Beautiful Goodbye (22 page)

CHAPTER 23

Christmas Eve
was always a big party for my dad and Gage's dad's law firm. I had
picked out a black cocktail dress that was tight on my chest but
had ruching and was gathered around the torso and skirt, so you
couldn't see my baby bump unless you were searching for
it.

Everyone was
mingling in our living room while Christmas music was playing
softly. I was starting to get nervous that someone would notice my
belly and Gage noticed, grabbing my hand he whispered, "Relax,
babe. I'm right here, everything will be ok."

Thankfully no
one noticed through the party but Mac did comment on how much I was
eating. After everyone had left my parents and Gages were cleaning
up. I figured now was as good of a time as any. I leaned into Gage
and whispered it was time. Everyone was already in the living room
so Gage asked them to have a seat.

I cleared my
throat before sitting up a little straighter. "Um, everyone? I have
something I need to tell you. I'm ugh..." my tears started falling.
Gage pulled me into him and kissed my forehead. "I'm
pregnant."

My parents had
tears streaming down their faces as did Gage's mom. My mom turned
to Mac, "Can you and Dylan take Kota and go put away the food in
the kitchen, please?"

Mac came over
and hugged me before she and the boys walked out.

My mom wiped
her tears as she said, "Honey, your father and I have known since
we came up for Thanksgiving. Well, we were pretty sure anyway.
That’s why I was so pushy about you going to the doctor. You had
too many signs but we knew it would never cross your mind because
of Jacob."

I sat staring
at my parents, I had no idea what to say.

Gage's mom
filled the silence, "What are your plans, dear?"

I shrugged and
shook my head. "I have no idea. I was planning on transferring to
NYU when Gage signed with the Jets but now I don't
know."

Gage gave my
had a reassuring squeeze and said, "You’re not alone, you have me.
You have our families. We will get through this, babe. I have told
you that over and over."

My dad scooted
forward, "I'm guessing this is that Larkin boy’s baby?"

I nodded then
heard my dad growl, literally he growled! "What the hell is he
doing? He needs to step up and be a man. This is not just your
responsibility, he was a part of this."

"Dad, he
doesn't know. I never told him and I don't want him to know. After
everything I have been through, it’s better that he's not
involved."

Gage’s dad
leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Jenna, Gage. You
know we support you both, but a baby is a huge responsibility. What
about your futures? Gage how will you be able to go away for
football and help Jenna raise a baby?”

“
Dad we know we’re young and we know this will be hard. Jenna
had always dreamed of having a family then she thought she lost
that. Now that she has that chance I’m not walking away from her. I
have always been there for her and I will always be there for her.
She is my girl.”

Leaning my
head on his shoulder I looked at our parents. “Gage is my best
friend. We have been together since we were babies and now that I’m
having a baby I’m so thankful he is by my side. I would never ask
him to give up his dream of the NFL to help me, I want him to
succeed.”

The rest of
the evening was spent talking with my parents and Gage's making
plans and talking about our future.

**********

Christmas and
New Year came and went. I saw Dr. Faizer once, who was just as
shocked as me that I was pregnant, before Gage and I returned to
school.

When we
returned to school and our apartment, life sort of turned into a
crazy normalcy.

We were at my
nineteen week appointment waiting on Dr. Kamp when she walked into
the room with a big smile. "Your blood tests are looking good,
sweetie. Let’s check on our little baby and see how he or she is
doing. Maybe if they cooperate we can see the sex."

"Ah! Yes, I
hope so!" I was bouncing up and down.

Dr. Kamp
squirted more goo on my growing belly and started rubbing around.
"Well it looks like we are in luck, baby is being good."

Gage was
standing to my side and I reached out for his hand and asked, "What
am I having?"

Dr. Kamp used
the cursor on the screen and pointed when saying, "That my dear
shows us you are clearly having a girl."

I couldn't
hold in my tears. I was having a baby girl. I was going to be a
mommy. I was going to do this. I could do this, I was
strong.

I looked up to
see Gage getting misty eyed. "We're having a girl, babe. God help
us if she’s anything like her mother!"

Dr. Kamp
laughed before offering her congratulations. I was so excited. I
called my parents while Gage called his. I could hear his mom
practically screaming with joy.

My mom
answered, "So? What are we getting? I bet it’s a girl, I know it
is! Just tell me!"

I laughed and
shook my head before saying, "Yes, mom. It's a girl."

Our parents
were so excited for us. Gage's parents took over the role as
grandparents and had already sent us numerous gifts, as had my
parents. Gage had been staying in my room so we used his room as
storage for the time being. We already had the bedroom suite, a
glider, and a ton of other odds and ends. Our parent’s truly were
amazing.

We invited
everyone over for dinner that night to let them know what I was
having. I made cupcakes and the inside was filled with pink icing,
girls and pink, duh!

We made
everyone bite into their cupcake at the same time and when they
pulled the cupcake away they all saw pink. Sadie with her mouth
full spit out, "Holy shit! We are having girls together, they can
be best friends! I can't wait!"

After tons of
hugs Trent asked to talk to me alone. I followed him into my room
and shut the door. Turning to him I asked, "What’s up?"

"I'm not sure
if you care but Larkin will be going to the Chargers. He told me
last night he has a meeting with them next week and if they can
agree on a price he will be in San Diego."

Just hearing
his name had my heart racing. "Well, good for him." My little
peanut fluttered and I sucked in a breath.

Trent's eyes
filled with concern when he asked, "Are you ok?"

"I’m fine,
Trent. He has to go on with his life." I felt something like
butterflies in my belly, “Gage! Oh my God, get in here!” I
yelled.

