The Quarterback's Baby: Sequel to Don't Judge

Part 1 ~ Graduation

"They're all staring at me Jay," I whisper to him as we stand in line at graduation. He stands behind me, ready to get his diploma, but even more ready to see me get mine.

"It's because your beautiful," he laughs reassuringly. His arm coils around my waste, and I try to drown everything else out. I can't hear the others getting called for their diplomas, and I can't see the dirty looks I get from everyone. I want to write on my forehead, Yes I was raped and got pregnant at fourteen. Yes I still got better grades than all of you.

"What's your GPA?" I ask.

"Four point one," he answers, "but that's not what matters now."

"With your mom's help you probably can still get into Harvard, with a football scholarship."

"That'd be nice," he wonders allowed. "We live just outside the city, so I could stay at home. My mom could pull some strings,  and then I'll be able to take care of you and Caden." 

"If we ever get to bring her home," I scoff. Eighteen months, eighteen damn months. And still! They won't let me bring home my baby. They said it is too risky, but we will eventually. I know we will. Just after she recovers from this last operation.

"Hey. I have news. I know it's the first doctors appointment you missed in nine months, but it's looking like we're gonna get to take her home within the next two weeks." He grins at me as he tells me the news. I wrap my arms around him tightly. I would jump up on him if not for causing even more eyes to stare at me. I suppress tears. He pushes me off, and I look up at him concerned. "They're about to call your name."

I hear my name called and hurry on stage. It takes a lot not to cry. These last two years have been hell, but this is partially validation that I made it. Jay and I technically graduated a year ago, but we came to the next ceremony. At the time, it just wasn't important to us. 

I look back to see Jay grinning manically. No one is more proud of me than him, or at least that is what I think until I hear Elle scream my name. Jay buries his face in his hands, embarrassed by his mother. I only smile.

Then, I watch proudly as Jay's name is called. He gets on stage and everyone cheers for him. It's deafening compared to the silence I got from everyone but Elle and Jay. Everyone loves Jay because he was the star quarterback, the boy all the girls drooled over, the one that brought his town to the championship. They would probably hate him too if not for knowing that my baby is not biologically her. He loves her enough to make up for that, I remind myself.

He trots of the stage, grinning like a crazy person. "We did it," he says before pressing his lips to mine. "I love you."

"I love you more," I whisper. He kisses me slowly, not caring if everyone stares. I try to force away my jealousy. Everyone hates me and loves him. But the boy that everyone loves loves the girl that everyone hates. That shows everyone's character I think. His arms tighten around my back, and my hands cup him face. I pull away slowly, and he stands there, looking down at me, still smiling. Sometimes I worry he may leave, find someone better, but then I look up to see that shit eating grin every damn time he kisses me. He loves me.

Everyone lines up together, and we throw our caps. I bought two for that specific reason. The one of my head stays with me. Jay did the same. After that, we take pictures and eventually head off to dinner. We eat at some fancy Italian place in downtown Boston. It's really great, but the only thing I can focus on are the Harvard things everywhere. That was my dream. At least now Jay gets to live it.

"So, how does it feel to be free?" Elle asks over bites of ravioli. For someone with so much class, she never bothered to be a clean eater. 

"It feels good," Jay stretches. He takes my hand. Elle orders a bottle of champagne, and no one seems to mind when we all toast. 

"To graduation!"

"To you getting into BU," Jay shouts. 

"You got into Boston University?!" I ask ready to grab him and kiss him. 

"No, you did. We can talk about my college situation later."

"What do you mean I got in?" I ask. Elle tells me that she sent in my application. I made one, not yet ready to go to Harvard but thinking maybe I could get a degree at Boston first and then a different one or a master at Harvard. "Really?" 

"I've been dying to tell you," he laughs. "You can do online classes or you can actually go. My mom is happy to take care of Caden."

"Thank you, but I will stick with online classes. My daughters is sick, she needs her mommy. She should be here right now." I dig my hands in my thighs to distract myself from the emotional pain. "Jay and Elle get the check, and then, I follow them to the car. Jay opens the door for his mother.

"Thank you darling," she laughs. 

"Of course," he sighs. I expect him to open the door for me next, but instead, wraps and arm around me and haves at his mother. She blows us a kiss and then speeds of. 

"What the hell?"

"We're staying at Four Seasons tonight, just a mini graduation celebration." 

It's one of the nicest hotels in Boston. I've never been. Jay begged me to stay for just a weekend over the last year, but I wouldn't. I have spent most nights at the hospital with Caden. Jay and I, we haven't even . . . done anything since before she was born. Almost two years. 

"Let's go," I say happily before pressing my lips to his.