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“We need a nursery!”
John laughs. “We have plenty of time to worry about that.”
“I know, but it has to be perfect. Our baby needs to be safe and have a great place to sleep.”
“Our baby will have nothing but the best, I promise you that,” Mark says. “He or she will never want for anything.”
“But the baby won’t be spoiled, okay? I don’t want him or her to grow up to be a brat.”
“With parents like us, that won’t happen. Our child will love to read and write and play poker. He or she will likely be a genius. And quite good looking. I mean, how could he or she not be? Look at his or her parents!”
I laugh. “You’re absolutely right. We’re going to be on our toes with this one. I bet he or she will be smarter than the three of us combined.”
“Oh, guaranteed.”
John and Mark each put a hand on my tummy. I don’t know how far along I am, but I’m not showing yet. Our baby is still too small for any movements to be felt on the inside, much less on the surface. Seeing the looks on their faces, though, it’s clear they don’t need to feel anything physical. They’re feeling an emotional connection to our unborn baby.
It’s enough to make me cry.
“What’s wrong?” Mark asks, his voice panicky.
“Nothing! I’m pregnant, emotional, and happy. I think I might cry randomly a lot more often now.”
The guys laugh. “We can handle it. We’ll handle anything life throws at us.”
We hug once again. Mark’s reassurance settles over us. I trust that as long as they’re around, I’ll be safe. Nothing that life throws at me will be too much.
I mean, I’m already pregnant. What more could life do?
19
Mari
I toss my suitcase on my bed. Unpacking has me feeling sad, but I have nothing else to do this afternoon.
We got back from Alaska about an hour ago. John and Mark had to go to campus and start getting situated for the rest of the week, but I decided to stay in my dorm. I’m tired from the flight and the motion sickness pill I took before we boarded.
I wish we’d never had to leave Alaska. I was so happy there. My mood dropped the second we got back to New York.
It sucks that our interactions can’t be the same here. The freedom and happiness we enjoyed in Alaska are gone. We have to act like we hardly know each other now.
The baby makes the whole situation more complicated. I hate that even though I’m pregnant with their child, I’m not allowed to tell anyone we’re together.
What will this mean for our future? It’ll be obvious that we got together while I was still John and Mark’s student once I start showing. I might have to leave school because of this. Doing so would prevent anyone from finding out about us.
Will Mark and John expect me to do that? Am I supposed to give up my future because of all this?
They wouldn’t do that to me. Not that I would mind staying home with the baby. I’m excited to meet him or her and to take care of the baby with the guys. However, I would love to be able to continue going to school at some point.
I shouldn’t be worrying about this right now. There’s nothing I can do about it. Plus, it’s no use speculating. Mark, John, and I are going to have a talk about all of the details at some point. We have plenty of time to figure it all out; after all, I’m probably only two months pregnant. That gives us seven more months to make plans.
There’s also the issue of my parents. They’re going to freak out when I tell them about the pregnancy. I know they love me, and they won’t disown me or anything, but I know they’ll be worried. They’ll want to know details, and I’m not sure how much I can tell them right now.
That’s another thing to discuss with Mark and John. I think I want them with me when I tell my parents. It’ll be easier than doing it alone.
I make a mental note to ask them. They might not want to be involved with telling my parents.
The door to my dorm opens and in comes Jessica. She startles when she sees me, then runs over to hug me.
“Mari! I was beginning to think you’d never come home.”
“Sorry! Things were just so great in Alaska; it was hard to leave.”
“Girl, I get that. But I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve missed you, too,” I say, pulling her in for another hug. “So much has happened in the last week and a half.”
Jessica sits on my bed, pushing the still-full suitcase to the side. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m done with classes for the day; you can tell me all about it!”
