Searching for Love Ch. 05

Sorry it's been so long since I updated last; I got busy with writing another story that came to me in a dream; not sure if I'm going to post it yet or not. I have a lot on my plate story wise right now. I'm pretty sure the end of this chapter will make some of you cheer.

I apologize if any of the language used offends anyone; I personally do not share the beliefs of some of the characters; I wrote the character to be as unappealing as possible. It is an act of fiction, I myself am a very open-minded person and I openly accept everyone and their personal choices; it is their choice and it is not my place to judge them; only G-d's. Again, I apologize if the language offends anyone, and I remind you again that it is just fiction.

Ashira

*

"Nervous?" Caitlin asked as she and Claire helped Jessica into her wedding dress. Jessica nodded.

"I love Danny and I know he loves me, but this is a huge step," Jessica admitted.

"You already have two kids with him; this is the next logical step," Claire teased. Jessica nodded and shifted uncomfortably. "Don't tell me you're pregnant again," Claire said with a laugh.

Jessica nodded and sighed. Claire laughed and shook her head.

"Danny needs to give you a break. You're going to burn out having a baby every year," Claire warned Jessica. Jessica nodded. Jessica looked at Caitlin.

"What's wrong?" Jessica asked. Caitlin shook her head.

"Nothing," she lied, unconvincingly. "We'll talk later," Caitlin added as she finished Jessica's hair. Jake knocked on the door. "Are you ladies ready because Danny looks ready to jump out of his skin," Jake joked. Jessica smiled and sighed.

"Five more minutes and we'll be walking down," Caitlin told him. Jake nodded and closed the door behind him.

"Have you told Danny about the baby?" Claire asked.

"No. I'm not even sure if I am pregnant," Jessica answered.

"How late are you?" Caitlin wanted to know.

"Only a few days, but I'm usually so regular," Jessica answered. She shook her head. "I'll worry about being pregnant after the wedding," she added. Caitlin gave her friend a hug. Claire grinned.

"Jess, we're in the infirmary, so why don't I just do a blood test really quickly and you'll have the results by the end of the ceremony, that way you know if it's safe for you to drink the champagne," Claire suggested.

"But you'll miss the ceremony," Jessica protested.

"No, I won't. I'll draw the blood and run the test; and I can come back and get the results after the ceremony," Claire said, grabbing a needle and drawing the blood. Luckily, Jessica's gloves covered the band aid.

"Are you ladies ready?" Cal asked, ducking his head in. Claire started the test running and set the machine to shut off when the test was done.

"Yes, we're ready," Jessica said as Caitlin helped her adjust the veil. Cal escorted them to the stair way where Jake took Caitlin's hand and walked her down to the chapel.

"You look beautiful," Jake murmured. Caitlin smiled.

"You don't look so bad yourself," Caitlin teased. Jake laughed and they both stopped talking when they walked into the chapel. Caitlin gave Danny a hug and stood off to one side as Clare followed Caitlin into the chapel. Danny stood up straighter as he saw Cal and Jessica at the top of the stairwell.

"Are you okay? You seem a little jumpy," Danny observed as they stood in the doorway of the mess accepting the congratulations of the men in the company.

"I'm fine," Jessica murmured as Claire walked over to them.

"Can I steal you both for a few minutes?" Claire asked. Danny and Jessica nodded and followed Claire into the kitchen. "I have a wedding present for you," she began. "Well, actually, you gave it to yourselves," Claire said. Danny looked puzzled and Jessica looked at Claire who nodded.

"What am I missing?" Danny asked.

Claire smiled. "Congratulations, to you both," she murmured before walking into the mess.

"Jess?" Danny asked. Jessica smiled a little.

"I had Claire run a pregnancy test earlier. It was positive," Jessica answered, her voice soft, unsure of how he'd feel about having a third child in the space of three years. Danny kissed Jessica lovingly.

"Are you okay?" he asked, seeing the uneasy look on her face. Jessica nodded.

