Jemma's Pov:

After a few laps in the pool I was cooled off enough for my brain to function properly. I floated on my back while Michael did more laps.

So much was happening so quickly. I've been thinking about quitting The Zone. After the baby comes and I start college I just wont have time to work there. Maybe once in a while if they get in a jam but not full time.

We've already hammered out all the wedding plans and I found a wedding dress online that was perfect. So all I have to do is get the right size but I'm going to wait until a couple of weeks before the wedding so there's less chance of me out growing my dress.

The house is perfect, even the wall colors are good. It's completely move in ready. The only thing I wanna change is the color for the baby's room but it'll have to wait until we find out if we're having a boy or girl.

I've been thinking about school and I know the smart thing to do is finish early but now that it's happening I really don't want to.

Maybe I can talk to Sully after I take the tests and even though I'm finished with the core classes I could just take electives all day. That way if it did come out that Michael and I are together it shouldn't cause as much drama. Right?

Michael swam up next to me. "Something wrong Love?"

"No I was just thinking about things. I've decided that I'm gonna quit the club. It isn't really feasible after I have Squishy and start college."

"I know how much that place means to you Jems. We'll figure it out so you can still work there. You can go to school during the day and work at the club at night. I'll stay home with the baby after I get out of work."

I shook my head. "No between classes and the club I'd only have a few hours with you and Squishy and that's not good enough. I'll just fill in when they're short once in a while or when Pop's and Mummy go out of town. The club is important but you and our baby are more important."

"You really are an amazing woman. I love ya sweetheart."

We floated to the shallow end of the pool and I sat on the steps. "Tell me what else is on your mind love." Michael said sitting next to me.

"What do you think about me staying in school after I finish my tests? I was thinking about everything and I kinda want to stay. I know the longer we're together and I'm your student the riskier it is. So I was thinking I'd still take the exams and after I pass. You wont be my teacher for anything but when I'm your aid and that is just a pass/fail elective. But I don't want to cause you your job so I want your opinion."

He grabbed my hand and kissed my palm. "Sweetheart whatever makes you happy. Yes it's risky but we're not doing anything illegal so the only thing we're risking is my job. Jobs come and go and even if I lost this one there are other options out there. We'll just have to hold off on the PDA for a few extra months."

I kissed his cheek and dragged him up. "Lets go home. I'm hungry and hopefully Skip will be there. I missed the goofball."

"You want to pick something up or you want me to make you something?" Michael asked as we pulled out of our new driveway.

"How about Pizza? With sausage, extra mushrooms and pickles on it. Oh and see if they can use bbq sauce instead of regular pizza sauce."

Michael laughed. "Ok so I'll order a pregnant girl special and a plain peperoni for me."

We got home and Michael placed our order while I unlocked the door. We walked in and I smiled at the sight of Skip and Tina all curled up asleep on the couch.

Michael and I tiptoed to the bedroom and changed out of our semi wet clothes. I put on one of my tight stretchy tank tops and a pair of Michael's boxers. So comfy. There was a light knock on our bedroom door and Michael called come in.

Skip stood there for a second then smiled widely. "So do we got like super swimmers or what?" He told Michael pulling me into a hug.

"So I'm gonna be an uncle huh?" He grinned and put his hand on my tummy.

Michael winked at me and popped Skip on the back of the head.

"What the hell are you talking about? You're gonna be a daddy. Not uncle! I would never cheat on Jemma or sleep with your girlfriend!"

I bit my lip at Skips facial expressions.

"I wasn't talking about Tina dipshit. A little birdy said Muffin butt was preggers. She looks it too."

I poked his chest. "Are you trying to imply that I look fat?"

His eyes widened and he turned a little red. "Uhh nah muffin butt. I was just.. You have that pregnancy glow. I didn't mean-"

I heard Tina's giggles from behind him. "Guys, cut it out. You're gonna make my baby daddy cry."

Michael and I laughed and I hugged Skip.

"Sorry Skippy we were just messing around. I'm due a little over a month after Tina."

He punched Michael in the arm. "You guys suck! What kinda welcome home was that for a war hero?"

We walked to the living room and I noticed Tina's eyes were a little puffy and looking closer at Skip. He looked a little stressed and wasn't his usual bubbly self.

Michael seemed to notice too and after we all sat down asked. "Is everything alright?"

Skip's jaw tightened and Tina teared up.

I went and sat next to her. "What happened baby cakes?" I asked wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

Skip was the one that answered. "I picked Tina up after school and asked her to marry me. She gave me hell but after a while I convinced her that it wasn't just because the baby. I love her and want to spend the rest of our live together. We went to her house to tell her parents."

