Baby, I Will Be Your Everything

“Alex!”

I winced at the echo of my scream vibrating into my eardrums, hiccupping hard as my breath continued to stutter. I choked on my spit, bringing both of my hands up to hold my throbbing head while sobs began to rack through me. The aching growing in my chest made me cry harder and I could barely hear the sound of pounding on the stairs from my place in the middle of my room. I blinked hard, using my hands to wipe the tears away and clear my vision just in time to see Alex’s body flail through the door.

“Baby?!” He called, stumbling across the carpet until he made it in front of me. “Oh shit, what’s goin’ on?”

I whimpered loudly, grabbing his t-shirt in my fists and shoving my face into his chest only to shove him away just as quick.

“What?” He panted, grabbing onto my forearms. “Why’re you crying like that? Are you-”

“You smell like a skunk!” I cried, cringing at the churning in my stomach.

“Baby, what?” He repeated, leaning down to look more into my blurry eyes. “Why’re you crying? Talk to me-”

“You!” I exclaimed through my quivering lips, fat tears slipping from my eyes as his thumbs circled along my arms.

“Me?” He asked in surprise, raising his hands to cup my cheeks. “What did I do? Please calm down.”

I whined, stomping my foot in annoyance when his thumbs swiped my face dry. Gulping, I forced the lump down my throat and took in a shaky breath as he continued to attempt to sooth me. After another few breaths with my eyes closed, my breathing returned semi-normal and the waterworks started to die down.

“What, baby?” He cooed, wiping my eyes one last time before dropping his hands from my face. “Are you okay now?”

I huffed at his tone, hearing my heart pound in my ears as soon as I opened my eyes. I met his cautious expression and just like that, a wave of anger replaced the sadness I felt just a minute ago.

“Am I okay?” I mocked through a sniffle, smacking his bicep with the back of my hand. “No! I can’t button my jeans!”

“What?” He laughed in amusement, raising his eyebrow down at me.

I scoffed in annoyance, rolling my sore eyes widely while his laughing continued to fill my ears. Sighing shakily, I looked down at the faded grey Led Zeppelin t-shirt hanging loosely over my hips and folded it back over my stomach to reveal the zipper and button of my white ripped skinny jeans.

“Look!” I exclaimed, grabbing the silver button and attempting to fit it through the small hole on the other side.

A hiss escaped my quivering lips when the wide button stopped at least an inch before it was supposed to, not even touching the patch with the designated hole. I tried again, leaning enough to look over the prominent bump nearly blocking my fingers and let out another scream similar to the one I let out five minutes ago when I failed once more.

“This isn’t funny.” I spat, dropping the thick material from my fingertips as soon as his laughter filled my ears some more. “Alex!”

I slumped my shoulders, forming my lips into a pout while my eyes burned with a fresh set of tears.

“Baby, no.” He chuckled, wrapping his arms around me.

“You’re an asshole.” I sniffled, looking up to keep the tears from spilling over again.

“They’re just-”

“These are Miami white, ripped, mid-rise skinny jeans from Pac Sun and they’re my favorite fucking pair of jeans.” I rambled out almost frantically, blinking abnormally fast in attempt to stop my eyes from wanting to leak. “They’re not just any pants!”

“You’re so fucking cute.” He retorted, pressing his lips into my forehead in a soft peck. “S’okay, baby. You uh, you knew it was gonna happen. You’re like, I dunno-”

“Thirteen weeks and three days.” I informed, taking a long breath in.

His lips brushed against my forehead again, but this time I could feel something different imprinting into my skin. Butterflies fluttered into my chest and I bit my lip, feeling the conflicting feelings of sadness and anger disappear at the small action.

“You’re smiling.” I observed, biting back my pout when he pulled away until I looked up at his face. “You’re still smiling.”

“Yeah.” He shrugged, licking his lips.

I swallowed thickly, feeling my heart skip a beat when his palms slipped over my exposed sides. Nervous flutters took over my stomach and I bit at the inside of my lip some more, feeling his hands slip more over the prominent bump poking out. He stopped once they were pressed right over the hard ball near my belly button and I held my breath, anxious to see his reaction.

