Chapter 33

Julie

Christmas was amazing, the best Julie had ever had. She had her sister, niece, and new fiancé with her, and they were going home to see their huge family.

Julie couldn't believe she was engaged. After only one month, most people would have been getting to know someone, but that wasn't how things went with Cody and her. They'd only known each other for months and had been through a few rough spots, but she knew he was the one she wanted to spend her life with. There was no question in her mind, so, when he asked her to be his wife, she accepted, and she couldn't wait to make that happen.

Dinner with the family went well. They all congratulated Julie and Cody, even her father, which was still a huge shock to her. Jason had apologized to both Julie and Cody, but Julie was pretty sure it was only to get to Cody's car. Since the weather had been good, they'd brought Julie's favorite car, and she had driven. Not five minutes after Jason's apology, he was asking Cody about the car, and they were heading outside to check it out. Add to all of that the fact that everyone loved Jackie and couldn't get enough of her, and the day was absolutely perfect.

Since Julie's sister's leave was about to end and she was going back to work in a little over a week, she'd agreed to stay at her parents' until the next holiday. They'd bought everything they needed, so all Jessie needed to bring home with her was the baby. Julie knew her sister would be fine. All the ladies would be surrounding both Jessie and Jackie, and that made her happy.

As Julie and Cody were leaving, her parents invited them for a small immediate family only New Year's Eve celebration. Two of their children were getting married, one was going back to work, and the last was barely even around. They wanted them all home for one final celebration together, so Julie and Cody accepted.

With the apartment to herself for the week and Cody at work, Julie knew she was going to get so much done. Her classes were over and she was just starting her next big job, but she had a little time in between, so she got on the phone to make a doctor's appointment with the doctor her sister used. Cody wanted her on the pill, and she wasn't going to put it off any longer. They only had one slot open that week, and that was on New Year's Eve, so she took it. Cody had already told her he wanted her with him every night, and she wanted the same. Secretly, she loved having him bare inside of her just as much as he did, and she couldn't wait to have that again. As soon as she hung up the phone, she started cleaning, and she didn't stop until the entire apartment was spotless. She wanted her sister to come home and begin work knowing there was nothing that needed done. For the rest of the week, Julie spent her days working on her new job and preparing for the help she was going to have, and she spent her nights worn out and snuggled beneath the sheets with Cody.

New Year's Eve came and Julie headed for the doctor. She'd been messaging back and forth with her sister all week about going, but she hadn't told Cody, and she didn't plan to until she'd been on the pill enough days for them to be safe without a condom.

Julie opened the door and walked up to the window at the doctor's office, wishing her sister was there with her, but she wasn't. As she filled out the papers, she watched her hands shake against the paper. She'd never been to that kind of doctor before, and she was scared out of her mind, but she had to do it, for her and for Cody. She handed back the papers and sat, waiting patiently. When she heard her phone ding, she was relieved for the distraction, until she opened the message from her sister to find a comical picture of a woman on her back with her legs spread and her feet in stirrups.

Julie: Is that supposed to make me feel better?

Jessie: No! It was to make you laugh.

Julie: Not funny!

Jessie: I thought it was. Have you gone in yet?

Julie: Not yet.

Jessie: It will be worth it. You and Cody will be able to fuck like rabbits without having to worry about getting pregnant. Just think about that while the doctor is all up inside of you.

Julie: Still not helping.

Before her sister had a chance to reply, Julie heard her name coming from the open door in the corner of the room.

Julie: Wish me luck. They just called me.

Jessie: Spread um wide.

Julie couldn't stop the laugh that burst up and out of her.

“Sorry,” she said, as the nurse gave her a strange look. “My sister was trying to make me feel better.”

“Did it work?” the nurse asked.

“Not one bit,” Julie said, as she walked through the open door.

The nurse weighed her and then handed her a cup, directing her to the door on the left.

“When you're done, meet me in the room directly across the hall,” the nurse said. “It's not as bad as it seems. You'll be out of here in no time.”

“Thanks,” Julie said, feeling just a slight bit better.

