Chapter 21

Chapter 21 7 1/2 months pregnant (28 weeks)

Christmas came and left along with New Years. Nothing eventful really happened to be completely honest, other than my father showing up early really. There has been one thing on my mind that has really been bothering me.

When my mom finds out the everyone knew before her, there's going to be a problem.

Putting that aside I come back to reality where Maggie, Liz and I are shopping for a Valentine's Day dinner Lucas is taking me on next week and whatever they're doing with their respective partner.

"I have no idea why I had to come with you guys. I have plenty of dresses I could wear."

"I don't understand either. This was supposed to be a family bonding trip." Liz pipes up.

"Well Jess is family and because you have no maternity dresses appropriate for a fancy dinner, hence why we're here." Maggie replies.

"That's true, I've gained like 20lbs these past months, but can we stop soon, I need to sit and my feet are hurting."

"Yeah, let's stop in this store they have some really cute dresses. Then we can go to a maternity store." Maggie says taking my hand.

"I'm sitting in the chairs by the change room with Liz, waiting for Maggie to show us the multiple dresses she picked out.

"I know what you're doing you know. You may have this whole family blinded but I know the truth." Liz says.

"What are you talking about?"

"You. Intentionally getting pregnant, trapping my brother like the gold-digger you are."

"I am not a gold-digger thank you very much. I would never do that to Lucas."

Liz was about to reply when Maggie came out of the change room in a long yellow dress. oblivious to the conversation Liz and I were just having.

"So, what do you guys think?"

"It's a beautiful dress but I'm not quite sure it goes well with your hair." I said smiling. Maggie has recently dyed her hair to a white that ombres into a gorgeous blue.

"I guess that's true." she laughs.

"That wouldn't be a problem if you stopped colouring your hair. I'm surprised it hasn't fallen out at this rate."

Maggie just sighs and goes back into the change room to try on another dress.

"You don't have to be so rude you know."

"Well I'm Just being honest. At the rate she's going, she won't have any hair left to dye."

"You act as if she dyes it every week."

"I don't even know why I'm having this conversation with you. This is a matter between cousins, not two cousins and a gold-digger." she says leaning back on the chair.

"Look, I didn't come here to fight with you, I'm here because Maggie is my friend and she asked me to come so you can keep your snooty little comments to yourself."

Thankfully Lisa knows how to take a not so subtle hint and stays quiet for the duration of the shopping trip.

Maggie ended up going with a navy blue dress that reaches her knees with a daring low cut. I found a tight medium length red dress with lace quarter sleeves and Lisa got a long mint green dress that clinched at the waist then flowed to the floor.

We stopped at a few other stores before heading home.

Maggie drove me back home because we carpooled and Lisa drove herself. I invited Maggie inside because I knew that Lucas and Brian were hanging out together but she declined because she didn't want Brian to go snooping through her bags and see the dress she bought along with some other stuff from Victoria's Secret. If you know what I mean.

I walk into the penthouse to see Brian and Lucas in football jerseys and poor baby Jake dressed in a brown long sleeved onesie with a football on it along with a football hat and matching socks. They even went as far as putting the little lines under his eyes.

"What the hell are you guys doing." I put my key in the key bowl and put my few bags down.

"Hey Jess." Brian says without actually looking at me.

"Hey babe. It's Superbowl Sunday!" he says as if that's a good enough reason for Jake to be dressed as a football.

"So you put poor Jake in a football onesie?"  I ask picking up the frowning child. I would ask where they got the outfit but the less I know the better.

"Well yeah we couldn't decide if he was Panthers or Broncos, so he's a football." Brian explains. Only now do I notice Brian wearing a Panthers jersey and Lucas a Broncos one.

"Why didn't you just put him in a referee costume? Or normal clothes for that matter."

"Because putting him in a football costume was more fun." Brian replies.

"Brian."

"Yeah?"

"Please stop talking."

"Before I forget, Jess you might want to get ready for when people start coming."

"Wait why are people coming over."

"To watch the Superbowl of course."

"Just tell me it's not a lot of people."

"Nah, just mom, John, Maggie, Sean, the twins and Liz."