“Why are you lookin’ at me like that?” He asked softly, smoothing his thumbs up and down.

“Like what?” I croaked out, clearing my dry throat.

“Like you’re scared.” He described, staring down at me intensely.

Because every time the baby is mentioned, you tense up and get distant. Because you find a way to tell me how stupid you think it is to want this every time I wake you up after puking my guts out at two in the morning. Because-

“You’re touching the baby.” I blurted, feeling his fingers shake lightly against me.

“Yeah.” He muttered, pushing down a little harder. “I uh, I’m aware.”

“You’ve never done this before.” I stated, watching him close his eyes.

“I know.” He whispered. “I’m doing it now.”

I sniffled unintentionally, shooting my hands up to cover my mouth when his eyes popped back open.

“No.” He frowned, pulling his hands up to wipe the corners of my eyes. “You’re not supposed to be crying more.”

“They’re happy tears this time.” I choked out through the thick spit rolling up my tongue, hiding my smile behind my hands.

He chuckled nervously, pulling at my elbows until I walked into his chest. I sniffled, raising my head just enough to look up into his unsure eyes while my hands moved to rest over his shoulders.

“I uh.” He stammered, biting at his lip. “Shit, Jay. There’s really a…a baby. Like, in you.”

“Sure is.” I agreed, sliding my hands down his arms. “Our baby, Lex.”

I bit my cheek, grabbing his wrists gently and guiding them right back over the bump. Heat rushed up my neck and into my cheeks at the sudden silence forming around us. Swallowing thickly, I closed my eyes and felt the butterflies flutter back into my chest when his thumbs moved over my skin even softer than before.

“Thirteen weeks is kind of a lot.” He muttered, breaking the silence.

“And three days.” I added quietly, keeping my eyes closed. “Thirteen weeks and three days.”

“Whatever.” He chuckled, slipping his hands back over my hips. “I’m gonna need some directions. Like. Before this all happens-”

“Directions?” I questioned, opening my eyes to squint up at him curiously.

“You know, one of them things or something.” He nodded. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do.”

“You want to get a baby book?” I wondered, raising my eyebrows in surprise.

“I dunno.” He shrugged awkwardly, leaning down to nudge his forehead into mine. “I uh, let’s talk about something else.”

I rolled my eyes, feeling my heart thud in my chest as his reluctance came back. Rolling my lips together, I leaned into his touch and sighed heavily. Squeezing my hips in his palms, I felt him relax more against me and nudge my nose very lightly with his bruised one.

“I’m tryin’ Jack.” He whispered. “I need you to know that.”

“I do know that, Alex.” I whispered back, slipping my face into his neck.

Another whiff of skunk rushed up my nose when his arms wrapped around me and I let out a strangled groan.

“You still smell like skunk.” I commented, breathing into him deeply despite the odor.

“I was havin’ a smoke before you gave me a fuckin’ heart attack.” He revealed, running his hands along my back while his chuckle shook my body. “You screamed bloody fuckin’ murder over a pair of jeans not zipping.”

“They zip.” I corrected, pouting into his neck. “They don’t button.”

“Whatever. You made me bust my ass racing up here.” He hummed, pressing a kiss to the side of my forehead. “Just wear my jeans.”

“Your jeans are gross.” I scowled, wrapping my arms back over his shoulders.

“I love you.” He laughed, squeezing my hips.

“I love you too.” I breathed, tightening my hold on him.
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“You do realize it’s like, seventy degrees out?”

I chuckled nervously, slipping my thumbs under my pointer fingers in the pockets of Alex’s black Guns’N’Roses zip-up. Shrugging off the comment, I nodded back at the freshly buzzed head I rarely see and got suffocated by the smell of Axe as he wrapped his arms around me lightly.

“It’s almost August, Ri. That being said, it’s getting chilly out.” Cass jumped in once we broke the short-lived embrace. “Especially now, when it’s after six and are you blind? He’s wearing shorts.”

