"So how did it go?" Katie asked as soon as Chandler walked through the door.
"Really bad...and then really good," Chandler said.
"What do you mean?" Katie asked.
"Well, you remember how he was in a long-term relationship for 3 years?" Chandler asked.
"Oh no."
"Yeah...well she was there. And she did not like me," Chandler said, "Pretty fair honestly. If some girl showed up to Miles' house and said she was 'a friend' you probably react the same way."
"You said friend?!" Katie asked dumbfounded.
"I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't exactly tell her I was there to tell Joe that I was pregnant with his baby!"
"Well, what happened after that?" Katie asked.
"They closed the door argued for what felt like forever, and then she left," Chandler said, "Joe told me that they had been trying to work on things."
"So are they back together?" Katie asked.
"I don't think so," Chandler said, "Anyway. After she left Joe and I sat down and talked. At first, he was in shock."
"Understandably."
"After I sort of rambled forever. He asked me if the baby was his, as he should," Chandler said, "After he apologized for asking that question I told him that I understood if he didn't want to be a part of the baby's life. He basically told me I was crazy and that he would of course be a part of the baby's life."
"That's great!!" Katie smiled pulling Chandler into a hug, "This is the best possible outcome!"
"Except for the fact that his girlfriend hates me," Chandler said.
"Ex-girlfriend," Katie reminded.
"Yeah but they were working it out," Chandler said, "At least they were trying to."
"Do you really think she's going to want to be with him after this?" Katie asked.
"I don't know. They were together for 3 years," Chandler said, "I don't expect him to get into a relationship with me just because we're having a baby."
"But I doubt he's going to be in a relationship with another person," Katie said, "Especially not an ex-girlfriend."
"I'm not putting any kind of pressure on a relationship," Chandler said, "All I'm focused on is trying to raise this baby. Joe and I have a lot of things to figure out."
•••
October 2020
"Hey," Joe said walking through Chandler's apartment door.
"Hey. Thanks for coming over," Chandler said, "Sorry we couldn't meet at the restaurant like planned. I'm not feeling very well today."
"It's no problem," Joe said, "It's probably better to meet somewhere private instead."
"So how did your talk with Olivia go?" Chandler asked.
"Umm not well," Joe said.
"Oh I'm sorry," Chandler said.
"It's all right," Joe said, "I don't really think I wanted to be in a relationship with her again anyway."
"Well whatever you chose to do is your decision," Chandler said.
"So how have you been feeling?" Joe asked.
"Most days pretty good," Chandler said, "Other days morning sickness still kicks in."
"I'm sorry," Joe said, "Is there anything I can do to help that?"
"No. Typically I just stay in bed all day," Chandler said, "Resting helps more than anything."
"Good. You need to rest," Joe said.
"So I guess we don't really know each other do we?"
"No we don't," Joe said, "So tell me about yourself."
"Well, I'm an only child. I was born and raised in Toledo, so I've lived in Ohio my whole life. I moved here after I graduated with my best friend Katie. She's who I share this apartment with. I got a degree in elementary education at the University of Cincinnati. As you know I didn't use that degree. I got a job at 19 at a law firm. I worked there for 3 years until I got fired and now I'm working as a receptionist at a hair salon."
"Your life sounds very interesting," Joe said, "What about your parents?"
"Oh I don't talk to them," Chandler said, "I don't really talk about them either."
"Sorry I brought it up," Joe said.
"It's fine," Chandler said, "Now that you know all about me let's hear about you."
"I'm the youngest of three boys. I was born and raised in Athens. When I graduated High School I decided to go to Ohio State where I played football. I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere at Ohio State so I decided to transfer to LSU. While at LSU I won the Heisman Trophy and the College football playoff national championship. In 2020 I was a first-round pick for the Cincinnati Bengals."
"Sounds like you've had a pretty busy life," Chandler said.
"It's definitely been eventful," Joe said.
"Are you excited for our appointment next week?" Chandler asked.
"Very. Are you?" Joe asked.
"Yes. I'm excited to find out the gender," Chandler smiled.
"What do you hope it is?" Joe asked.
"As long as it's healthy I don't care," Chandler said.
"Oh come on. That's such a basic parent answer," Joe said making Chandler laugh, "There has to be a specific gender you want."
"All right. You're probably going to disagree with me," Chandler said, "I've always wanted to have a girl first."
"Really?" Joe asked.
"I know. You probably want it to be a boy," Chandler said, "Carry on your football legacy."
"No," Joe said, "I think a girl would be nice."
"Seriously?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah. We have a lot of boys in my family," Joe said, "I think having the girl around would be great. Plus I think my mom would be ecstatic."
"That must have been hard for her being the only girl," Chandler said.
"She survived," Joe laughed, "Maybe barely some days with all us boys but she survived."
"I bet it was a lot of fun," Chandler said, "Were you guys a close family growing up?"
"Yeah we were," Joe said.
"That must have been nice," Chandler said, "I've always hoped to have a close family when I got older."
"Me too," Joe smiled putting his hand on Chandler's stomach, "And if we work together we can have that."
"I believe in us," Chandler said putting her hand on top of his. In the beginning, she was worried but now...now she knew this baby was going to have a great life.
"That reminds me," Joe said, "My mom wants to have dinner."
"With me?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah. She and my dad want to meet you," Joe said, "You in?"
"Yeah. That sounds fun," Chandler smiled.