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

Part 2~Homecoming

"I missed this," Jay whispers against my neck as he locks the door behind us.

"It's been a while," I laugh. Once the door is shut behind us, he walks forward, forcing me to walk backwards. Then, he trips my legs out from underneath me, and I land on the bed.
He kisses me, and I feel myself breathe after drowning for so long.

And then my phone rings.

"Don't you dare," he orders as he pushes my phone out of my hand. I pull it up to my ear anyway. It's Elle, and I know she wouldn't be calling now unless there was an emergency. It causes my heart to race. Suddenly, I'm pulled back under and drowning again.

"Just come now." Elle's voice is hushed, urgent. It scares the hell out of me.

"Yeah, of course," I whisper as tears fall heavily down my face. I try to stop them, but I can't. Elle says something else, but I shut my phone off before I can register it. I turn my attention to Jay. "I love you. I'm sorry." Because I am. I haven't payed any attention to him. "I'm so selfish."

"No, no," he assures me as he rolls off of me. It sends a wave of relief through my veins. This poor boy will love me no matter what. I hate both of us for that. Sometimes, I think that if I truly loved him, I would let him go, but that would break both of us. He buries his head in his hands and rubs his face as if he can wake himself up from this nightmare. Then, he stands slowly, kisses my forehead, and pulls me off of our bed. "I'll never stop loving you."

It's like he can read my mind. "Sometimes I wish you would." Another tear drips down my face. I never admitted this to him, or anyone else, until now. "You deserve better."

"That doesn't exist."

I kiss him hard, wishing to disappear into him. He's so much stronger than me. I wish I could be like him, always positive, a never-ending smile on his face. "I'm sorry about tonight. I'll make it up top you."

"I know you will," he chuckles. I slap him in the ribs. He winces.

"So over dramatic!" I moan. We stand up, leaving our stuff behind. I think we both hope to come back.

Once we arrive at the hospital, Elle waits, beaming as she waits for us. "I have a secret to tell you," Jay whispers as we enter Caden's room. All of the nurses wait there. She lays wrapped up in Elle's arms. "That was all planned. She's getting discharged tonight. I wanted to keep it a surprise."

My heart beats fast. I want to hold Jay, but more so, I want to hold Caden. I reach into Elle's arms. My heart swells as I kiss her delicate little forehead. "I love you baby girl. Mommy loves you more than life itself." My heart nearly breaks my rips because of how hard it pounds against my chest. "I can't believe this."

Jay wraps his arms around me. It's the last thing I feel complete. Pieces were always missing until now. Jay's arm around me is what glues all the shattered pieces together now that we have them. "Happy graduation?" he says it as if it's a question. I want to hop up and down. I can't express the love I feel for the three people around me. Not to mention all of the nurses and doctors that saved my baby and kept the rest of us sane.

We share our goodbyes, and I promise to visit them as much as possible. Every one has bets on when Jay is going to propose, so I swear I'll come back as soon as he does. Leaving the hospital, I feel a crushing, bitter-sweet weight. I've wanted this for so long. I wish I could enjoy it more, for now I only feel scared.

Once we are all in the car, me staring into Caden's eyes while Jay and Elle sit in the front. I lean forward and whisper to Jay, "What if I can't do this?"

"You're stronger than you think baby."

"You're just trying to get laid," I scoff. "I'm serious. You two deserve better."

"No, I truly believe it." He pauses a moment and then looks back at me, smirking. "And maybe that."

"Calm down you."

He just chuckles to himself until Elle breaks off our conversation, "I'm literally right here. Can you not?"

Jay and I break into giggles. "When we get back to our house. Oh, by the way, I have one more surprise tonight."