She took care of what she needed and then headed across the hall to change into a gown that barely covered anything. The nurse asked her what felt like a million questions, some she couldn't even remember the answers to. Then she was left alone to wait for the doctor.

Julie: These gowns don't cover shit. My ass is hanging out.

Jessie: More than your ass is going to be hanging out in a bit.

Julie: Why do I even talk to you?

Jessie: Because you're my twin. You have to.

Julie: Do not.

Jessie: If you don't, how will you see your beautiful niece?

Julie: Not fair.

Jessie: What's not fair is that you've been alone all week in the apartment while I've been here.

Julie: I'm sure being waited on hand and foot by mom and dad is just awful.

Jessie: You have no idea. I haven't even seen my daughter all week. They're spoiling her. When we get home, she's not going to let us put her down. You're going to have to deal with that while I'm at work.

Julie: Oh, I don't think so. Just so you know, we've been staying at the apartment at night.

Jessie: Is that a warning or something?

Julie: You might want to be careful where you sit, stand, sleep, and eat. Damn! I guess you should be careful everywhere.

Jessie: You're so disgusting. That shit is not funny.

The door to the room Julie was sitting in opened, so she quickly typed out a text.

Julie: How's it feel?

Julie couldn't help but laugh. Then she heard another ding and quickly read the text.

Jessie: You're about to feel a lot of things, all up inside of you. Have fun!!!!

Julie felt her smile slip from her face as she threw the phone onto the pile of her clothes.

“You okay?” the doctor asked.

“It's just my sister,” Julie said. “This is my first visit, and she's just plain mean.”

“Your sister is Jessie, right?” the doctor asked, and Julie nodded. “She's definitely something else. How is she doing?”

“Good,” Julie answered.

“And how is that beautiful little girl?” the doctor asked.

“She's getting so big,” Julie answered.

“Don't let her scare you,” the doctor said. “It's not that bad. Having a baby is an amazing thing. Besides, all pregnancies are different. I'm sure yours will be nothing like hers.”

“Oh, I'm not pregnant,” Julie said.

“You're not?” the doctor asked.

“No! I'm here to prevent that from happening. I'm getting on the pill,” Julie answered.

Julie watched as the doctor turned around, grabbed a chair, and pulled it closer.

“Have you ever had unprotected sex?” the doctor asked.

“Only twice,” Julie answered. “It was stupid. I already know, but it wasn't planned. It kind of just happened the first time. I'd never been with a guy, and the thought didn't even cross my mind. Then we had a huge fight. A month later, he showed up on Thanksgiving and poured his heart out. Then it happened again. It hasn't happened since though. We've been very careful every time. We're engaged now. I'm rambling. I'm so sorry. I'm so nervous right now.”

“It's okay, Julie,” the doctor said.

“So, that's why I need the pill.” Julie said. “We want to throw the condoms out.”

“Well,” the doctor said. “You won't need the pill, and you can throw the condoms out.”

“What does that mean?” Julie asked. “That's not possible. I don't want to get pregnant.”

“You already are, Julie,” the doctor said, as she looked up from where she was sitting.

“That can't be,” Julie said.

“You said you had sex unprotected,” the doctor said.

“Yeah, the very first two times I had sex,” Julie said. “We haven't done that since.”

“You're pregnant, Julie,” the doctor said, putting her hands on the gown covering Julie's knees.

“He's going to freak,” Julie said, before she could stop herself.

“You said you're engaged,” the doctor said. “You're just starting your family a little early.”

“This can't be,” Julie said. “I'm just starting my company and working to kick all their asses.”

“And you can still do that with a baby,” the doctor replied.

“Jackie is only three months old. My parents are going to lose their shit,” Julie said. “They just found out about her a month ago.”

“It's going to be okay,” the doctor said. “You're having a baby, a beautiful little baby.”

“A baby,” Julie said.

“Yes,” the doctor said. “It takes time to sink in, Julie. I remember when Jessie first came here. She cried so hard. Everyone takes the news in a different way. It's going to be okay. You're going to find your way. You said it could have been the end of October or the end of November. Do you have time for an ultrasound?”

“Of course,” Julie said. “Whatever you need.”

