7. Whose is it?

Time had flew by and Jessica was now at her 9 week mark. Though they could get the testing done at 8 weeks they decided to give it an extra week, which also allowed Jessica to look up what exactly would be taking place.

She was on the plane headed to San Diego, slightly nervous. Her and Mateo hadn't talked too much, but she kept him up to date with what happened at appointments. She had still yet to tell Dwayne, but she knew she wanted to tell him before she started showing. The thought of having to tell him always scared her, she couldn't imagine him staying around but she hoped he would. She closed her eyes deciding to sleep on the short flight to quiet her mind.

She made it there in no time, Mateo sent someone to get her and take her to her hotel since she would be staying over night. The appointment was at 4pm and it was only 2pm, she didn't have time to do too much but she knew she needed to grab some food.

She looked around for a person holding a sign with her name since she didn't know who was supposed to be getting her she figured he would make it easy but she saw nothing. Just as she was about to call him a text from an unknown number came through, indicating that they were outside in a black truck. It was detailed where they parked and the license plate number.

She made her way outside quickly spotting the truck. The person got out the car as they went to open the trunk. She was surprised that once she got up close it was Xavier. "Didn't expect you," she let out.

"Yeah, didn't expect that I'd ever have to get you from the airport either." Jessica didn't know how to take his response so she just made her way around to the passenger's side. Most of the ride was silent as Jessica checked her messages, responding to the few she had before Xavier broke the silence. "You trying to trap him?"

She quickly turned to look at him, "excuse me?" He chuckled as he ran a hand down his face. Taking his eyes off the road to look at her for a quick second. "Why you keeping this baby if you have a man and you know he has a girl? That shit don't make sense."

Jessica sighed, "I don't have it in me to get rid of this child. The last thing I'm trying to do is trap someone. I'm happy in my relationship and I know this could push my man away, so trust me if I had it in me I would. But I'm not about to live with that type of regret willingly. And if this is that much of an issue for his perfect little life he doesn't have to be there, I don't need a dime from him. Don't ever mistake that. But he deserved to know."

X smacked his teeth, "you say that but your ass would be quick to put him on child support knowing you're going to rack up." Jessica laughed in offense. "You don't fucking know me, at all. So keep your shallow ass comments to yourself."

X rolled his eyes, he was trying to pick her brain. See what type of girl she was cause the shit made no sense to him. It definitely sounded like a come up to him. He kept his mouth shut for now, but little did she know he would have plenty to say when he had to drop her back off at the airport the following day.

They pulled up to the hotel as Jessica quickly got her things, "thanks," she let out as she quickly left to get checked into her room. She really wanted to stop for some food but hotel food would have to do for the time because she refused to say another word to Xavier.

The hour flew by as Mateo sent her a text letting her know he was outside. She grabbed her bag as she made her way down, meeting him as he sat in his Bentley Truck. She spoke as she got in, while the rest of the ride stayed silent for the majority of the time.

"How you feeling?" He questioned as he looked over at her for a split second before focusing back on the road.

She shrugged her shoulders, she wasn't nervous because she knew the procedure really wasn't invasive and she knew he was the father. And honestly if he wasn't she wouldn't be upset because that would leave Dwayne, however she knew the chances of that were very, very slim. "I'm okay."

Mateo nodded his head as he turned into the doctors office. He was nervous. He found a park and turned off the car as he rubbed his sweaty hands on his pants, this was the moment of truth. Granted it took a few days for the results this still felt like the moment to him.

They got out the car as Jessica followed him inside, they were greeted and quickly escorted to one of the doctor's office after they filled out some paperwork. The doctor, whom Mateo knew walked in all smiles, "How are you?" He questioned looking between the two. "Good," they said in unison.

"Good," he smiled as he started going over how the procedure would go then proceeding to see if the two had any questions. "How long until we get the results?" Jessica questioned.

"It takes a few days, a week the most."

"And do you all call? Email? Like how do we get documentation of the results," she continued to question.

"We can send it through email, or even mail. Whichever the two of you prefer," he stated as he looked between the two.

"Okay, email for sure. That'll be quicker." Mateo let out as Jessica agreed. Once the questions died down they moved to another room to start the procedure that went quickly.

—

"You hungry?" Mateo questioned as they left the doctor's office and got in the car. Jessica nodded her head yes as she clicked her seatbelt in. "Anything particular you want?" He questioned as his phone went off and Sofia's name popped up. Jessica looked down at his phone noticing the name as well. He looked over at Jessica awaiting her response as she shrugged her shoulders, "no."

He tore his eyes from her as he answered his phone, "baby," she said loud enough for both of them to hear through the phone. "What's up?" he questioned as he started the car. "Can you bring me back some Iceskimo's when you come home?"

Mateo sighed, "that's out the way." She sucked her teeth. "Come on baby, I'm craving their strawberry shortcake." He leaned back in his seat. "I'll let you know." Mateo was a sucker for his girl, he was definitely one that spoiled his girl and put her on a pedestal at times. He could hear the smile in her voice as she responded as if she already knew he was going to do it. He ended the call as he looked back over at Jessica.

"Nothing?" He questioned again pertaining to what she wanted to eat as his eyes peered into hers, causing her too look away. It felt way too intense. He had an intense stare and it wasn't even on purpose. She shook her head no, "just bring me to something good."

He sat there thinking for a second. "I don't even know what you like, do you like seafood? Do you like burgers? Do you even eat meat?" He questioned. She chuckled lightly, it was a valid question. "Yes, to all those questions."

He nodded his head as he looked forward. "Okay, I think I know a spot." He leaned up as he put the car in drive and pulled out.

