LUKE
I ran into the hospital office just in time to see Jess sitting in the waiting area, paging through a magazine with a hand resting on her very pregnant belly. Fuck – she’s the most beautiful creature on this planet.
I marched over, my heart racing, and pressed my lips against her cheek and then her mouth, molding her to me–As I pulled away, I noticed the flush creeping up her cheeks, a sweet contrast to the worry lines etched on her forehead.
“I’m sorry, babe,” I blurted, a bit breathless. “I thought I was late.”
“That’s okay,” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. The doctors were running behind, so you didn’t miss anything.” She smiled up at me and motioned for me to sit down next to her. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” she asked me like she just saw straight through me.
I shifted on my feet before sitting down and bracing my elbows on my knees. “The interview was a fuckup. Josh and I lost it when the fucking host insinuated there was more that happened between us all on the island.” I sighed and Jess turned towards me, rubbing my back.
“You know publicity is all about the drama. I’m sure Sarah and Josh both cleared it up, right?” She said, her voice soft and soothing. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
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“Well, I lost my shit on national TV and stormed off, so the Team’s PR rep has been calling me non–stop. Josh agreed, and kind of did the same, but Sarah… I groaned, leaning back and slumping in the chair before looking over at Jess. Her beautiful blue eyes were kind and caring and she patiently waited for me to tell her what the hell was going on.
“Sarah ran after me, and she told me that she did the fucking opposite when a tabloid approached her. Something about not getting the same payout we did and a lot of debt. So they offered her money if she could confirm there was something more there.” I sat up, turning to Jess now and taking her hands in mine, my eyes flitting to her belly. “She told them she fell in love with me, but I promise you, Jess. Nothing fucking happened. I swear it.” I pleaded with her softly, expecting her to turn away from me, but she didn’t. Instead, she placed a palm on my cheek and kissed me.
“I’m sorry. You guys suffered enough on the island, and now this. I know nothing happened. I trust you completely.” She whispered, and I sighed in relief, leaning into her.
“I saw that article and mentioned it to my therapist. She said something about a trauma bond and dissociation of survivors – sometimes they forget the difference between fantasy and reality or something. She just needs a bit of help and distance – that’s all.”
I pulled back and looked at her. “You see a … therapist?” I asked softly, and Jess nodded slowly, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.
“I… After they said, you were… Well – I didn’t do so well and I refused to acknowledge the baby and my head was just all
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messed up. Laura forced me to go and it wasn’t as scary as I thought. It helped a lot actually and I still sometimes have a session to to talk about my feelings. It helps to get someone’s perspective you know?” Jess said softly, looking away but I turned her face back to me.
“I’m sorry babe. I sometimes forget what you must have been through while I was stuck on that forsaken island.” I said, holding her gaze. She leaned in to kiss me. “You had it worse. If you want to talk about – with someone, it does help you know?” She offered and I shook my head.
“When it’s just you and me, I’ll tell you all about it. I’m not
keeping it bottled in or anything. I just wanted to be home first, I missed you too much to relive that whole thing but I promise – I will tell you everything.”
I was about to kiss her again, but a door opened, and a woman in a white coat walked out with a grin on her face.
“Ready to find out if it’s a boy or a girl?”
