Chapter Thirteen.
Jesse – Five years later.
I didn’t jinx us that day and send us on a mission that week. In fact, that period when we bought the new house ended up being the longest we’d ever been home, which was nice because it allowed us to get to know our new team member well before heading out.
Tiguan was actually another Wisconsin resident; however, he came from a small town up north named River Falls. My radar was pinging on him as being an asset the minute I shook his hand, and I knew within an hour of our first PT session he would fit in well.
He and I became friends quickly as well. He had a family he wasn’t close to, something else we had in common, so that was probably part of it. We spent a great deal of time together because of our shared background.
Today I actually had a chance to video call Lyrical, a rare opportunity. We could call home, but our position forced us to use secure channels. We’d only been gone two weeks, but I really missed her. More than usual. I wouldn’t be able to talk long, but it would be good to see her face.
“Hey, sweetness,” I greeted when she hit the accept button.
“Hey, Jesse!” Her smile was infectious, and everyone who saw it couldn’t help but smile back. “Wow, Jamie’s even there.” That caused the smile to dip a little. Not because she didn’t like him, but she knew that meant something was going on or could be soon. It always made her worry.
Suddenly, there was a swarm around me. Nothing like hot, sweaty guys who’d just been throwing the football around, crowding you while talking to your wife. Kissy sounds, general flirting, and shouted jokes surrounded me, and she was laughing at all their antics.
“Go away, you knuckleheads, you’re wasting my precious call time!”
With much good-natured ribbing, they all drifted away.
I noticed, though, that Tiguan only drifted so far.
He was back at one of our other stations working on something, and he had his back to me.
It wasn’t his shift there, so it was curious.
I wondered if maybe he had a little crush on Lyrical.
It was kind of cute, actually. I knew she’d never stray, and he’d never cross that line either, so I said nothing to him about it.
Pitching my voice lower and quieter, I asked, “How are you doing?”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Everything going okay? Work? Volunteering?”
“Yes. I picked up an extra shift at the food bank, and the shelter asked me to help with a fundraiser, so I’m keeping busy.”
Her answers felt off. She was smiling and she was chipper, but it felt a little forced.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Well, I’ve been feeling a little sick lately.”
“Still? You weren’t feeling well the day or two before I left.”
“Yeah. It’s not too bad.”
“Do you think you should go to the doctor?”
“I did.”
Okay. Now I knew something was up. She hated going to the doctor, and I usually had to browbeat her into it. If she went without me helping her along, she felt worse than she was letting on.
“What did she say?”
She bit her lip, a nervous tell, and then she blurted it out in a rush.
“I’m pregnant.”
I sat up straight in my chair. I blinked. I tried to remember to breathe. My sweetness was pregnant. The smile spread across my face, and it felt like I could have lit up an entire city with the energy coursing through my veins.
“We’re having a baby?”
She nodded. “I’m so glad you’re happy.”
I can’t tell if she’s nervous, upset, or just feeling sick. “Are you happy?”
“Yes. Nervous you’re gone, and I’m not going to lie, I’m worried you won’t be here when the baby comes.”
That was a concern. “I’m sorry you have to go through some of this alone.”
“We’ll hope for good timing.”
“You’re strong. I know you can handle it. Do you know how far along?”
“Two months.” She blushes. “Probably right after you got home,” she whispered.
Honcho stepped into the opening of the tent, and by the look on his face, I knew I needed to sign off.
“Sweetness, I’m sorry—”
“I can see him in the corner of the screen. Go. It’s fine. I’m just glad I could tell you over video instead of a letter.” She pauses. “Be safe.”
“I will. I always had a reason to come home before. Now I’ve got every reason to come home to you.”
“I love you, Jesse.”
“Love you, too, sweetness. I’ll call as soon as I can.”
The screen went dark after she blew me a kiss, and I sat there for just a moment to soak in the news.
I’m going to be a dad.
I’m going to be a wonderful dad. Way better than my father ever was.
“Congratulations,” Tiguan says from behind me. He actually blushes. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
I clapped him on the back,. “It’s okay. Gonna crow it to everybody in less than sixty seconds, anyway.”
It can’t get any better than this.