Authors note – Sorry 4 delays. My life has been super fucking hectic these past 3 weeks! I wrote this chapter 2 weeks ago but didn't have time to upload so here it is expect and update by the end of the weekend. Thanks 4 reading.

I was silent throughout the journey to the hospital, I appreciated the quiet time. I had no idea what I was going to do. I knew telling Maya the truth was out of the question, I was racking my brain for an acceptable story to tell. Clearly A wanted me as an active participant, I had to think fast. We enter the hospital and arrive on Maya's floor way to quick for my liking. I still didn't have a plan. We continue walking down the corridor before her Mom stops and points to the waiting room.

"Take a seat Emily I will be back in a minute".

I nod and sit down, honestly I was happy to stop. She smiles before walking into the room closest to us. I close my eyes and lean my head back against the wall, my phone vibrates in my pocket and I automatically feel uneasy. I take a breath before opening my text.

I was thinking about baby names Em,
Hows Allison for a girl and Ali for a boy - A

I delete the text and resist the urge to scream, I was being backed into a corner and I didn't like it. A few minutes go by before the door opens and I'm invited inside the room. I take one last deep breath and make my way to Maya.

"Emily".

I smile, the way she says my name gives me butterflies. Like always. She motions for me to join her on the bed, I decline as I sit on the chair instead. She eyes me curiously but doesn't question me. I reach over and take her hand in mine as I plant a soft kiss on her fingers.

"How are you feeling Maya?"

"Confused...".

I nod in understanding as I motion to her mother, she gets the hint.

"Mom can you give us some time alone".

"Of course dear".

She smiles at both of us as she exits the room.

"Em I just want to say...".

I cut her off sharply.

"I love you Maya nothing can change that, I cant pretend to understand how you are feeling, but I want you to know I will be hear for you...and the baby".

I lean over and pull her into a tight embrace, she was tense at first but quickly relaxed in my arms.

"What are you saying Emily?"

I pull back from our embrace, I wait for her to look at me before replying.

"I want to be there...with you and the baby...we can be a family".

She tenses again and attempts to move from my arms.

"Emily you don't know what your saying".

"Of course I do".

She sighs as she begins to cry.

"No you don't, you have your whole life ahead of you Em, you don't need baby drama".

I open my mouth to speak but she cuts me off swiftly.

"You need to focus on swimming, I want you to make it to the Olympics Emily".

I don't speak.

"A baby would just complicate your life".

That was the sentence that did it. I jumped to my feet, I could feel the rage beginning to spill over.

"How about you let me decide what complicates my life Maya...your not my Mom, I'm a big girl I can make my own choices!"

I don't wait for a response I practically run out of the room, I had the overwhelming urge to hit something. The adrenaline in my body was forcing me into action, I decided to run home, hopefully the cold night air would calm my nerves. I had just made it to my house when my phone started to ring.

"Hello"

"Why did you walk out?"

"Why do you think?"

I hear her sigh softly through the phone.

"I don't want to ruin your life with my problems Emily...I don't understand why you don't get that".

"I get 'that', I just don't care. This is what I want, so stop arguing with me and let me help you".

A few seconds pass by before she speaks.

"Fine, if this is really what you want we can try and work something out".

I smile as relief washes over me. I decide to try and reassure her.

"Baby you don't need to worry I wont flake on you".

"That remains to be seen Em".

I cringe at her words. Even though she had every right to say them it still hurt.

"So can I help with anything Maya, do you have a scan coming up soon, can I go with you?"

She pauses briefly before whispering something.

"What was that Maya I didn't hear you?"

She clears her throat before speaking again.

"I asked Zion to take me, its on Monday".

"Why would you ask her and not me?"

I didn't even attempt to mask the hurt in my voice.

"I asked her earlier before you came to see me, I didn't know how you would react so I asked Zion".

I grit my teeth tightly as I try to bite back my anger.

"Em are you there?"

I take a breath as I try to steady my emotions.

"Well you can UN-ask her now because obviously I will take you".

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I will take you!"

"Okay I will tell her tomorrow".

"What's happening tomorrow?"

"I get let out of here. My parents are both working so Zion offered to pick me up and take me home".

I blink several times as I let her words sink in. I honestly couldn't believe what I was hearing. I thought I made it clear to Zion to keep her hands off my girl.

"Em?"

"I'm here".

"Why did you go silent again?"

"Why am I not the one picking you up".

"I explained the situation, why are you so defensive about Zion?"

I laugh incredulously.

"Are you serious Maya, how am I supposed to feel about this".

"Considering the fact that you have a girlfriend I would say happy for me".

"I broke up with Pa...".

"Save it Emily, I don't care!"

She hangs up quickly. I consider calling her back but change my mind, my Mom was home and I knew she was only there to talk to me. We had been extremely distant lately and I knew she was planning on changing that. I sent the girls a group text informing them of the drama, I shut my phone off just as I enter the house.

XOXOXOXOXO

The next day school practically flew by, I was on autopilot most of the time. I had managed to avoid Zion all day, I was enraged to find out that she had become friends with Aria. Apparently she had a talent for drawing. I didn't mean to sound like a hater but that was something I really had to see to believe, I had nearly made it out the building when I was ambushed by the girls.

"Emily we need to talk".

"Okay".

We walk out of school and head towards the car park, we exchange small talk but the awkwardness of the situation remained.

