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She nodded. “Just give me a few minutes for my legs to start working again.”

Chapter 30

Beth

Things were going shockingly well.

Joey and I had decided to go out for ice cream after school because it was Thursday, the start of the long weekend, and she deserved a treat. She had been working so hard on her spelling and even got a perfect score on the last test.

“The teacher was surprised I could spellgrateful,” Joey said as we lined up to pick out our flavors.

“You’ve been working so hard. I’m not at all surprised! Now, what flavor would you like?”

Joey looked at the display case, biting her lip. I resisted the urge to chuckle because I knew the look on her face all too well. It was indecision.

“Do I only get one?” she asked sweetly.

Normally, I would have held my ground and said yes, but considering I was trying to choose between three different flavors, I couldn’t exactly tell her she could only have one.

“You can pick two today, but only because you aced your test.”

Joey’s face lit up, and she jumped up and down happily, reaching for my hand as she did so. “Thank you, Bethany! I want chocolate chips and strawberry shortcake.”

I nodded, unable to keep the smile off my face. “Those are some good choices! I’m going to get chocolate and raspberry swirl with hot fudge sauce. Do you want sprinkles on yours?”

“Of course!” Joey nodded seriously.

Ice cream toppings were a very serious topic.

Joey ordered her ice cream, shyly thanking the nice beta lady who was helping us, as I paid for our treats. By the time we sat down, the server had already brought the ice cream over. I had chosen one of the fancier ice cream parlors that had table service, but Joey and I had wanted to look at the display ice cream to pick our flavors.

“So, when do you and Daddy J leave?” Joey asked, diving headfirst into the dessert, taking a gigantic bite and humming gleefully.

“Tomorrow morning,” I said. “Daddy J will be going to the game in Nebraska, and I’ll go on the same plane as him before going to see my family.”

When I had expressed that I probably would have to see my family sometime soon, Jensen explained that he had a game in Nebraska coming up. Even though he would be busy working, I knew that having him in the same city as me would help me cope with my family.

So he had booked us tickets on the same flight out.

“Daddy G said we can watch all the princess movies, and Daddy C told me he would take me to the trampoline park.”

“That sounds like a fun weekend! Why the frown?” I asked.

“Do you think Daddy C will mind if I want to go to the trampoline park next weekend? Because then you’ll be here, and you can come with us.”

My heart melted at her sweet words. This child was impossibly thoughtful and kind—her fathers had struck gold with her.

“How about you go with Daddy C this weekend, and all of us can go next weekend? Twice the fun! Only if you’ve finished your homework, though…”

Joey grinned. “I can do that!”

Taking a bite of my ice cream, I thoughtfully hummed to myself. Could I even go to a trampoline park while pregnant? I was so early in my pregnancy that my stomach was still completely flat, but I didn’t know what the risks were. I’m sure if there was any cause for concern, Jensen would stop me, but I didn’t want to get Joey’s hopes up for nothing.

With Joey thoroughly distracted by her dessert, I pulled out my phone and shot a quick text in the group chat.

Beth:

Jensen, can I go to a trampoline park in my condition? I don’t want to get Joey’s hopes up!