Page 74 of Do It Yourself
“Hey, Elle, what can I d?—”
“Jude, fuck, Mabel’s freaking out. Can you come to her house?”
“I’m on my way!” I hang up the call, my pulse speeding up as I push past Reese, I yell a quick explanation over my shoulder. I’m not positive I’m making any sense but I couldn’t give a fuck.
I’m at Mabel’s front door, fist pounding against the wood, before I can think. It takes longer than I would have liked but Elle opens the door and ushers me in. She starts to speak, attempting to explain what’s going on but I don’t listen. I don’t care. Something’s wrong with Mabel, getting to her is all that matters.
“I don’t care what’s going on. I need to see her. Where is she?” Elle says nothing but pulls me towards the bathroom. The door is open and for a moment, my searching gaze flicks across the room before finally finding her on the floor, she’s curled into a little ball, Lola’s draped around her. Lola’s rubbing her back and whispering soothing words.
When Lola sees that I’m here now, she lets Mabel go and makes room for me. I give her a quick nod of thanks beforesquatting down in front of my women. A small part of me realizes that Mabel must have told Lola and Elle about us but I can’t care about that right now.
Something is wrong with Mabel. She needs me.
That’s the only thing that matters right now.
“Hey, Trouble. What’s going on?” I keep my voice low, I don’t want to startle her. A small gasp escapes Mabel and before I can properly react, she’s launched herself at my chest. The force of her knocks me on my ass but I don’t care, Mabel’s in my arms. Her body shakes with sobs and she’s clinging to me like a baby koala, as she wraps her arms around my neck I feel something fall down my back and hear it clatter against the tiled floor.
“I’m sorry.”
Sorry?
What the hell could she be sorry for.
“Mabel, shhh, it’s okay.” I tighten my hold on her middle and, very awkwardly, stand with her still in my arms. “One decision and then I’ll take care of everything. Bed or couch?” I carry her out of the bathroom, Elle and Lola are standing in the living room with concern painted all over their faces.
“Couch.” Mabel’s answer is quiet but her head is resting against mine so it’s not hard to understand her.
“You got it, babe.” I carry Mabel into her living room, Elle and Lola part like the red sea to let me through.Once I set Mabel down they’re quick to sit on the couch opposite us.
There’s a blanket tossed over the back of the couch, I pull it off and tuck Mabel in like a burrito before I head to the kitchen. Just like the last time I found her in a similar state, I fill up a glass of water and something light for her to snack on.
A sleeve of saltine crackers should do the trick.
Making my way back to Mabel, she already has her arm of her burrito blanket ready to accept her water glass. She takessmall tepid sips as I open up the crackers but I’m happy as long as she’s taking something in.
I wait until she eats a cracker and washes it down before I look over at her sisters. This is a strange situation but they know what’s going on and with Mabel just barely calming down, I’m not going to re-upset her with questions. I give Mabel another cracker before attempting to get to the bottom of what’s made her so upset, “What happened?”
Almost like they practiced, they both flinch and look over at Mabel. They must have some telepathic conversation because Lola nods and stands. “I think it would be better to just show you.” She leaves the room, heading into the bathroom and returns with her hands clenched around…something?
I give Mabel another cracker.
Lola shoots a nervous glance at Mabel, causing Elle to roll her eyes and mutter “For fuck’s sakes.” Lola lets out a small sigh and sticks her hand out, I lift my hand to catch whatever it is she wants to give me. She drops a small plastic stick in my hand.
I look at it, what it actually is not fully registering in my brain. “Jude.” Mabel’s voice is watery and her sad voice resparks my brain.
I’m looking at a pregnancy test.
A positive pregnancy test.
Oh fuck.
“Mabel, are you pregnant?”
I look over at the woman I love, warmth starting to bloom in my belly at the idea of making a family with her. The warmth spreads to my groin at the thought of her being so filled by my release that one unprotected time could do this .
“Pretty much.” Mabel won’t look at me but I can tell she’s getting upset again. Her body is tense. My girl looks like a strong breeze would knock her over.
“Oh, Mama. It’s going to be okay. What a lucky kid to have you as their mom.” That must have been the wrong thing to say, Mabel lets out a small whine and starts to sob again.
