~ 12 ~

Spencer opened her eyes and looked around the barn letting herself adjust to the light before drawing the curtains. She sat up and glanced at the clock which told her it was far too early to be awake. It seemed that since she had found out for certain that she was pregnant, her symptoms had become far more intense. By Hanna's calculations, she was nearly three months along, but she wasn't about to take advice from the girl who barely passed algebra.

Once she was fully conscious, she rolled out of bed and practically crawled into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Then she tiptoed into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of orange juice. Hanna had given her the cliff notes on pregnancy and warned her to cut back on the coffee. If the guilt of keeping this pregnancy a secret didn't kill her, she was certain the lack of caffeine would.

She took a look at herself in the mirror and smoothed her night dress over the bump that was already manifesting itself. Compared to Hanna, she was huge, likely because her thin frame did not have the curves to hide a growing stomach. Spencer searched her closet for the shift dress she wore when she felt bloated, granted even the most miraculous shift dress would not be able to hide this secret for long.

Poor Toby, she sighed thinking about the man she had been in love with since high school. He didn't deserve to be kept in the dark, but she was not even sure yet what she was going to do. She was not about to call up Andrew and let him know that he was going to become a father, especially not when he was on the verge of getting married.

"Fuck," she sighed burying her head in her hands.

How had her life turned into such a mess? A year ago Spencer was working at an amazing job, albeit one she hated, but at least she had every opportunity in the world. She was young and ready to put the A nonsense behind her, but suddenly she was crying on the bathroom floor wishing away a child who was completely innocent in the matter. Why did she always do this to herself?

Hanna readjusted her tool belt before snapping it around her waist. Her stomach was definitely no longer flat but she wasn't showing either, and she intended to keep it that way. She only had a month left on her job and she didn't feel obligated to let anyone know of her condition. She had managed the last four months and she could stick it out for one more.

"Hey," Amber, a beautiful brunette actress, said plopping down in a makeup chair.

"Hi," Hanna laughed. "I didn't know you were on the schedule for today."

"Last minute change," Amber told her. "They're bringing Liam in to take some photos with me for the prop department."

"Oh, okay," Hanna smiled. "Natural look?"

"Yupp," Amber smiled as Hanna spun her chair around. Then she paused. "You and Liam used to date, right?"

"That was a long time ago," Hanna assured her as she got to work doing Amber's makeup.

"So," Amber said slowly, "you wouldn't mind if we hung out or something?"

"Not at all," Hanna replied. "Liam and I are yesterday's news."

"That's not what the tabloids are saying," Amber smirked. "They keep putting you guys on the cover of everything. They're calling it the reunion of the century!"

"It's hardly that dramatic," Hanna laughed.

"Have you seen him yet?" Amber asked.

"Not really," Hanna replied. "I mean, I'm on the first train out of here every Friday. They hardly count on me for the pre-production meetings."

"What is it you do there?" Amber asked.

"I run a bridal business with my friend Spencer," Hanna explained.

"Come on," Amber goaded her, "you've got a guy there too, right?"

"Yeah," Hanna bit her lip. "Caleb."

"Is it serious?" Amber inquired.

"Very serious," Hanna replied. "We live together."

"Well, only two days a week," Amber corrected her.

"Just for another month," Hanna explained. "Then we're building the white picket fence."

"So domestic," Amber raised an eyebrow. "I like it."

Just as Hanna was finishing up, the door opened and a tall sandy blonde entered. Instantly her stomach dropped. She could recognize that face anywhere. It was Liam.

"Hi," she smiled putting down her brushes.

"Hey," he breathed.

"Come here," Hanna laughed walking over to give him a hug.

Amber watched intrigued as Hanna wrapped her arms around his neck and Liam's hands rested on the small of Hanna's back. They lingered there for a moment and then Liam hoisted Hanna into his arms. She let out a squeal as she clung for dear life. Finally Liam set her back down and kissed her cheek.

"You look good," he smiled. "You've got a bit of a glow about you."

"Thanks," Hanna blushed.

"It's good to –" he said.

