Jennifer felt nervous, her stomach turning into a knot as she stood there in front of the door. Taking yet another deep, and much needed breath, she finally rose her hand and knocked on the door.
"Jen?" Elisabeth smiled surprised once she had opened the door.
"Hey Elisabeth," Jennifer greeted her with a warm yet nervous smile, which had Elisabeth frown.
"Something wrong?"
"Uhm, well," she bit her lip, fidgeting with the sleeve of her jacket nervously. She regretted it now. This was stupid. She should have been brave enough to figure all this out on her own, or maybe even include Neal in this.
Elisabeth stepped aside, inviting her friend inside, "Come on, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing really," Jennifer nervously laughed but walked inside the Burkes' home, looking around to find toddler Neal playing on the floor in the living room.
"He sure grows for each time I see him," Jennifer added, the smile reaching her eyes as she looked at the little boy.
Elisabeth watched her for a moment before moving to the kitchen quickly, getting two mugs and some fresh made coffee before returning back to finding Jennifer in the floor next to Neal.
"He really likes you," she smiled, setting down the two mugs and sitting down on the couch. "Is everything alright with you and Neal?" she then asked, now feeling slightly worried.
Jennifer's cheeks flushed a light red, "More than alright," she muttered, brushing little Neal's hair softly.
Raising a brow, Elisabeth was now suspicious, "Elaborate?"
Sighing slightly, Jennifer rose to her feet and sat down next to her friend. Her heart started to race in her chest as she tried to find the right words to say.
"Jen? What's going on with you?"
She could hear the concern, which had her look at her.
"I'm fine, I think," she started out, now having Elisabeth grow even more worried.
"This suspense is killing me here..."
"Sorry but I....well I don't know if it's even real or..."
"Jennifer, come on! Tell me what's wrong," Elisabeth urged her friend now.
"I think...sort of...well that I may be pregnant," she finally stammered.
Blinking surprised, Elisabeth started to chuckle. "You think sort of? How can you not be sure?"
"Because I got my period but I just have a feeling? Does that make sense? How did you find out when you were pregnant?"
Elisabeth thought for a moment, "Well, sweetie, I didn't? I had to take a blood test for my new job in D.C., and they found out that I was pregnant."
"So, you had your period as well?"
"I don't remember that. Peter and I had a crazy time back then, and with the moving, finding a new home in D.C. and all the stress along with new a job and so on, well I didn't pay much attention to it."
Jennifer grabbed her mug, took a swig and sighed, "Maybe it's nothing. Maybe I just have a weird feeling because I had a dream about being pregnant some weeks ago."
"Do you want to have kids with Neal?" Elisabeth asked, looking down at her son before looking back at Jennifer.
When she was about to open her mouth to answer, her phone started to ring. "It's Neal," she apologized and then got to her feet, answering the phone.
"Hey," she greeted him, her heartrate already elevating within her chest.
"I thought you would be home," Neal spoke softly.
"I needed to run some errands. I'll be home soon," she lied, her voice having a slight edge to it which Neal caught on to.
"You ok?"
"Just peachy. I'll see you later," she replied and quickly hung up, closing her eyes as an attempt to get her nerves and racing heartbeat under control.
Elisabeth watched her in silence for a moment before she rose to her feet and went over to her friend, placing her hand softly on her shoulder. "You know, I would suggest you buy a pregnancy test but they can't be trusted completely. So, the only way to find out, like one hundred percent, well, that is a blood test."
Jennifer inhaled slowly and looked to Elisabeth.
"You're right. I think a blood test would be better than a test bought at the supermarked."
"I'll come along if you want some moral support?" Elisabeth offered with a smile.
Giving a small nod, Jennifer put away her phone and sat down again, finishing her coffee.
"Whenever you have an appointment, just tell me and I'll be there," Elisabeth assured.
"Thank you, Elisabeth," Jennifer smiled releaved though her eyes still held nervousness to them.
~ ~ ~
Jennifer got home a few hours later, having ended up having a great afternoon with Elisabeth and little Neal. Elisabeth had promised not to tell anything to Peter. There was no need for him nor Neal to know if there wasn't anything afterall.
Sighing softly, Jennifer fiddled with the keys when the door opened and a quite worried looking Neal appeared behind the door.
"Are you ok? Is something wrong?" he asked, almost not letting her inside which had her frown slightly.
"Neal, honey, I'm alright," Jennifer began, pushing forward to finally get inside the apartment.
Neal closed the door behind them and turned to look at her properly, his worried look never leaving his delicate features.
"What?"
"You tell me," he replied, his brows furrowing.
Jennifer put down her bag and keys, turning her back towards him as she tried to stay calm. How could he see that easily through her? Was it that obvious?
A pair of hands snuck around her hips, making her exhale quietly.
"Do I have to be concerned about your sudden change of behaviour?" Neal whispered in her ear as he nuzzled his nose into her hair, breathing in the sweet scent of her shampoo.
"Honestly, I'm fine," Jennifer stated, slowly turning in his arms as she looked up at him.
He tilted his head a little, searching her eyes before he accepted her answer, "Alright."
She smiled and leaned up, capturing his lips in a soft yet deep kiss.
YOU ARE READING
Little wonder (Neal Caffrey Short Story)
FanfictionA sweet short story with a twist. Neal finding out he is going to be a father. What could possibly go wrong?
