Empty Worries (Part Two)

Jake quickly scooped her up in his arms.  She clung to him while being grateful for his presence and silence.  They just sat together as Jessica cried in Jake’s arms.

            Finally, when Jessica had spent all her tears, she leaned toward Jake’s ear to whisper, “I’m pregnant.”

            Jessica felt Jake tense, silently regretted her words.  Because of her exhaustion, she didn’t have the strength to keep quiet any longer.

            Jake slowly took in Jessica’s news, finally understanding her strange behavior.  Numb from the shock, Jake sat still until he felt Jessica shift in his arms.

            Jessica looked at him with her clear glimmering eyes and said, “I know you don’t want kids and I’m sorry.” Another sob shook through her.

            Jessica’s words made Jake realize how callous he had been by making her believe he absolutely didn’t want kids.  “Oh, Honey.  Are you so upset about this because of our conversation a few nights ago?  Well, I didn’t want kids then.  Now, once the shock wears off, I’m excited.  I’m going to be a father and I didn’t know, until now, how appealing that idea was.”

            Jessica looked at Jake as is he’d gone insane. “You want kids now? But… I thought…”

            “I know what I had said, but I don’t mean it now.  When you asked me before, I was terrified.  I had no idea how I could be a good dad or how to raise kids.” Jake’s confession surprised Jessica.  She had never would’ve guessed that was the reason he didn’t want kids.

            Then, his earlier news hit her again, Jake didn’t have a job.  It didn’t matter if they wanted kids now or not, they couldn’t afford them. “Jake, what about your job?  We couldn’t afford kids with your old job, now what are we going to do?” Jessica looked like she was going to cry again, but she held the tears back.

            “Oh, about that… When I went out not long ago, I talked to Luke about finding me a job.  And, he did.  The job actually pays better than my old one and it is something I will really enjoy.”  A smile crept along Jake’s face, showing his joy for the coming baby and his new job.

            Jessica was shocked once again.  All of her worries had just evaporated and she began to wonder why she had even fretted at all.  Jessica relaxed in Jake’s arms while they both let their news sink in.  Their day looked like it would have a happy ending, after all.

            One year later, Jessica thought back to that day and was amazed at how she’d overacted to some simply careless words.  Overjoyed everything had worked out, she glanced down at her beautiful baby girl and felt a surge of love overpower her.  Silently, Jake wrapped his arms around her.  They quietly watched their daughter peacefully sleep, while they contemplated that far off day.  Ever since then, their lives had been irrevocably changed for the better.