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"I don't think you're going to be able to hide that much longer," Jake comments as he watches her change into pajamas one night after Henry has fallen asleep.
It's been three weeks since they found out, and her stomach now has a slight curve to it. Though this physical evidence of her pregnancy is barely visible through her clothes—just enough for the two of them to notice—he's right. They're going to have to tell everyone soon because it's only a matter of time before it becomes obvious.
She was so excited when she first noticed it. Until then, she hadn't really felt pregnant, but when she got out of the shower about a week ago, there it was: visible proof that all of this was actually happening. Ever since, she has become one of those pregnant women who constantly has her hand on her belly, which has made hiding things at work all the more difficult.
"I just don't know how to tell Amelia," she sighs, pulling the ends of her long hair out from underneath the collar of her t-shirt. "She's just been through so much this past year, and I don't want to upset her."
"I know, sweetheart," he says, patting the space next to him on the bed. When she sits, she leans into him and he wraps his arms around her. "I was thinking, though; maybe you could tell her a few days before we tell everyone else. That way, she isn't blindsided when we tell everyone together at work and they're all congratulating us."
"I don't want her to hate me."
"Come on. She won't hate you. Even when she was upset with you earlier this year, when it came down to it, she wanted you there on one of the worst days of her life. You calmed her down. You talked her through everything. You've said it before—she's basically your sister. She loves you, and she knows you love her."
She knows he's right in this case, too, but it doesn't really make her feel any less guilty about the fact that she gets two healthy babies while Amelia only got a few heart-breaking minutes with her own son. One of the reasons she likes it being just her and Jake knowing right now is because she's allowed to be happy without guilt or the feeling that she is causing her friend, her sister, pain.
Jake places his hand on her stomach. "I know it's a tough situation, but I think she will be more upset if you wait until this is obvious and she has to ask you about it her herself. You know she doesn't like to be coddled, even if you think it's for her own good."
She pauses as she lets his words sink in, watching as he lovingly glides his thumb back and forth just above her belly button.
"How about I tell her on Friday, give her the weekend to process it, and then we can tell everyone else together on Monday as long as she seems okay?"
"Sounds good to me," he says, growing quiet again as he slowly moves his hand back and forth over the small curve of her abdomen. He is transfixed and visibly in awe, and she loves it. She loves that she gets to share this with such an amazing man. He meets her eyes after a minute or so, and it's like his whole face is smiling when he speaks. "This little baby bump of yours is adorable, by the way. In case I haven't said it enough."
She grins and places her hand over his. Truth be told, she can't wait to start wearing clothes that will accentuate her new shape. "Thank you. I have to admit, I'm pretty proud of it."
They sit in silence for a few minutes, simply marveling over the fact that their child is lying mere inches from their fingers. She is so purely happy, so light and worry-free in a way she never thought possible that she almost feels like she's floating. Jake makes her feel this way. The baby makes her feel this way. Henry makes her feel this way. Nothing and no one else has ever made her feel this way.
He kisses her softly when she begins to fall asleep, and she smiles lazily at him before he helps her lay back and get under the covers. He will curl up against her momentarily, but first, she knows he has to do one more thing.
"Hi in there," he greets the baby with a few light taps on her belly. "I'm excited to meet you."
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Through guilty tears, she informs Amelia of her pregnancy on Friday at lunch as intended. She explains that she's sorry, that she and Jake didn't plan it, and that she knows this isn't fair, but when she finishes, much to her surprise, Amelia is genuinely happy for her. It's a complete role-reversal from nearly a year ago. They hug and cry, and Amelia lets her know that while she still misses her son, his death doesn't make her love Addison or her new niece any less. She also teasingly vows to turn the baby into a fellow female brain surgeon, and at that moment, Addison knows that everything will be okay between them.
It's a huge weight off her shoulders, and on Monday, she and Jake are ready to tell everyone else without fear of upsetting anyone—or so they thought.
As it turns out, Amelia told Sheldon. Sheldon then let it slip to Violet, who then told Cooper, who immediately told Charlotte, so when they finally make their announcement, Sam is the only one out of the loop. While the others feign surprise, Sam's expression is one of pure shock, and once he realizes that the others are merely pretending to be hearing the news for the first time, he storms out of the kitchen.
Addison follows.
"What the hell, Sam?" She demands angrily from the doorway of his office.
"Me?" He asks incredulously. "No. 'What the hell' to you, Addison. I was the only person in that room who had no idea."
"The only person Jake and I told was Amelia, so the fact that it got around to everyone else was not part of the plan. It was not my intention to hurt you."
"And seriously? How long have you been with him? Six months? And you're already having his baby?"
"We didn't plan it."
He laughs bitterly. "Sure you didn't."
"We didn't," she insists firmly. "As far as I knew, I couldn't get pregnant."
"Couldn't you just have been happy with Henry? Instead, you had to go find a man to give you your own baby?"
Her jaw drops. She was angry before, but now she is absolutely furious. She can't believe that just came out of his mouth. Judging by his expression, he regrets having said it, but it's too late.
"Addison—"
"No, Sam. You said it, so let me clear something up for you: Henry is my own baby. Don't you dare talk like I think less of him just because he isn't biologically mine. He is my son in every way that matters, and I would do anything for him. I would walk through fire. I would give up my limbs. I would do anything for my boy. And as for Jake? Sam, he is a good man. I'm not saying you aren't, but Jake was never uncomfortable with the fact that I am a mother. He has never wavered in his feelings for me—or Henry, for that matter. He has never acted jealous or petty or selfish, and when we disagree over something, I don't have to worry if it's going to ruin our relationship. I love him, and getting pregnant was not something I thought was possible, but it happened. I was completely content with the idea of Henry being my only child, but now that this is happening, can you just be happy for me? Or at the very least, don't say such outrageously judgmental things to me. There was a time when you loved me, Sam. There was a time where we were friends. I'm sorry that everyone else somehow found out before you did, but please, don't act like this."
She doesn't wait for him to respond. Instead, she turns around and heads down the hall, particularly grateful when Sam doesn't follow her.
A/N: Hi guys! Thank you so much for all the nice comments. It's motivating me to actually finish this. :) I've got the next part mostly written. It was almost part of this post, but I decided to get something up here sooner rather than later (also, it would have been a ridiculously long chapter). Anyway, I hope to have that one done and up a little faster than the last couple updates. Thanks for reading!
