by K. C. Enders
My eyes about pop out of my head, and there’s no hiding my shock. At least, I think there isn’t, but Chloe rolls right on, ignoring my freak-out.
“You’re kidding. Really? That’s amazing. I’m so happy for y’all,” I gush. “Their deployment’ll be done and all?” More than anything in this moment, I want to ask a million and one questions. Beg her for details and if Jack is coming, too.
Beaming wildly, Chloe nods, her face alight. “Should be. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed and saying all my prayers that everything works out. With any luck, Jake’s uncle might be convinced to come, too. Lord, that little boy’s head would about explode.”
His and mine both.
Later, when I’m settled into my bed, the need to talk to Jack is strong. So, I do the only thing I can in the moment and flip my journal open to the next blank page and pour out my thoughts and emotions.
Jack,
Please know that my heart is torn on what I should’ve done today. Part of me wanted so badly to ask Chloe to have you call me as soon as you were able. Part of me wanted to beg her not to say a word to her husband because I can only imagine how news like this might be received.
Now … now it’s just a matter of waiting and seeing. Will you come home with Tripp again? I know Jake and his parents are a huge part of your life—like family—but Lord, I would love to be the one to tell you face-to-face. To introduce you to your boys—or at least, the idea of them.
Be safe until you’re back on US soil.
***
“KATE, I’VE INVITED YOUR mother and sister-in-law to your shower, but I haven’t heard back from them. Do you know if they’re planning on coming?” Lis asks. “Maybe we should have held off until after the school year was done? Everyone seems so busy right now.” Her brows push together, concern pinching at her features.
“Are you serious? I know Jules hates that she can’t make it, but Mama hasn’t responded yet?” I’m shocked at her avoidance.
“Nope,” Gracyn says, popping that P.
“Hang on and let me call her.” I dial my mama and count as the rings stack up.
When I’m about ready to give up and call the house phone, she answers, “Kate, baby, you doin’ all right? Everything okay with my grandbabies?” She’s out of breath, and I can hear Harper singing in the background.
“We’re fine, but Lis and Gracyn just told me they haven’t gotten your RSVP yet. So, I guess I need to ask you if you’re doing okay.” I don’t bother to hide any of the sass in my tone.
“Well, I’m not sure what bee has gotten in your bonnet, but I certainly don’t appreciate that—”
“I know, but I’ve got your attention now, so how about you tell me why you’re not coming to my shower?” I might never perfect her mom look, but I sure as hell can rock the teacher voice, even with my own mother.
Silence stretches between us, and I check the screen of my phone, concerned that I’ve lost her.
“Mama?”
“Is it too much to ask, wanting my baby girl to come home? To have my grandbabies here by family?” Tears touch the edges of her words.
“Of course not, Mama. There’s no harm in asking and wanting, but just come to my party. Come meet my friends, see where I live. See my life outside of Mississippi. I promise you won’t have to give up your Southern roots if you cross the Mason-Dixon Line for a visit.” I hold my breath, replaying the words I just uttered. Hoping and wanting for her to give New York a chance.
Mama concedes.
Two weeks later, when she finally comes to New York for the babies’ shower, the chatter begins almost the minute she gets off the plane.
“Now, your daddy and I are buying your cribs, but we’ll just have them delivered down home. Don’t want to have to pay to move those if we don’t have to. And I brought an extra suitcase with me, so I can just pack that full of gifts and take them home with me instead of botherin’ with shippin’.”
I’m fighting a losing battle with her, but I calmly remind her, “I’m not positive I’m leaving New York, Mama.”
She laughs at the idea. “Don’t be silly, Kate. You’re gonna need help and a lot of it. You think you can schedule and organize these babies into submission? I don’t think so, darlin’.”
I let her prattle on, not interested in starting anything with her. I’ll just let her know—along with everyone else—when I’ve made up my mind. In the meantime, I take her to as many places as I can that show her why I love it here so much. And how hard of a decision staying or going will be for me to make.