"I love you Danny," Jessica murmured. Danny grinned and wrapped his arms around her carefully.

"I love you too," Danny said. "Let's go celebrate," he added, leading Jessica back to the mess.

-2 weeks later-

"How was the honeymoon?" Caitlin asked Jessica as she helped her bake some bread.

"Aside from the morning sickness, wonderful," Jessica answered. Caitlin laughed and shrieked as someone's arms wrapped around her waist.

"That had better be Jake or someone will be getting their asses kicked," Caitlin threatened.

"It's me love," Jake said, nuzzling Caitlin's neck. Jessica smiled, glad her friends were finding peace. "Are you feeling better?" he asked. Caitlin nodded.

"I think I just had a case of the stomach flu," Caitlin answered. Jessica glanced at her friend carefully as she covered the bread dough with plastic wrap to let it rise.

"Caitlin, can you finish up for me? I'm feeling kinda funny all of a sudden," Jessica asked. Jake and Caitlin studied Jessica carefully and Jake reached for Jessica as she gasped loudly.

"What's wrong?" Jake asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Oh God, Jake, look," Caitlin said softly. Jake followed Caitlin's gaze and his eyes widened when he saw blood trailing down Jessica's legs. Jake lifted Caitlin into his arms and carried her into the infirmary.

When Jake saw Caitlin later that day, Caitlin was sitting on his bed waiting for him, her clothes in a pile by the floor. "Are you okay?" Jake asked. Caitlin nodded.

"I had a meeting with Cal, it didn't go over so well," Caitlin answered.

"What was it about?" Jake asked.

"Cal wanted to send me on an op and I told him I couldn't go," Caitlin said. Jake's eyes narrowed.

"Why can't you?" Jake wanted to know. Caitlin smiled, reached behind her and pulled something off of the night stand.

"Because of this," she answered, handing it to him. Jake stared at the small device.

"EPT?" he inquired. Caitlin nodded.

"Look at it better, it's digital, you should be able to figure out what it is," Caitlin told him. Jake looked at it more closely.

"You're pregnant." Caitlin nodded and studied Jake's face carefully, unsure of how he was feeling. Suddenly, Jake grinned and wrapped his arms around her. "Have you seen Claire?" Jake wanted to know.

"As soon as the test came back positive. Everything looks good. And Jess didn't miscarry, so we'll be pregnant together," Caitlin said. Jake trailed kisses down Caitlin's neck and rested his lips on her abdomen. "Jake, you're going to make me cry," Caitlin whispered. Jake laughed and pulled away long enough to pull his own clothing off before pressing Caitlin back against the mattress.

"Is it okay to make love?" Jake asked, his cock poised above her.

"As long as you're gentle," Caitlin assured him. Jake pressed gently into her and Caitlin moaned.

A knock at the door had them pulling apart and reaching for the blanket as the door opened and Cal walked into the room.

"Your timing is impeccable," Jake groaned. Cal chuckled.

"I see Caitlin told you that she's pregnant," Cal observed. Jake nodded and grinned.

"Do you have a problem with that Commander?" Jake asked, seeing the look of disapproval.

"Look Jake, as a friend, I'm very happy for you, but as your Commanding officer, I disapprove. You and Caitlin are two of my best operatives, and I need you both in the game. Now, with Caitlin being pregnant, she can't go into the field, it's too dangerous. And I'm going to assume, like Danny, you refuse to leave Caitlin until after the baby comes," Cal said. Jake looked at Caitlin.

"We haven't discussed that yet," Jake admitted. Cal sighed.

"I'll have to talk to my superiors, but I don't know how I can spare both you and Danny. Obviously with the near miscarriage that Jessica almost had earlier, he may be allowed to stay on base, but I doubt I can spare all three of you," Cal said.

"Cal, whatever you decide is fine, just try not to send Jake on an op near Christmas," Caitlin said.