I laughed lightly, face flushing at the mention of my shorts. Glancing down, I looked over the thin black material ending just below my ass due to the fact that they’re cheerleading shorts from freshman year.

“I can see that.” He chuckled, meeting my eyes with a playful wink.

I smiled warmly, giving him a light eyeroll before turning to Cassadee as she stepped all the way through the gate. I gawked a little, taking in the white and sky-blue strapless romper clinging to her curvy body before I took in her long brown and purple curls.

“Cassie.” I grinned, practically leaping towards her. “Loving the purple. My God, you look so different!”

She laughed and a wave of nostalgia washed over me at the sugary scent filling my senses. I wrapped my arms around her loosely, trying my best to keep the hug short without coming off suspicious. I really don’t want to repeat this story a million more times.

“Me?” She gasped jokingly, stepping back in mock offense. “You look different! You know why? Because we haven’t seen each other all summer!”

“Okay, babe.” Rian chuckled, wrapping his arm around her slim waist. “You can’t blame the guy for spending his free time with his other half, alright? You spend yours with me.”

I bit back my grin, butterflies fluttering through me as Alex clouded my mind. Things may still be a little tense, but he’s definitely been a lot better with me. Ever since this morning when I had my little meltdown, something between us has felt different. Since he actually acknowledged the baby, things have felt a good difference.

“That’s not the same!” She defended, pointing between them. “We’ve been together six months, so we’re still technically in the honeymoon phase. Jack and Alex have been together basically since I met Jack. They’re way passed the lovey-dovey shit.”

“Woah, if we’re talking about Alex and Jack then I don’t believe there was a lovey-dovey phase to begin with.”

I clicked my tongue, scowling playfully at the sound of Lynn’s voice sounding from the driveway. I squinted over Cass’s shoulder and found her slowly trailing towards us with the very shy waitress I had the pleasure of meeting that night at the restaurant after Finding Dory following right behind.

“He is very lovey-dovey to me.” I informed, smirking as soon as she got closer. “Just not in front of you guys.”

“Right, it’d be a shame to see a side of him that’s not an ass.” She retorted sarcastically, brushing her bangs out of her face with her free hand.

“What is this, pick on Alex and Jack day?” I scoffed lightly, looking between Cass and Lynn expectantly. “He’s not always an ass.”

“It is actually, happens annually.” Lynn grinned. “In this month, on a very special day.”

“Where we gather ‘round and sit by the bonfire pit in your backyard.” Cass finished, clapping excitedly. “I’m so excited to meet Mackenzie.”

Rian, Lynn, and I hummed in agreement at the mention of Lance’s new girlfriend and I switched my attention to the semi-familiar girl shrinking behind Lynn’s back. Her hair was in a tight bun and a white t-shirt hung off of her small body and down right above her knees.

“I’m also excited to properly meet Lynn’s date.” I greeted her, pulling my hand free from a pocket to ruffle my teased bangs. “Alexa, right?”

“Oh!” Lynn gasped, smiling sheepishly as she stepped more to the side. “Guys, this is Alexa. Alexa, you kind of met my best friend Jack already and this is one of our other best friends Cassadee and her boyfriend Rian.”

“Hi.” She waved shyly, covering her small smile shortly after.

“She’s so cute!” Cass screamed, lurching forward only for Rian to grab her by the arm. “I’m excited to meet you too, by the way! I didn’t even see you there!”

“Don’t scare her away, babe.” He warned, making us all laugh.

“Hey!” She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest playfully. “If anyone was gonna scare her away it’d be Alex.”

“I take offense to that.” I giggled, rolling my eyes before looking back to Alexa’s nervous expression. “Nobody is going to scare you away. You’re officially part of the group now.”

“Can we go to the snacks now?” Lynn jumped in, linking her hand back into Alexa’s. “Before Alex eats everything.”

“Yes,” I started, turning to lead the way with another giggle. “but he’s not even outside so you don’t have to worry.”