"Yeah," Hanna cut him off.

They both stopped mid sentence, each displaying an awkward smile. A wave of discomfort filled the room leaving Amber completely entertained.

Aria input the final grade for the semester into her computer. She was finally done with work for a few weeks before she had to start her summer course. She submitted the grades and then logged off of her computer ready to face the beginning of summer.

She picked up her purse and skipped out of the office before heading toward The Brew. The place was nearly empty when she arrived so she quickly ordered two sandwiches to go, one vegetarian and one meatball. Emily was not around but the kind girl behind the counter wrapped her food up nicely and handed her a brown paper bag.

"Thanks," Aria smiled skipping out the door.

It was a short walk before she arrived at Jake's office building. She took the elevator to his floor and walked past the receptionist without batting an eyelash. The beginning of her summer was giving her an optimistic outlook on life, unlike any she had ever experienced before.

"Knock knock," she smiled standing in the doorway to Jake's office.

"Hey," he smiled getting up and giving her a quick kiss. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I got off work early," she explained handing him the bag of food. "My summer has officially started to I decided to bring you lunch."

"Couldn't have come at a better time," he laughed opening the bag. Then he gave her a weird look. "You are oddly cheerful today."

"It's summer," she smiled plopping down into a chair. "Why would I not be happy?"

"To be young again," he laughed. "I would kill to have a few weeks off."

"Let's do it," she pleaded resting a hand on her already protruding stomach. "Let's take a vacation, before the baby comes."

"We're calling it a baby now?" Jake smiled.

"I have a good feeling about this," Aria told him. "Come on, what about the holiday?"

"A friend of mine keeps recommending this yacht charter," Jake replied. "I'll look into it."

"Okay," Aria smiled grabbing her sandwich. "Hey, are you still coming to my appointment tomorrow?"

"Yeah," he replied. "I'll meet you there? I have some things to work on in the morning."

"Sure," she smiled. "I'll probably want to sleep in, first day of summer and all."

"Stop rubbing it in," he scoffed.

"Sorry," she giggled taking a bite of her lunch.

From across the room Jake gave her a warm smile. She couldn't quite place her finger on it, but something told Aria that her life was about to improve in more ways than one.

Emily sat in the waiting room of her doctor's office. Her hand rested on the baby bump that could no longer be concealed under baggy sweatshirts. The tiny creature growing inside of her was now kicking up a storm.

"Emily Fields," a nurse finally called her name.

Emily stood and followed her into an exam room where the nurse took her vitals. When she had finished jotting down the results, she closed the door behind her and left Emily to her thoughts. A few minutes passed and there was a tap on the door. A second later Eric Kahn was smiling down at her.

"Hi Dr. Kahn," she said

"Emily," he gave her a kind smile. "I think you can call me Eric."

"Right, Eric," she giggled.

"So," he began, "any concerns for me this week?"

"Not really," she replied.

Eric sighed and began examining her bump, making sure to glance at her medical file. Emily had become accustomed to the pomp and circumstance that came with these medical visits. She thought back to the moment when she realized Eric Kahn was her doctor. It didn't make sense at first when she remembered him as a party boy who essentially grew up in a frat house, but after a while she realized that his behavior was a reflection of a college boy. They had all grown up so much since their days at Rosewood and having Eric Kahn as her doctor wasn't the worst thing in the world.

"Okay," Eric said standing up again. "Everything looks fine. I'll have a technician in here to do your ultrasound."

"Thanks Doc," Emily said as he stepped back into the hallway.

A few minutes later a plump nurse wheel the ultrasound machine into the room and set it up next to the cot. She instructed Emily to lift her shirt and tucked a towel around her clothes. Then the woman picked up the transducer, slathered it in gel, and placed it on Emily's belly.

"Oh," the nurse gave her a bright smile, "it looks like we can see the gender. Would you like to know?"

"Is there a way to just write it down and put it in an envelope?" Emily asked. "I'm not sure I want to know just yet."

"Sure," the nurse smiled. "I can print it out for you and then you can share the news with someone special."

