Chapter 1

BROOKS

After finding the test and Crystal and I talking, I fixed Crystal something to eat and she went and laid down after eating. I stood there leaning against the door frame watching her sleep and I couldn't help the thoughts that began racing through my mind. Was I going to be able to provide for her myself and provide for a baby? Was her dad going to kill me for not only asking for his daughter's hand but now he has to find out I got her pregnant? Were my mom and Ray going to kill me for getting her pregnant? I already know my mom is going to chew me a new one because we just had this talk not too long ago. I walked into the living room and sat down with my head resting in my hands. F*ck! I went from being the happiest man alive with her saying yes to marrying me, to finding out I am going to be a father and being terrified within 24 hours. I was happy about it at first but now I am scared to death. I honestly don't know how long I have been sitting here but when I looked up I saw Crystal standing in the doorway looking at me.

"What's wrong Brooks?"

"Nothing is wrong baby."

"Don't lie to me, Brooks. I can tell something is wrong with you."

I sighed and told her to sit down.

"I am scared that I won't be able to provide for you and the baby the way I need to."

Crystal grabbed my hands and pulled them to her lips and kissed them.

"Brooks, we are in this together. I have some money saved and I will be getting paid once I start at the daycare. You don't have to do everything by yourself."

"I just don't want you to think I'm not enough. I don't want you to fall out of love with me if I fail to take care of something that I should be able to take care of."

"Brooks Hero Milner, Get that sh*t out of your head right now. I am not going to fall out of love with you. If there is something you can't handle, you have me. We have each other to fall back on. I will be here to help you as I know you will be here to help me."

I pulled her in for a kiss and told her I loved her and our baby with everything I had in me. We lay there on the couch for a while and I rubbed her stomach and talked to our baby. Crystal smiled and laughed when I started talking like a baby to her stomach. I looked up and saw Crystal smiling. I asked what she was smiling for.

"I'm smiling at my soon-to-be husband talking to our unborn son or daughter. What do you want? Girl or boy?"

"I honestly don't care if it's a girl or a boy. I just want a happy healthy baby. What do you want, my love?"

"It doesn't matter to me as long as we have a healthy baby and you and I have a healthy marriage."

I smiled at my soon-to-be wife and placed my hand on her stomach and whispered,

"Daddy can't wait until your mommy and I say I do and we get to spend the rest of our lives happy and raising you, my little sea monkey.."

"Sea monkey?" Crystal asks.

"Yeah I looked up some names to call him or her while in your belly and sea monkey caught my eye."

"I guess I need to find a doctor to go to so we can find out exactly how far along we are and if everything is ok with our little one."

"Do you have your insurance card? I am pretty sure you need it."

"F*ck. I have to ask my dad for it and I know he is going to ask why I need it."

"Just tell him since we are now engaged and you are going to be staying with me, you need it just in case he isn't home in an emergency."

"That sounds better than me just saying just because I want my insurance card."

I laughed and said to breathe. I told her once we get an appointment and check on the baby then we could find a way to tell everyone. Crystal started to yawn and I knew she would end up falling asleep here on the couch if I didn't get her to the bedroom. I stood up and helped her to her feet. I picked her up bridal style and carried her to the bed. I laid her down and undressed then crawled into the bed and snuggled up with her placing my hand across her waist so I could rub her stomach.