Chapter Text
"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit…shit."
That's roughly been my thought process for the last day or so. Every since Jade told me the news, well, every remaining ounce of that "cool kid façade" disappeared and I've been a blubbering mess.
Kissing every inch of her face I proceeded to tell her how excited I was. Also, that if the child was a boy we should name him Maxamillion. If it's a girl, Maximillion.
She didn't think that was too funny. It's a fucking awesome name. I can't even begin to fathom why she doesn't approve.
Admittedly, I was a little upset to find that Egbert knew about all of this before I did. I mean, sure, he's basically her brother, but still.
All traces of jealousy evaporated when she told me all about how scared she was. She brought herself to tears explaining this.
"I was scared…scared that you might leave me." That's the one that killed me.
I love her. I love her with every fiber of my being. I've loved her since I was that stupid kid who collected a bunch of dead shit in jars. The kid who thought irony was all that there was to life.
Maybe the collecting dead shit and insurmountable levels of irony have stopped, but my love for her hasn't.
Oh, hell. I'm sounding like Egbert. Maybe living in this giant house with them was a bad idea.
Okay. That's a lie. I know I'm going to need help with all of this. While my thoughts had been positive the rest of the night, worry has begun to set in.
Thoughts of, "What if I'm a terrible father?"
I really don't have a reference point of a good father. Sure. Bro did his best to take care of me, and it worked for the two of us, but something tells me his style of raising kids won't fly with Jade.
"What if I can't do this?"
But, somehow, sitting across the table from her at breakfast, I come to the realization that everything will be okay. We will make it through this. There's some doubt in my mind, but I feel that it's only natural.
With a cup of tea in hand, Jade looks at me and smiles, nudging me with her foot. I can only return the smile and chuckle a bit.
John and Rose are quick to join us at the table. "You two look like you have some news," he says in a knowing tone.
Rose gives a curious glance at Jade as she places Ella in her highchair.
It honestly wouldn't surprise me if she knew before Jade actually knew.
"Hell yeah we've got news!" I tell them.
While telling them the news, John randomly tells Jade, "Told you so." I don't know what he meant by this, but I really don't care. I'm going to be a dad.
Me. Dave Strider.
We'll be the best family out there. Us. The Striders…wait a minute.
Shit. We're not even married!
Oh hell. I have to ask her to marry me. How do I propose? Where do I propose? What's proposing?
What if she says no?
No. No. No. She won't say no. I know she won't.
But still.
Fuck.
Damn.
I have to propose, like, yesterday!
I'll figure this out. Maybe a fancy dinner or some shit. I don't know. I'll just wing it. I mean, that's basically how I ended up asking her out the first time. I just winged it. That always seems to work out for me.
Look out, Jade Harley. I'm about to ask you to be my wife.