Chapter 23

"Why are you looking so sad?"Jessa asked.

We'd met for a late breakfast today in between her classes, and my thoughts were preoccupied with the results of the false pregnancy test. It had been a few days, but it was all I could think about. I was trying my hardest to hide my disappointment for my wife. We had a conversation about children. It was even my idea to wait until we knew each other better before we brought a child into this world. Yet all of that changed when I got even an inkling that she could be pregnant.

"I'm okay, Jess," I said, taking a sip of my drink.

"Don't lie to me. You haven't talked shit to me since we got here. What's wrong?"

I sighed heavily. "I thought Kachelle might be pregnant."

"Did she take a test?"

"She did, and it was negative."

"Awww… I'm sorry, Jake. I know how you feel about kids. It'll happen."

"I know. I just hyped myself up and got disappointed. Whenever God blesses us with a baby, I'll be grateful."

"And you'll be a great father. I mean, you had the best practice baby with me."

I chuckled. "See how you made this about you?"

"It made you laugh, though, so it's a win." She smiled as she reached for my hand. "I don't say it enough, but I'm so proud of you, Jacob. You've always been my inspiration. I've never seen you fail at anything you put your mind and heart to. I know I'm spoiled, and I can be bratty, but I hope one day I make you a proud big brother."

"I've always been proud of you, Jess. I see past the spoiled brat. You're loving, genuine, and smart as hell. You're on the road to graduation as valedictorian. You're one of the few people I know that doesn't study, parties until two, a.m then jumps right up for class and ace that shit. Even though you hate people, you're a people person, and they love you. It's your energy."

She flipped her hair. "I am a vibe."

"And a little vain," I mumbled, causing her to snatch her hand away.

"I'm confident, there's a difference. I get that from you."

"I raised you right."

She giggled. "You did. Because of you and Daddy, I low-key feel sorry for any man that doesn't measure up."

"Oh! But when we said it, it was a problem!"

"No, no, no! Y'all tried to come for me. Let's make that clear. Anyway, like I was saying, these niggas have al ot to live up to. Arranged Hearts would have a lot on their hands dealing with me. I can see them having me on the waiting list for years."

I chuckled. "I don't think that would be the case. They are very thorough and efficient. Trust me, as bad as you think you are, there is somebody out there that is perfectly compatible with you."

She shrugged. "I don't know, Jake. Can you see me, of all people, marrying a nigga I never met? And don't get me started on sex! What if the di?—"

"Stop right there. I don't wanna hear that shit."

"My bad. I was about to treat you like Kachelle for a minute."

I shook my head. She had a bad habit of treating me like one of her girlfriends. There had been plenty of times we'd been talking, and she slipped up and called me girl, especially when she was gossiping.

"You can finish this conversation with my wife."

She playfully rolled her eyes before diving back into her meal. We parted ways a short while later, and I headed to my wife's office to take her some food. It was Friday and superhero day. She'd walked out of the house this morning dressed as Storm from X-Men. Baby had the wig and color contacts to match. Halle Berry had nothing on my wife. She looked so damn good in that get-up that I almost made her late.

I couldn't believe my wife was low-key a nerd. It was so sexy on her though. We had Marvel movie marathons or watch anime together all the time. Her Funko Pop action figures had a full display in our walk-in closet. The shit was massive. Since our home had a finished basement, I was thinking of adding a display case or shelving for her. We hadn't really decided what we wanted to do with it just yet, but more than likely, it would be for entertainment.

I stepped into the office and chuckled to myself at all the kids dressed in their superhero outfits. I approached the receptionist desk and was greeted with a smile by a woman dressed like Supergirl.

"Hey is Dr. Mitchell available for a second?"

She looked me up and down for a moment. "May I ask who's asking?"

"Her husband."

"Oh! It's about time we met this mystery man! Hold on a second. Let me see if she'd busy. She was finishing up a cleaning. You can have a seat."

"Thank you."

I copped a seat in the corner and busied myself with checking emails. I could feel a set of eyes on me and looked up to see a kid that couldn't have been more than eight looking at me. He was holding one of my books, looking from it to me. Since my picture was on the back, I was sure he was trying to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

When I waved at him, his eyes widened. He frantically tapped his mother's leg and pointed at me then the book. A big smile broke out on her face when she recognized me. Grabbing her son's hand, she came over to where I sat.