"How long have you two been together?" Jessica asked opening up a conversation. "Two years, what about you and your dude?"

"Same, how did you two meet?" She didn't know why she was so interested in the two of them but she was. He looked over at her for a split second. "A party in the hills."

Jessica nodded as they came to a stoplight. He looked over at her, his eyes stopping at her stomach. Thinking it was about to be crazy as fuck if she really was pregnant with his child. He shook his head as Jessica watched his every move. She cleared her throat causing him to look back at the road seeing the green light. "You don't have to do anything when it comes to this child. I just thought you should know  that it existed. It wouldn't be fair for you not to know."

He chuckled. That shit sounded good but there was no way he believed he couldn't do a thing for this child and she would leave it at that. "Jessica, that sounds good and shit but be real. I make millions. There's no way in hell you're just going to let me know and not care whether or not I help financially if it's my child."

Of course she wanted help, of course she didn't want to do this alone but she didn't want to force it. She shook her head. "I can't force you and the last thing I want to do is get courts involved. So no I mean that, and a presence is much more important than money to me. I may not be making millions like you but I'm also not struggling. So yes, realistically if I reached out and needed help I would hope you would. But as far as the child support? It won't happen unless I feel like I truly need it and you aren't helping. And that would be a talk between the two of us long before I went about setting it in place."

"I don't care about your money, contrary to you and Xavier's beliefs." She finished.

He turned into the Crab Hut debating on whether or not to leave the conversation where it was or keep going as he parked. "You don't know shit about me but want to keep my baby? Knowing I make millions? Come on now. If I was homeless would you still be keeping it? Honestly."

"Yes!" Jessica semi-yelled. He laughed, she was lying and he knew she was. She had to be. He turned his car off as he faced her as she continued talking. "Whether I got pregnant by you, my man or some homeless ass man that put up a front in the club I would still be keeping this baby because I'm good enough to take care of it. Regardless of what you want to believe."

"And when you need that help you was speaking of then what? If I was broke then what?" She shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know."

"Exactly!" He let out. "My money plays a role." She rolled her eyes. "Yes Mateo, it helps that you aren't some broke ass man. But that is not the basis of me keeping this child. Like the fuck? I have a whole man. He has a pretty good paying job as well."

"So why are you keeping it?" He yelled. "You have a man, you know I have a girl. You say it's not about the money. What is it?"

"I told you!" She yelled back. "I don't have it in me to kill a child because of a reckless decision I made. God clearly has a plan for the child."

Mateo didn't respond as he just looked at her for a moment before tearing his eyes from her and opening the door to get out.

She followed suit as he hit the lock on his keys and they silently walked into the restaurant. "Welcome to Crab Hut!" They were greeted with a smile as Mateo let her know they were grabbing takeout. He gave Jessica a minute to look over the menu as he sat down with his head in his phone.

He didn't know what to feel about everything, he kept telling himself not to stress until the results came back but something in him already knew it was his regardless of what he wanted to believe and he dreaded having the conversation with Sofia about it.

He looked up as he heard Jessica talking, seeing that she was putting her order in. He stood up going to stand beside her as the man told her the total he pulled out his card the same time she did. "I got it," she gave a slight fake smile. "Don't want you to think I'm after your money." She handed her card to the man who felt slightly awkward in the situation. Mateo shook his head as he put his card away, walking back over to take a seat, Jessica came over as well once she finished her transaction. Making sure to not sit right beside him.

He locked his phone as he looked over at her. "So what are you going to tell your man? When are you going to tell him?"

She looked over at him, annoyance and attitude written all over her face. Causing a slight smile to come to his face. Ironically it was cute as hell to him. She rolled her eyes at his smile as she shrugged her shoulders. "I told myself I would tell him by the end of the first trimester before I start showing, after I get the results. I don't know what I'm going to say yet. It's not an easy conversation to be had. Are you ever going to tell your girl? Or just keep the child a secret?"

Keeping the child a secret was never a thought that even crossed his mind. He scrunched his eyebrows together, "of course I'm going to tell her if it comes back as mine. I can own up to my shit."

"Can you? Not the vibe I was getting." He chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. Already noting that her mouth would be a problem between the two of them. But with the tension and all the back and forth on why she was having this baby he understood the attitude, but he didn't understand why she couldn't see where he was coming from as well.

Her name was called as she stood up to grab the food and then headed towards the door as he followed. He hit the unlock button as she clearly was walking fast enough to put some serious distance between them.

She quickly got in the car as he made his way there at a regular pace. He got in, looking at her as she purposely avoided his gaze. She had an attitude and there was no doubt about it. She was tired of him and his friend thinking she was keeping this baby for his money.

He laughed as turned from her starting the car. "Xavier is going to take you to the airport tomorrow."

"Oh no, I'll take an Uber I've had enough of the two of you accusing me of keeping this baby for the money. I'm good and matter of fact regardless of the results I'm good on your help." Was she being dramatic? Yes slightly, but she needed to make a point.

Mateo ran a hand over his cheek as he chuckled lightly and shook his head. "X said something?" He couldn't say he didn't expect him to say something. But he didn't expect him to go that hard so quick. She was only fifteen minutes from the airport.

She rolled her eyes, "I said that right?" He looked over at her. "Look Jessica, I'm not about to deal with your shitty ass attitude."

"I know, because this is the last of us getting up, the last of us talking, all of that." Jessica knew she could be dramatic when she got upset she could go overboard at times but she never cared in the moment.

"Yeah iight," Mateo let out as the rest of the ride stayed silent. He pulled up to her hotel as she quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and got out. Neither one them saying another word to each other.