Pray For Me

Shocked

Six months later

The past six months have gone smooth in the Howard-Martin residence. Both Timothy and Jude have never been happier, and Timothy had gotten a job at a local  catholic elementary school, where he taught the bible studies class. Kit and Lana had been working hard with the kids, and Lana's expose on Briarcliff was set to air in another two months.

"Jude, sweetheart, I'm home," Timothy calls, setting his briefcase on the kitchen table and tossing his keys into the bowl by the front door. Jude was upstairs folding and putting away the laundry, and had the radio turned up, so she didn't hear Timothy when he snuck up the stairs and into their bedroom.

Timothy watches as she sways and sings along to the radio softly.

"Judy!" He yells, nearly collapsing from laughter as Jude screams and drops the shirt she had been folding.

"Timothy Howard you absolutely cannot sneak up on a woman like that," She scolds breathlessly, sitting on the edge of the bed to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry, honey," He chuckles, wiping away the tears that had formed in the corners of his eyes. Jude shoots him a look and stands to greet him. She wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"How was work?" She asks softly, playing with the end of his tie.

"It was good. As usual, sister Elena tried to get me fired based on my marital status."

Jude chuckles and returns to her laundry, finishing quickly. Sister Elena had been trying to get Timothy's teaching credentials revoked because he and Judy were engaged. She said he was a hypocrite because he preached that God should be your first love when he himself didn't believe that. 

"Don't listen to her babe, she's just mad that she can't have you herself," Jude jokes, following Timothy down the stairs. Timothy laughs and leans against the kitchen counter as Jude begins to prepare for dinner.

"So, I have some news," She says nonchalantly, not even turning to face him,

"What is it?" He asks, furrowing his brow.

"Well, Lana offered me a secretarial position at her new office and I took it."

"Jude!" Timothy exclaims, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her into the air. "That is wonderful news, rare bird."

"Timothy, put me down!" Jude shrieks, turning to face him.

"I'm so happy for you, Jude."

"Thank you, my love. I appreciate that. Now, let me get back to my Coq Au Vin." Timothy smiles at her and turns to let her cook. Of course, Jude had other news to tell him, but she wanted to keep it to herself for a little while longer. She enjoyed being the only one who knew about the child growing in her stomach, it made her feel closer to her mother, who had been all alone when she was carrying Jude.

After dinner, Timothy had offered to run Jude a bath, and she happily accepted.

"Thank you, my love," She smiles, pulling her hair up into a messy bun and settling into the warm water. Timothy leans down to kiss her sweetly before heading downstairs to wash the dishes. Jude sighs and traces her fingers lightly over her small bump. The doctor estimated she was about twelve weeks pregnant. Before she went to the doctor, Jude had her suspicions. Her stomach was getting bigger and bigger, and she was having crazy dreams. Jude also was having near violent morning sickness that lasted well into the afternoon, and sometimes into the evening. Timothy thought she may have contracted the flu from Julia, who had gotten it from daycare. But, Jude knew her body, and she knew something was up. She was already beginning to show, but she was easily able to cover it up with loose blouses.

"Hello, little one. I'm your mommy and I love you so much. You're going to be so happy with us. You're daddy is going to love you just as much as I do. He's a good man, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Even though he has made some mistakes in the past, and they will probably be brought to light when Lana publishes her book and her expose gets aired. But don't let anybody tell you that daddy is a bad man, because he is the best. He's a great fiancé, and he's going to be a great father to you. I love him lots, and I know people may not agree with me, but he's changed. I love you, my darling." Jude smiles down at her belly and holds her hand over her bump.

Jude stays in the bath for a while longer, day dreaming about her baby. Timothy smiles as Jude curls up next to him on the couch.

"How was your bath, my love?" He asks, stroking her soft blonde curls back from her face.

"It was amazing. Thank you for doing the dishes."

"Of course, baby. I would do anything for you, Jude. I hope you know that." Jude smiles at Timothy and leans up to kiss him.

"Let's go to bed," She suggests, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. He nods, kissing her forehead and turning off the television.

"Jude?" Timothy asks sleepily, reaching out next to him. His hand hits the cold sheets, and he sits up quickly, rubbing his eyes. Jude isn't in bed next to him, and he is slightly concerned. He searches the entirety of the upstairs and does not find her. He makes his way downstairs, slightly panicking.  

Jude is leaning against the counter, waiting for the water to boil so she can fix herself a cup of tea. She is singing lightly, cradling her belly unconsciously. Since she is so skinny, her belly was showing prominently. To her it seems as if she was as large as a cow, but if you weren't looking for it, you would never notice it. Jude makes a mental note to go shopping for maternity clothes. Timothy hears his fiancé singing in the kitchen and breathes a sigh of relief. He watches, half hidden behind the doorway as she makes her tea. Jude pours the hot water over her tea bag and hops up to sit on the counter, rubbing her belly and smiling.

"How should we tell your daddy? What do you think about a onesie? Or a little pair of shoes. Maybe that one, huh?" Jude asks, chuckling and taking a sip of her tea. "I don't know, babe, maybe Lana can help me. I'll tell her tomorrow when I see her at work."

Timothy was confused, to say the least. Obviously Jude was pregnant, but he didn't know if he should say anything. He's torn. He really wants to be able to celebrate this now, but he also want's Jude to feel as though she's surprised him. Timothy chuckles to himself and turns around and heads back to bed.