Loving You

Chapter Fifteen

September 1, 1956 5AM

*Elvis POV*

I barely slept last night. Actually, I don't think I did at all. I climb slowly out of bed and pull my robe back on. I couldn't believe I had cheated on Jessica. Actually, I couldn't believe I'd gotten caught. I walk out to the living room and pick up the paper that I had left on the floor. "Pregnant..." I sigh and sit on the sofa, scanning the yellow page carefully. A knock sounds at the door. It's five in the morning. Who could possibly be knocking on my door now?

I pull it open and find Joe standing there, looking like he hadn't slept either. "You need to go console your girlfriend. She has been sobbing and throwing up all damn night." I push past him and rush across the hall to his room. I push the door open and find Jessica huddled over a bucket.

I walk over and sit beside her, rubbing her back like I used to do, "Baby... Why aren't you asleep?"

She lifts her head weakly and stares at me, "Because I miss you so much, but I'm also really angry with you. I want to curl up with you all night, and at the same time, I want to beat you up."

I nod softly, "I know honey. Com 'ere." I sit her up and cradle her in my arms. She rests one of her hands against my chest, and curls her head into my neck. I rub my fingers gently up and down her back. I would sing to her, but I didn't think that would help.

Joe walks in, "E. Colonel said he wants you out in the hallway, right now."

I stare at Joe, "Does that man not know what time it is?" I set Jessica down on the couch and kiss her forehead, "I'll be right back honey." I walk out into the hallway and see Colonel staring at me immediately. I walk over to him, "Do you know what damn time it is?"

He nods blankly, "Yes, I do. But what did I tell you about that girl coming along?"

I shrug, "Colonel, she came here on her own. And y'know what? I'm glad she did! You have no right to try and control what goes on between the two of us, like I told you."

Colonel huffs and crosses his arms over his chest. He widens his stance a little and looks up at me, "I don't care about your relationship. I heard your little fight last night. She's going to ruin things for you by pulling this little stunt of hers-."

I stop him and step closer to him, using the height difference to my advantage, "What little stunt?"

He laughs, "That woman couldn't possibly be pregnant. She just wants to tie you down."

I clench my jaw and glare at him, "I saw the paperwork, Colonel. I-I don't have time for you." I turn and go back into Joe's room, shutting the door behind me. Jessica looks up from her huddled position on the couch: Her pretty blue eyes were almost a deep green, and they were red around the rims; her strawberry-blonde hair was tangled; and the soft dress she'd worn to see me was crumpled from laying in it all night. I walk over and pull her back into my arms, "There's gotta be a way I can fix this..."

She immediately curls her body into mine and looks up at me, "You already are. Just hold me." She grips the collar of my robe and balls it in her small fist. Whatever it took to comfort her, I would be willing to do.

Joe comes out of his bedroom and looks at the two of us, "Jess, if I take the bucket away and clean it, can you promise me you won't throw up again until I bring it back?" She nods shyly and buries her face in my chest. It was funny, looking at her like this; it reminded me of holding a small child.

As Joe takes the bucket away, I hear someone knock at the door. I knew it wasn't Colonel, because the knock wasn't forceful like his. It was soft, and gentle. I stand up, holding Jessica in my arms, and walk to the door. When I pull it open, I find Mama standing there in a bathrobe. She gives the two of us a concerned look, then walks into the suite. I close the door and follow her to the couch. "This must be the girl I've heard so much about."