"Hi. I'm sorry to invade your space like this. Are you J.A. Mitchell?"

"It's no problem at all and yes ma'am, I am."

"This is my son, Ellis. He loves your books."

"It's nice to meet you, Ellis."

"Can I get a picture? My friends are gonna be so jealous I met you!"

I chuckled. "Sure thing, man."

He happily took a seat next to me. I loosely wrapped an arm around him, then leaned in and smiled as his mother snapped the picture. After thanking me they had back to their seats but by this time a small line had formed in front of me. There were more kids, all of different ages, than I realized who knew who I was. They were eagerly as excited to get a picture themselves.

I did it mind. Moments like these were my favorite. Each of them introduced themselves and told me their favorite book by me. Some of them asked for my autograph. I was happy to oblige them.

"What's going on here?" I heard.

I looked up to see my wife standing there with a smile on her face and her hands on her hips.

Thomas, the twelve-year-old who was currently taking a picture with me answered. "It's J.A. Mitchell! Can you believe it?"

Kachelle giggled. "Actually, I can. This is my husband."

"You're married to J.A. Mitchell!" Thomas exclaimed. "Why didn't you bring him to work before?"

"Thomas!" his mother scolded. "I'm sure Mr. Mitchell is a very busy man."

He shrugged. "I guess. Hey, if I bring a book, can you sign it for me?"

"Me too!" a few of the other kids chimed in, raising their hands.

"If it's okay with my wife, I'd love to come back and sign a few books for you all."

"Please!" they begged.

"How about this," Kachelle said. "We'll come up with a day when he's free, and he can come sign books for you all? I can let you borrow him for a few hours."

The kids beamed with excitement, and the parents thanked her. I took the last picture and stood with her bag of food in my hands.

"I'm sorry I caused a little ruckus."

"It's okay."

She leaned in and pecked my lips, causing the kids who were watching to erupt with ooo's and giggles.

"Come to my office. These little eyes aren't going to give us any privacy."

She grabbed my hand and led me to the back. Tucked away in her office, she wrapped her arms around me and pressed her lips to mine in a sensual, sexy kiss. I placed the food on the desk and slipped my arms beneath her lab coat to caress her ass in her Storm outfit.

"Damn… I gotta bring you lunch more often if you're gonna kiss me like that."

She giggled as she released me. "Thank you. I'm about to starve. I've been snacking in between patients, and it's done nothing but piss my stomach off. Not only that, I'm ready to come up outta this wig."

"You look so good as Storm, though, baby. We might have to roleplay with this one."

She laughed out loud. "I might be down for that. I'm always up for raining on you."

I smirked. I lived to make her squirt for me.

"How's your morning been?" she asked. "How are my babies?"

"My morning has been decent. I met Jess for a late breakfast, and your babies are good and spoiled. They love sitting at my feet and biting my toes while I try to work."

"They just love you."

"I don't need to be assaulted to know love."

"You better be nice to them."

I playfully waved her off. "I am. I am." Pulling her back into my arms, I hugged her tightly. "I miss you being home."

"I know. I miss it, too. We've spoiled each other. But I'm all yours when I get off. Well, yours, Barkly and Pawly's. How about a movie night? We can order in and cuddle up on that big ass sectional."

I smiled. "I'd like that. I won't hold you up. I know you're busy I just wanted to make sure you ate."

"I appreciate it. I love you."

"I love you, too, baby."

We left her office, and she walked me back up front. We shared a quick peck on the lips before I walked back into the lobby and out the front door. Settled in my car, I heaved a heavy sigh. My mind went right back to the baby thing. I wasn't sure why it was weighing so heavily on me. Every time I opened the drawer in the bathroom and saw the second pregnancy test, my heart broke a little.

I never wanted to pressure Kachelle into giving me a baby. I wanted conception to be natural, and most of all, I wanted a child when we both felt we were ready. I knew I was… I wasn't too sure about her, though. I couldn't tell if she was disappointed or relieved that the test was negative.

We hadn't spoken on the subject since. Jess was the only person I shared my disappointment with. I knew our time would come, though, and when it did, I'd be the best father I could to our children.

I said a quick prayer, cranked up my car and pulled out of the parking lot.