"When is your due date?" Jake asked suddenly. Caitlin laughed.

"Three days after Jessica, and two days after Christmas," Caitlin replied. Cal shook his head.

"The hormones are going to be raging," he prophesied.

Jake grinned. "Just don't knock Claire up and we'll be fine," he joked. Cal paled visibly and left the room, Jake and Caitlin laughing as he closed the door.

"Caitlin, are you okay?" Jessica asked, walking into the mess. Caitlin looked up and nodded, wiping the tears off of her cheeks. "Do you need me to get Jake?" Jessica wanted to know. Caitlin shook her head. "Do you want to talk?" Caitlin nodded.

"I told you about what my step father did to me right?" Caitlin murmured. Jessica nodded, a feeling of unease flowing through her. "My mother wrote me a letter. My brother wants to meet me," Caitlin said, nibbling on the bagel she had snatched from the pantry. Jessica sucked in a breath and let it out slowly.

"Did your mother know what your step father had done?" Jessica wanted to know.

"No, she assumed I had been sleeping with one of the neighborhood boys. He got sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Texas," Caitlin answered. "But she agreed to raise the baby as her own," she added.

"Have them come to the base, and let them see what you've made for yourself," Jessica suggested.

"Are you insane? I don't want to see him again, ever!" Caitlin exclaimed. Jessica sighed.

"Caitlin, you need get some closure to this. It will help with your and Jake's relationship," Jessica said gently. Caitlin wrinkled her nose and tossed the bagel onto her plate.

"Morning sickness?" Jessica guessed. Caitlin looked at Jessica in surprise. "Jake told Danny first thing this morning," Jessica said with a grin. Caitlin laughed. "Seriously though Caitlin, invite your mother and your brother here. Jake, Danny and I will back you up," Jessica murmured as Jake and Danny walked in. Jake was holding Will's hand and Kylie clinging to Danny. "Hey buddy," Jessica said when Will jumped into her lap.

"Careful Will, mommy's still a little sick," Danny said gently. He looked at Jessica. "Speaking of, shouldn't you be in bed? Claire told you to take it easy," Jessica sighed.

"Danny, walking to the mess to get some food or gossip with a friend isn't going to cause me to lose the baby," Jessica retorted. Danny bit back a remark and Jake looked at Caitlin with an amused grin.

"Okay you two, opposite ends of the mess," Caitlin joked. Jessica blushed and Danny grinned.

"Sorry, we're a little on edge," Danny admitted.

"And someone is just too protective," Jessica teased.

"Probably," Danny said with a grin.

"You okay?" Jake asked Caitlin. She nodded and glanced at Jessica who sighed.

"What?" Danny asked. Jessica smiled.

"Nothing, just thinking," Jessica said. Danny opened his mouth to say something else when Cal walked into the mess.

"Jake, Danny, we have a situation," Cal said. Danny and Jake sighed but followed Cal into his office.

"Are you okay?" Jessica asked, as she waited with Caitlin at the gate for Caitlin's family.

"No, I'm terrified. I haven't seen my mother or stepfather since I was released from the hospital after having Craig," Caitlin said, her voice shaky.

"How old is Craig?" Jessica asked.

"Twelve," Caitlin answered.

Both of the girls looked up as a dark SUV pulled into the driveway and came to a stop in front of the garage. "Oh God," Caitlin whispered. Jessica grabbed her friend's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I think I'm going to throw up," she murmured.

"Deep breath, you'll be fine," Jessica promised as the doors opened.

"Caitlin, look at you!" her mother exclaimed.

"Hi mom." Caitlin said with a small smile. She glanced back at Jessica who stepped forward. "This is my friend Jessica Storm. Jess, this is my mother Evelyn, my stepfather Michael and my brother Craig," Caitlin introduced. Jessica politely shook everyone's hands, even though being anywhere near Michael made Jessica feel the urge to shower in steaming hot water.

