess lives in Texas. I live in Montana. We haven't talked about what we're doing yet, because I...don't want too. I'm scared too, because what may have to happen isn't what I want to happen" I say.

"Oh, Sadie. You and Jess are going to be fine. You can make it through anything. You'll figure it out. Rozlyn and I did" He says.

"You did?" I ask.

"Well, yeah" He replies. "She's moving to Texas with me. I've got a cabin on my families ranch. We're gonna raise the baby in Texas".

"Oh, well good for you guys. I'm happy for you" I say.

"Well, it took her sometime to become convinced, but she did" He says.

"Hell, maybe I'll move to Texas too" I say, not seriously at all.

"Do it" He says.

"Excuse me" I say.

"Do it. Jess, you, me, Rozlyn, and the baby. It would be just like tour. Plus, you could get a job there teaching trick riding too" He says.

"Hmm, maybe" I say.

"Yeah, Sadie! It would be perfect. Jess and I only live a few minute from each other. You could see the baby whenever you wanted. We could all hang out. It's perfect".

"You're right. It would be" I say with a smile. I jolt up. "Come on, let's get this show down down I can tell Jess!". I knew it would be hard to leave my family, but worth it because of Jess. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad afterall. Maybe I was making something out of nothing the whole time. Maybe Jess and I would last forever.