Yes Please || c.g. {complete}

Good Cop

53

.Layla.

Carl was amazing over the next couple of weeks. He worked and prepared for his police academy interview, but he still made it clear to me that I was his priority. I knew it was hard for him not to talk about the baby constantly, because I watched him gaze longingly at my tummy when he thought I wasn't looking. It was sweet, really.

I was still contemplating what to do. It wasn't because I questioned Carl's loyalty to me or propensity for fatherhood; I definitely didn't. I was afraid I wasn't ready, and that I couldn't finish school and be a decent mother to our baby. Any child of Carl's deserved the best. I didn't know if I could be that at this point in my life.

I tried not to be hard on him when he did mention the baby. He really did think we could do it. He really wanted to be a dad to this kid, but he always made it clear that it was because I was the mom. He would get so damn cute and romantic about it, I thought my ovaries might burst.

I tried to stay objective about the situation, although that was pretty tough when the "situation" was literally inside my body. I had to think about school, and my future career plans. A lot was still up in the air.

One thing I realized I wasn't confused about was Carl. I knew I needed him to be in my life regardless. I could picture myself marrying him and having his babies...someday.

Before school one day in late September I was driving him to his police academy interview in the Near West Side, and I looked over at him. He was so handsome. He had worked so hard to prepare for this day, and I was so proud of him. He glanced over and caught me staring.

"Shouldn't you be watching the road?" he smirked.

I smiled. "I just can't resist a man in uniform," I said with a wink.

He grinned and sighed as he rested his head on the seat back.

"You're going to be great," I reassured him. "You can charm the pants off of anyone."

He smirked. "Case in point," he joked, nodding at me.

We pulled up to the academy, and both of us looked at the big, white sign that read 'Chicago Police Education and Training Academy.'

Carl sighed heavily. "Okay, wish me luck," he said as he put his hand on the door handle and turned back to me.

I leaned over to him. "You don't need it," I told him as I kissed him. "You will be great."

He gave me a little smile and hopped out of the car. I beamed with pride as I watched him walk up the path to the doors.

.....

.Carl.

Being accepted to the police academy was even more important now. I wasn't just proving something to myself; I was proving to my pregnant girlfriend and our unborn child that I would support them, provide for them, and protect them.

I met with some of the officers in charge, and I felt like the interview went well. They were impressed with my military school background, my recommendations from Sergeant
Winslow and Detective Juarez, and my positive reviews from my bosses at both my security job and Patsy's (thanks Fiona). They asked me lots of questions that I felt I had pretty good answers for. They shook my hand and sent me off for my polygraph test.

I was most nervous about the polygraph. I knew they would ask about illegal activity and drug use. Everyone I'd asked and everything I'd read said to be honest about all of it, because the things in my past wouldn't necessarily disqualify me from the academy. Besides, if they were advancing me to this point, it meant they were already aware of my juvenile record, and they were willing to look past it.