"Em what the hell are you going to do?"

Hanna eyes me supportively while she speaks.

"I don't know...A wants me to be a parent to the baby".

"That bitch...you guys are only 17 how does A expect both of you to raise a child?!"

I smile at Aria, it was always funny when she used bad language.

"I don't have a choice...there's no telling what A will do if I don't do as she says".

I feel a hand on my shoulder squeezing me supportively. I look at Spencer and give her my best 'my life is over look'.

"Are you serious about this Emily?"

I pause momentarily, that after all was the million dollar question.

"Yeah...I wont let Maya go through this alone..."

"I can help you".

"How Spencer?"

"If you are serious about this you will need to find another job or a least get more hours...babies aren't cheap, my Mom company are hiring for a weekend receptionist if you want I could try and get you the job?"

I brighten up. This was the best news I had heard all day.

"Really that would be great, thanks".

"No problem".

"Have you told your parents Em?"

"Absolutely not Aria...and I don't plan to...not yet anyway".

"Good because your Mom is drama you don't need right now".

We talk for a few minutes longer before we each go our separate ways. The conversion had left me feeling a lot better I couldn't wait to pick Maya up and share my positivity with her.

Later that night...

This was extremely awkward. I had picked Maya up half an hour ago, we were currently sitting in silence in my bedroom. I had initially invited her to watch a movie in my living room but she insisted we watched it in my room.

"So what do you want to watch?"

"Anything or nothing...whatever you want Emily".

I frown in confusion, she giggles softly and motions for me to join her on my bed.
I sit next to her but further away than she expected.

"Why are you sitting so far away?"

"I don't know...I was trying to give you space".

She smiles mischievously as she pulls me closer to her. I gulp when our shoulders touch, the heat from her body was intoxicating. She leans in close to my ear and whispers seductively.

"I want you inside me Em".

My heart starts to pound violently in my chest. I could feel my arousal start to build.

"Maya".

She licks my ear and sucks my earlobe into her mouth. I moan loudly and move back slightly giving her the opportunity to straddle me. I don't respond to her actions, its like I'm paralysed with arousal. She pushes me back into the bed harshly, I moan when she starts to grind into me.

"Maya".

She moves quickly capturing my lips in a furious kiss. Our tongues meet instinctively as the battle for dominance begins. Her hand moves to my waist and into my jeans with ease, I didn't even feel her undo my buttons. She intensifies the kiss by sucking my tongue into her mouth. I suddenly feel her finger glance over my clit...she moved slowly as she began to massage my special place. She raises up quickly tugging my jeans off in one swift motion. I don't have time to speak as Maya hops back onto me capturing my lips in a mind blowing kiss again.

"Maya".

She flicks her finger over my clit and I arch my back into her. She smiles as she removes my panties. I close my eyes in anticipation of Maya's talented tongue.

"Damn baby your so wet".

She trails her finger slowly up my slit, when she reaches my clit she stops and pushes into it gently. I moan deeply, she felt amazing and I wanted this so much!

"Calm down Em, your legs are shaking...we have all night to reconnect".

I nod but silently I kick myself. I didn't even realise I was shaking!

She leans into kiss me again but is interrupted by her cell phone ringing. Maya plants a soft kiss on my lips before hopping off me and answering her phone. I take the opportunity to get completely naked on my bed, I probably should have left the

room to give her some privacy but I was curious so I stayed put. I couldn't make out what her Mom was saying but Maya's words were enough to get my attention.

"Hay Mom. Yeah I'm fine, Emily picked me up. The police...what did they want? He's...dead...murdered...okay see you soon Mom".

"Get dressed Em, I need to go home".

She begins to pace back and forth, I move from the bed and put my clothes back on.

"Baby what's wrong?"

She stops pacing and looks at me.

"Someone killed Lyndon".

I blink several times as I try and feint my surprise.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, the police want to see me in a few days".

I frown darkly. "Why...this has nothing to do with you?"

"I don't know...can we just go I don't feel good".

I pull her into a quick hug before taking her hand and leading her out my bedroom and into my car.

15 minutes later we arrived at Maya's house. I walked her to the front door.

"Where do you think your going Emily?"

I frown puzzled. "Home".

Maya smiles mischievously as she pulls me into her.

"Oh I don't think so Fields...I have plans for you tonight so you can just tell Paige your busy".

"I told you we broke up!"

"And I told you to save your lies for someone who will believe them".

I eye her darkly for several seconds, she smiles as she pulls me into her house. She ushers me through the front door and straight upstairs into her bedroom.

"Wait here...I'm going to speak to my Mom".

I nod and take a seat on her bed. I love Maya's bedroom, it was so warm and loving, just like her. It reminds me of how dark and cold the room felt when Allison lived here. Maya truly is a breath of fresh air. I take my phone out and check my messages, I had five. Three from the girls demanding an update asap. It was the last two texts that got my immediate attention.

ZionLovesDaLadies - Maya asked me out on a date and I said HELL YES! Sorry Em but I don't see a ring on her finger.

I jumped to my feet immediately looking for something to throw it wasn't until I found something (laptop with bob Marley on the cover) I remembered where I was. I sat back on the bed, I had no right to be angry but it still hurt. I took several deep breaths and opened my last text.

Maya and Zion sounds like a match made in heaven if you ask me - A

I buried my head in Maya's pillows and scream in frustration. Things were definitely heating up around here.