Chapter 15

Julie

The next month flew by for Julie. Between finals, doing grades for the first time, and planning and teaching a full load of classes, she was exhausted by the time she went to bed each night. It didn't help any that she was losing sleep listening for and worrying about her very pregnant sister.

Between the two sisters and Cody, they'd gotten things ready for the baby. Everything was in place.

Julie's mom was calling every couple of days, but she hadn't heard from her father, and with the way things were going, she was okay with that. She needed time to get over the way he'd spoken to her the last time they'd talked anyway.

Cody was back to spending most of his time at the office. There was a lot going on, and he needed to be there. Julie totally understood. She could remember so many nights that one or both of her parents spent their whole evening working on projects, especially when they were on the edge of a deadline.

Even though they weren't able to see each other during the week, Cody and Julie never went a day without sending each other messages or talking on the phone. On the weekends, they either met out someplace, he picked her up, or he showed up at her place with dinner. He asked about her classes, and she loved talking about her students and the things they were learning. He'd even given her ideas on how to make some of the tougher things easier to teach. She asked about work, and he'd light up each time he talked about what he was working on. He never hesitated to ask her opinion on things he was trying to figure out, and each time he did, she'd jump right in to try and help. There were a few nights her sister had come in from work, at three in the morning, and found them both sitting at the kitchen table, with papers and laptops scattered across it, deep in the middle of one of Cody's projects. Jessie never got it. She'd just laugh and shake her head. Those were some of the best nights of that whole month for Julie. While she loved teaching, she hadn't had much time to work on her own projects. When Cody would talk about his work or ask her questions, she couldn't help but get completely lost in the code. It was her passion. It was what she loved to do.

Julie had just had one of those very nights with Cody the night before her biggest class day of the week. When she walked into her classroom that morning, she let her body fall into the chair in the front of the room. The room was empty. She'd beaten all of her students there. That was a success in her book.

She heard the ding of her phone and hurried to find it in the bag she'd set on the desk just before she'd collapsed into the chair. Julie had a strict policy in her class. No phones going off. If her students were there to learn, that was what they would do. They could have the phones with them as long as they kept them on silent. She knew better than to ban college kids from their phones all together. That would never work. Not to mention the fact that she left her own phone out on her desk during class each day. She never used it, but it was there, and she could never ask her students to do something she wasn't willing to do herself. It didn't work like that.

As Julie flipped the little switch on the side of her phone to silent, she opened the message that had just come through from Cody, and she burst into laughter.

Cody: You up and at class? Does it feel like one of those partied too late nights from college? I'm too old for this shit. I know I'm older than you, but please tell me you feel it too.

Julie: Oh, I feel it all right, but I must confess, I never had one of those partied too late nights. My late nights in college were coding nights. You're not that damn old. What are you going to do when you turn thirty? Are you at work? Your ass better not still be at home, old man.

Julie quickly set her phone down when her first student walked in. From that point on, she was in teacher mode. She'd seen her phone light up a few times from where she stood, but she never touched it again.

By the time her last class ended and the final student left, Julie was more exhausted than she could ever remember being before. She shoved her books into her bag, grabbed her phone, locked her classroom, and headed for her car. Her bag landed on her passenger seat with a thud. She got in and closed her door behind her. Then she let her head fall back against the seat and closed her eyes.

Julie hadn't even gotten a full minute of rest when she felt the vibration of her phone. She picked it up and brought the screen to life. That was when she saw it.

Jessie: I'm in labor.

“Shit!” Julie yelled out, as she quickly started her car and pulled out of the school lot, more awake than she'd been all day.

How many times had Jessie text her? She'd assumed the earlier messages were from Cody. He knew she was in class, but he also knew she kept her phone on silent. Some days he'd send silly messages here or there, and other days he'd send things about meetings he was in or about people that were driving him crazy. Had it been Jessie the whole time? How could she not have checked between classes?

