Sweet Creature

Promise

Kelsey laid in the shallow end of the pool, hoping the water will help her Braxton hicks. She groaned as a braxton hicks contraction racked through her lower back. They were officially coming every hour just like when she was pregnant with Walker. She smiled as she heard a splashing sound and looked to find Tom, Shep, and Odette sitting beside her. She smiled and said,"Hey guys. I thought you guys were watching a movie with your dad?" Shep smiled and shrugged as he stood up and began playing with a nearby pool noodle. Tom rolled his eyes and said," We were. Dad picked a very very very boring movie." Kelsey giggled as Jared walked out in his trunk and sat down on the other side of Kelsey. Jared scoffed and said," I'm sorry, I thought you guys liked Wizard of Oz. But nope, not again. I got it!" The giggled at their father before playing with the pool toys. She leaned against him as he said," How the braxton hicks contractions? I know they're really getting to you." Kelsey shrugged as she gently rubbed a hand on her thirty eight week belly as she felt the baby kicking at her belly button. Jared wrapped an arm around her and said," They hurt but I'm okay. It's not even a little bit of what labor is like so I think I'll be just fine." Jared nodded as looked over to the boys smiling as they ran around the pool and jumping in. And little Odette floating around on a pink pool noodle. Jared smiled at Odette and said," Speaking of labor I have something to ask you. I was wondering if I could be there for you? I know it's something that a husband or the father would do but I love you and I want to be there for you." Jared realized he said he loved her as she turned and looked into his hazel eyes. Kelsey smiled and kissed his lips. She quickly pulled away and said," I love you too and yes. I was actually going to ask you to be there but you beat me to it." Jared smiled as he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead and wrapped his arms around her.

Jared, Kelsey, Daneel, and Jensen went out to dinner against Jared better judgement. Where Kelsey was so far along all he wanted was a dinner night in but Daneel and Kelsey wanted to try a new restaurant in town. Jensen couldn't help but smile as Jared helped the very pregnant Kelsey from the car. Jensen pointed and looked toward Daneel as he said," Remember when we were doing that?" Daneel scoffed and snuggled into his side. Daneel smiled and said," I was so much of a whale you had help me in and out of everything. And it made me love you so much more." Jensen gently kissed her lips and pulled away as Jared and Kelsey got closer. Jared kept a hand wrapped around her, as if trying to protect her. Kelsey rolled her eyes and broke away from him going to hug Daneel and Jensen. Jensen smiled and said," What are you doing out and about? You look like you're about to pop." Kelsey giggled as she nodded and felt Jared come up behind her. Kelsey held her hands under her belly and said," Well I feel like I'm about to pop. I'm surprised Jared actually let me leave." Jared smirked and playfully rolled his eyes as they made their way into the restaurant and were quickly seated in the back. Jared looked at the menu and said,"Ooh, they pasta." Kelsey giggled  as she looked through the menu herself. Jensen slapped his menu on Jared's head and said," Duh! It's an Italian restaurant. Of course they have pasta." Jared playfully rubbed his head as Kelsey rubbed her belly. Feeling a braxton hick cramp snaking it ways through her lower back and belly. Daneel noticed her wincing and said,"You okay, Kels?" Kelsey just waved her off as Jared immediately put his menu and turned to Kelsey. He went to ask if she was okay but she beat him to it and said," I'm just fine. It's another braxton hicks pain. I've been having them for I'm okay. Jared, sweety, I'm fine." Jared just nodded with a small smile and kissed her cheek. Jensen couldn't help smile as he saw his best friend happy again. Through the dinner there plenty of smiles and jokes. Jared smiled and got up to stand by Kelsey. Kelsey gave him an odd look as he said,"This morning I told you I loved you on accident and then you reassured me that you loved me too and that's all I needed. This is probably gonna sound really stupid but this isn't an engagement ring it's kinda like a promise ring. So..." Jared got down on one knee and opened a ring box to find a dainty diamond ring with a infinity sign in the middle. Jared somehow smiled wider and said," Will you promise to stick around for awhile?" Kelsey pulled him in for a hug as Daneel and Jensen clapped. Kelsey kissed his lips before he slid the ring on her finger.

