The Secrets That Bind Us

Chapter 16

BROOKE POV

It’s been a week since me and Joey slept together and it has happened a few times since. I get dressed In a black and white off the shoulder, stripey jumpsuit and wave my dark hair. Im checking my appearance in the mirror when I feel a pair of arms snake around my waste and settle on my stomach. Joey smiles at ngr1 through the mirror and kisses me on the cheek. “you look beautiful, I want to take you somewhere today” I turn to look at him and place a gentle kiss on his lips “where are we going” I ask, but he just pretends to zip his lips shut and grabs my purse in one hand, and my own hand in his other and leads me out of the apartment.

We pull up outside a big gym looking building and he leads me in. We reach the reception and Joey speaks to the lady behind the desk, “Joey Anderson and Brooke Garcia, we’re signed up for the baby class thing” the lady looks at him amused and gives him directions.

We enter a big hall room where the class instructor is speaking, “okay parents, take a seat on one of the mats with the mom in the front and birthing partner behind.”
We spend 2 hours going through breathing techniques, massage movements and even some videos of what to expect and I can honestly say that this has not helped me one bit. Joey looks as pale as a ghost and like he is 10 seconds away from throwing up when we leave the building and I’m pretty sure I look the same. “I am so sorry I have done this to you” Joey finally says when we get into the car. “Im so excited for this baby but it’s just so gross” he looks at me in complete disgust. I let out a laugh and agree with him as he drives us somewhere else.

We walk into the small retro diner and order ice-cream as neither of us can quite handle anything heavier after that class. Joeys phone keeps pinging and he let’s out a high pitched squeal that catches a few stares around us. I look at him in confusion, “tomorrow, after the baby scan, do you want to come to my parents with me? They will be out and we have to help plan their wedding anniversary, 30 years next month.” He hands me his phone and shows me the group text between him and his siblings.

Mia – EVERYONE AT MOM AND DAD’S ON SATURDAY. NO ARGUMENTS.
Cole – why?

Mia – plan wedding anniversary party, no exceptions.

Cole – fine.

Parker – me and Chloe will be there.

Grace – I live here.

Joey – me and Brooke have baby scan thing at 12. Be there straight after. Don’t plan ANYTHING without me!

Parker – do u mean a sonogram?

Joey – probably.

Mia – it’s alarming you’re Pro creating. Also Nate said he will help if we need anything.

“so are you up for it?” he asks, I give him a smile and nod “of course, I like your family. They’re better than mine anyway” he takes my hand and gives me a sad smile “how you doing with that anyway” he asks, I give him the most honest answer I can “it’s jard to explain. Its my mom and my best friend but they aren’t nice people. They’re more interested in what I can do for them instead of me and it sucks. I feel lighter since they turned their backs on me.” He strokes my hand with his thumb, “you know my family are here for you just as much as me and the baby don’t you, and I hope you do cos my mom’s daily text always includes ‘remind Brooke we’re just as much here for her as we are you and the baby’” I laugh at that. “I do, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

We finish up in the diner and head home and put a movie on. I’m sitting on the sofa with Joeys head in my lap. We’re watching the movie when I feel the baby kick and Joey jumps up as if someone just set him on fire, “woaaa did you feel that” he asks in a state of shock. “yeah, it’s just the baby kicking” I grab his hand and place it on my stomach and wait for it to happen again, we wait for a while when I tell Joey to try talking to the baby. He looks at me skeptically then  kneels down so he’s level with my stomach, “hey baby, it’s your daddy here and I can’t wait to meet you. I mean I’m scared, and I hope your cute, auntie Mia says if your not cute she won’t babysit and as soon as your out I want to take mommy on the best date ever.” Joey whispering makes my heart feel like it wants to burst, I realise in this moment how happy and content I actually am, I don’t miss my mom, or Georgia, I’m just happy. I feel the baby kick again and Joeys face lights up with a smile, I feel tears start falling and he jumps up to comfort me, “hey don’t cry, see baby you’ve made mommy cry now” I laugh at his silliness, “I’m not sad Joey, I’m just so happy right now” he places a soft kiss on my lips, “yeah I’m happy too.”