"I’d like to call your father," Sarah said. "I’m sure he’s a bit taken aback by all of this."
"Sure," I said. "He’s getting used to it now, but he’s stressed."
"Have you spoken to him, Alex?" Jack asked.
"No, not yet," he said. "I would like to, though."
I was still shivering, so Alex pulled me closer to his side and pressed his lips to my hair. I cuddled deeper into him, relaxing against him when I felt the baby move. It was as if our little one was responding to his daddy's voice.
His parents were doing a good job of reassuring me that everything was going to be fine, and we’d all work together to make sure the baby came first. They were upset and disappointed and were dancing around the idea of me and Alex as a couple.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if we were a couple or not, since we hadn’t really discussed that yet.
At some point in the conversation, my work schedule came up and how I was still pulling eight-hour shifts.
"You’re on your feet all day?" Alex asked.
"Yes." I smiled; did he think a pregnant woman couldn’t work? "I usually crash after a shift like that though."
"It’s too many hours," he said. "You have to get them cut back."
"I’m fine."
"Dad?" He pleaded for assistance.
"If Jocelyn is healthy, and her doctor doesn’t see the harm in her standing all day, then it’s fine. I do agree, though, Jocelyn, the farther along you get, the more strain it will put on your body. So, if you start feeling like it’s too much, listen to your body."
"I will." I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
"You need a new car, "Alex blurted out.
What the hell?
"What?" I asked, when I'd recovered enough from my shock to speak. "Mine is okay; it gets me where I need to go."
"Just barely," he said. "I hated the thought of you driving around in that deathtrap before you were pregnant, but now I can’t let you take that kind of a risk.
Where would you put a car seat in that? I don’t think there are any seatbelts in the back."
"I haven’t thought that far ahead, but I wouldn’t put the baby in the car," I said, going on the defensive. "I guess Max will have to drive us where we need to go until I can get something else."
"I’ll take you for a new car tomorrow," he said.
"No!" I sat up. "You’re not buying me a car."
This conversation was beginning to make me feel like I’d done nothing right in the past few months.
"Jocelyn," he said. "Please don’t argue with me. This is a safety issue."
"Alex," Jack said. "Why don’t we give Jocelyn some time to adjust? She’s been dealing with this pregnancy by herself, and now we’re throwing all of these decisions at her. The car can wait."
"Dad, I want her and the baby to be safe." He looked at me. "Joce?"
It wasn’t an unreasonable request, but I just couldn’t let him buy me a new car. I stood up and walked around the room, rubbing my back.
"What’s wrong?" Alex asked. "Are you okay?"
"My back hurts." I shrugged. The aches and pains weren't anything new. "Look, I know you’re all trying to help, but I’ve had a really long day, and I’m a little overwhelmed."