"I hate to be rude, but we need to take this reunion inside before Danny staples my butt to a chair," Jessica said, giving Caitlin a grin. Caitlin laughed.

"Is there something wrong with your legs?" Michael asked, looking Jessica up and down with a leer.

"No, but I nearly miscarried a few weeks ago and have been given explicit instructions to stand as little as possible," Jessica said coldly.

"Then let's get you inside," Evelyn said, pushing the girls forward.

Cal, Jake and Danny were waiting in the mess and everybody else was gone; Cal had cleared the compound with the exception of a few personnel in hopes that fewer questions would be asked.

"Mom, Michael, this is my boss Cal Hopkins, Jessica's husband Danny and my boyfriend Jake Davis,"Caitlin introduced. Evelyn smiled politely but Michael gave Jake a look that could kill.

"So what exactly is it you do around here?" Michael asked with a sneer.

"We work for the government," Cal answered, exchanging glances with Jake and Danny.

"Doing what?" Michael wanted to know.

"It's classified," Danny said, stepping forward.

"I wasn't asking you boy," Michael told Danny.

"That's enough Michael," Evelyn said softly.

"I will decide when it's enough," Michael growled at his wife. Craig rolled his eyes.

"So, Craig, what are you interested in?" Jake asked.

Craig shrugged. "Stuff," he answered. Caitlin toyed with her necklace anxiously.

"The little fagot is interested in women's things, like cooking and cleaning," Michael sneered.

"There's nothing wrong with a young man knowing how to cook and clean. It could come in handy," Jessica said.

"For what? For when his wife leaves him for fucking another man?" Michael asked, rolling his eyes. Craig looked embarrassed and like he wanted to cry.

"Craig, why don't you come help me for a minute," Jessica suggested. Craig looked at Evelyn who nodded her approval and Craig followed Jessica into the large kitchen off the back of the mess.

"What did you want mom?" Caitlin asked, folding her arms across her chest. Danny checked the setting on the baby monitor to make sure he could listen for Kylie and Will if they woke up before turning his attention back to Caitlin's family.

"I missed my daughter. I haven't seen you in twelve years," Evelyn said. She avoided Michael's eyes. "And Craig knows that you're his biological mother," she added. Caitlin's eyes widened and Jake stood up.

"And does he know who his father is?" Caitlin asked.

"Catie, don't do this," Jake murmured, regretting his decision to agree with Jessica about meeting with the family.

"I told him we didn't know who his father was; you never told us," Evelyn answered.

"Michael knows who Craig's father is," Caitlin said.

"Don't you fucking do this, you fucking little cunt!" Michael warned, his eyes narrowing. Jake slipped his hand in Caitlin's and squeezed it tightly.

"How could Michael know?" Evelyn asked, glancing from her daughter to her husband.

"Because after you had to have the hysterectomy, Michael raped me every night until I got pregnant," Caitlin announced. Evelyn's eyes widened, and she looked from her daughter back to her husband.

"You lying little bitch!" Michael snapped. Caitlin refused to back down.

"Where's my birth mark Michael?" Caitlin asked.

"How should I know, I've never changed your diaper," Michael answered. Caitlin gave a smug smile.

"If you haven't changed my diaper, how would you know it's in the diaper region?" she asked sweetly.

"Your mother told me you have a crescent moon shaped birth mark right above where your pubic line is now," Michael answered.

"I said no such thing. I told you she had a birth mark, but never what it was or where," Evelyn said, her voice growing cold. Michael lunged at Caitlin who stepped back, grabbed his arms as Michael reached her and flipped him over her back. Before Michael could get up, Caitlin had a foot in his chest and a gun pointed at his head.

"Like Cal said, we work for the government, and I can do things now that I couldn't do twelve years ago that would make you piss yourself and scream like a little girl," Caitlin said, her voice low and even; controlled. Michael swallowed hard as Jessica and Craig returned to the mess. The look on Craig's face proved he had heard everything.