Revealing Kane

14 - Making Moves

When I walk into my apartment, I am stunned to see cardboard boxes. What is going on? I set my things on one end of the couch and go in search of John. He has to be behind this madness.

I find him in my bedroom, my suitcase open on the bed, and the drawers of the bureau open as he works inside one. He turns away from the dresser with his hands full of my clothes and proceeds almost to drop them when he sees me. His face lights up, and he quickly puts my things down before rushing to me.

"Hi, babe," he coos and then kisses me.

"John, what are you doing?" I ask after the buss.

"Packing your things. You said you want to move in with me, so I'm helping you do that," John proudly tells me, but I'm not in the mood.

"Do we have to do that tonight? I'm tired and hungry. Can't we just-"

"I made dinner. And I'll do everything. You just sit on your beautiful derriere and direct me, alright?" he grins, and I can't help but giggle at his sweet face.

"Alright, Johnny. But I have something to show you first," I tell him as I pull the magazine out of my bag.

I hand the published mag to him, and he looks at me curiously before turning his attention to the glossy pages.

"Wow. We look great," he enthuses. "Did you read the article?"

"Not yet, but John?" I say, and he hums his response as he flips through the mag. "Did you realize you held my belly?"

"What?" he asks, looking up at me.

"Let me have that a minute," I ask and take the magazine back.

I flip to the article and then to the last page of the feature. I show him the picture. And the blurb the magazine wrote under it.

Are John and Allison expecting?? Allison wears...

John just stares at the page, not reacting or saying anything. Then he lifts his eyes to mine, and I see concern mixed with love.

"Well, we weren't going to be able to keep it quiet for much longer. Your belly isn't as flat as it used to be," John tells me, and I feel myself pale.

"I'm showing?" I gasp, my hands going to my belly as I look down at myself.

"Not really, love. Your stomach is just a touch rounder. I noticed last night when I finally got you naked," he smirks at me.

"And you didn't say anything?" I say.

I'm horrified. I didn't think I would start to show for a while yet. How is this going to affect my career? This is disastrous!

"Don't panic, Ally. Did your agent say anything? Or that Diane woman?" John gently asks.

"No, but it's only a matter of time now," I fret, and John pulls me into a hug.

"We're going to be okay. It's okay. I think you're beautiful, and being pregnant will make you more so," John soothes, but I'm not having it.

"But what if there's a scandal because you're the dad-"

"Stop it," John scolds. "You and I will be fine. The baby will be fine. And if the paparazzi want to run articles because of your pregnancy, so what? They'll spread gossip no matter what."

"I'm afraid it will affect my work. What if they stop booking me because I'm pregnant?" I whine, and John shakes his head no.

"Diane told me you are a very sought-after model right now. Finding models for pregnancy shoots is hard for obvious reasons. This might give you too much work. Have you talked to Yasmin?" he says, and I nod.

"She's the one that suggested there might be issues if your paternity gets out," I worry, and John sighs.

"Well, there's nothing to be done about it. You're pregnant, I'm the father, and the news will get out. Why worry about something out of our control?" John says, trying to calm my frazzled nerves. "As long as we are happy, that's all that matters, alright?" he says, and I sullenly nod. "Good. Now help me pack your things. I want you sleeping in my bed tonight."

John and I decide just to take my clothes and toiletries to his place tonight. When we both get an afternoon off, we will move the rest if needed. I might be donating quite a bit to a local women's shelter.

As I step into John's house, I try to remember only the good that happened here, but to be honest, I wasn't here very much. All those nights making dinner and making out were at the LeBon's. Four times I was here, if I'm counting right. The day he took my virginity. The night he drugged me, and I got pregnant. The night we broke up. And the afternoon, not so long ago, that I walked in on him getting a blow job. Not many good memories there.

John leads me into the kitchen, where a meal is indeed cooking in the oven. What could he have left unattended for so long? I soon discover it is a roast and potatoes he left to cook slowly. It looks mouth-wateringly good when he takes it out of the oven. He carves the meat, serves me my portion, and as we eat, we discuss our upcoming trip to Italy.

"I asked Diane not to book me for those dates, so everything should be good to go," I tell John, and he gives me an enthusiastic kiss.

"That's fantastic. I can't wait to show you around there. And maybe we'll tell the rest of the band about the baby. You'll probably be truly showing by then," he says, and I stare at him. "What?"

"You're really happy about the baby," I state, and he scoffs at me.

"Of course I am! I reckon I'm ready to settle down and be a proper dad," he tells me.

"But..." I lead, thinking there's more.

"There's no but. I love you. I want to make babies with you. I know we got things a little out of order, but we'll be okay," John replies.

"And you're sure of that?" I confirm.

"Never more," he responds, and I feel an enormous weight lift from my shoulders.

After dinner, we clean up the dishes, and John leads me to his room. He wants me to settle my things in, but I am honestly worn out. Between the early shoot, the stress of moving, and being pregnant, I'm ready for bed. And John, the sweet man that he is, picks up on it quickly. He comes over to where I'm listlessly picking through my suitcase, turns me away from it, and pulls me into a hug.

"You look knackered, darling," he whispers as he strokes my hair.

"I really am," I croak, and he chuckles.

"Then off to bed with you. Do you have work tomorrow?" he asks as he pulls away from me.

"I do," I tell him as I watch him move my suitcase to the top of the dresser.

"We'll unpack you tomorrow. Now out of those clothes, young lady," John playfully scolds.

I stand still as John helps me take off my tee shirt and sweatpants. I could literally fall down as I'm so tired. John quickly has me naked and then pulls back the covers on his bed. He guides me to lie down and then covers me up.

"I love you. I'm so glad you're here," he tells me, kisses me, and goes to his wardrobe to change.

I lie there, sleepily watching him strip out of his clothes. When he's naked, he turns off the light and climbs into bed with me. I feel his hands slide onto my body, and he pulls me close. He kisses my forehead and then sighs.

"This is fantastic. I've waited so long to hold you at night," he whispers, kisses my forehead, and both of us soon drift off.