Chapter 25
Jack
I’M GOING TO BE late. I knew it was a long shot when I changed my flight at the last minute, but I just couldn’t miss out on Jake’s kindergarten graduation. Tripp had talked nonstop for the past two weeks about nothing but getting to make it back in time for the big ceremony. I’d had no plans to go back to Beekman Hills. None, but after rolling around in the desert for another six months, spending a few days with my favorite kid sounds pretty good. And the possibility of seeing his favorite teacher and mine doesn’t suck in the least.
I throw my rental into one of the only available parking spaces in the elementary school’s lot and hustle for the front door at a brisk jog. Once in the building, I follow the little mortarboard clings lining the floor to the cafeteria. Gone are the cramped torture device tables that I squeezed my ass into back in November, and in their place are row upon row of folding chairs.
Parents and grandparents corral squirmy siblings, claiming as much real estate as they can get away with. I search the sea of spectators for Chloe’s curly black hair and Tripp’s all-too-familiar head. I’ve been staring at the back of his block head for fucking months. I should be able to immediately find it, but Chloe is alone, an empty seat next to her.
I settle against the back wall, and before long, the principal climbs the steps to the stage.
“Welcome, family and friends. Thank you for joining us this evening as we celebrate the advancement of this year’s kindergarten class to first grade. The entire class will perform two musical numbers that they’ve worked very hard on. Then, each teacher will present their students in turn. Refreshments will be available in the commons afterward. Please allow me to present you with this year’s kindergarten class.”
One by one, the kids file into the cafeteria and up onto risers set up on the stage. The teachers arrange and adjust them, grouping them by class. I run a hand over my stubble, eyes trained on the entrance. Waiting for a glimpse of blonde waves and a bright smile leading in the final class. I can practically see the sway of her hips as she led the kids down to her classroom that first day, hear the staccato click of those sexy-as-shit heels she was wearing.
The wavy hair and brilliant smile are there, but when Kate lumbers up the stairs, my breath slams out of my lungs in a whoosh. Fuck me. Gone is her hourglass figure. In its place is more of a Violet Beauregarde—after she turned into a blueberry in Willy Wonka.
Pregnant. Really fucking pregnant. Honest to God, she looks like she’s ready to burst.
My nostrils flare as air forces its way in and out of my lungs. Because I’m no expert, but if she’s that fucking pregnant, that means she was already knocked up when we were together. And she likely knew it.
I push off the wall and stalk toward the exit, escape my singular focus. The need to get away driving me out of this place.
“Uncle Jack!” Jake screeches.
The excitement in his voice is the only thing that can stop me in this moment.
Every face in the room turns to look at me. Every single one. Kate leans in, whispering to Jake and getting him settled back into his spot onstage. But, as she descends the stairs, she finds me. Eyes wide, one hand supporting her protruding belly. She’s white as a ghost, and she sways slightly as she joins the other teachers kneeling—fucking kneeling—on the hard floor in front of the stage.
Jaw tight, I survey the room, and Chloe pins me with a glare, waving to me.
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“Get over here,” she whisper-shouts, insisting that I take the empty seat I know is for Tripp.
My head is spinning. My heart pounding against my ribs. How the fuck did this happen to me again? I must be a fucking magnet for crazy women looking to start a family. I don’t want that shit. Fine for others, but this fucking mess is not for me.
The music starts, and kids begin to sing.
Chloe leans into me again. “Where’s Tripp? He said he was getting in before you and—hell, I didn’t even know until yesterday that you were thinking of coming to this,” she whispers.
“Last-minute decision. He should be here. Flight got in almost an hour before mine,” I tell her, getting shushed by the lady behind us. I lower my voice, biting out, “Jake’s teacher’s changed since fall.”
“You met her?”
“Had lunch with Jake a time or two. Sure as fuck didn’t know she was knocked up,” I grumble.
A hand lands on my shoulder with a hissed admonishment from the dad behind us. “Hey, watch it. There are kids around.”
