AN: So, this was requested by DivergentDemigod13, I'm super sorry this took so long, but I hope you enjoy it!
Katherine tapped her fingers on the table nervously and kept her gaze fixed on her hands as she waited for Jack to finish selling his papers. She couldn't remember the last time she was this nervous. During the strike, maybe. But having to break this news to Jack... She let out a sigh. They'd only been dating for a year now, and Katherine had only just now gotten her apartment. She had no idea how they were going to make this work.
Jack arrived a few minutes later, unceremoniously dropping his newspaper bag by the door on his way in. Katherine went over to greet him and he immediately took her into his arms with a grin.
"Hey, Ace." He kissed her and she couldn't help but smile into it. She always felt better with Jack around, even if he was indirectly causing her anxiety. He slowly pulled away after lingering for a few more moments. "So, what's up? You said you wanted to talk about something?"
Katherine nodded, walking back over to the table and gesturing for him to follow, which he did. He became very alert once they sat down. He knew from experience that when they had talks at Katherine's kitchen table, it wasn't usually anything good. They sat in silence for a few minutes, with Jack carefully watching Katherine, who seemed to be carefully watching the table. Then she slowly looked up at him, and Jack was surprised to see what he recognized as fear in her eyes. He quickly reached over to take one of her hands, squeezing it gently, and she offered him a weak smile in response. She took a deep breath, and then figuring there was no reason why she should stall this anymore (besides her own nerves), decided to finally say it.
"I'm pregnant."
Jack's face paled noticeably as he stared at Katherine. He was at a complete loss for words. She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. This was exactly what she was worried about. He opened his mouth, presumably to speak, but no sound came out.
"Jack, please say something." Her voice sounded smaller than she'd ever allowed it to be before, and she didn't even care.
"I don't... I don't know what to say."
"Is- is that good, or...?"
"I don't -" Jack stood up abruptly, unable to sit still anymore, and began pacing, while at the same time removing his cap and wringing it in his hands. Suddenly, Katherine was more worried about him than any reaction he could have. She knew it was never good when he got like this.
"Jack." She stood as well, but didn't bother trying to follow him around, he was trying to get out some of his nervous energy and she wouldn't be able to stop him.
"Don't suppose this is some kinda joke, is it? You're not just trying to pull something on me?"
"What? Jack, you know me, I would never do that." All of her own anxiety had temporarily disappeared and she was focusing solely on Jack.
"You're right." He sighed, and momentarily paused in his movement before continuing. "I'm sorry, I just... you sure? You're really sure?"
"I went to the doctor, and he seemed very sure."
"Which doctor did you go to? Do we trust him? Maybe you should do another one just to make sure."
"He's the best doctor in the city, he knows what he's talking about."
"Then just go see him again, make sure he's really sure, just in case!"
"Jack. I am pregnant." He stopped in his tracks and stared at her, still clutching his cap so tightly his knuckles were white.
"I know."
"Then what - ?"
"I can't do it."
"Do what?"
"I can't do it. I can't... I can't raise a kid! I don't know anything about kids!" He looked absolutely panicked, and Katherine grabbed one of his hands, forcing him to loosen his grip on the cap.
"Are you crazy? You know more about kids than anyone I know, you know way more about kids than I do. If anyone can't do it, I can't do it." Jack scoffed and jammed the cap back onto his head.
"You're the most capable person I know, you can do anything. I can't be a father, my own father could hardly be called one, I don't know anything about raising kids! And hell, how are we gonna support a baby, neither of us exactly have a steady flow of income, we don't even live together... oh my God, your father!"
"What about my father?"
"We're not married, he ain't gonna like that. He's gonna kill me! Or maybe he'll force us to get married... not that I would mind us getting married, I had just planned to do it differently. Not that I've planned anything! I... never mind that, what're we gonna do, Kath?!"
"Jack. I'm pregnant."
"Trust me, I know!"
"No." Katherine grabbed his face and pulled him in for a long kiss, and when she pulled away, she took both of his hands in hers and smiled at him. "I'm pregnant." Jack watched her for a moment before what she was saying dawned on him.
"You're pregnant." She nodded and he grinned. "We're gonna have a baby." He let go of her hands so that he could put his arms around her waist and kiss her again. "A baby, Ace."
"A baby." She agreed, winding her arms around his neck. "We can deal with everything else later, all the stressful stuff, but for now... we're having a baby."
