Two Of Hearts (Three Of A Kind #2)

by Beth Rinyu

  “It was nothing. I just hadn’t eaten all day, and my –”

  She nearly knocked over the chair to get to the stove and within a matter of what seemed like milliseconds, a meatball sandwich was placed in front of me. “Eat it all!” she demanded. Why didn’t I learn to quit while I was ahead? “Forgive me for prying but Jason is - ?”

  “What? Yes, of course he is!”

  “Okay…okay, don’t bite my head off. You just said you were talking to that other one, too.”

  “Umm….Gram….really? This isn’t one of your soap operas.”

  “Well, is he excited?”

  “Actually, he doesn’t know yet. No one does, so please just keep this between us for now.”

  “What?! Oh no, Carrie you have to tell Jason right away. He’s the father of this baby, it’s just as much his as it is yours.”

  “I know. I’m just waiting for the perfect moment to do it. Jason’s got a lot going on right now, and I just –“

  “Carrie, that doesn’t matter, right now is the right time. He’s going to be a dad. This is the biggest and most important thing that will ever happen to him. Make it the perfect moment.”

  The bewilderment I was feeling must have been written all over my face. I took a bite of my sandwich and was just about ready to ask her to clarify that for me when she began to explain. “Go home, put on some pretty lingerie, have something good cooking on the stove.” She paused for a moment and smiled. “Oh, I’ll give you some meatballs! You can pretend that you made them. Put on some Jean Nate.”

  “I’m sorry? What?!”

  “Jean Nate,” she responded, very matter of fact. “Oh, never mind, you might be too young for that. Well, then put on some of your favorite perfume and some romantic music. Your grandfather always liked Elvis.” Oh god, I hope we weren’t going to go there. My grandmother never had a problem talking about what her and my grandfather did, or according to her, were still doing behind closed doors. “I’m telling you Carrie, some of the best sex of my life was when I was pregnant with your aunt and your mother.”

  Yup. We were going there!

  I took another bite of my sandwich and looked at my watch. Jason was working the day shift today and got off at seven. Maybe tonight would be the night I would tell him, minus all of the props that my grandmother mentioned, except for one of my very own.

  ***

  Jason

  I texted Teigan’s dad earlier in the day to see how Teigan was doing, and he informed me that he had a few setbacks. They were going to be doing some more tests in the morning and he was staying positive that the results would be what they hoped for. They were hoping to step him down from the critical care unit in a few days, which would mean he could have visitors. I just wanted him to get better so badly that it was eating me up inside. Carrie was doing her best to try and stay upbeat and lift my mood, and I appreciated that, but she couldn’t relate to what I was feeling over this.

  After another shitty day at work and way too much on my mind, I decide to take up a few of the guys from work on their suggestion to meet up for a drink after our shift. When Jackie showed up I started to feel a little guilty, knowing that Carrie would be pissed, but after a few more beers and a few more shots, I relinquished that guilt. I was feeling a little better as the night went on, and I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or talking to Jackie, who had been in a similar situation last year when she was called to the scene of a car accident and was unable to save the five year old she’d performed CPR on. I knew that Teigan’s situation wasn’t as bad as that, but she knew exactly how I was feeling.

  “Here you go, buddy!” Ron, one of my co-workers said placing another shot of tequila in front of me.

  “No, man. I gotta get.” Actually, I should have left a few hours and a few drinks ago. I already had two missed calls from Carrie and a text asking me what time I would be home.

  "Ah...come on man, don't be a pussy, chug it down," Ron said. And, so I did and quite a few more after that.

  I staggered as I went to stand up. "I seriously need to get going."

  Jackie grabbed my keys from the bar. "You're not driving." She looked around at the group of guys. "Hey, I'm gonna drive Jason home in his car. Can one of you guys come and pick me up and bring me back." She screamed over the crowd.

  "I'm good Jackie, I just got here," Ian, one of dispatchers said. "I'll meet ya right over there as soon as I take this phone call," he shouted as he walked off to answer his phone.