He looked at Michael darkly. "They didn't take it well." He drawled.

I hugged her tighter. "How bad did they take it?"

He looked back at me and came over to pick Tina up and settle her in his arms. He whispered something to her and she nodded. He looked back up and met my eyes. His were a little glossy.

"They don't want her marrying me because I'm a soldier and we have a high mortality rate and don't make enough money. They said she should get with Rob. They flipped about the baby and told her point blank to get an abortion. I told them she was too far along. So they gave her the option of giving it up or moving out. She yelled at her mom that she would never give up her baby and her dad slapped her. I got in and-."

Michael sighed. "You didn't put him in the hospital did you?" he asked Skip completely serious.

"No, I wanted to. You know how I feel about men hitting women. But that's her dad and one day she'll get over the hurt and it would cause problems if I killed her dad."

"Baby cakes do you need some clothes or something?" I asked.

She finally looked up and spoke. "No I packed a bag for the rest of the week and they're supposed to drop off the rest of my things where ever I'm staying this weekend."

"That is totally fucked up! I swear the next time I see your parents I'm gonna junk punch them! Those two hypocrital pieces of bat crap! Ughh stupid fuck tards. How dare they do that. So what if you got a little knocked up. It's not like you're a crazy out of control whore who-"

"DAMMN.... Muffin butt ya gotta cool it. You're gonna stroke out. " Skip finally laughed and I relaxed a little.

The door bell rang and I jumped up. "Babe help me get the pizza."

We paid and I held Michael back. "Is it okay if Tina stays with us?"

He rolled his eyes at me. "She's your best friend and my future sister. Do you really even need to ask?"

I swatted his butt "Watch the sass Mr Jenkins our I'll take a ruler and paddle that cute booty of yours."

We walked back in and set the pizzas on the table. "You guys hungry?"

Tina laughed. "I'm always hungry whatcha got?" She eyed the pizzas and grabbed a few slices of what Michael called the pregnant girl special. "That is so good! Skip you gotta try this." She sighed happily .

Skip shook his head "I think I'll pass Darling. It looks like someone threw up on it." He dropped a kiss to her forehead then looked at us.

"So I figured I'd start looking for a place while I'm down. Tina can stay there until I get out which should be a few weeks before the baby is due. I'll start looking around for a civilian job and after I've had one for a while I'll buy a house."

I shared a look with Michael and started clapping excitedly.

Michael laughed and spoke. "That doesn't make any kind of sense. Tina can stay with us. You stay with us when you're in town anyway. So y'all can just move in with us until you find a house you want. Stay as long as you like, that way you don't saddle yourself with a crappy house because you're rushing."

Skip shook his head. "It could take a while for us to find a place and once the kids get here it'll be way too crowded in this apartment."

"Oh then problem solved, we bought a house earlier today and are gonna move in over break. It has plenty of room. Plus we'd all get to spend more time with each other. What are you planning on doing when you get out?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know. I've got two degrees under my belt but I don't want to go into finance and I would probably go mental if I used my business degree to run a store."

I jumped up and squealed. "I have the perfect job for you!"

"Yeah I may not actually have to work but I'm not gonna be your nanny."

I rolled my eyes.

Tina looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean you don't have to actually work?"

He looked at Tina "Ugh I just meant that over the years I've put away money so I'm okay financially."

I giggled. "You sounded like Mike when he told me he was comfortable then it turns out he's loaded."

"Yeah, we all kinda are. Our sister is sorta a money wizard. But Mike got in on the deal while I was gone and probably doubled his money."

Michael shrugged. "I have no Idea I haven't checked my balance except for the bank statement and that was for last month. Besides you probably did too, because they couldn't get a hold of you they asked me if I thought you would be interested and I said yeah probably."

"Do you think your sister could set me up with an investment portfolio. That way I can put whatever money I get into an account for Squishy and any other kids we have."

Tina was looking at us and then stood up. "Okay so apparently I'm surrounded by comfortable people. Cool now can we get on with eating. I'm starving!"

We all picked back up eating.

When we were finished I pulled Skip to the side. "So I'm guessing you're like Michael and just want a job because you'd get crazy bored without one. I know you said you'd hate running a store but what about managing a club?"

He shrugged his shoulder. "Could be fun. Do you know any clubs that have an opening and are willing to wait like 6 months to fill it?"

"I'm leaving the Zone. They'll need someone to fill the spot."

Michael picked me up and carried me to the room. "Gotta get my girl to bed she's gotta big day tomorrow. Night lovebirds!"