The Girl in the Hoodie is Mine

JASON’S POV

Ice cream.

That was her first instinct after finding out she was pregnant.

Not panic.

Not crying.

Not throwing something at me (which was a first).

Just... ice cream.

I watched as Ella grabbed the largest bowl we owned, filled it to the brim, and plopped down on the couch, shoveling spoonfuls into her mouth like her life depended on it.

I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "So... this is how you’re coping?"

She didn’t even glance at me, just kept eating. "Yes. Do you have a problem with it?"

I smirked. "Not at all. I just didn’t realize ice cream was the cure for an existential crisis."

She paused mid-bite, her glare razor-sharp. "Jason, if you value your life, I suggest you shut up."

I bit back a laugh. Pregnancy hormones were going to be fun.

Instead of poking the bear further, I walked over and sat next to her. "You sure you don’t want me to make you something more... substantial?"

She scoffed. "Ice cream is substantial. It’s dairy, which means calcium. It has chocolate, which makes me happy. And right now, I deserve to be happy."

I held my hands up in surrender. "Fair enough, sweetheart."

She huffed, shoving another spoonful into her mouth. But I didn’t miss the way her free hand absentmindedly rested on her stomach.

Our child was in there.

The thought sent a strange, unfamiliar warmth through my chest.

I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out, my fingers grazing the back of her hand. She stilled, her eyes flicking up to mine, filled with uncertainty, confusion... maybe even a little fear.

"I know this wasn’t the plan," I said softly. "But I meant what I said, Ella. I’m in this with you."

She swallowed hard, her grip tightening around the spoon.

"I just... I don’t know if I’m ready for this," she admitted, her voice smaller than I’d ever heard it.

I exhaled, sliding my hand fully over hers. "No one’s ever really ready, Ella. But we have time. And whatever happens, we’ll handle it together."

She stared at me for a long moment, then let out a breath, her shoulders sagging slightly.

"...You better not be lying to me, Jason."

I smirked. "Sweetheart, I just signed up for a lifetime of mood swings, cravings, and possibly getting strangled in my sleep. You really think I’d lie to you?"

She rolled her eyes, but I saw the smallest hint of a smile tug at the corner of her lips.

Maybe—just maybe—we were going to be okay.

"I’m going to be the best dad ever," I declared, my chest swelling with pride.

Ella snorted, shoving another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. "Uh-huh. We’ll see about that."

I ignored her sarcasm, too caught up in the excitement now bubbling in my veins. A baby. Our baby.

"We should start thinking of names," I said, shifting toward her eagerly. "How about Maximus?"

She nearly choked on her ice cream. "Jason, that is not a child’s name! That’s the name of a gladiator."

I grinned. "Exactly. He’d sound badass from birth."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, no. Try again."

"Fine." I thought for a moment. "What about Thor?"

She gave me a deadpan look. "Jason."

I smirked. "What? The kid would be mighty."

Ella groaned, rubbing her temples. "Okay, first of all, we don’t even know if it’s a boy. And second of all, I am not naming my child after a Marvel character."

I gasped dramatically. "But sweetheart, think of the possibilities! What if we have twins? We could name them Thor and Loki!"

She threw a pillow at me. "Absolutely not."

Laughing, I caught it easily. "Alright, alright. What about a girl’s name then? Something cute, like... Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock?"

She groaned louder. "I hate you."

I chuckled, watching as she took another bite of her ice cream, trying to ignore me. But I caught the way the corners of her lips twitched, like she was fighting a smile.

"We should probably wait to find out the gender first," she muttered.

I sighed dramatically. "Fine. But if it’s a boy, I’m still fighting for Maximus."

She shot me a warning glare. "Jason."

"Alright, alright," I surrendered, holding up my hands.

But deep down, I knew one thing for sure—this baby was going to be so loved.

I watched Ella devour her ice cream like it held all the answers to the universe. She was eating with the kind of focus I’d only seen her use in the boardroom—except this time, it was directed at a bowl of chocolate fudge brownie.

It was adorable.

"So," I began, shifting closer to her on the couch, "how are you feeling, Mommy?"

She froze mid-scoop and slowly turned her head toward me, eyes narrowed.

"Say that again," she challenged.

I smirked. "Mommy."

The ice cream spoon hit my forehead.

I burst out laughing as she crossed her arms, glaring at me. "If you call me that again, I swear I will make this pregnancy hell for you."

I rubbed my forehead dramatically. "Damn, woman. You’ve been pregnant for like five minutes, and I’m already getting abused."

"You deserve it," she muttered, taking another spoonful.

I sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Fine. No ’Mommy’ talk. For now."

She shot me a look. "Ever." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

I hummed like I was considering it. "Mmm, we’ll see."

She groaned but didn’t argue further.

For a while, we sat there in comfortable silence, the only sound being her spoon scraping against the bowl. And for the first time in a long time, things between us felt... normal. No scheming. No revenge plots. No fighting.

Just us.

And our baby.

The thought made my chest feel weirdly tight—like I was holding onto something fragile, something I didn’t want to break.

Ella suddenly sighed, setting her bowl down on the coffee table. "Jason."

I turned to her. "Yeah?"

She hesitated, running a hand through her hair. "What... what do we do now?"

Her voice was softer than usual, almost uncertain.

I reached for her hand, threading my fingers through hers. "We figure it out," I said simply. "Together."

She studied me for a moment, searching my face for something. Then, she sighed again, leaning her head against my shoulder.

I smiled.

Maybe, just maybe...

We were finally getting somewhere.