Jagger

After winning the homecoming game, I made sure Julia was safe on the sidelines with Heather and Zoey.

If no one knew she was pregnant, getting tackled by a mob of very excited football fans might have killed her or the baby.

"Great job,bro!" Jo squealed, hugging me tightly, "You sure played hard!"

I looked back at Julia who was absolutely stunning as she waited patiently for me.

"Good game. Better be glad you won."

"Oh, hush,Lawrence!" Mom scolded, "We're so proud of you."

As I spoke with Jas and Jo, Mom and Dad bickered. I prayed she'd leave him.

She deserved so much better.

Julia

"What do you want?"

I was mortified that Eric would even attempt to talk to me with Jagger mere yards away.

"I was just seeing if you're alright. Your fall and all.."

I shivered. Was he my assailant?

"Yeah, kinda weird that they didn't have the cameras working, right?"

"Isn't that how it always goes?"

I couldn't believe his audacity, but I didn't want to cause Jagger to relapse so I pulled Eric away and underneath the bleachers.

"Tell me if it was you!"

"It wasn't me."

"Lies..you've hurt me before."

"Well, I hate to break it to you, but it wasn't me. I'm sorry it happened."

I could feel myself spinning.

I wasn't spinning, though.

My blood sugar was dropping.

"Julia..?"

I turned to walk away from him so I could get to safety.

Jagger

"So, do we want to celebrate at the house?" Mom asked.

"Nah, I've got to get to my studies," I said, now noticing Julia was missing.

"Studying for what?" Dad asked, "Where the fuck did you get the money,-"

"I have my own money and you know it," I snarled, "Leave us alone."

Moose eyed me from a distance and waved his hands around as if to indicate he'd lost sight of my girl.

"I gotta go," I said, "How about we meet up tomorrow for dinner?"

Mom was delighted, "Yes, I'll make the reservations at Brady's."

"Nice," I said, "Call me when you're home safely."

I didn't care about them anymore—I had to find her.

I felt myself grow clammy and impatient—where was she?

"Someone help me! I need a medic!"

Eric's voice filtered through my ears as I found him holding Julia in his grimy arms.

"What did you do to her?!" I pushed him off and scooped Julia into my arms.

"She's a fucking diabetic. It's her sugars, I'm sure. I didn't do a damn thing!"

Diaz rushed over and helped me carry Julia onto one of the bleachers.

She roused moments later.

"Get the monitor," I said, motioning to her bag, "We need to check her."

A nurse for the team hurried to our side and triaged Julia who said she's just felt faint and then fell over.

I looked to my Mom who was studying the scene.

Dad and the girls were off in the distance.

My Mother knew right away as my jersey lifted slightly, showing off Julia's little bump. I quickly pulled down the shirt and watched them give Julia some juice as she returned to normal.

I looked back at my mom who didn't judge—she wasn't like that. She was concerned.

"Are you needing the funds from your trust?"

I looked down and then back at my mom as if I was a little boy again getting into trouble.

"Are you mad at me?"

"Oh, honey...no I'm not," Mom said, smiling, "I am so happy to become a grandma. I am worried for the two of you and that little one.."

"Me too.."

"I'll sign over for you," Mom said without hesitation, "You'll have the money by the end of the week."

"And Dad?"

"Dad..." she turned to look in his direction, "Dad's going to have to understand that you're a grown man and this is where life has taken you."

She hugged me tightly—just like I needed her to.

"Take care of each other, baby..." Mom said, "Don't become like me and your father. I love you so much."

Diaz had walked up to us at that moment. His shy smile towards my mother and her flirtatious grin back to him caught me off guard, but I had to tend to my own little family.

My...little family...

Julia

We had the funds by the end of the week and I think that my shock could be heard, seen, and felt throughout the universe.

"Two million dollars?"

"Yes, it's all here," Jagger said as if I was losing my mind for nothing, "We'll have nothing to worry about now."

"Two...million...dollars.."

Jagger laughed, "Get used to it, sugar. I plan on spoiling both of you forever."

"Forever?"

"Forever."

"Don't,-"

"I know, I know..don't marry you because you're pregnant," he scoffed, "It'll happen."

"What?"

"Love...us...eternity.." he said, resting his head on my stomach, "Eventually.."