Kelsey felt slight tug and woke up. She opened her eyes to see Jared trying not wake her up as he got out of bed. Kelsey grabbed his hand and said," Where do you think your going?" Jared smiled and turned around. He gave her a quick peck on her lips before pulling away. He picked up a nearby t shirt and slipped it on. He smiled and said," I thought I'd go pee then go make breakfast for the kids." Kelsey smiled as she held out her arms, needing his help to get up anymore. Jared pulled her out of bed and helped her into a pair of pajama pants. He kissed her lips before running off to the bathroom. She rolled her eyes and began walking downstairs to help with breakfast. She used her hands to help support her lower back as she heard the front door shut. She walked towards the foyer and found Noah trying to sneak in. She pursed her lips as Noah turned around and frowned as he saw his Aunt standing there. She crossed her arms and said,"What were you doing out so early? It's only seven and it's the weekend. Don't you dare lie to me."
Noah sighed and slipped off his shoes and his jacket. Noah frowned and said,"Nolan, his girlfriend, a guy I like and me snuck out to a free concert last night. There was no drinking or anything I swear but we were out till almost three and we all crashed at Nolan's place." Kelsey rolled her eyes and pointed towards the stairs. She sighed and looked at the floor. She frowned and said," Alright go to room and get cleaned up we'll talk again later." Noah nodded and made his way upstairs as she went into the kitchen. She went to the fridge only for a white hot spread through her lower back and belly. She bent over in pain and let out a loud groan. Jared walked into the kitchen to find Kelsey bent over holding  her belly. He quickly ran over and said,"Babe, you okay? Do we need to the hospital?" Kelsey just shook her head no  as Jared her helped to a chair at the kitchen table. Kelsey took a deep breath and said," I don't know. It felt like braxton hicks I think it just took me by surprise. Is it okay I relax on the couch? I know I said I'd  help but.." Jared cut her off with a kiss and helped her up and to the couch. Jared helped her sit down and grabbed a nearby throw blanket and covering up her legs. He handed her the TV remote and said,"Hang out here and relax. If you need me just holler. We'll all hang out and eat in here." He kissed her temple and ran back into the kitchen. Kelsey couldn't help but smile as she watched his disappearing figure. She smiled down at her belly gently rubbing as she whispered," We lucked, monkey. We really did."

Jared rolled his eyes as Kelsey pulled on pair of yoga pants. Jared leaned against the bed and said," Maybe it's not a good idea to go to the park.  I'm all for going on walks through the park but when you're nine months pregnant, only a few weeks away from having a baby may not be a good idea." Kelsey waved him off as she as she pulled on a t shirt. She sat down on the bed as Jared helped her with her socks and tennis shoes. She smiled and said," I'll be fine. Plus I'll have you with me. The walking helps the braxton hicks and the round ligament. Plus once I have this baby I'll have less time to be with Odette, Tom, Shep, and Noah. I need to be with them as much as I can." Jared smiled and gently kissed her before tying off her shoes. Once they were down stairs all the kids were ready and Noah was helping them into the car. Jared helped Kelsey in the car and continued to help Noah with the kids. They all piled in and made their way to the park.

Once they made it to the park they all piled out and began walking towards the playground. Kelsey smiled as she watched Odette holding Noah's hand as they walked. Jared pulled on a baseball cap and pair of sunglasses before taking Kelsey's hand in his. Jared smiled as he tried to keep a slow pace with Kelsey. Kelsey held the bottom of her belly as she watched Tom and Shep joking and playing with one another. Jared squeezed her hand and said," What you thinking about? You've been distant since we left the house." Kelsey frowned as she squeezed his hand back and looked to Noah. She watched as he picked up Odette and began pointing out to different things in the park. She sighed and said," I feel guilty, I guess. My sister tried for yours to have another baby and it all failed. Then she came to me and asked me to have her baby. Now she's gone but her baby is still here. Then losing Walker, I feel like I shouldn't enjoy this but this second chance at having a baby is one of the best things to happen to me." Jared let go of her hand wrapped his arm her waist. He kissed her cheek and said,"Don't be. If your sister was here she would tell she'd want you to raise this baby and raise it as your own. I think your sister would be proud of you and happy, so don't dwell something you know your sister wouldn't think." Kelsey just nodded and leaned into him as they walked. The kids made it to the playground and Jared brought Kelsey around and sat her on the nearby bench. He plopped down beside her as Noah ran with Odette to the swing set. He kissed her cheek and a wrapped an arm her shoulders. Kelsey winced lightly as another braxton hicks cramp hit in her lower stomach and let out a long sigh. She silently hoped she'd go into labor sooner rather than later.