Second Chances // Joe Burrow

6. 'Mommy's Special Friend'

Madison's POV

"So I'll pick you up at seven then?" He asks, like I didn't drop the emotional equivalent of Nagasaki on our conversation.

"I'm sorry, what?" I ask, my eyes probably bugging. "Did you hear me?"

"Yeah, you're pregnant. Congratulations by the way, you're going to be an amazing mom." He smiles. "So, seven?"

"Joseph, do you even here yourself right now?" I ask pushing my chair back and standing up. "You can't take a pregnant woman on a date."

"I don't see why not?" He shrugs, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Uh, because what happens in seven months when I'm not just me, I have two tiny me's? Welp Maddie this was fun, congratulations. Have a nice life!?"

His face falls, "I would never do that to you?"

"You don't know that Joe. You can't possibly tell me that if we got serious you'd stick around and watch me raise another man's babies and you'd just be completely fine with that."

"You wouldn't be raising another man's babies, you'd be raising yours," He states. "As far as I'm concerned, you got a sperm donor."

"Okay. Say this works out, I'm still going to have two kids, and you'll be what? Mommy's 'special friend'?"

"I'll be whatever you want me to be to them." He sighs. "Something. Nothing. Everything. We'll take this at your pace."

I took a deep breath and sat back down. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to date Joe. He's a nice guy, and very easy on the eyes. And being around him almost everyday has made my life less sucky, even if it's only been a week.

"One date, that's it." I give in, but not really. Had I not been pregnant, I would have said yes immediately.

He grins and bends down, kissing my forehead. "Awesome, I'll pick you up at seven. Wear something casual."

And then he skipped, like actually skipped, out of my office.

.....
"Is it too early for me to be dating?" I ask before my therapist even finishes their greeting.

"You're going on a date? That's awesome! With who?"

"So it's not too soon?" I ask, trying to decide between two sweaters. My skin has been more sensitive here lately and I don't want to be uncomfortable.

"The timeline in which we heal from trauma is different for everyone. Is this date with the same guy who brings you lunch everyday?"

I text my therapist on the daily, of course they know about Joe.

"Yeah, Joe."

"So, where is he taking you?"

"I'm not sure. That's another thing I'm worried about. He's, you know, an NFL quarterback. Wherever we go, people are going to know his face."

"And you don't want to be in the limelight? Madison I hate to break it to you, but that ship has passed. You work for the team now, not to mention your uncle is the coach, you've been in limelight for a while now honey. Everyone knows your name."

"No that's not it. I used to dream of being married to all of One Direction in middle school so I prepared mental to be a famous girlfriend, that's not it."

I take a deep breath and ditch the sweaters, going for a maroon long sleeve shirt with orange stripes instead.

"I'm pregnant, almost out of my first trimester. So if we continue to date, in a week or two, I'm going to be visibly pregnant. I'm just worried about what that's going to do to him."

"What do you mean? You texted me that you told him and he seemed okay with it."

"I guess I'm just worried about his reputation." I say, a bit out of breath after squeezing into a pair of jeans. "The media are sharks. They're so many ways they could spin this. He's just starting his career and I wouldn't want to tarnish that."

"This Joe guys seems like a pretty smart man. I'm sure if he was in the least bit worried about his reputation, he wouldn't have asked you out. But like you said, it's only one date, you're stressing over this for no reason. This could be the worst date you've ever been on and you'll realize you two are just better as friends."

"And what if it the most amazing date ever?" I ask, sliding into my boots.

"Then you let him kiss you and make plans for a second date."

"I can't believe you think this is a good idea." I mumble.

"Stop trying to talk yourself out of it and enjoy the good in life. God knows you deserve it."

"Okay, okay. I think he's here. I'll text you with how it goes."

"Remember to enjoy yourself MadIson." Was the last thing Ezra said before they hung up the phone.

The knocking at the door became more persistent so I took a deep breath and walked over, only to fine my uncle standing there.

"You want to tell me why my Quarterback is standing in my living room?"

———————

Idk. Should her uncle be happy about this or mad? Let me know 😅