Julie got to the hospital as quickly as she could. Her sister was in labor, and she was alone. It had been bad enough that Jessie had worked up until the last possible moment. Julie had asked her not to, but Jessie would just argue and say she worked at the hospital and there was no better place to be if she went into labor. She'd wanted to save as much money as she could so she could be off with her little one for as long as possible. Julie reminded her that she was making money as well, but it was a lost cause. Jessie had her mind set. When that happened, there was no talking to her. She'd been right, she worked at the best place to go into labor, and that was exactly what had happened. She'd gone into labor while she was at work.

Julie made her way through the hospital. As soon as she walked through the doors that would lead her into labor and delivery, the nurse at the desk looked up and smiled.

“I'm so glad you're here,” she said, as she rounded the desk and began walking. “She was worried you wouldn't make it.”

“I wouldn't miss it,” Julie said, as she followed the woman down the hall.

“She's in there,” the woman said, as she pointed to a room before she turned and quickly made her way back to the desk she'd been at when Julie had first walked up.

Julie pushed the door open and hurried into the room to find Jessie, sitting on the bed in tears, looking down at her phone. The second she looked up and saw Julie, a smile filled her face.

“I'm so sorry,” Julie said, as she dropped her bag on a chair and rushed over to Jessie. “Are you okay?”

“I'm fine,” Jessie answered, as she reached up to wipe her tears away.

“What's wrong?” Julie asked, as she grabbed a tissue and began wiping Jessie's face for her. “I didn't mean not to answer. I'm sorry. As soon as I got your last message, I came. I was in class. Shit! I'm so sorry.”

“My last message?” Jessie asked. “I only sent you one. You actually got here fast.”

“Really?” Julie asked her, making a mental note to check her messages once Jessie was settled in. “Then why are you crying?”

“So many reasons,” Jessie answered, as a fake smile filled her face.

Julie was no fool. She could see right through her sister's sadness.

“Do you want me to call mom and dad?” Julie asked.

“What?” Jessie shrieked out. “No!”

“Okay,” Julie said, as she put both of her hands on her sisters. “I'm sorry. I thought you had changed your mind.”

“No,” Jessie said, with so much worry written on her face.

“It's okay,” Julie said. “I won't do it. I swear.”

“Good,” Jessie said.

“And you don't want any of the rest of the crew here either?” Julie asked.

“Not at all,” Jessie answered. “You're the only one I want here. It's not any of that. I'm just a mess. I'm nervous, slightly in pain, and my emotions are everywhere.”

“You sure that's all it is?” Julie asked.

“I'm positive,” Jessie answered. “Sit with me and get my mind off of things. We have a long road ahead of us. My water broke while I was helping a patient.”

“Shit!” Julie yelped out. “Should it have. Is everything okay? What if it's too early?”

“You're supposed to be helping me,” Jessie said, with a laugh that quickly turned into a wince. “Ouch!”

“Are you okay?” Julie asked, with worry in her tone. “Should I get someone?”

“No,” Jessie said. “It's not too early. Everything is fine. Back to getting my mind off of the pain.”

“Okay,” Julie said. “Sorry about that. Let's talk. What do you want to talk about?”

“You and Cody,” Jessie said.

Julie narrowed her eyes and tilted her head toward her sister.

“That would take my mind off the pain,” Jessie said. “That's the point, right?”

“Yes,” Julie answered.

“Then get to it,” Jessie said. “He was over pretty late last night.”

“We were working,” Julie said.

“On his stuff?” Jessie asked.

“Yes,” Julie answered.

“Have you thought about working more on your own stuff?” Jessie asked.

“I do,” Julie snapped, defending herself.

“You do,” Jessie said, “but you work more on his stuff than you do your own.”

“I can't help it,” Julie said. “We start talking, and before I know it, we're deep into it.”

Jessie laughed, and Julie shook her head.

“I can think of some other things the two of you could be deep into as well,” Jessie said, with a smile on her face.

“Really?” Julie asked. “You're really going to make a comment like that while we're sitting where we are?”

“Can you honestly tell me you two haven't done it yet?” Jessie asked, with a mischievous smile on her face.

“We haven't,” Julie answered, as she lifted her bag from the chair and plopped down onto it.

