Page 15 of The Bartender's Baby

I didn’t need to guess who they were from.

And they included all my favorites: double stuffed Oreos, Ruffles, and multiple bags of snack-size Skittles. Plus, some healthy options like apples, clementines, eggs, Greek yogurt in three different flavors, and whole grain bread with all the fixings for sandwiches. I texted Nate.

Thank you.

Nate

You better start eating more. You’re supposed to be eating at least 2200 calories a day.

I didn’t know how exactly to define the feeling in my chest at the idea of him researching pregnancy tips, but I pressed my phone to my heart and helped myself to three of the little Halos.

Nate

How’d it go this morning?

Fine.

Nate

One of my favorite things about you is just how expressive you are.

Nate

You get a car?

No.

While I had more physical energy than during my first trimester, it felt like I’d been losing more and more control of my emotions. I’d been so used to stuffing everything down, but this pregnancy pushed it all back up. It was terrifying to be so out of control.

Of myself.

Of my future.

Of whether I could bring this person into the world or not.

Nate

So that means you need a ride to work?

Nate

You’re on for eight tonight so I’ll pick you up at 7:45.

Before I could finish typing out my answer—that no, I didn’t need him to pick me up—he sent another message.

Nate

Don’t fight me on this. Or I’ll be there even earlier.

Fine.

It was no use arguing. When he set his mind to something, that was it. His dogged persistence was one of his most admirable qualities. Also one of the most exasperating when directed atme.

After lunch, courtesy of Nate, I walked to campus for my two afternoon classes, Auditing and Forensic Accounting. I’d been taking classes for years, a few credits a semester. Unlike other undergrads, I had to balance a full-time job and bills with academics, but I was so close to graduating. After this semester, I only needed to complete one more 400-level accounting class and my capstone project. Although, I had no idea what I would do once the baby was here.

If…

Shaking that terrible thought from my head, I refocused on my professor’s slides, while trying to ignore the idiot frat dude next to me. I’d chosen accounting as a major because I could graduate into a steady job. Every company needed an accountant, and lots of people used them for their personal taxes as well. With this degree, I’d never have to worry about unpredictability.

---