Fact? Pregnancy makes women headstrong. I mean all the pregnant women I have known were sufficiently stubborn pre-preg but it's like it gets quadrupled when they take in. Ingrid refused to give up her new job waiting tables, she agreed to let the thrift store one go after she tripped on a sheer stocking but the one at the diner, it's like she's been married to the place.

She says staying at home will be boring and make her feel more like a parasite regardless of whatever I say but I know she is just stressing about paying me back, another thing I cannot convince her against.

She just passed the two months mark, her figure hasn't been altered at all, she won't draw attention to herself; that is her excuse.

What I am really worried about is her slipping on spilled coffee or forgotten ketchup and hurting herself and the baby but Ingrid is very self-aware and I have to trust her, doesn't stop me from worrying though and it's all I do when I am not occupied with practice.

This week has been crazy with getting back into the gym and practicing with my new team. The welcome was typical, lots of fist bumps and handshakes, names thrown everywhere, some questions but nothing too personal like; 'Do you like to take it up the ass or you like to stick it in there'.

That is a question I have been asked too many times in my career. I mean, nobody goes about asking the other players how they like to dance but since I am the poster boy for sports homosexuality, they don't stop digging.

   Travis is home, his yellow Porsche is in the garage and the sight of it almost always make me laugh. I don't know how he got it back after selling it once, he said he asked the guy nicely and that could mean a lot of things that I do not want to be associated with. He loves that car like a child, it's a little creepy.

I grab my gym bag and drag my ass into the house and can immediately hear voices in the kitchen area. Ingrid works mostly morning shifts so she's home from three and Travis leaves work at 4pm.

I can't hear what they are talking about but whatever it is, it brings smiles to both their faces and soon, they are both laughing loudly with Ingrid tipping back on her stool and Travis trying not to chop off his fingers with the cucumber he has laid out on the board. He has on a shirt, which is like against his house rules but with Ingrid around this couple of days, he's been trying on some decency.

It's a little unsettling how comfortable they appear to be in each other's company but I am not complaining. They both look up as I proceed further into the kitchen, dumping my bag on an empty stool.

"You are back, finally". Ingrid smiles in greeting.

"Hey Ingrid". I go over to the other side of the counter, where Travis is already waiting, lips puckered up. I kiss him slowly and feel him smile before pulling away.

"Hey". He says before returning to his vegetables".

"Hi. How is your ankle?" It has healed nicely he doesn't need to wrap it up anymore but he still experiences discomfort.

"I told you to stop asking. Do you want a sandwich?" He asks as I browse the fridge behind him for a bottle of water and gulp down half of it.

"Please". It comes out as a burp and they both laugh.

"How was practice?" Ingrid inquires in between stealing slices of tomato.

"Good. It was a notch above what we've been doing all week. Getting ready for the game tomorrow, you know".

"Right, the game. Travis got me a ticket". My eyes shift to my boyfriend who appears to be more interested in his cooking.

"I thought it was for Pokello".

"She is eight months pregnant Jake. I can't deal with that responsibility".

"Seven months and I don't see how 2.2 is any less".

"For one, it is considerably lesser in size". Suddenly, there is laughter in the room and we are both staring at Ingrid.

"You guys are so cute". She coos and it's the most uncharacteristic thing she has ever done. The wonders of pregnancy.

"Okay momzy, keep your fetishes to yourself". Travis drones and she throws an unsliced tomato at his head but he somehow catches it.

"How was work, babe?" I ask as I take a seat on the worktop with my back to Ingrid but I can see her just fine as she grin and hold back another coo.

"Uneventful, just the usual. Ingrid is the one with stories".

"Bullshit. Jake, did you know your boyfriend has a work crush?" Her slight accent slips out. This only happens in rare occasions like when she is really happy or extremely sad. It confuses me.

"Are we talking about Kingdom?"

"Travis didn't give a name but if he is bald and muscular, then yeah".

I most definitely know Kingdom, not on a personal level but as the guy who has been trying to steal my boyfriend for two years now.

"I thought you were going to fire him". There is more hostility in my voice than I intended and Travis throws me a side look.

"You asked me to and I said I wasn't going to".

"Well, why not? We both know he's just faking interest in you so he can get close enough to scam you".

"Truth. But I told you I can handle his ass. He works hard J, it's gon' be hard to replace him".

"Yeah, he's working hard alright". Travis groan and throw his hands in the air.

"Ain't you gonna take a shower or something?"

"I already had one".

"Well, go have another one. See if it helps with the scalding jealousy".

Ingrid is having a fun time watching us and I can't even be out here right now so I grab my gym bag and  head for my room.

I am not jealous of kingdom. Granted, he is like 6'2 with an impressive body and shiny chocolate skin but I'm 6'5 with the body of a footballer. So, no threats in that department. What bothers me is that Travis spends most of his time in his company and the guy is shady. Okay fine, maybe I do get a little jealous when he talks about his 'good' work sometimes but it's not like I am an irrational boyfriend, I trust Travis completely.