“Why the fuck not?” Jessie asked. “It's been four months, Julie. The man has been around a lot. He put baby furniture together for you. Shit! He even came back around after I lit into him.”

“What?” Julie asked. “When did that happen?”

“A long time ago,” Jessie said. “I'm no fool. I knew who he was just from his name. As much as I can't stand computers or coding, I never missed dad's big mouth bitching about the guy.”

“What did Cody say?” Julie asked.

“That would be between him and me,” Jessie answered. “He's still here, isn't he? So what's the hold up? I've seen you two kiss. There's definitely something there.”

Julie felt her cheeks turn pink, and she quickly looked down at the bag in her lap.

“Spill it, Julie,” Jessie said, just as she winced again. “Shit!”

“You okay?” Julie asked, as she looked up at her sister with genuine concern in her words.

“I'm fine,” Jessie said. “What's the deal?”

“Well,” Julie began, with her words quickly turning into a whisper. “I've never been with a guy like that.”

“Are you kidding me?” Jessie gasped. “Yes you have. You dated a little in high school. Not like me, but you did. I know you dated in college. Are you messing with me? If so, it's not funny.”

“I'm not,” Julie said, as she flipped the strap of her bag around in her hands.

“Look at me, Julie,” Jessie said calmly.

Julie's eyes moved up and connected with her sister's.

“You're serious,” Jessie said.

“I am,” Julie said. “You know me. I was always busy working so dad would finally pull his head out of his ass and see that it was me that he needed working with him. Look where that got me. Gavin went to work for him and then left, and he still can't see what's always been right there.”

“Oh, you need to show him,” Jessie said. “I've been thinking that for years. Back to you. Have you seriously never thought about being with any of the guys you've dated?”

“No,” Julie said. “I honestly haven't. I don't want to do it with just anyone.”

Jessie's eyes grew, and Julie hurried to defend her statement.

“I don't mean you,” Julie said, as she got to her feet and her bag fell down onto the floor. “Shit!”

She quickly bent down and shoved everything but her phone back into the bag. Then she stood with her phone in one hand and her bag in the other.

“I wasn't saying that was what you did,” Julie said, trying to get out of the huge hole she'd just dug for herself.

“He wasn't just anyone,” Jessie said, as tears began to fill her eyes.

“Jessie,” Julie said, as she threw her bag back onto her chair and quickly made her way to her sister. “I'm sure he wasn't. Are you sure you don't want him to know? Can't you find a way to get in touch with him?”

“I can't,” Jessie said. “I would do anything for him to know about our baby, but he's gone.”

Julie watched Jessie rub her tears away, and she wanted so badly to take away the pain her sister was feeling, but she didn't know how. She knew nothing about the father of Jessie's baby. Not even one clue had ever come out of her sister's mouth her entire pregnancy, and Julie had never seen Jessie with anyone.

“But,” Julie opened her mouth, but the ringing of her phone stopped her from finishing her thought.

She looked down at her phone, and her eyes widened. It was Cody. She'd totally forgotten to check her messages from earlier.

“Hello,” she said, as she put her phone to her ear.

“Julie,” his worried voice spoke. “Are you okay? You haven't answered any of my messages, and you're not home.”

Julie looked at her sister and smiled, but the look on Jessie's face showed so much more than just a smile.

“I am,” Julie said. “I'm so sorry. I barely made it through the day, and just as I was getting ready to leave, I got a message from Jessie. She's having the baby.”

“Shit!” he shouted so loud into the phone that she had to pull it away from her ear for a moment. “Is she okay? Is the baby here? Are you there with her?”

“I am,” Julie answered. “She's being her normal, smartass self, and there is no baby yet. I haven't been able to check any of your messages. I'm so sorry, Cody.”

“That's okay,” he said. “You were exhausted earlier. Have you eaten?”

“No,” Julie answered. “Wait! Are you at work?”

“I'm on my way,” he said, and she heard a car door shut. “I messaged you to let you know I was bringing dinner over so you could eat and get to bed early tonight.”

“Cody,” she said.

“It was the least I could do,” he said, with a laugh. “It was my fault that you stayed up so late.”

