Everything Has Changed

Chapter 8

Another month had passed. It was Christmas in three days, and Sportacus hoped that he could spend the holiday with him. But apparently, the universe had some other plans for him – Trixie and Stingy wanted to join him for the Christmas evening so he won't be alone (or won't try to start something with Jessica, according to his thoughts), so Jessica decided to go back to family for the holiday, but she promised to call him from there.

*****

Jessica was kind of happy returning to her hometown to be with her family. Her aunt always made an amazing turkey for the feast, and her mother made the greatest desserts. It was also her chance to see Lacey again, who was now 5 months pregnant.

She finally arrived and knocked on the door. There was snow all around, so it was a little hard to stroll her suitcase.

"Jessica! It's so great to see you, my dear." Her father, Patrick, hugged her as she came in and helped her with her suitcase.

"Everyone – Jessica has arrived!" he called out.

The first one to rush and welcome her was her little brother, Brian.

"Jess! Ah, I missed you so much! It's great to have you home." He said and almost squeezed her.

"I missed you too, Brian! Now let me go!" she said and pushed him away.

"Cousin Jessica is here?" she heard a little voice coming from the living room. She immediately recognised it as her youngest cousin, Cody, who was 6 years old, and she was his favourite cousin out of everyone.

"Hey, Cody! Merry Christmas!" she came and the two hugged.

"Cousin Jessica, did you know that I missed very very very much?!" he asked, and made her laugh.

"Well, now I know!" she giggled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"And I also got you a Christmas present that I'm sure you're going to like!" he told her excited. She turned her head to her aunt and uncle who sat nearby as to question if that's true. They nodded and smiled, trying not to laugh.

"Oh, hey, has Lacey and Max came yet?" she asked her father when the doorbell rang and he went to open the door.

"Why didn't you just talk about 1 million dollars?" he said as he let the new guests in. That's right, they were Lacey and Max.

"Hey, guys!" she stood up and went to greet them.

She hugged Max, and then she hugged Lacey, but felt something weird between them. When they pulled back she saw that Lacey has a little baby bump.

"Oh my god. Oh my god, Lacey, this is amazing!" Jessica excitedly said.

"I know, right?" Lacey laughed and the two hugged once more.

"You know, I'm expecting to see you having one soon, with Sportacus." Lacey whispered to her ear. Jessica's eyes grew wider and she pulled back.

"Lacey – don't push it." Jessica told her in an angry tone.

*****

The dinner went between great and not so great. Sure, the food was tasty and everything, but the main issues in the conversation around the table went from Lacey and Max having a baby to Jessica keeping her relationship with Sportacus in secret. And that literally annoyed her, that in some point she just left to the living room.

She picked up her phone and dialled to Sportacus' home.

He was having a pretty nice time with Stingy and Trixie until the house phone rang. And he knew it was Jessica.