Chapter 13: Everything is Okay

Introducing Nico to her drummer, Randell, was easy enough. They all came out of the same scene and the two musicians were already familiar with each other.

Bill Arthag joins the band in the studio to meet with their prospective new guitarist.

And then they jam. Jacklyn was almost surprised by how well Nico knew her repertoire, he didn't even need to look at the sheet music to get right into it. But she's been discovering lately how deeply talented he is, and how well trained. Like her, he grew up in a musical family, and was playing instruments almost as soon as he could walk.

Randell immediately approves of Jacklyn's choice for Ben's replacement. Bill is of the same opinion, and takes Nico aside for a private chat. 

"I assume you're sleeping with her," he says.

Nico frowns, "That's none of your business."

Bill laughs, "I'll take that as a 'yes'. Whatever you're doing, keep it up. Jacklyn is brilliant, but she requires a lot of hand holding. And better you than me. Keep her happy, and we'll all be happy."

The band, along with Bill, goes out that night to celebrate. Now that they've found their new guitarist, they'll be kicking off their tour in a few days.

"Let's go home, and celebrate in private," Nico suggests after the club starts getting busy.

'Home' is Jacklyn's house in Malibu. The couple haven't exactly discussed the status of their relationship or their living arrangements, but since returning from her cabin in the mountains, Nico has stayed at her place and given up his apartment in Hollywood.

"I think I'm dying," Jacklyn groans. She's never felt this sick in her life. "I didn't even drink that much."

Nico remembers their first morning together in his apartment, when she told him she had an iron constitution, and never got sick. "Do you think you might be pregnant?" he asks, his voice barely a whisper. They'd been making more of an effort recently to be responsible, but that night in his apartment...well, their efforts now might have come too late.

"No!" she says with bitter, desperate vehemence, "I'm not pregnant. There's no way..." She starts to cry, hunched over the toilet.

Nico lifts her up and carries her back to bed.

He holds her while she sobs, caresses her and tells her everything is okay, until she cries herself back to sleep.

When she wakes up again, she's alone. She drags herself into the shower, telling herself it was just the drinks making her sick, even though she only had two and had no other hangover symptoms. But as soon as she's dressed, she's back to collapsing in front of the toilet, heaving her guts out.

"Okay, so I'm probably pregnant," she admits.

"I'll do right by you," Nico says gently.

"Well, thanks for the chivalry," Jacklyn says, unable to hold back a sneer, "But there's no need. I'm not having it."

"You just decided that so quickly?" Nico is aghast.

"Well, yeah," she says, "You can't actually want this baby, can you?"

"Jacklyn, sweetheart," Nico says, coming behind her to caress her, "It's our baby. And I do want it."

"We just got together, Nico," Jacklyn says, "We don't even know what we are to each other yet. This is no time to have a baby. We're not ready for this. I'm not ready."

"I know," he says, "I wouldn't have asked for this, for it to be this way. But now that it's come up, I want it. I do love you, Jacklyn."

Jacklyn sighs, "Nico..."

"I know it's your decision," he says, "I'm just asking you to think about it before you decide."

He takes her hands and lifts her out of the chair and into his arms, "Don't underestimate us," he says, "It won't be easy, but we can do this."

"I'll think about it," she promises, though she can't imagine changing her mind.