Gage burst
through my door with Dollie on his heels. "What the hell? What’s
wrong? Are you ok? Is my babygirl ok?" Gage asked
quickly.

I grabbed his
hand and placed it on my belly, "Yes, yes, yes!"

My little
peanut moved again, Trent looked between Gage and I before everyone
came rushing into my room.

I was forcing
back tears while everyone stared at Gage and I, it was Sadie who
figured out what was going on and said, "Oh my God! The baby is
moving, isn't she?"

I looked up at
Gage and I had never seen his smile so wide, he slowly nodded in
amazement. "Yes! My little girl is bouncing around."

Hearing Gage
call my peanut his little girl melted my heart. I knew he would be
in her life, but I figured he would want to play the cool uncle
role, not the daddy. Looking at him and seeing how happy he was had
me looking at Gage as something other than my best friend. Could I
really be IN love with Gage and not just love him as my best
friend? I know our families have always wanted us to be something
more but neither of us had seen each other that way. But something
about Gage had changed or maybe it was my feelings for him. He was
the only guy in the world, other than my dad that I trusted
completely and loved like crazy. He was the one who has always been
by my side. Could there really be something between Gage and me,
has it always been there? Gage caught me staring at him and
smirked. I really needed to figure out what was going on in my head
and heart. Soon.

It only took
another hour to get everyone out of our apartment and I was
exhausted. Sadie and I made plans to go shopping soon to spoil our
little girls. I went into my room to change into a pair of yoga
pants and a t-shirt. When I came back into the living room I saw
Gage standing in the doorway of his old room, his back to me. He
was holding something I couldn't see and he seemed to be in deep
thought. I cleared my throat to get his attention and when he
whirled around he shoved something into the front pocket of his
jeans.

I smiled at
him before walking into the kitchen. "Hey. Want something to eat?
I'm hungry."

I heard Gage
let out his breath, I guess he thought I would question him about
what he was thinking so hard about and obviously hiding from me,
nope. I would let it simmer in his mind then when he least expected
it I would ask.

"Babe, you
don't have to ask. You know I'm always hungry."

I was
rummaging through the fridge and pantry looking for something but
nothing sounded good. Onion rings and hot fudge sounded good.
Opening the freezer I looked for the frozen onion rings, but found
nothing. Damn! I slammed the door and asked, "Gage, how much do you
love me?"

Gage laughed
when he answered, "Hmm, let me think. You have some off the wall
craving but we don't have whatever you need to create some prego
snack."

I couldn't
help but laugh, that man knew me too well. "Maybe?"

"What do you
want?"

"Onion rings
and hot fudge sounds so damn good right now!"

Gage pursed
his lips and questioned, "Are you fucking insane? That shit sounds
gross! But since I love you and our babygirl I will go find onion
rings and hot fudge."

I wrapped my
arms around Gage and kissed his cheek. "Your pretty amazing, Mr.
Tucker. We love you, too."

"Uh huh," Gage
grunted, grabbing his coat and was walking to the door before
stopping and turning his head back to me. "Jenna, you know how much
you and babygirl mean to me, right?"

"Of course
Gage." I tilted my head, a little confused.

"Just making
sure. Be back in a few." Then Gage was out the door.

After loading
The Hangover into the DVD player I settled on the couch waiting on
my onion rings and hot fudge. I must have fallen asleep because the
next thing I know my alarm is going off. Opening my eyes slowly I
looked around and realized I was in my room. How did I get in here?
Oh God! Gage did not pick me up did he? I had already gained almost
twenty pounds. I was huge, but it was sweet of Gage to carry me to
bed.

Rolling over I
saw Gage was still asleep, I used it to my advantage. He was only
in a pair of basketball shorts, the covers were only up to his
waist so I had full view of his incredibly toned stomach and arms.
He was even rocking that sexy little 'V' on his hips. Looking at
Gage, he really was sexy. I had never really noticed how attractive
he was before but the guy had it goin on.

Gage's eyes
fluttered open and his lips curled into a lazy half smile,
"Mornin'."

I smiled back,
"Good morning, sunshine."

"Sunshine?"

I laughed,
"Yep."

Gage grumbled
something before climbing out of bed, when he stood I saw the giant
phoenix tattoo on his back straining against his muscles as he
stretched. When he turned around he again found me staring at him
and said, "Keep looking at me like that and you’re going to give me
a complex."

I shook my
head and smiled. "What? Why...you have girls chasing you all over.
Why the hell would you get a complex?"

"That may be
true but you’re the only girl I care about. Your opinion is what
matters." Gage leaned down and kissed my forehead before saying, "I
gotta get ready, I'm meeting the guys at the gym. Do you need
anything before I come home?"

"Nope, but
thanks."

Grabbing one
of his t-shirts and gym shoes Gage walked out. I rolled out of bed
and dragged my butt into my bathroom. I really needed to get ready
too, I had class in an hour and a meeting with my student advisor
about transferring.

CHAPTER 24

It was
Valentine's Day. I was twenty-two weeks pregnant and I felt huge.
The draft was getting closer which meant Gage was always on the
phone or in front of the camera. I don't know how he dealt with all
the media and pressure but he was awesome. Gage came into our room
as I was walking out of my closet.

"We have plans
tonight. I'm taking my girls to dinner. Not to sound like a total
douche but do you have a dress that fits?"

I glared at
him and angrily said, "Doodle dick, I do happen to have a fuckin
dress that fits! So you can suck it!"

Gage held his
hands up in front of him in mock surrender. "Ok, just making sure.
We have reservations at eight so be ready by seven
thirty."

I stuck my
tongue out as he dropped his head and laughed, he was laughing
still when he shut the front door. Asshole.