Page 9 of Capitally Unexpected

Jax waves a stack of papers in her hands. “A nurse who looks suspiciously like Zoë Kravitz handed me all of this for you.”

I groan. “I knew she looked familiar. How could I miss a doppelgänger for number three on your hall pass list? Preston will never forgive me.”

“It’ll be our little secret.” She points at the two smaller pieces of paper face down on the top of the pile. “Are these ...” She trails off, her voice lifting into a question.

“Yup. Those are photos of the little cumulus cloud shaped thing in my uterus.”

Jax snorts. “You would.”

I shrug. “At least I’m consistent. Flip it over. I need you to bear witness to the moment.”

Jax turns the photo over and gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. “Holy shit. There really is a cumulus cloud baby inside you, isn’t there?” I see her eyes start to water before she blinks the moisture away and locks eyes with me.

“How are you? Too big of a question? Tell me if I need to come up with a different one instead.”

I laugh. “For right now, I’m okay. When I was lying there, I had a moment of feeling really alone. And I know if I decide to go through with this pregnancy, there will be a lot of moments of being alone, but?—”

“I’m glad you decided to not make this one of them. I’m here for you. Whatever you need, whatever you decide to do.”

My eyes start to water again. Ten weeks and no tears, but ten minutes of doctor confirmed pregnancy, and it’s waterworks city. “I know you are. Thank you. For now, I need to get changed and get to work. There will be many more lists in my future, but I think I’ll let it all simmer.”

She lifts up the stack of papers, pamphlets, and photos and indicates her head to the door. “I’ll wait for you right out there.”

A few minutes later, I find Jax right where she said she’d be. We walk down the hallway and she slows as we pass the desk with one of the receptionists behind it.

“Do you need ...” she trails off.

I follow my gut. “Yeah, I think I will make an appointment. I can always cancel it if I need to.” She squeezes my arm again as I step up to the counter, smile, and schedule for four weeks from today. I look over my shoulder as she says the date and time and smile, seeing Jax typing into her phone. I’d bet the rights to choosing my on-air outfits for the next month she’s putting this appointment in her calendar, too. We may not have known each other long, but I know I’ve got a good one in her. I need to tell Laurel, too. I’ll need all the cheerleaders I can get.

We exit the front door, blinking at the bright sunlight, jarring after so much time inside.

“Well, I’m going to grab the bus this way,” I say, pointing over my shoulder with my thumb.

“I’m going to go write in a new coffee shop I found while I was in the waiting room that way,” Jax says, pointing in the opposite direction. “Text me tonight. Let me know how you are?”

I nod, and we hug before she starts walking away.

“Hey, Jax!” I yell after her, and she whirls around immediately.

“No reading any of your books until they’re at least thirteen, okay?” I put my hand on my stomach.

Her face breaks into a wide grin as she laughs at me. “Guess I better find myself some new books to gift then.”

We wave and carry on our ways. As I sit on the bus, I click on my list making app. After a second, I force myself to close it and open up the latest forecast projections from NOAA instead. I meant it when I told Jax I need to let it simmer. I look at the data and sink into the familiarity of analysis mode, pushing everything else to the back burner. Nothing like a potential string of strong storms to shove all thoughts to the background. Little Cumulus will still be there waiting for me after I warn everyone with Nats tickets for tonight they may see more tarp than turf out on the field.

Chapter

Six

Hunter

Ten weeks pregnant

If I close my eyes and feel the rhythm of the boat as it crests the small waves, I can almost imagine the wide-open ocean around me. While I didn’t share Preston’s hyper fixation with marine animals growing up, I do feel sense of peace on the water.

“No, Senator Marsden specifically requested?—”

“I don’t give a fuck if the ghost of Ronald Reagan himself appears in that office, you need to stay until?—”

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