Chapter 12 #2
“I can work the schedule for The Trident if you aren’t having enough time off the sim floor, or away from instructing, to get it done,” Gunner grunted.
“I appreciate that, but it’s not really what I’m worried about.” Hawk stood, the rest of the team locked in on him. “I have no fucking idea how to say this, because it feels like a big announcement…“
“Just say it, Hawk. You’re good, right?” Gage asked.
“Yeah. I’m great. I’m gonna be a dad.” When the room stayed silent, he continued. “Jessie’s pregnant. She’s having my baby.”
Stone and Gunner smiled, but the rest of the team didn’t respond. Not until Sebastian stepped towards Hawk and slapped him on the shoulder.
“Shit, Phoenix. Congratulations!” Cap pulled him into a bear hug.
“Thanks, man. We’re really excited.”
“How far along is she?” Nash asked as he got up from the table and came around to shake Hawk’s hand. He should have known better, because a second later, he was hugging Nash back.
“She’s almost through the first trimester.”
“Wow. That’s great.”
Hawk grimaced. “She’s been really fucking sick. Didn’t want to tell anyone until she felt better, but honestly, I’m worried it’s not going to get better. I mean, Gunner and Stone both saw how sick she was yesterday.”
“If you guys need anything, we’re here,” Gage said. “We can pick up any slack you need to have here to make sure she’s okay.”
“That means everything, Track. Thanks.”
“And we’re finally fucking allowed to tell the girls, right? Lily was on my ass last night, saying I was acting weird. Which I was. Because I don’t keep secrets from her.” Gunner crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, grinning.
“Yeah, of course. Jessie was taking a walk with Lacy this morning—”
Nash reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Speaking of my lovely wife.” He put the phone up to his ear and turned away from the guys. “Hey, baby…”
Hawk turned back to Gunner, but Nash snapped his fingers and the whole team turned to focus on him.
“Okay…. No, Lace. You’re not crazy. If something in your gut is saying it’s weird, it is. Start walking back, I’ll come to you… No. I’m not overreacting. I’ll be right there. Do you want to stay on the phone?” he paused, shaking his head. “Okay. I love you… Bye.”
“What’s going on?” Stone asked. “Everything okay?”
“Lacy said there was someone at the park driving around but not parking. They followed her for a bit while she was walking with Cami before pulling into a parking spot by Jessie and Birdie.”
“Let’s go.” Hawk was already walking towards the door.
“Phoenix, wait. Lacy’s been having a hard time again since Cami was born. Just a lot of anxiety from what happened with Embrie. She’ll be pissed at me if anyone else shows up and it’s just her anxiety. So, I’m going to go meet them and walk them back here.”
“You’re sure?” Gunner asked.
“Yeah.”
Hawk didn’t give a shit. The idea of Jessie being in danger because some creep was hanging out in the park freaked him out.
“Easy, Hawk.” Seb placed a hand on his shoulder as Nash walked out of the conference room without him. “Why don’t you call her if you’re on edge? Or text her? Just to check in.”
“Yeah. Fine. You’re right.”
He pulled out his cell and started pacing as he typed.
Everything okay? Nash just left here to get to Lacy… I don’t like that you didn’t call me.
Baby Mama:
Everything is fine. We’re heading back right now, but I’m good. Birdie and I are talking about some nausea remedies and I think they might actually help. I’ll see you when I get back.
Hawk’s shoulders relaxed.
“Alright, well I know we aren’t going to get any more work done until Jessie and Lacy are back, so let’s take a break and hope to start up again in… an hour?” Seb announced.
“Sounds good to me. Thanks, Cap.” Hawk slapped his buddy on the back before jogging down the hallway to the front of Montgomery Defense. He walked along the wall of windows, his cell phone still in his hand, looking down the street just waiting for her face to come into view.
And after ten excruciating minutes, it finally did.
Only, there wasn’t worry, or anxiety written on her face. There was happiness. And ease. She was laughing with Lacy, who had clearly let Jessie push Cami’s stroller so she could walk hand in hand with Nash.
God, the sight nearly made Hawk weak in the knees. And when they finally came through the doors of the office, he didn’t waste any time getting right over to her.
“Hey.” His hands slid up to her cheeks. “You sure you’re okay?”
Lacy chuckled as she looked over at the two of them.
“I’m fine. I had a great morning. Lacy just saw a car circling the park and her mom radar was going off.
Better safe than sorry, especially with this precious girl in tow.
” Jess leaned down and tickled Cami’s belly.
“It was one of those super flashy lime green Cameros. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in Silver Springs before.
Definitely didn’t scream rural Texas to me. ”
“And you’re feeling okay?” Hawk’s fingers brushed over the flush on her cheek.
“I feel fine. I had a good morning. It was nice telling Lacy and Birdie about the baby,” she yawned, covering her mouth before looking around the room. Jessie smiled as Lacy swooped in to take hold of the stroller.
“Thanks for letting me tag along for the walk this morning, Jess. I’m thrilled for the both of you.” She placed her hand on Hawk’s arm and squeezed. “Remember, if you need me, I’m just one floor down from you. Call anytime.”
“Thanks, Lacy.” Hawk smiled as she slipped her hand back around Nash’s and the two of them navigated Cami’s stroller down the hallway.
“How did it go telling everyone here?” Jessie whispered. “Are they mad at me?”
He reared back. “Mad at you? Why the hell would they be mad at you?”
“Well, Gunner was. I just figured the guys you’ve been friends with for so long would think the same thing he did. That I was trapping you—”
“No,” Hawk sighed. “No one thinks that, Pretty Girl. And I think I made it pretty fucking clear to them that I’m over the moon about everything relating to you and the baby.”
Jessie smiled, yawning again.
“Two yawns in less than a minute means it’s nap-time for you and the baby.”
Jessie’s jaw dropped open and there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she was about to argue.
“No. Nope. Straight upstairs. And while you’re being a good girl and following doctor’s orders, I’ll finish up here and come home early.”
Hawk laughed as Jessie’s eyes went wide, but she didn’t argue with him. She just smiled and waved over her shoulder as she headed toward the elevator.