Page 19 of Finding Hope

Shannon: Yeah okay. It’s at ten in the morning.

Jonathon: Great, I can pick you up.

He knew he sounded eager, but he couldn’t help it.

Shannon: That’d be great, thanks. See you Monday.

Jonathon wanted to pump his fist into the air. He honestly didn’t think she would agree to it, but he was thrilled that she had.

***

Jonathon walked into the station and found Hunter sitting in the locker room on the bench. He felt like shit that he hadn’t really talked to his best friend the past couple of weeks.

Three weeks ago, he had gone with Shannon to her OB appointment. She was measuring big, so they did another ultrasound and Jonathon was able to see his son. He’d never admit it to anyone that when they did the 3D ultrasound and he saw his boy’s chubby cheeks, he got teary-eyed. Their son was a thumb sucker already and it was so adorable. He couldn’t believe how big Shannon’s belly was already, but she had never looked more beautiful.

Shannon had been quiet most of the time that they were together that day, but he talked enough for the both of them. He had tried to take her for lunch afterward, but she declined. He had to take it slow—but how slow?

After the day of Shannon’s appointment, he went back to texting, calling, and stopping by to see her. He had yet to tell her that he had a nursery set up for the baby. If Josie had mentioned it, he didn’t know, but he’d deal with it. He didn’t want her to think that he was being presumptuous or that he had plans to take their son from her. That was the furthest from the truth and she’d see it someday.

He shook off the thoughts and sat across from Hunter. “Sorry I’ve been MIA the past couple of weeks. Shit has been busy with Josie and dealing with Shannon and the baby.”

“How are things with Shannon? Any changes?”

“Sometimes I feel like I’m getting through to her, but then sometimes I feel like we’re taking steps back. I do have great news, though. Tessa and Cash are engaged now.” His sister was positively glowing and so fucking happy. She was already in wedding mode.

“That’s really great, man. Cash seems like a really good guy. I’ll have to give her a call and congratulate her.”

They both quickly changed into their uniforms and then made their way toward the conference room to get their assignments. Afterward, Jonathon made his way outside to his car when his sergeant, Mitch Williams, stopped him in the hall. “How’s it going, Jonathon? How’s that little girl of yours?” Mitch had pushed him to get help after the first year Alex was gone.

“Things are good and Josie is great. She’s smart as a whip and an artist just like her mom was.” Then he told Mitch about Shannon and the baby.

“Well, I’m happy for you, son. I’ll let you get out there.” Mitch slapped him on the back and he went out to his patrol car.

He liked being on day shift because he was always home shortly after Josie got home. Most days he worked, either Tessa or Cash would come and be at the house until Jonathon got home. Rarely, it was Shannon, but sometimes she did and would bring Josie to the bar.

It was an hour into Jonathon’s shift when Erin from dispatch came over the radio. “Nearby units, there’s a 10-70 at 1012 ½ Cedar court. Fire Department and paramedics en route.”

Jonathon grabbed his radio. “This is Officer Brooks and I’m heading that way now.” He flipped on his siren and lights and took off. He more than likely would help keep the street clear while they fought the fire. Jonathon heard Hunter’s voice come over the radio announcing he was heading there too.

The closer he got, Jonathon’s stomach started to turn. He whispered the address to himself over and over when a sickening realization hit him. “No! God no…” Jonathon swallowed the lump in his throat as he headed toward Shannon’s place.

Chapter Ten

Shannon

She’d just left the bar after a twelve hour shift. Normally, she didn’t work that long, but Kasey was sick so Shannon offered to cover until her replacement showed up. It had been busy all day and at thirty weeks pregnant, she was starting to tire easily. She climbed into her car, resting her hand on her large belly. She had ten weeks to go and couldn’t imagine it getting any bigger. At her last appointment, Jonathon had gone with, and for just a short time she pretended that things were perfect with him, but in reality it was awkward.

She could appreciate that he was trying. He was beginning to spoil her, him and Josie both. What would it be like to live with them, to see them every day? To be able to cuddle with that precious girl and to lie next to that beautiful man every day would be a gift to treasure, but Shannon was scared, so she kept her distance. She would never forget the look on Jonathon’s face when he saw their son on the screen. The baby’s mouth was open in what looked like a yawn and his fist was curled up by his cheek, right before he popped his thumb in his mouth.

When she got home, she felt like she needed a shoehorn to get out of her car. She rubbed her back as she walked up to her house and stepped inside. Felix met her at the door with a meow.

“Hi, my pretty boy.” She bent over as far as she could and scooped up her kitty in her arms, scratching behind his ears. Since it wasn’t good for her to clean Felix’s cat box, her sister, Mary, came over to do it. Shannon put the cat down and checked if Felix had food and water. She grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator and carried it into the bathroom with her.

Stripping down to her bra and panties, she looked at herself in the mirror and laughed. Her belly was big, her belly button was starting to pop out, and her breasts were ready to spill out of her bra. Her brother, as well as her best friend, both said that she didn’t look pregnant from behind at all.

When she thought of Michael and Kasey, she realized she’d noticed something strange about them recently. They were always whispering to each other and constantly staring at each other. Shannon just hoped that Kasey knew what she was doing. Michael never hid his sexual exploits from any of them and Shannon didn’t want her best friend getting her heart broken.

After Shannon’s shower, she rubbed cocoa butter all over her belly. She had heard that cocoa butter was good for preventing stretch marks. So far, she couldn’t see any, but that didn’t mean they weren’t coming. She used regular lotion everywhere else. With quick fingers, she braided her hair and moisturized her face.

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