Julia

"You're gonna be a dad?"

Moose looked at the pictures of Peppercorn and then back up at Jagger and then back down at the pictures.

"Yeah.." Jagger said, holding my hand underneath the table as we sat with the group. Both of our palms were clammy and my stomach was in knots.

"I can't...process this.." Moose smiled, "My best friend is going to be a dad."

"Dibs on babysitting first," Carlene said, "I can't wait!"

Cody smiled, "Wait—does this mean no fraternity? Bro..you loser. Congratulations!"

"I can't believe it!" Heather wrapped an arm around me and sobbed, "You're...wait..."

Slinking back into her seat it finally dawned on them:

The two of us were in trouble.

Jagger

"Your father..." Carlene huffed, "What about..."

"My health.." Julia whispered.

"And his.." Moose crossed his arms over his chest, "I am all for being Uncle Moose, but Jesus...this is a shit show."

"Are you mad?" Julia asked Heather who shook her head.

"Not at all. I am worried, of course," Heather said, "You've got us, don't they?"

We couldn't have been happier with the support from our friends, but they're rapid firing of questions was causing me to have a panic attack.

"We're seeing doctors and...she's seven weeks now.." I said, "We weren't going to tell anyone, but my big mouth slipped."

Moose shook his head, "No..this was a good thing. With your father being a prick and both of your exes on the loose, you need backup."

"You're all...OK with this?"

"We're wanting YOU two to be alright with it," Heather said, "I am so happy for the both of you."

"Why?"

Heather frowned, "Why not?"

I shrugged, "I didn't think all of you would be fine with it.."

Moose smirked, "I'm gonna be an uncle—you have the means and even though you've been a dick sometimes, you deserve happiness, Jag. I think she gives you that happiness."

He nodded towards Julia who blushed.

"Whatever you two choose to do with your relationship is up to you," my best friend continued, "But if I'm not the godfather, there's gonna be hell to pay."

Julia

I smiled at that—especially when Cody scoffed.

"No way. I'm better with kids than you are, Michael."

"Michael?" Moose scowled, playfully, "I'm gonna kick your ass, tight end."

"Promises, promises.."

"A baby shower..." Carlene piped up, "Do you want one?"

I glanced over at Jagger who looked even more lost than I did.

"I..I d-don't know...we haven't thought about it really.."

"Well, we should," Heather said, "But it's whatever the two of you want. I can't imagine how overwhelmed you must feel."

I felt overwhelmed, but it was such a relief to have them by our side.

Jagger leaned over and kissed my cheek. His displays of affection were always on time, like he'd known the real me for my entire life.

"They can argue who's going to change diapers," he whispered in my ear.

"I'm scared," I told him,

"Me too.."

At least he was transparent and not trying to be macho for me.

I liked that—I needed to know I wasn't crazy.

"But it doesn't leave this room." Jagger said, his brute coming out again, "I might be a nice guy to Julia now, but I can and will fuck all of you up if I have to."

Even Moose knew he wasn't kidding.

"We got it," he said, "Promise."

I had seen Jagger mad—I knew he was capable of doing the worst to people and that's one thing that scared him about himself.

He didn't scare me, though. I knew him. I knew his voids.

We'd made an appointment with an actual psychiatrist and setup another MRI for him.

I needed him to be alright—just like he needed me to be alright.

And especially our baby.

Jagger

"Wow..." Julia said when our friends gave us the sincerest hugs and left my dorm with Carlene and Heather already planning a baby shower.

"I didn't think all of them would be alright with it," I said, "I'm happy, though."

Julia smiled, "Me too.."

She rubbed her belly and I could tell she was already exhausted.

"Want some dinner?"

"Maybe some crackers and cheese," she said, "I'm so tired.."

I nodded and helped her to the bed, taking her shoes off and propping up her pillows.

"Need a ginger ale?"

"Yes, please.." Julia smiled, "You don't have to cater to me,-"

I put up a hand, "Yes, I do. You even got up and made breakfast for us in between vomiting. How can I not do this for you, sugar?"

"Get yourself some and join me then?"

"Of course."

My head was pounding. I hadn't told her about the employment offers already coming in or that my father knew her schedule, but Moose was taking care of it.

"Are you ready to wear that tiara?" I teased, "You know we'll win, right?"

She rolled her eyes and laughed, "I can't see myself being the queen of homecoming."

"Well, you're already mine."

The thought left my mouth before I could stop.

She smiled at me shyly, "Whatever becomes of us, I know you'll be a great dad, Jagger."

A dad..

The voids would not touch my child.