Life Changes

Chapter 19

A few days later...

Jessica's POV:

I pulled the blanket tighter around me as I quietly walked downstairs. I looked at the stovetop clock and saw it was 4:30 in the morning. Ugh! Since being discharged from the hospital, I have had trouble sleeping at night. And I crave the weirdest stuff! 

Opening the fridge door, I forgot how bright the light was. Squinting, I reached for last night's leftovers; once I finished reheating them, I opened the patio door and decided to sit at the table. With the bird sounds around me, I could see the sunrise slowly peeking over the horizon. In my mind, I was thinking back to the conversation my mom and I had in the hospital. Ever since then, I have started to think more and more about how life would genuinely be like should Harrison and I ever get married. Do I wish it would happen soon? Of course! Do I want to rush him into marrying me? Absolutely not, but let's be honest - time's ticking! 

As I took the last bite, I could feel my stomach acting weird. Not wanting to risk it, I ran to the bathroom and threw up multiple times. My heaving noises must have been loud because before I knew it, I could feel Karen sitting beside me, rubbing my back and holding my hair back. "Oh darling, are you coming down with something?" I shook my head. "I don't know anymore. It's like I cannot stomach certain foods I cannot stomach certain foods ever since I came home from the hospital. And I have the weirdest cravings! Just the other day, I woke Harrison up in the middle of the night because I wanted potato chips dipped in mustard! Like, what is that?! Is there something wr-" Before I could finish my sentence, I heaved and threw up what felt like everything I had in my body. 

Karen put a cool washcloth on my forehead and helped me lean back against the wall. "Jess, I know you might think I am exaggerating right now, but when was your last period? Just looking at your symptoms, I can't help but think back to when I found out I was pregnant." My mind started racing. Could I be pregnant? It would explain how tired I was (even though I wasn't in the hospital anymore, how tired can a person get?) It could explain the weird cravings and my mood swings. "I don't remember when my last period was; I have always been irregular, and I think with everything that has been going on, it wouldn't surprise me if my period shows up in a week or two." 

Karen opened a cabinet drawer and pulled out a pregnancy test. "Karen, you cannot be serious! There is no way I can be pregnant; the doctor said-" "Jess, miracles happen. Hoppo and I also tried to have kids for years, and even after doctors said we would never be able to have kids, we were still blessed with our two girls. Don't you want to take a test to ease your mind? We don't have to speak of it again if it is negative." I shrugged and grabbed the test. Karen waited for me outside while I did my business. 

I opened the door and walked to the kitchen to set the timer. Karen walked to the fridge and started pulling out ingredients to make breakfast. I was lost in my thoughts: how would I tell Harrison if the test was positive? Would he even want a kid right now in our season of life? Before I knew it, the timer went off, and I stood up. Karen came over and took my hand. "Whatever that test says, Jess, you have people around you who love and support you, no matter what." Smiling, I went to the bathroom and took a deep breath. Flipping the test around, I gasped and sank to the ground. My eyes started getting blurry, but one thing was as clear as day: that was a plus sign on the test. 

That same evening... 

Harrison's POV:

"Hey, Harrison! A bunch of us are going to get some drinks. Wanna join us?" Looking over my shoulder, I saw Jesse and Whippet standing at the door. "Ah, sorry guys. I wish I could, but Jess has been feeling slightly under the weather, so I want to stay in and keep her company." As I walked to my car, I couldn't help but worry about Jess. When I woke up this morning, Jess was knocked out on the couch. Jess sat up and threw up in the bucket as I went over to kiss her good morning as I went over to kiss her good morning. That was one of the many signs that I knew something was up. If it wasn't her having mood swings from left to right, it was her waking me up in the middle of the night for random cravings. Let me tell you, potato chips dipped in mustard? Absolutely not! I shudder just thinking about it. 

Pulling up to the house, I saw that Karen and Hoppo were working in the yard. Waving hi to them, I walked to the front door and saw that Albert and Jackson were running towards the door. "Hi, Harrison! Welcome back! Can we go swimming?" I laughed and was about to answer when Jess's mom came around the corner. "Now boys, Harrison just got home, and I am sure he wants to check in on Jess. Boys, let's go for a walk and let Harrison relax for a little bit." The boys groaned but followed their mom, knowing better than to argue with her. I chuckled and walked into the kitchen. "Jess! Where are you?" When Jess didn't reply, I figured she was in the bathroom. I walked to the fridge and pulled out a drink. Walking to the bathroom, I heard Jess say, "Hun? Can you come to our room for a second? I want to show you something" Making a detour for the bedroom, I opened the door and saw Jess sitting on the bed holding a box. "What's this? Did you find a mysterious box that you're afraid of opening?" She laughed, and honestly, I was glad she was feeling and looking better. "Haha, you wish! No, I got you something I saw online and couldn't resist." 

Taking the box from Jess,  I opened it and I saw a pregnancy test on top of a onesie that said "Daddy's little lifeguard". I was speechless and looked back at Jess. "Babe, are you serious?! Are you pregnant? Or are you pranking me?" Jess laughed and had tears of joy running down her face. "Harrison, I know the doctors said there was a very small of chance of me having kids, but this is truly our miracle baby! I was so nervous as to how you were going to react because we never really talked about kids." I put the box away and gave Jess a big kiss and a hug. "Jess, I am so excited to become a dad, and I am so happy that you are going to be the mother of my child! How can I not be happy? Sure, it definitely wasn't planned, but I know this little bean will be everything we've wished for and more!" Jess smiled and leaned her head on my shoulder; I then put my hand on her flat stomach, and I spent the next few minutes smiling and thinking of all the fun adventures I could go on with Jess and our little kiddo. 

I'm back!! I took a much longer break than I thought I would, but a lot has happened in the last few years since I've written something. I see it as a way of thinking of a creative way to continue writing this story ;) 

I still can't believe that Jess and Harrison are expecting a little one!! I cannot wait to take you all along as we follow Jess's pregnancy and all the ups and downs that come with that. How is everyone going to react to the amazing news? Will everything go as Jess and Harrison have planned? Or will they experience unexpected bumps along the way? 

Keep reading to find out.... ;) 

Until next time,

Trishi xoxo