By the time Julie left the office, she'd not even realized where the doctor had been during the exam or ultrasound, and she didn't care. She'd seen her tiny, precious baby on the screen, and that was all that mattered. It turned out that she'd gotten pregnant the very first time Cody and her had been together. She was going to be a mom, and she already loved her baby more than she thought she could ever love anyone. She just hoped Cody would feel that same love too when he found out.

Julie headed straight for Cody's. That had been the plan, and until she figured out how she was going to tell him, she was sticking to the plan.

Before Julie knew it, they were headed toward her parents' house.

“Are you okay?” he asked, after she hadn't spoken in almost an hour. “Something seems off with you. I just can't tell if you're sad or mad.”

“I'm fine,” Julie said, as she looked out the window. “I've just had a strange morning. I'm not sad or mad. I'm good.”

Julie heard the ding of her phone and hurried to grab it.

Jessie: So, did you spread them wide for the doctor? Did you get on the pill? Can you two ditch the condoms? Can you fuck like rabbits?

Julie: Something like that.

Julie set her phone down and looked out the window. For the rest of the drive, she asked Cody about work and brought up little things that didn't really matter. There was only one thing that really mattered, but there was no way she was bringing it up on their way to her parents' house.

As soon as Cody drove the car up the driveway and parked, Julie had her door open and was on her way to the house. There was only one person she needed in that moment, and that person was her sister. She would understand.

Julie swung the front door open to find her sister waiting for her on the other side.

“I messaged you back, but you didn't answer,” Jessie said. “What does something like that mean?”

Julie didn't have to say a word. Her sister grabbed her hand and took off up the stairs, pulling Julie along with her.

“You're pregnant,” Jessie said, as soon as they were in a bedroom with the door shut behind them.

“What?” Julie asked.

“Don't even try to lie to me, Julie,” her sister snapped. “You're fucking pregnant, aren't you?”

“You can't tell anyone,” Julie said.

“You didn't tell Cody?” Jessie asked.

“When? On the way here? No! I didn't tell him. He's going to freak out. He wants me on the pill. What does that tell you? He doesn't want a baby?”

“How can you say that?” Jessie asked. “Have you seen him with Jackie?”

“Your baby,” Julie said. “He's good with her. That doesn't mean he wants one of his own. We've been together for a month really. We just got engaged a week ago.”

“You have to tell him,” Jessie said.

“What if he's not ready?” Julie asked. “Shit! I don't even know if I'm ready.”

“Doesn't matter,” Jessie said. “The two of you are having a baby, so you better get ready. What do you think he's going to do?”

“Leave,” Julie said, as she looked at her sister with tears in her eyes.

“Bullshit!” Jessie snapped out. “That man loves you.”

“He's also deep in the middle of trying to take over the world,” Julie said.

“So are you,” Jessie said. “How do you feel?”

Julie couldn't stop the smile from filling her face.

“So happy,” she answered honestly. “I'm already so in love with the little one inside of me.”

“He will be too,” Jessie said.

“I don't know,” Julie said. “He wants me on the pill. Did you miss that?”

“He also fucked you without a condom, Julie. This is not all on you,” Jessie said.

“I'll tell him,” Julie began, “just not right now. You have to keep this quiet. Do you hear me?”

Jessie narrowed her eyes at Julie, and Julie narrowed hers right back.

“Don't give me that look,” Julie snapped. “I kept the same secret for you, but I did it your entire pregnancy and two months after your baby was born. I'm not asking that much here. Not a word. Do you hear me?”

“I hear you,” Jessie said. “I love you, sis, and I love you too, little one.”

When Jessie's hands moved to Julie's belly and rubbed, Julie smacked them away.

“Stop it,” she said. “You are such a pain.”

“Come on,” Jessie said. “We better get down there before they come looking for us.”

“I know it,” Julie said. “Cody already thinks something is up with me. Time to put on a happy face.”

On the way down to face their family and her fiancé, Julie thought to herself. You can do this. It's only one night. You'll tell him once you're home tomorrow.

As Cody came into view at the bottom of the stairs, Julie knew she was going to enjoy every single second she had left with him that night and the next morning, in case they were the last she'd ever have again.