“It could have been for a much better reason,” Jessie mumbled under her breath, and Julie shot her a dirty look. “It's true.”

“So you ditched work early,” Julie said.

“To feed you,” Cody replied. “Text me the room number your in. I'll be there in a few.”

“You don't have to do that,” Julie said.

“Let him,” Jessie said. “I'm starving.”

“Is she even supposed to be eating?” Cody asked.

“Don't listen to her,” Julie said. “You don't have to come. There's no sense in both of us being miserable.”

“Miserable?” Jessie hissed.

“You know I love you,” Julie answered, as she laughed.

“Text me the info,” Cody said. “I'm on my way.”

Then he was gone. As soon as Julie hung up the phone, Jessie started on her.

“That man likes you,” Jessie said.

“He does not,” Julie said. “He just feels bad that I was tired today.”

“You like him,” Jessie said.

“Do not,” Julie argued.

“You're full of shit too,” Jessie said, with a smile on her face. “You really like him. I can't believe it.”

“He's not a bad guy,” Julie said.

“Never said he was,” Jessie replied. “So what's the deal? Why haven't you done anything?”

“Jessie,” Julie snapped, before lowering her voice. “He hasn't tried.”

“Would you?” Jessie asked.

“I honestly don't know,” Julie answered. “I've thought about it, and that is something that has never happened before. He's the first, but there are so many other things to think about.”

“Like what?” Jessie asked.

“Like dad and the family company,” Julie said.

“Dad and mom's company,” Jessie said. “You're here with me.”

“I don't think Cody is interested in me that way anyway,” Julie said.

“Oh, he is,” Jessie said.

“I don't think so,” Julie said. “Part of me still wonders if he likes me or the fact that I'm dad's daughter.”

“Julie,” Jessie snapped. “Do you think so?”

“I don't know,” Julie said. “As pissed as I am at dad, I would never want to hurt him. Taking a step like that with Cody has the potential to do more than that. He's not just anyone.”

“It sounds to me like you're not sure he's worth the risk,” Jessie said.

“I didn't say that,” Julie said, defending herself.

“You didn't say he is either,” Jessie said, as she winced again. “Do you know what I think?”

“Do I have a choice?” Julie asked.

“Not really,” Jessie said, with a laugh. “I think you need to live for you and stop living for our dad. This is your life. He's living his. You need to do what's right for you, Julie. I am. You don't think mom and dad are going to blow their lids when they find out about this baby?”

“Of course,” Julie answered, as Jessie held her hand over her own belly.

“But I'm doing what I want,” Jessie said. “You need to make a splash, Julie. You need to follow your dreams. Whether it's at dad's company or your own, you need to go for it.”

The door to the room opened, and Cody walked in with bags of food hanging from his hands.

“Shit!” Julie snapped. “I didn't send you the info. I'm sorry. We started talking, and I forgot. I'm so damn tired.”

“You need to eat,” he said, as he set the bags on the table that was next to a small couch. “Nice room.”

“Thanks,” Jessie said. “What did you bring us?”

Cody stopped and narrowed his eyes at Jessie.

“See,” Julie said. “This is what I have to deal with. Do not feed her. They'll kick our asses if we do.”

“Sit down and eat,” he said, as he took Julie's arm and led her to the couch. “I'll deal with her for a few.”

Cody turned around and walked back toward Jessie.

“Do you need anything?” he asked.

“If you're not going to feed me, I guess not,” she said.

“What's your cell number?” he asked, which both shocked and thrilled Julie at the same time. “In case you need anything and Julie is in class, you can call me.”

Jessie rattled off her number, and he called her phone from his.

“There,” he said. “If you need anything, don't hesitate to call, Jessie.”

“Thank you,” Jessie said, as she winced.

“Are you okay?” he asked, nervously.

“Yes,” she said. “That's going to happen a lot more. Can you turn the television on. Maybe we can find something funny to keep my mind off of the pain.”

Cody helped Jessie while Julie ate. Then he sat down on the couch next to her, and the three of them watched television until Jessie's pains started coming much closer together. When Julie looked at the clock, she jumped up from the couch.

