Underground {OBX}

Part 24

I stare at my phone, trying to make out the letters that form the next clue. So far, we have the word 'second.'

"The next letter is F," Kie tells us. Pope writes down the letters. Eventually, we finish the clue.

"Second floor, western wing," I read. Sarah immediately perks up. "My house. It's the only one on the island that was big enough to be separated into wings at the time."

"Okay, but which room is on the second floor in the western wing," Pope asks. Sarah thinks for a moment.

"That's Rafe's room," John B says. "I remember from when I lived with you, Sarah."

"You're right," she mumbles.

"Okay, so how the hell are we supposed to get into a paychopath's room," Kie asks. "Especially when Sarah isn't even allowed in her own house?"

"Maybe we can come up with something," Pope suggests. John B shakes his head. "No, no, no, and no. One of us is gonna get killed."

"Since when do you care about dying," Kie asks.

"Since it has to do with Ward and Rafe."

"Ward and Rafe can kiss my ass," JJ comments, until he remembers that Sarah is in the room. "No offense."

"None taken," she waves off.

~

We walk to the Cameron house to scope it out in order to come up with a plan. My legs are getting tired and I'm cramping up from the walking. When I begin to fall behind, Pope notices and slows down as well.

"Hey," I struggle. "Sorry, I, uh.. I'm tired today." I laugh the immediate awkwardness that I feel away.

"Brie, we need to talk," Pope tells me in all seriousness. Worried, I look at him and ask, "What's up?"

"I know you're pregnant."

I stop in my tracks. Annoyed, I turn to him and ask, "And what makes you think that, Einstein?"

"You've been throwing up a lot, refusing weed, and faking drinking alcohol. Not to mention, I can tell you're not telling JJ anything, so you're getting distant. You're excuse is different every time."

I sigh. He's right. Usually, I'm better at lying, but when it comes to this baby, I can't lie anymore.

"Okay, yes, Pope," I breathe. "I am pregnant."

I am quick to add, "But you can't tell JJ. I don't know if he's the father yet."

Pope gives an understanding nod. "Who else knows," he asks me.

"Kie and Sarah." I hesitate when I add, "And Topper."

"Topper," Pope exclaims. "How could you tell Topper, but not JJ?"

"Long story short, Topper got pissed because we secretly used his DNA for the paternity test."

"You.. What," Pope asks. "So that's what his issue was at the party?"

I nod. "We cool?"

"We cool," Pope smiles. We hurry to catch up with the group, who are crouched down behind the wall around the Cameron's property. "What if we had two people run in and pretend I asked them to grab something from home, and if they get caught, say that they didn't know where they were going," Sarah suggests.

"That could work," JJ smiles.

"Yeah, but who would go," Pope asks.

We look between each other. "Well, Brie could go because she knows where she's going, but could pull off playing dumb. Plus, my family isn't against her entirely."

"Wait, no," Kie says. "Brie can't go."

"Why not," John B asks. I look at Kie with a smirk. "Yeah, Kie, why not?"

"Because she could be killed, and she's.. On her period."

"I'll go," I confirm to Sarah. "And Pope could come, too. You're family barely knows him."

"Well, Rafe beat my ass a couple times," Pope reasons. "But I'm probably the least wanted besides you, so I'll go."

"Okay, so this might actually work," Kie chuckles. "Just don't die."

"Yeah, please don't die," Sarah laughs. We all laugh along with her.

~

The next morning, I'm sleeping peacefully next to JJ. My phone buzzes so much, it falls off of my nightstand, startling me awake. I sit up carefully, hoping not to wake the boy next to me. I pick up my phone and see that an unknown number called me. My heart instantly skips a beat. I hurry outside to return the call.

As the phone rings, I watch the HMS Pogue wade in the water. The other line picks up. "Ms. Rutledge, thank you for returning the call. This is Doctor Sanbridge."

"Yes, hi.. Hello," I say, relieved.

"I've received your test results, and I'm afraid I have some bad news. The sample you gave me does not match the DNA sample of the potential father."

I take a second to process this information. Topper isn't the father! That means JJ is! "Oh, my gosh! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me! Thank you!"

"You're welcome," the doctor says. "Have a good day."

I hang up the phone and squeal in excitement. JJ is the father! JJ is the father. What if he gets angry? What if he doesn't want to be a father now, or at all? What would I do then?

Author speaking!
Hey, everybody! How are we liking the story so far? I'm not very proud of this part, I kind of rushed it. But hey, JJ's the father!!