  My head was spinning by the time we reached my car, and all I wanted to do was go to bed. Two times in less than a week. My body was letting me know that I wasn't in college anymore, and I could no longer party like that. I was thankful that one of the guys had asked me to switch shifts with him, and I didn’t have to work tomorrow.

  We got out of the car once we reached my house. Jackie looked down at her phone and smiled. “Ian just sent me a text; he’s leaving the bar now and should be here in five minutes. You know we’re seeing each other, right?”

  “Huh? Who?” I asked, half out of it.

  “Me and Ian.”

  “Oh that’s cool. Jackie, you can come in. I have to take a piss really bad.”

  She let out a loud laugh. “Thanks for sharing that, Jason.” She followed me inside as I tried my hardest to get the key in the keyhole while in my current state. “Here, allow me to help you with that.” She laughed once again.

  I staggered into the bathroom and was feeling much better once I relieved myself, but not for long. I walked out of the bathroom to find Carrie with a pack of Oreo cookies in her hand, looking shocked, angry, and hurt all rolled into one. She stared at Jackie then her eyes focused on mine. I knew that look all too well, the one that looked like she was going to cry but commit murder at the same time. Even drunk, I was able to decipher it.

  "Oh, Carrie, hey!" Jackie greeted her. "Jas, got a little drunk after work so I drove him home. I'm just waiting for one of the guys.....oh there he is now." She said upon seeing the headlights in the driveway. "I think he just needs to go pass out and he'll be fine. Feel better Jason! Good seeing you again, Carrie," Jackie shouted on her way out the door.

  Carrie stood there speechless, and I knew I was in for it. I tried to walk away and hopefully just pass out in my bed before any of the screaming started, but when the pack of Oreos that she was holding in her hand went flying past me, just missing my head and hitting the wall instead, I knew that passing out wasn't an option.

  "What the fuck?” I turned around and shouted at her.

  “I’ve been calling and texting you all night, and you couldn’t even respond! Then I come here to talk to you, and she’s here!” She burst into tears.

  “Whatever, Carrie! I’m sorry that I’ve got a lot on my mind and needed to blow of some steam tonight.”

  “You are such an asshole! You know that? Did it ever occur to you that maybe you’re not the only one who has a lot on their mind?”

  I inched closer until I was right in her face. “Okay, Carrie, tell me, what the hell could you possibly have on your mind that made you feel the need to come over here and hurl a pack of cookies at my head?”

  She turned her head in disgust. “You can barely stand up, you reek of alcohol, and you make me sick!” She wiped the tears from her face and backed away. “God, I can’t believe how incredibly stupid I am!” She walked out, slamming the door so hard that one of the pictures fell from the wall.

  ***

  I passed out on the couch and woke the next morning with a splitting headache. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, trying to remember what day of the week it was, and how I had even gotten on my couch. Once I awakened a bit, the memories of last night came flashing back to me only adding to the pain in my head. I knew the right thing to do. I needed to go make things right with Carrie, even if I did feel like I wanted to die at the moment. I was just thankful that my dad wasn’t around to delight in my misery. I heard my phone beeping with a text but didn’t have a clue where I had le
ft it. I needed to get my priorities in order before I could deal with anything else, and coffee and taking a much-needed piss were at the top of that list. I walked into the kitchen and flicked on the coffee pot. As I headed into the bathroom, I looked down at the pack of Oreo cookies on the floor and shook my head. I was happy to see my phone on the back of toilet and read the text message from Mr. Holden as I relieved myself:

  Good news! Teigan's condition has been upgraded. He's being moved to a regular room and he's responding to questions.

  I couldn’t hold back my smile and for one brief second, I didn't feel like I had drunk too much last night.

  I quickly text him back, asking him to send me his room information once he was settled. I threw some water on my face and headed out to the kitchen for some liquid strength. I felt like I was gonna puke but at the same time, I was starving. I opened up the cabinets, not much in the mood for all of that healthy cereal that Carrie would buy or the yogurt that she had stocked in my fridge. I suddenly remembered the Oreo cookies that Carrie almost decapitated me with last night, and headed out into the hallway to claim my breakfast.