“She’s not even here for two minutes and she’s already looking for the snacks?” Cass snorted from behind me. “You’re literally a girl version of Alex, Lynn.”

I laughed, shaking my head as they continued to bicker on our way around the side of the house. I turned into the backyard, smiling in satisfaction at the bowls lined up along the picnic table that Alex moved closer towards the group of chairs placed around the built-in fire pit. I pointed over to it, counting the small stack of cups sitting beside two liters of Coke and a jug of Hawaiian Punch.

“You better start with the munchies mix.” I suggested, walking the five feet passed the table and to a red chair.

“Oh, I will.” She agreed, already grabbing a handful. “Before he picks all the good shit out.”

I smiled, slowly sinking into the silky chair. I bit my lip, crossing my right leg over my left with ease thanks to the flexible movement of my shorts. Leaning back slowly, I watched Cass and Rian plop into the chairs across from me lazily. Seeing everyone sitting around me made me feel a little self-conscious and a lot sweatier than I was ten minutes ago when it was just me and Alex.

“I should’ve brought a sweater.” Lynn complained as she led Alexa in front of me, looking around the remaining seats carefully. “Uh, you can sit between me and Jack. Or me and Cass.”

“Wherever is fine.” She spoke quietly.

“Um.” Lynn hummed awkwardly, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Okay, I think you’ll be most comfortable between me and Jack to be honest. No offense, Cass.”

“None taken.” She brushed off, grinning with her straight pearly whites.

“Okay.” Alexa agreed, sitting down to my right.

I smiled, rubbing my thumbs over my stomach through the worn pockets as another light gust of wind breezed by.

“I’ve got extra sweaters if anyone wants one later.” I noted, finally registering Lynn’s complaint.

“I might take you up on that.” Lynn spoke through her mouthful of chips.

I nodded, relaxing more as the seconds passed with no tension in the air. Instead, happiness filled me to the core at seeing my friends again. The fact that it feels like we haven’t missed any time together only makes the happiness grow and the secret underneath my shirt is starting to creep up my throat easier than it did when I first found out.

“Where is Alex anyway?” Rian asked, breaking the comfortable silence forming around us as Lynn continued chomping on chips.

I licked my lips, lifting my gaze to meet his while my head lolled onto my shoulder lazily.

“My mom asked him to pick Lauren up.” I answered with a sigh. “She wants to be here when the fire starts.”

“Of course.” Cass laughed, shaking her head. “Hopefully not with that one girl.”

“Maddison?” Lynn named, dusting her hands off.

“Maddison.” I confirmed, pulling my phone out of my pocket. “She’s something else, that girl. I told her Jessica could tag along, but there’s really not enough room for more than one of her friends and I was very clear that I didn’t want Maddison here.”

“What’s wrong with Maddison?” Alexa asked quietly.

“She’s a little bitch.” Cass answered for me, earning a laugh from Lynn. “I’m not even trying to be mean. I think I met her two of three times and she’s literally so rude and obnoxious.”

“She does have her nice moments.” I added, feeling a little guilty for talking shit about a fourteen-year-old.

“Rarely.” Lynn laughed.

I rolled my eyes lightly, smiling back at her. I opened my mouth, pausing when I heard the gate creaking open. I bit my lip, turning my head towards where the gate is to see an unfamiliar blonde come around the corner. Her short hair ended above her exposed shoulders and the white romper she wore really brought out her tan skin, like Cass.

“Damn.” Cass muttered while I watched Lance appear right beside her. “That must be the famous Mackenzie.”

I agreed silently, watching Lance’s thin arm slip over her shoulders easily as soon as he fell into step with her. A small smile grazed my lips at his actions and I raised my eyebrows as soon as his grinning face grew closer.

“Yo!” He greeted loudly, leading the girl right over to the place beside Cass. “Guys, this is Kenzie. These are the guys.”

“I’m Cass and this is my boyfriend Rian.” Cass introduced, slowly pointing around the circle. “There’s Lynn, her date Alexa, and our favorite over there.”

