All for you

Chapter 23

"Did I hear that right?" I asked as I paced across the living room floor waiting as patiently as humanly possible for his return, "I heard that right, right? I mean I know my hormones are all over the place but I don't think I'm going deaf. Maybe I am going de-"

"Jo" Hallie burst me out of my trance as she grabbed my shoulders in her own grip, "calm down. Now go lie down and I'll tell the baby daddy to come in when he's back" she said all the while her finger pointed towards my bedroom with her words making the others wince and my own arm to fling towards he arm.

Looking towards the door then back to the remaining people in the room, I stood to my feet as fast as I could physically manage before entering the bedroom instantly laying down on the bed. As if the exhaustion of my most desired cravings being so far away took over, I found my eyes desperately trying to remain open before falling victim to the process that is pregnancy.

What seemed like only minutes later, my eyes shot open instantly feeling comforted by the very sight before me. Realising he failed to notice I'd awoken, I closed my eyes once again and just listened to the sound of his voice.

"You're making your mommy have some very extreme cravings little man" he started chuckling with the voice that made me want to rip his clothes off, "I spoke to your grandma Martha the other day and she told me all she wanted with me was crisps. Any type of crisps she could get her hands on, she'd make grandpa go out at 3 am just for me. Looks like your following in my footsteps little guy but don't worry bud, if you and mommy want some Doritos at 3 am, I'll jump out of bed in my pyjamas and get you them I promise" he ended taking a long pause before becoming vocal once again.

"I can't wait to take you for a game of footie in your West Ham kit buddy, or of course if your not into that we can try rugby? Swimming? Whatever you want I promise we can do it every day together. Just do me one little favour" he began once again, moving his face closer to the exposed skin with his hand now making contact instantly earning a baby kick in response and a tornado worth of tingles to rush through my own arms.

"I want you to look exactly like your mummy baby boy. I know we aren't on the best of terms right now but I promise, I'll make sure everything is perfect before you get here. I want you to have your mommy's eyes, her smile, her laugh, everything little buddy. You'll fall in love with her the moment you meet her pal, I certainly did and I just know you will too."

At his words, I couldn't help the syllables flowing out of my mouth as the tears pricking my eyes finally let themselves loose, "I hope he looks exactly like you actually"

As if the sound of my voice threw him the biggest scare of his life, his body instantly launched of the very edge of the bed he was previously located on as he landed on his arse with a thud. Causing a fit of laughter to erupt from my previously saddened state, his eyes glared up towards me before I smile cracked onto his face causing him to join in. For minutes, we just sat there laughing and smiling for the first time in what felt like forever. Not a single word was uttered yet everything seemed so perfect. The old version of Hero and Jo, the one where we'd sit around for hours just indulging in each other's laughter with just the two of us smiling back and forth seemed back for one simple moment.

As if an earthquake had just erupted in my stomach, the loudest sound echoed over the top of our now barely audible giggles sending both of our visions straight to the source of the noise. Looking like recognition hit him straight in the face, he took the bag that was hiding just behind his elbow before emptying the entire contents onto the floor he was still sat on. Feeling like happiness had just struck me in the face, I instantly launched for the Doritos I found myself still longing for, opening them without a second thought.

Whilst I munched on the contents, I watched as he looked on with admiration only turning his head at the sight of our eyes meeting. The smile on his face seemed to disappear as if reality had just stung him in the face as he quickly stood to his feet rushing for the door.

"I should go" he said, forcing my own eyes towards the clock as I noticed the numbers 02:56 written clearly across the screen.

"O-okay if that's what you want to do" I replied moving my face towards the ground feeling the tension I hated most in the world fill the air.

With a breath of air escaping his lungs, I felt his footsteps move closer to my placement between the sheets before my chin connected with his hand causing my heart to explode in seconds, "you know that's not what I want Jo but I'm scared shitless"

His words had me nodding in response knowing the exact same feeling was currently clutching me for dear life as I watched the look of fear reflecting on his own face.

"I am to" I simply started looking into the green I soon found had become my favourite colour from the very realisation I was in love with the man before a rush of words I wasn't even able to process left my lips, "Stay with me tonight. Stay with me and I promise, tomorrow we will talk through everything Hero. I'll tell you everything just please don't leave me"

The words had my emotions all over the place before I felt the side of the bed which had remained empty for far too long dip as the cover trapping out the cold air was lifted. The second his arms made contact with my body, I felt the water previously tormenting my cheeks come to an end as if his hold held the power to remove any trace of sadness.

With no more words spoken, I laid my head back against his chest as his hand ran over the bump currently growing our child finally making me feel at peace.

After all this time, I finally felt at peace.