Careless Mistake
by Kelli
Part 7
December 2003....
"I'm just saying...." Justin said.
"I can't believe you're bringing this up now," Britney said.
Justin walked around the room with his hands on his hips. He stopped in front of the Christmas tree and stared at it.
"I brought it up when I thought we were ready," he said, not looking at her.
She sat down and laid her head in her hands.
"Britney.....where am I right now?" he asked, turning around to face her.
"What do you mean?" she asked, sounding irritated.
"I mean what day is it and where am I?"
She rolled her eyes and rolled her head to the side to look at him. "It's Christmas, Justin and you're in my house in Kentwood."
"Exactly. That right there should tell you something," he said pointing at her.
She looked away. "Justin, I know you care about me and this baby....."
"I more than care, Britney. I love you.....I love this baby."
She looked up at him with watery eyes.
"But you can't say the same, can you?" he asked.
A single tear fell down her face. She sniffed. "I love you.....I'm just not....."
"In love....." he finished.
She looked away and he nodded.
"That's okay Brit, it really is.....I won't force you to be in love with me," he said, his voice breaking. "But I'm going to be a huge part of our baby's life. You're due in less than three months and I'm going to be around. Every false labor pain you have, I'm going to be there. Every time you get heartburn, I'll be there. When your water breaks, I'll be there."
The tears were streaming down her face now.
"Can you accept that?" he asked, with his eyebrows furrowed together.
She wiped a few tears away and nodded. "Of course I can Justin. I wasn't pushing you out of my life.....I just can't marry you, not for this reason," she said touching her stomach.
He walked over to her and knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his.
"I understand. I'd never want you to get married for convenience. When you get married, I want it to be because you want to spend the rest of your life with that person. Because you can't see yourself in anyone else's arms."
She bit her lower lip and squeezed his hands.
"I want that too," she said through her tears again. "And maybe it will be you one day, Justin, but I can't decide that right now."
He touched her cheek and leaned into her as he closed his eyes. His forehead rested against hers.
"Okay....no pressure."
She softly gasped and grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach.
"What? He kicked?"
She smiled and nodded.
He chuckled when he felt the baby move.
"He doesn't like his mommy and daddy arguing," Justin said, holding her stomach with both hands now.
"I don't blame her....neither do I," she said, softly.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into moving into your place," Britney said as she waddled into the family room.
"Less steps....you made me nervous going up and down those all the time."
She rolled her eyes as she plopped down onto the chair. "You act like I'm a klutz or something."
"This just makes me feel better," he said, looking around the room. "You need anything? You want a magazine, I can get you a magazine...."
She chuckled. "No, I'm fine right now. It would help if you move from in front of the TV," she said with a swipe of her hand.
"Soooooorry," he teased as he moved to the side.
He stood there watching her for a second.
"Justin, are you just going to stand there and stare at me? The baby's not going to pop out without notice or anything."
He chuckled. "I know, I'm just making sure you don't need anything."
She held out her hand so he walked over and took it. She then pulled it so that he sat down next to her.
"Stop worrying," she said.
He started to protest but then stopped. "Okay."
They sat there for a minute, watching the TV.
"When do you go back to the doctor?" he asked.
"Tomorrow."
He nodded.
"And since you're due this week, how long will he wait before he induces?"
She looked over at him. "Induces?"
He looked at her. "Yeah...."
"I hope he doesn't have to induce," she chuckled.
They sat there another few minutes.
"Justin.....I am coming back here after the baby is born, right?"
He nodded. "Of course. Why?"
"Well, it's just that I got the nursery ready at my house...."
He held up a finger to stop her. "Come with me," he said, standing up and pulling her up with him. "Do you need me to carry you?"
"Not unless you want a bad back," she joked. "I can walk."
"Okay."
He led her down the hallway and into a room on the left.
"Oh my....." she said when she entered the room.
"It's not like the one you did but...."
"No, it's beautiful Justin. I mean it," she said, smiling up at him. "She's going to be loved no matter where she's at," she sighed.
"Yes he is," he sighed as well.
She looked around the nursery at the different knick knacks and stuffed toys. She picked up a yellow outfit that was hanging in the closet.
"I'm glad we waited to find out the sex of the baby," she said.
He nodded. He watched her walk around the room some more and smiled. She was so beautiful. She sat down in the rocking chair and began to rock, shutting her eyes as she rested her head against the back of the chair.
"You tired?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"A little....but I'm always tired anymore."
Her eyes flew open.
"Where am I going to sleep?" she asked.
He looked down at the ground before looking back up at her. "I was kind of hoping you'd stay in my room, that way if you need me.....I mean I guess you can stay in the other room......"
She smiled and stopped him. "That's fine, Justin. I'll probably feel more comfortable next to you."
"Really?"
She nodded.
"Cool," he said.
A couple of days later, Britney was sitting out on the patio after having gone shopping with Rob. Justin walked into the nursery and saw more packages and chuckled. Lord knows what else the baby needed.
He found her outside, on the phone.
"Yes mama.....I know, I will. Yeah, he is," she said, looking up at him with a smile. "No, it's going well....uh huh. I'm glad I'm here."
He winked at her and then went back inside.
In a few minutes he hears her scream.
"JUSTIN!"