“My name is Jack.” I chuckled, rolling my eyes at Cass before looking to Kenzie’s unsure expression. “If you think Lance is an idiot, you’ll it in just fine.”

“Am not!” He gasped dramatically, raising his hands up.

“You didn’t even tell her who is who.” I retorted, laughing at his pout.

“She beat me to it!” He defended, pointing in Cassadee’s direction before plopping down in the seat to my left. “Y’know what? Whatever. Where’s pretty boy?”

“Mike is running late, as usual.” Lynn retorted, smacking her lips together.

“Oh, of course.” He nodded, nudging my dangling ankle. “And how’s lover-boy settling in? Mr. and Mrs. B gotta take some getting used to for him.”

Biting my lip at the heavy topic he brought up, I gave another small smile and shrugged. Despite the pregnancy mess going on, it’s clearly noticeable that things aren’t normal around the Barakat household at the moment. Not when Mom and Dad are nowhere to be found when they’re usually out here with us for the most part, having their own little get together around the barbeque.

“He’s settled in just fine.” I answered honestly, lightly fidgeting my fingers in my pockets. “Really good, actually.”

“That’s good to hear.” He chuckled, switching his attention to Mackenzie. “You’re gonna eat some s’mores, right?”

I shook my head at his attention span and laughed when Mackenzie rolled her eyes playfully.

“Who wouldn’t?” She retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. “That’s the best part about bonfires.”

“True that.” Rian agreed loudly, pointing his finger at me before resting his hand over Cass’s thigh. “Where’s the fire?”

“Alex is starting it when he gets here.” I informed, feeling my ears perk up at the loud engine coming from the street. “Which will be any second now.”

“Aren’t you dying?” Mackenzie blurted towards me, cheeks flushing when my eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I just, I feel sticky and you’re over there in a sweater.”

“There’s a reason for it.” Lynn replied as another wave of anxious heat rushed up my neck.

“Ha ha.” I laughed awkwardly, shooting Lynn a look that got caught by Cassadee as well. “I’m just a little chilly. I get cold fast.”

“Okay, what’s going on?” Cass demanded, waving her hand around. “Am I missing something? Did Alex attack your neck like a crazy vampire again?”

“Oh my God.” I flushed, covering my burning cheeks with my clammy hands. “No!”

“Then-”

“Aye, the life of the party is here!” Alex’s voice rang through the yard, temporarily saving me from choking up.

I cleared my throat, trying to swallow the ball of nerves caught in my esophagus only for it to grow bigger. I gulped, feeling my hands shake in my pockets as I looked around the circle. Instead of my usual crowd of four, three faces that I’m not exactly close with were thrown into the mix. The thought of explaining everything to the rest of my friends seemed like a piece of cake when I talked to Lynn about it earlier, but now having them here in person with their significant others?

“Yo, baby.” Alex called, snapping me back into reality with his fingers in my face.

I blinked, shaking my head a little before looking up at where he hovered over me. I licked my lips, staring into his light eyes for a split second before my gaze dropped to the more prominent five o‘clock shadow taking over almost half of his face.

“Yo, I’m talkin’ to you.” He chuckled, tapping his thumb under my chin. “You alright? You were starin’ off.”

“Oh God,” I started, scrunching my nose once his breath hit my nostrils. “Why do you smell like beer?”

“Uh, because I’m drinking one?” He retorted, raising his left hand until the Corona met my vision.

A wave of annoyance rushed through me and I let my eyes roll without a second thought. Watching him take another swig from the bottle didn’t help settle my nerves, in fact, it made me angrier. What the hell does he think he’s doing drinking when I clearly can’t?

“Whatever Alex.” I muttered, biting my lip when I remembered the presence of everyone around us. “Just start the fire.”

I pressed my lips together, raising my eyebrows when he continued to stare down at me blankly. I nodded towards the fire pit, using my elbow to nudge his hip in the right direction in hopes of getting out of the awkward tension forming. Instead of responding, he stepped the couple feet in front of me and set the glass bottle by his feet.