    I change into a new pair of clothes and head back down but there is no one in the kitchen. I grab my sandwich and step into the living room where Travis is watching some dance show.

"Ingrid?" I ask as I approach him.

"Puking somewhere".

"That still going on?"

"Nah. She just ate too many tomatoes".
The doorbell rings just as my ass is about to touchdown on the chair and I grumble before going to answer it.

"Jacobson". My mother beams in her usual uncomforting manner.

"Mother". A few seconds pass as the food in my mouth quickly loses its taste but she doesn't stop smiling.

"What are you doing here?" She takes my question as some sort of invitation, pushing me out of the way and stepping into the house.

"Bringing you luck for your first game tomorrow". All the while she says these, her eyes roam the house like she is seeing it for the first time or perhaps, she forgot something before.

"Well, where is it?"

"Oh, don't be silly Jacob". She waves me off without a glance in my direction. Travis gives her a tight grin as she fully enters the living room.

"Ms. Levinson, always such a delight". Even the people in the TV can sense the sarcasm".

"You. I'm surprised you are here".

"I live here".

"Travis, can I have a bit of__" Ingrid's words evaporate as she walks in to my mother whose grin has managed to widen without attracting any warmth still.

"Hi". Her questioning eyes flicker between Travis and I.

"Oh! You precious thing, come over here". This time, Ingrid's eyes are set on me and I ignore my mother's weirdness for a moment.

"Ingrid, this is my mother. Sarah Levinson".

"Really? It's so nice to meet you ma'am". Her surprise is understandable, I look nothing like my petite mother with her soft brown eyes and blond hair with a hint of brown and gray at the roots.

"The pleasure is mine, dear. Jacob has told me so much about you".

"No, I haven't". What game is this woman playing?

Travis is already heading for the chill room as he usually does whenever my mother pops up but this time, he looks hurt.

"How are you doing? How is the baby?" She is now rubbing Ingrid's arm.
Baby. She knows. How does she know? The answer is quite simple seeing as my mother recognizes only Zayn as my friend and he wrote her off since the stunt she pulled after my coming out. There is only one person that could have told her.

I ignore her giggles and go after Travis into the chill room. He is still standing by the door, carrying out some breathing exercise.

"Trav". He startles for a second but calms and turn to me.

"It's cool. You had to tell her, she's your mother". Once again, he sounds tired.

"But I didn't. I probably should have". He laughs lightly.

"Benson?"

"Most likely". It's probably not wise having my mother's puppet as my manager but she'll manage to sink her domineering claws into anyone I get. "I'm sorry".

"For what? I'm used to your mother's hating. I just_ I just need some time to get used to her goading me for not being able to get pregnant". We both laugh but it doesn't last and Travis is looking sad again.

"Do you wanna play? Nintendo? It's been too long I can't remember how many times I cleaned this floors with your battered ass".

"Because it was just once. Years ago". He brags as I move to set up a game.

"Can't help with your numbering issues man". He laughs as he gets in position and I hand him a controller.

"I gat issues, you gat em too". He sings and I just can't.

    At the end of two hours, I've been handed my ass too many times but Travis is laughing hysterically and I don't mind playing for two more hours but he says he can't take more of an ego boost and we call it a night. It come as a surprise to us both when we walk into the living room and find my mom still there with Ingrid sat close to her, talking passionately.

From the disapproving look on my mother's face, I know she has gotten to the part about dropping out of school to pursue her dreams but as soon as my mom sights Travis, she pull on sickly sweet smile and caress Ingrid's hand.

"Your passion is so refreshing, much like Jake's. Did you know? When he was younger, he had this whole plan to end world hunger one day, donate as many pizza as possible to as many people as he could".
Travis chuckles beside me.

"That does sound like him". He gives me a smile, waves at the women and retire to our bedroom.

"It's getting late mother". I approach the couch and she looks up at me with defiance. "Ingrid needs to rest".

"Fine. It was nice getting to know you dear". They share a brief hug, then rise. "See me to the door Jake".

"Of course". She is quiet until I hold the door open but she doesn't move.

"Make sure that girl gets everything she needs. She isn't exactly what I'd call wife material but at least_"

"She has a vagina? Got it".

"Jacobson!" She scolds and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

"A child is a huge responsibility Jake, that comes with several sacrifices but I am sure you will make the right decision. You are my son after all".

"And what an example you have been". She doesn't comment on my insolence, she lost that right since I stopped needing her money. She just gives me a tight smile.

"You are going to make me so proud, Jacob". She caresses my cheek for the first time in probably a decade, the finally moves steps out to the driveway where her driver is waiting by her car.

"The entire purpose of my existence".

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Fun fact?  I know absolutely nada about video games