  I peeled open the package that looked as if it had been opened already, and when I saw the piece of paper inside I knew I was right. I unfolded it to find a note from Carrie:

  Eat the vanilla one patiently.

  Love, Carrie xo

  Carrie and I spoke Oreo cookie language fluently, and eating an Oreo patiently in our terms was unscrewing the top and the bottom and eating the middle first. I looked down at the pack of chocolate Oreos with the lone vanilla one smack dab in the middle. I pulled it out of the pack and did as she said, finding another smaller piece of paper folded up inside of the cookie. I opened it up and had to read it quite a few times to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me when I saw those two little words:

  I'm pregnant!

  Chapter 31

  Carrie

  My stomach was on edge all morning. I wasn’t sure if it was my baby, letting me know that he or she was here - even if their father was a complete asshole, or if it was just my nerves. I was so angry at Jason for what he had done last night. I managed about three hours sleep with a million thoughts going through my mind. I had created the perfect moment to tell him and he had to ruin it all by going out and getting drunk and then having her drive him home. Just thinking about it again made my blood boil.

  I managed to force down a piece of toast and some tea, and as I stood at the sink washing dishes a wave of nausea hit me. I ran into the bathroom and sat on the floor with my head over the toilet bowl, just waiting to lose my breakfast. My stomach began to churn some more along with the familiar burn in my throat, I dropped my head and let it all come out. All I could think was thank god it was Saturday, and I didn’t have to be at work. When I felt someone gently grabbing on to my hair, pulling it away from my face, I jumped. Once I got a temporary reprieve from my misery, I looked up to find that it was Jason. He bent down next to me and rubbed my back. I wanted to cry, hug him, and punch him all at the same time.

  Hormones sucked.

  That would all have to wait as I leaned my head back over my porcelain puke bowl, and let it all out once again. I felt weak but managed to stand up. I just wanted to wash my face and brush my teeth and then I could lay into Jason. He helped me up and pulled me into a hug; I tried to push him away, partly because I was mad at him, and partly because I knew I probably smelled like sour milk that had been left out in the sun for a week. He squeezed me tighter and wouldn’t allow me to break free. “Jason, please, I just want to brush my teeth. I smell like –“

  He kissed me on the forehead and whispered in my ear, “I don’t care what you smell like. You’re gonna have my baby. You can smell like anything you want, and I’ll still love you.” I looked up at him in shock. “I saw the cookie.” His eyes filled with emotion.

  “Well, that’s not how I planned it. I wanted us to be together when you found out. Then you had to –”

  “I know. I was a total dick last night, and I’m so sorry,” he interrupted. “I’m so happy, Carrie.” My eyes began to well as I looked into his and saw the tears beginning to form. “This is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me.” He dropped to his knees and pulled down the waist band on my pajama bottoms ever so slightly, planting gentle kisses over and over again on my bare belly. “I can’t wait to be a dad.”

  Suddenly my need to punch him subsided, so instead, I just cried and hugged him as he stood up next to me once again. “I’m so sleepy,” I whispered.

  “Yeah, me too.” He chuckled.

  “Yeah. I bet you are!” I frowned, knowing that he was hungover just by looking at him. He pushed my hair from my face and flashed me that adorable grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

  “Let’s go lie down.”

  “Okay, but first I have to wash my face and brush my teeth.”

  He took me off guard when his lips pressed into mine and when I tried to pull away, he wouldn’t let me. “Yuck Jas!” I said once I was finally able to break free. “That’s gross!”

  He let out a loud laugh. “Nah….that’s love.”

  I shook my head and laughed, turning around and grabbing my toothbrush as well as his. I dabbed toothpaste on each and handed him his, giggling to myself as we stood there brushing our teeth together. Jason and I didn’t need sexy lingerie, stinky old perfume, or Elvis playing on the radio. Maybe all the planning in the world won’t create that perfect moment. Maybe just standing in a tiny little bathroom with your boyfriend still wanting to kiss you after puking your guts up is as perfect as it gets.