He’s right. I mumble my apology and turn back to Chloe, who’s using her all-knowing mom stare on me. My phone buzzes in my pocket, giving me the perfect excuse to break eye contact. It’s not a number I recognize, and no one knows I’m stateside yet, so I decline the call and focus on the kids singing—shouting—mostly off tune.
“Was it just lunch?” Chloe asks, digging at shit I’m not discussing.
I nod toward the front of the room. “Your kid is doing big things. Stop gossiping.”
Chloe settles back in her seat with a huff but side-eyes me every so often. Fully focused on the end of the last song, I lock it down and ignore her. Maybe Jake’ll run to us after this shit is done, and we can shuffle out the back. Not sure that I want to come face-to-face with Miss Katelyn Beard. The conversation we need to have sure as fuck is not appropriate for any kind of audience, let alone with kids around.
My phone buzzes again, and I silence it. There’s still no text from Tripp. No call, nothing telling me he got delayed somehow. Did he miss his connection? Get held up in customs? Another buzz that is not my friend calling with excuses, so I decline again and turn off notifications for the next hour, sliding my phone back into my pocket. I’m here to see Jake graduate from kindergarten and maybe take him out for ice cream, so when his father finally gets his ass to town, Tripp and Chloe can have a few quiet moments. Yeah, totally gonna run interference with my little wingman, so my buddy can get reacquainted with his wife. My plans of hooking up with the hot teacher are obviously going nowhere.
My ass falls asleep as the eighty-plus kids wearing blue paper mortarboards make their way across the stage to shake hands with their teacher and the school principal. No doubt the scrolls they’re handed will end up creased, twisted messes, probably forgotten under their chairs. And, through the whole thing, I can’t take my eyes off Kate.
Much as I’m pissed at being played, I can’t deny that she looks amazing like that, all swollen, round belly. You’d think, with her so close to dropping the kid, the dude who knocked her up would at least be here in case all this excitement sent her into labor. But I don’t see that. No one sitting with her, no one looking concerned. No one to help her up the four steps to the stage when it’s her turn to shake little hands.
“She looks like she could have that kid any minute now. Should she even be here?” I ask Chloe, forgetting my earlier avoidance of the subject.
Chloe pulls her phone out, ready to take pictures when we get a little further into the class roster. “Three more months,” is all she says, scooting out of her seat and duck-walking toward the front of the room to capture the big moment.
Three more months?
I’m not a doctor by any means, and I have shit for med training beyond basic field first aid, but there’s no way in hell Kate’s got another three months. She’s huge.
Jake walks across the stage, getting his diploma, shaking hands like a boss. But, like the sensitive little dude he is, he places a hand on Kate’s protruding stomach and gasps suddenly.
It almost sounds like he said, “They moved!”
Kate laughs and tousles his hair, sending him on his way. And, now, every kid after him wants to feel what he did. Six more hands stop on her belly, and by the time her class is done, she looks relieved to lower herself into the principal’s chair onstage for the closing remarks.
Chloe slips back into the seat beside me, sliding her phone back into her bag. “How sweet was that? He’s been asking for a little brother or sister again ever since Miss Beard started showing.” A smile pulls at her lips, and she adds, winking, “Glad you guys are home for a bit. Tripp’s got some work to do.” Chloe stands with every other person in the room and claps as the kids are led out in barely contained chaos.
“Where’s he going?” I ask, sure that we would just be able to grab Jake and run.
“Refreshments, Jack. Come on. You can’t deny that boy the spoils of his accomplishments. Those are special Oreos out there in the commons. Not at all like the ones we have sitting in the pantry at home.”
She pulls me up and drags me with her as we fight our way out to the open area just inside the front doors of the school. Tables with bowls of punch and platters of cookies have magically appeared while we were enjoying the ceremony.
“Good to see you again, Captain Jackson,” a familiar woman says, squeezing my forearm.