My heart dropped a little at the thought of having to see Liz again but I didn't say anything. Taking Jake with me I walk upstairs to change myself and his diaper.

I strap Jake onto the changing table so he won't try and roll off. I give him his rattle that looks like a monkey to keep him busy while I change his diaper, praying that it's just pee.

The diaper gods are not on my side this time, although I am happy it didn't end up going up his back this time.  After changing Jake I bring him downstairs and put him in his bouncer in the living room with Lucas.

Only now did I notice the little decorations and food in the living room. A banner with footballs on it, there was a chart on the table probably for betting, some sort of dip on the dining room table with chips, chicken wings, things that I didn't realize they had the time to make.

I'm about to go upstairs when there's a knock on the door and seeing as I'm the closest , I answer. I open the door and in walks Maggie with a case of beer, John and Lisa with a cake, Sean with taco/burrito making stuff and Liz with the twins.

Everyone says their hi and hello except Liz who just looked at me with a tight-lipped smile, if you could call it that.

Everyone's here and I still haven't showered or changed and I feel like a mess right now. With a sigh I make my way upstairs and head straight for the shower. After a quick five minute shower I change into a beige knitted sweater and leggings while tying my hair up in a bun and head downstairs to join everyone.

I walk into the living room and sit on Lucas' lap, who is seriously engrossed into the game. I cuddle into his chest and he looks down at me and gives me a sweet kiss on the lips.

"Where'd you go?" he asks me.

"I wanted to take a shower and just relax."

"Oh I'm sorry Jess, I should've asked you about everyone coming over first seeing that this is your home too. It's just that we've been doing this forever and it wasn't even a second thought." he explains.

"It's fine, I'm not mad I just wish there was some sort of warning. Just give me cuddles and food and I'll be fine."

Lucas kissed the top of my head before giving me a squeeze and letting his hands rest on my protruding stomach.

The tacos and burritos were ready for the half-time show of Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and Coldplay. At one point Maggie looked at me and said the only reason she's here is for Beyoncé.

I was a long night but it was nice to see everyone with the exception of Liz who hates me and Maggie who I saw only hours before when we were shopping.

Brian looked to be close to tears after the Panthers lost and he lost money while Lucas seemed to be beaming. Jake was put to bed a few hours ago after a bottle of milk and Lisa and John stayed back a little to help tidy up.

"Jess I'm going to be honest with you right now. I'm surprised the press doesn't know about you and Lucas. You'd think one of the richest business moguls having a baby would be big news." Maggie says to me before they leave.

"Well how would they know? I barely go outside." I say laughing.

"True. Well we should get going now, I've got to comfort this big baby on his loss."

I trudged upstairs and changed into some pyjamas while Lucas took a shower. I'm comfortable laying down on my side hugging my pregnancy pillow as I feel Lucas come up behind me trailing kisses down my neck to my shoulder.

I shudder at the sensation, unconsciously tilting my head to give him better access. He starts to kiss my jawline before finally reaching my lips. His tongue trails my bottom lip asking for entrance and I'm about to give it to him until I feel an odd feeling in my stomach.

"Ouch."

"What happened? Did I hurt you? Is the baby okay?"

"Yeah it just felt something really weird just a second a- ouch." I say arching my back.

"Is it contractions? Are you having the baby now?!"

"No. I think one of your children are kicking me in the ribs."

"Oh thank god." he sighs and I give him a look that says seriously.

"Because me getting kicked in the ribs is great. Oh feel." I saw feeling another kick grabbing his hand so he can feel.

The baby kicks his hand and his face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. He kisses the spot where the baby kicked then gives me a kiss before laying in bed with his arms around me.

We fall asleep and I dream of a beautiful future with Lucas and our three children.

*****

Woo all done, probably my longest chapter yet.

This isn't edited so sorry about any mistakes.

The  lower half of the picture in the media is approximately what Jess' stomach looks like along with the children inside.

I'm sad to say that this book is nearing its end probably around five more chapters or so. I started this book a year and 12 days ago and I'm so happy with how well it's progressed so thank you guys so much.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Have a wonderful day, afternoon, evening and night.