“Oh.” I coughed, clearing my throat before looking between Alex and Mackenzie. “That’s my boyfriend Alex.”

I pointed briefly, licking my lips when Alex continued to squirt some lighter fluid over the fresh logs stacked in the cinderblock pit. I tangled my fingers back together over my lap and sighed quietly, taking in the way his grey muscle shirt blew with the light breeze passing through. Straightening my back, my gaze drifted to the saggy back pockets of his black jeans as his hand dug behind him.

“Please be careful.” I warned like always, barely catching a glimpse of the purple lighter between his fingers before I heard the familiar flicking.

“Yeah, we don’t need you burning the hair off your hand like last year.” Lynn chimed in, shooting me a reassuring smile.

“I was a little drunk.” He defended, turning around once he successfully lit the pit up. “Oh. Hey.”

I twiddled my thumbs, following his gaze until I met Alexa’s awkward smile. She tucked her legs underneath her and wrapped her arms around herself, visibly relaxing when Lynn’s hand rested over her knee.

“This is my date Alexa.” Lynn introduced formally. “Alexa, this is Jack’s boyfriend Alex as you heard him say a minute ago.”

“Alright, two Alex’s.” He cheered, raising his beer up to his mouth.

“That’s gonna get confusing.” Lance laughed, holding his own beer up.

“No, it’s not.” Mackenzie disagreed. “Alexa definitely sounds different than just saying Alex.”

“Who are you?” Alex wondered, turning to face her and Lance instead.

“That’s Lance’s girlfriend Mackenzie.” I noted, biting my cheek. “Where’s Lauren?”

“Inside.” He answered shortly, making me bite my cheek harder.

I kept my gaze on his back, watching him scratch his neck and situate his snapback before he leaned down and grabbed the beer back in his hand. He turned around, meeting my gaze briefly before putting the bottle to his lips and stepping over to the chair to my left. I kept my gaze on him, lifting my right leg over my left while Cass started up another conversation. I took a deep breath, trying to keep calm the more I witnessed Alex lift the bottle to his lips. It wasn’t long before he was pulling a second one from the case between him and Lance, making an itch form under my skin.

“Hey.” I called quietly, trying not to draw any attention to us as Cassadee questioned Alexa.

He stared ahead, bouncing his knee obnoxiously as his foot continuously tapped along the grass surrounding the firepit. I bit my lip, slipping my hand from my lap and over to where he rested his right arm over the short armrest of his chair. He looked over at the light touch, raising the glass to his lips with no hesitation as he looked into my eyes.

“Maybe slow down?” I whispered, squeezing his forearm softly while I pleaded. “At least until we tell them.”

“I’m sorry, who and what are we telling?”

I jumped, clutching Alex’s arm harder while my eyes shot over to Cassadee’s amused face. I laughed nervously, hearing my heart thump in my ears as everyone’s eyes burned into me curiously.

“Go on.” Alex muttered, throwing back the rest of his beer noisily.

“Uh. Um. I.” I stammered, feeling my fingers shake when looks of concern spread around the circle.

“It’s going to be fine, Jack.” Lynn encouraged, grabbing my free hand from my lap and tangling her fingers in mine.

I sucked in a sharp breath, looking straight back at Alex helplessly as my words refused to come out. He stared back at me unsurely, snapping the bottlecap of yet another beer off and chugging half of it before I could blink.

“Fuck.” He forced out, swallowing hard as he stared straight back at me. “I got him pregnant.”

Notes

WOAH! MONTHS WITHOUT POSTING?! I AM SO SORRY GUYS. I didn’t mean to take such a long hiatus from the site. NOT AT ALL. In fact, I should’ve posted this sooner when I finally updated my other mpreg.

I hope you all forgive me!

I’m READY TO GET SHIT FLOWING. SO much plans for this story and I’m so excited for y’all to read the future chapters!

Love your support and thank you!

PS: I know this may seem short but it would’ve been too long if I’d kept the whole chapter together!