Pretty sure she works in the office, but …
“Jenny Simpson. I work up front. Kept hoping to see you pop in to have lunch with Miss Beard again, but she said you work with Jake Triplett’s dad. So, I figured it might be a while before we saw you again. Welcome back.”
She scurries off to help serve punch, and Chloe pins me with a hard look.
“Just lunch?” she asks, snorting out a little huff of judgment.
“Don’t start with me,” I tell her. “Can we just get Jake and go? I’ll buy ten packages of Oreos and all the fruit punch he can handle if we can bolt.” I’m not ready to deal with the questions, the looks from Chloe, and I sure as shit am not ready to talk to Kate.
But the universe is not on my side tonight.
Jake worms his way to us, breaking away from his little friends and runs straight for me. “Uncle Jack, you made it! I didn’t know you were gonna be here. Did you bring my dad? Mom, where’s Daddy? I thought he was coming. Uncle Jack, come on.” His words all run together, questions melding into statements, as he grabs my hand and pulls me toward where his classmates are all sitting on the floor with their treats. Straight toward his ridiculously pregnant teacher. “Miss Beard, look. It’s my uncle Jack.” He bounces on his toes. “Uncle Jack, she has babies in her tummy.”
“I see that.” Because what the fuck else am I supposed to say?
Here I was, feeling like shit while out on mission, thinking about her and wondering for the first time in forever if maybe I could give the relationship thing a shot. See if it wouldn’t be so terrible to have someone to come home to after deployments. Entertaining the idea of love because that was what I’d thought was happening when I left. That I was falling in love with her. And, all the time we were fucking, she was already knocked up.
Fuck my life.
Kate offers me a tight smile and says, “Hey. How are you?”
Yeah, she’s displaying all the textbook signs of lying and withholding information. Shifting her weight and fidgeting, unable to hold eye contact.
I shake my head and answer, “I’m good. You, uh … you’ve changed.”
I take her in from head to toe, dick move on my part because, obviously, she’s changed, and I’m just being an ass about it. But, for fuck’s sake, maybe I’ve earned the right to be a little bit of a dick right now.
“Yeah, um … maybe this isn’t the best time, but I’d like to talk to you soon. Maybe we can grab lunch this week if you’re around?”
I don’t get the chance to answer her.
“Jack.” Chl
oe’s voice wobbles from beside me. All the color has drained from her face, tears gathering in her eyes, phone clutched tightly in her hand. “He’s gone. Jack, he’s gone. The police … they were calling you, but …”
“Can you—” I ask Kate, darting my eyes to Jake.
Hand over her mouth, she nods quickly, and I guide Chloe out the front doors of the school.
“What happened, Chloe?”
She trembles, tears finally tumbling down her cheeks. “He stopped at a gas station, walked into a robbery. They stabbed him, took his wallet, and left. Crashed the car. Rental papers. Tried to call you. Why did they call you and not me? Why didn’t they call me? He’s dead. Oh my God, why?” Chloe crumbles, and I have to lunge to catch her before she hits the ground.
Motherfucker.
Chapter 26
Kate
“MISS BEARD? WHY’S MY mom crying?” Jake asks softly, slipping his hand into mine.
I take a deep breath—at least as deep as I can with these two monsters taking up way too much space in my body. “I don’t know, buddy. But I’m wondering if you’d like to be my helper for a little bit. Think you can keep an eye on this very important basket for me while I go get a chair?”
“Are the babies making you tired?” He places his small hand on the side of my belly and waits.
The kiddos love it when the babies are giving high fives, and it seems like that’s been happening nonstop these days.
Another deep-ish breath because, if truth be told, growing babies is hard work, and I really am exhausted. “They are wearing me out, Jake. I’ll be right back with a chair and—”
Just then, Jenny Simpson rolls one of the office chairs over, a smile brightening her already-cheery face.
“Thank you, Jenny.”
“You know it. Got to take care of you, though it’ll calm down a bit with school out for the summer. You know what your plans are yet for next year?” she asks. Lowering her voice, she adds, “I did see that Captain Jackson is back in town.”
