Forced to have the Player's Kid (Book One of The Great Age Plague Series)

Chapter Twenty-Three

A few days later, I was staring at the pregnancy test with joy. Whoa. I was bonafied pregnant. Like, there was a baby growing in me. A real freaking baby! I covered my mouth in shock and joy, completely unsure about how to feel about this. I was going to be a mommy- and Josh, of all people, would be Daddy. I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry with joy. Josh came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"So? Do you believe me now?" he asked, kissing my neck gently. I smiled a big, wide smile. I hadn't felt this happy in months. Suddenly, a thought came fleeting into my mind: my mother would be so proud. I smiled down at my stomach, than up to the ceiling, knowing she was watching me from Heaven with my Dad. My heart twanged in pain, but that was the way of the world now run by teens. Josh and Cally had gone through the same thing. And I knew that wherever she was, she was happy and at rest.

Taking Josh's hand, I twisted around and kissed him softly. He kissed back, tangling his fingers into my long hair. Soon things turned a bit heated, and I found myself on the couch with my arms and legs wrapped around him. Blushing, I pulled back, touching my hard tummy.

"So... I may be pregnant, but I'm not big yet. It should be safe enough too-" I started, but I was cut off by Josh lifting me up bridal style eagerly and carrying me off to the bedroom.

***

Later that day, I lounged in the pool, reading a magazine over the edge as I waded in the water. I loved swimming. It was such relaxing exercise. I kicked my feet, feeling the burn in my legs and abs, keeping up the pace gently as I read about hair styling products in Seventeen, one of the only magazines still left. I smiled happily, glad that I could keep up my exercise after I got pregnant. I read online that swimming was one of the safest exercises for pregnant women. I frowned, thinking briefly of all the stuff I couldn't do now that I was pregnant, remembering seeing signs on certain rides at the amusement park or reading labels for the certain drugs; they all said "Do not partake if pregnant." It baffled my mind as I remembered more and more examples. Would I get to do anything?

Suddenly, I was hit by a wave of hunger just as how earlier that day I had been hit with a wave of nausea.

Cheeseballs

Swimming to the ladder, I emerged from the pool hastily, grabbing my towel and wiping off.

Cheeseballs and ranch dressing

After drying off, I wandered into the kitchen, rummaging through the pantry. I wanted cheeseballs more than anything.

Kettle corn too.

I peeked in every drawer, desperately searching for cheeseballs and kettle corn to no avail. Whining, I grabbed the ranch dressing from the fridge and started eating it with my finger, straight from the bottle. I marched into the living room, finding Josh sitting there watching a show about the revival of sports in America after the plague. Clearing my throat didn't work- Josh was glued to the T.V. Finally, I stood in from of the flat screen, holding my bottle of ranch dressing and wearing my bikini.

"Well hello," said Josh, sounding annoyed. He leaned to the left, trying to look around me. I tapped my foot impatiently.

"Josh, can we go to the store? I want cheeseballs and kettle corn and-" I paused a moment "Swedish fish." Would Swedish fish taste good with ranch dressing? I was totally going to find out.

"Cravings. You're having cravings," Josh murmured with a laugh. I opened my mouth to argue, but shut it again. Oh. Well that made sense. I usually hated cheeseballs. I shrugged, then put my hand over my tummy with a pout.

"Come on, baby wants it, not me. Time to be a good father and take me to the store," I said with a pout. I crossed my arms and pouted like a little girl, causing Josh to burst out laughing. He grabbed the remote and turned the television off.

"Who could say no to a face like that? Wanna bring Fitzy so he doesn't eat Lilac while we are gone?" Josh said, standing and taking my hand. I nodded and ran upstairs, putting on some decent clothing. In a box on the bed, I saw matching t-shirts for Josh and I, one that read I <3 My Crazy Husband in pink and one that said I <3 My Crazy Wife in blue. I squealed, putting it on and yelling downstairs to Josh, telling him to do the same. As he changed shirts, I threw my messy hair into a black and floral snapback, slipped on some converse, and covered my bare shoulders in a pink zip up hoodie since it was getting quite chilly in November. Josh kissed my cheek as I emerged from the bathroom, telling me I looked cute. I blushed, still shocked that someone so hot would love someone dopey like me. Taking my hand, Josh grabbed Fitzy's leash and we both walked out into the sunny afternoon.

After a pretty long ride in the Mini Cooper, Josh and I arrived at the Kroger's laughing about a funny story I told him about the time I tried to paint Lilac's nails as a little girl. Kissing me, Josh led me into the store, leaving Fitzy in the car. We decided to part ways to go faster (we didn't want to leave Fitzy alone too long) so I went to go grab cheese balls while he got the Swedish fish.

In the chip's aisle, my mouth began to water as I strolled past the various snacks, looking for my favorite brand of cheeseballs. That's when I noticed ranch flavored cheese balls. I debated in my head which would taste better, my hand over my slightly hard and bumped belly. That's when she came in. Crystal.

Crystal walked into the aisle, holding the hand of one of Josh's friends, not one of the ones I met or her husband. Hmm, what was she doing with him? I stared at them preoccupied, then, realizing it was rude, turned back to focus on chips. Flashing back to my last horrendous encounter with Crystal, I put my hand on my belly and looked down. Please don't talk to me, please don't talk to me, please don't—

"Well, well, well. Look whose buying junk food," growled Crystal. I stopped dead in my tracks and kept my eyes down. She came closer and started to circle me like a hungry wolf.

"Perfect for a fat ass like you," said Crystal. She reached over and grabbed some cheeseballs of the rack, throwing them at me with a laugh as I kept my head down. I bit my lip, fighting back tears and trying to ignore her. Suddenly, my appetite had vanished.

"What, not going to say anything? Listen here, Adira," said Crystal, getting really close to my face. I kept my head down, trying my best to ignore her while too scared to run. I was quieter than Jane Eyre, more timid than a mouse, and no matter what Crystal did, I would stay that way. All I needed to do was fight off tears.

"Your baby daddy is mine. Don't doubt it. In fact, he already told me he was coming to my party tonight, so you better be ready," she growled in my face. My head snapped up and I met her evil eyes. Party? Josh hadn't said anything about a party!

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I surprise you little bitch?" cooed Crystal, tilting her head to the side "I'm so sorry! See you tonight, I mean, if your husband decides to take you." With that, Crystal pranced off, wagging her butt as she, laughing, latched onto her boy thing of the week. I swallowed hard. What party was she talking about? Had Josh said yes? What did this all mean?

Sighing, I turned around, only to find Josh happily walking down the aisle toward me with that pearly white smile. My stomach flipped. Should I ask him? As soon as he reached me his smile widened and he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. I smiled despite myself, my tummy turning. Was that the baby or was I just nervous as hell? Josh took my hand.

"You've been taking a while. Been rethinking the cheese balls?" he asked playfully. I gave a half-hearted shrug.

"What are you doing tonight?" I asked. Josh smirked.

"Well, it was going to be a surprise, but I was going to ask you to come to a party with me. Maybe give my friends a second chance, if you felt up to it," he said. I breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't going to keep it from me. Relaxing, I let him lead to me the cash registers.

"Why do you ask?" asked Josh, looking confused. I smiled happily.

"No reason. But yes, I am most definitely coming."

A/N— Sorry for the long update. Callbacks. Shooting student film this weekend so I don't know how updating will be until next Monday. Thanks for the support everyone!