“You should go,” she said, as Cody got to his feet as well. “It's getting late. I didn't even realize how long we'd been here. You have to work tomorrow.”

“And you have to teach,” he said. “I'm fine.”

“You can both go,” Jessie said, as she breathed through yet another contraction.

“Not happening,” Julie said. “This baby having process is much longer than I thought it would be. I'm not sure I'm ever doing it.”

“Don't say that,” Cody said. “When you fall in love, you're going to want to have a family. I'm sure it will be worth the pain.”

Julie felt her chest tighten at his words, but she didn't have a second to think about it.

“You have no idea,” Jessie said. “Can you get the nurse?”

“Sure,” Cody said, as he hurried out of the room.

A few minutes later, Cody left for the waiting room, and they began moving around Jessie to get her ready.

Julie was right there, ready to help her amazing sister in any way she could. As she stood there, next to the bed, so many thoughts ran through her mind. Some about Cody, and others about her parents, but the one thought she had the most was about the baby. She wasn't going to leave her sister. There was no way. She was going to be right there to help Jessie raise her little girl. She was going to be the best damn aunt there ever was.

“We're ready to push,” the nurse said, snapping Julie out of her thoughts and back to reality.

As Jessie pushed, Julie was right there helping and encouraging her in every way she possibly could.

When the tiny cry filled the room and they lifted the baby for Jessie to see, Julie looked down at her exhausted and crying sister, and that was the moment she knew Cody was right. She did want to be a mom some day.

Once things were settled and Jessie was ready, Cody came back into the room.

“She's adorable,” he said, the second his eyes landed on the precious bundle in Jessie's arms. “What's her name?”

“Jacqueline,” Jessie answered.

“That's beautiful,” Julie said, as she stepped closer to her sister.

“You should probably go home,” Jessie said, and Julie let out a laugh.

“Really?” she asked. “You have no use for me now.”

“You have school tomorrow,” Jessie said, “and you got no sleep last night.”

“Doesn't matter,” Julie said. “I'm not going anywhere. I'll sleep on that couch and leave with enough time to go home and change for class. I'm your sister, and I'm going to be right here. Not to mention, I'm going to be her favorite aunt.”

“You're her only aunt,” Jessie said, as a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

“When does all this emotional junk stop?” Julie asked. “I need my sister back.”

“I'm not sure I'll ever be the same again,” Jessie answered.

“You'll always be perfect to me,” Julie said, as she leaned down to hug her sister.

After a few more minutes, Julie walked Cody to the hospital doors and thanked him for bringing her dinner and being there when she needed someone. As he walked through the doors that would lead him to his car, she thought about his earlier words again. When she fell in love, he'd said. Those few words held more power than she ever thought they could, and that terrified her.

She went back to her sister's room, and she spent the next few hours looking at her perfect niece while her sister rested. Once it was her turn to sleep, she closed her eyes, but sleep never came.

When she finally got up, she looked down at her sister, asleep with her baby in her arms, and she thought about how amazing her sister was. She'd gone through months of being pregnant without anyone knowing. She'd gone through the rest of her pregnancy without a single worry. She was raising her baby alone, and that was it. She hadn't caved and called in her family or their crew. To top it all off, she'd worked until the day she'd gone into labor. She'd brought a beautiful baby girl into the world, and she'd done it alone.

“If you can do everything you are, I can at least do something,” Julie said, as she got ready and grabbed her things.

On her way home to shower and change, she made a decision. She was going to start her own company. If her dad, her uncle, and Cody could do it, why couldn't she? She had one thing going for her. Cody had mentioned it, and so had her dad. She was young blood, and that was just the thing to take her over the edge.

Julie was so damn excited as she sat in front of her laptop, during a long break at school, and picked up her phone, to call one of the companies she knew was a huge player in the game. As she offered to code one program for them for free, she knew the step she was taking was one that had the potential to change not only her life but some of the most important relationships in her life as well, so until she knew for sure she actually had a chance at a career without them, she'd keep what she'd just done to herself. What was one more thing on the already long list of secrets surrounding her?