Burn Into Me (Into Me Series Book Two)

Chapter Twenty Five - Begging

I spin around in my office chair. I'm finally at 11.5 weeks. I'm only a few days away from being able to tell people. Almost one-third through this pregnancy. I seem to always rest my hand on my stomach now without even thinking about it. I guess I just like knowing there's a tiny human in there and that we get to hang out together all of the time.

I watch over the ER like an eagle in its nest, gaze jumping from room to room to assess what's happening. Penny is almost out of orientation, which means I'm supposed to let her roam free and basically just be here if she has questions. She has turned out to be a phenomenal nurse.

She still gets overwhelmed sometimes but who doesn't? Do you not remember when we first started all this shit and I had a breakdown in the supply closet with Theo? God. That feels like hundreds of lifetimes ago.

Speaking of Theo, he walks past me, scruffing up my hair before sinking into the chair next to me. "What's shakin, bacon?" he asks.
I scoff and fix my hair, "Not a thing, chicken wing."

He snickers as he taps his badge to the sensor on the computer, logging himself in. He starts typing up a note in a patient's chart, humming a song under his breath. I stare at him. I want to tell him about the baby so bad, but I promised myself I wouldn't say anything until I was officially 12 weeks... but I'm so damn close.

"Hi, friends, this seat taken?" Avi asks, pointing to the chair on the other side of me.
"It's all you," I tell him, smiling.
"Oh, hi Avi. What's shakin, bacon?" Theo says.
"That's not very kosher, you know," Avi retorts, adjusting his kippah on the crown of his head.
"Oh, uh, sorry man, I didn't mean to be a dick," Theo stumbles, his cheeks blushing.
"I'm just fucking with you, relax," Dr. Rodgers laughs, smacking Theo's back.

Theo visibly relaxes as Avi settles into the chair on the other side of me. I grab my water bottle from in front of me and chug some water, trying to stay up on my goal of a gallon a day. My kidneys are happy about it, my bladder is not. Plus, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure the baby is straight up sitting on my bladder. He's already fucking messing with me. Oh, yeah, I'm also pretty sure it's a boy.

Just a feeling. A strong one. You know how I am about my gut.

"You sure are drinking a lot of water lately, Hart," Avi says, nodding at my bottle.
"Uh, yeah," I fumble, tapping my badge on the sensor to the computer to check in on how Penny is holding up with timing of her orders. She's doing well. My mouth aches, the words sitting on the tip of my tongue.
Don't tell them. Literally, just hang on a few more days. A few more.
"Did you do something new in your skincare routine? You've been basically fucking glowing recently," Theo comments, cocking an eyebrow but keeping his eyes on his screen.
I snort, "What skincare routine?"
"What is it then? Something about you is different. I can't explain it, what's going on?" Avi wonders. "Are you and Jackson doing IVF and you're all hopped up on the hormones or something?"
"Uh, no, it's not that," I respond, smiling and keeping my eyes trained on the screen so I don't accidentally blab.

"Did you find the fountain of youth?" Theo inquires.
"Is it crack cocaine? You know that's bad for you," Avi jokes.
"Did you eat a bunch of glow sticks?"
"Did you rub a firefly all over yourself?"
"Ew, gross Avi."
"Sorry."
"Are you wearing highlighter?"
"Or glittery lotion?"
"Is it that you're just really sweaty?"
"Maybe it's all the water. She's finally hydrated."
"Or maybe it's cause she's stopped pounding 200 cups of coffee a day."
"You're right, she has cut down on her caffeine intake. Why are you suddenly on a health journey?"
"Yeah, you've been paying such close attention to what you're eating and making sure you're taking your meds. And the water. And the coffee thing. And the glowing. Wait..."

They're about to figure it out, the second they put all of those things together. It's only a few days. Fuck it.

"No. It's none of the above. I'm 11.5 weeks pregnant," I blurt, looking between them to gauge their reaction.
"Jet! That's amazing! Congratulations!" Avi beams, pulling me in for a tight hug. "You're going to be an amazing mom, I already know," he whispers in my ear.
"Thank you, Avi," I reply, biting back my tears. I rest my chin on his shoulder and appreciate the warm and calming presence he gives.
"Hey! Let me get my congrats hug in too!" Theo whines.
I roll my eyes and release Avi, turning to face Theo. I open my arms and let him pull me into him. I settle against his chest, a certain familiarity about it. "There, you got your hug," I snicker.
"Congratulations Jet. No one deserves this more than you," Theo mutters. "You're one of the greatest people I know. You woke me up. You forgave me. You gave me a chance. Your kid is going to be so fucking happy with you and Jackson as its parents."
"Thank you, Theo," I breathe, blinking rapidly to force the tears out of my eyes.