  ***

  Jason

  Carrie and I headed to the hospital to see Teigan later that afternoon. It was still all so surreal to me. I was going to be a dad. I created another human being that I was going to be responsible for, for the rest of my life. I was nervous, scared, anxious, but most of all, I was happy.

  I grabbed Carrie’s hand as we walked through the parking lot. "So, I'm guessing that this happened that time we were away."

  "I think that's a pretty safe guess, since the only other time we had unprotected sex was less than a week ago." She giggled. "Guess your boys are strong swimmers!" She laughed even harder. "I have my doctor's appointment on Wednesday so they'll be able to tell me a lot more like when this little guy or girl is going to be here."

  "What time?"

  "Four thirty. If you can't -"

  "No. I can make it happen."

  "Really, Jas, if you have to work, that's okay. This appointment isn’t really a big one. I feel bad making you rearrange -"

  I stopped walking, placed my hands on her shoulders and stared down in her eyes. "Hey. Stop worrying about that. I will rearrange whatever I need to for you and this baby."

  "Okay." She let out a slight smile. We latched hands and began to walk again. "So, how do you suppose we should break the news to Mel and Ben?” She burst into laughter.

  I was so caught up in my own happiness that I didn’t even think about them. I knew that the thought of becoming grandparents was going to freak them out, but I was pretty sure that once the shock wore off, they’d both be happy. "Umm....I'll get back to you on that one."

  I felt myself coming down from the high that I’d been on all day, when I stepped into the lobby of the hospital and into the elevator. The familiar heaviness in my chest and in my heart were coming back, just at the thought of laying eyes on Teigan for the first time since this had happened.

  Carrie squeezed my hand tighter, seemingly picking up on my anxiety. We stepped out of the elevator and my stomach dropped when we finally reached Room 318. If I hadn’t seen his dad sitting on the side of the bed, I would have thought I was in the wrong room. I knew Teigan was going to look pretty bad, but seeing it in person was a hundred times harder than in my mind. His eyes were black and blue. I could tell that his nose had been broken, and a large bandage was wrapped around his head and under his chin.

  “Teigan,
look who’s here!” His dad stood up, seeming thrilled to see Carrie and me.

  Teigan tried his hardest to speak but was having a hard time with his jaw being wrapped up.

  Carrie bit her bottom lip and took a deep breath as she looked him over. “Wow, what’s the other guy look like?” she teased, trying to break the somberness, causing Teigan to attempt a smile.

  “The doctor said he’s healing nicely and a lot quicker than expected,” Mr. Holden said, placing his hand on Teigan’s shoulder. “My boy’s a fighter.”

  “Yeah he is.” I stared at Teigan and he stared back, nodding at me as if he understood the apology that I was trying to convey with my eyes. Carrie sat down next to Teigan’s bed and immediately immersed herself into whatever he was watching on TV, talking to Teigan as if everything were normal and not like he was lying in a hospital bed battered and bruised.

  I motioned for Mr. Holden to come out into the hallway. “Please tell me something I want to hear,” he pleaded once we were well out of earshot of Teigan.

  “The prosecutor is confident that he’s going to be able to get all the charges to stick, and the two seventeen year olds that were involved are being charged as adults, as well.”

  He let out a relieved breath. “Thank you so much for everything. I really don’t know how I would have gotten through this without you. If it wasn’t for you, my son would probably be in juvie or worse yet….” His voice faltered. “Dead.” He quickly wiped the tear that was about to escape his eye. “I don’t know Jason, maybe this happened for a reason. Maybe this will finally get him to see that those people weren’t his friends and that there’s a whole other life out there for him.

  “Yeah, let’s hope so.” If there was any positive in this whole situation maybe that was it, maybe Teigan would turn himself around and finally make a change for the better.

  Chapter 32