"That would be great," Emily replied staring at the monochromatic screen.

"Everything looks good," the woman told her switching off the machine.

"Thanks," Emily smiled cleaning the gel from her stomach.

"Here you go," the nurse handed her a sealed envelope and a photo of the scan. "Look at it when you're ready."

"Thank you so much," Emily said hopping off the exam table.

As the nurse took her equipment outside, Emily stared at the sealed envelope. She wasn't sure who to share the news with, but she knew she didn't want to find out alone. Jason was the obvious answer but she also didn't want to lead him on forever. Toby would probably be the next choice, but babies weren't really a priority for him.

Hanna cleaned the rest of her brushes and laid them out on the black towel on her station. Then she turned and saw Liam sitting on the black imitation leather couch. She turned to him and gave her a smile.

"You're next?" she asked.

"That's what they tell me," Liam said taking his seat in her chair.

"Alright," she smiled. "You now the drill."

Hanna got to work mixing together the colors for her latest client. There was a still silence in the room while she worked, almost as if neither of them was even breathing.

"It's weird," Liam finally said. "Us working together again."

"Not that weird," she replied. "Small industry."

"You know," he sighed, "I almost turned the job down. I didn't want to have to see you again every day knowing that you're with someone else now."

"We don't have to talk about this," Hanna told him.

"Sorry," Liam replied quickly

"It's okay," she smiled as she finished applying his makeup. "We have history. It's hard to pretend it doesn't exist."

"I really messed up," Liam told her, "letting a girl like you get –"

"Ow," Hanna interrupted pressing a hand to her side. Liam gave her a confused look and she realized it was probably the baby's first kick. She fought back the tears that welled up in her eyes and looked at Liam. "It's nothing."

"You sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, she picked up some setting powder with a sponge. "Close your eyes."

Liam did as he was told and Hanna set his makeup. Then she gave him a smile and dismissed him to the set. Left alone in her trailer, Hanna grabbed her phone and dialed Caleb.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hey," Hanna said fighting tears of happiness.

"Is everything okay?" he asked confused.

"Yeah," Hanna breathed. "Everything is fine...I...I just wanted to tell you that I felt the baby kick."

"Han," he laughed. "That's amazing."

"I can't wait for you to feel it," Hanna told him. "It's amazing."

"I better go," Caleb said hurriedly, "but I'll see you this weekend?"

"Yeah," Hanna smiled. "Can't wait."

She hung up the phone and sat down on the couch. She pressed her hand to her stomach and poked her side trying to elicit some sort of reaction. Nothing came, but she wasn't about to let up. She would get this baby moving in time for Caleb to get a slice of the action come the weekend.

Aria sat on the exam table as the ultrasound technician waved the transducer across her stomach. The corresponding image was mirrored on the screen in front of them and Aria smiled as she saw the life growing inside of her.

"So," the tech pointed to the screen, "you see here are actually two different embryos."

"Wait," Jake paused, "what does that mean?"

"Twins," the woman smiled. "You're having twins."

"Two babies?" Aria breathed.

"Yupp," the woman smiled. "Double the joy."

"Oh my God," Jake breathed. Then he kissed Aria's forehead.

The tech printed out a couple of photos and handed them over. Then Aria got cleaned up and Jake helped her off of the cot. She tucked the photo into her jacket pocket and took Jake's hand. They strolled back to the parking lot where his car was parked and got in.

"I was planning on going back to the office," Jake told her, "but now I think it might be a good time to play hookey."

"What's typical hookey protocol when you find out you're having twins?" Aria asked.

"Lunch at The Brew?" Jake offered driving in that direction. "You can tell Emily the news."

"I don't want to tell them yet," Aria said. "Not after what happened last time."

"Okay," he smiled. "We'll wait for the three month mark."

"Deal," Aria replied as they pulled into the parking lot behind The Brew.

Jake opened her door and helped her out. Then they strode arm in arm into the coffee shop to order their lunch. Once they were seated, Aria saw Emily rush in through the back door and storm up the stairs taking them two at a time.

"Em?" Aria called out.

Emily didn't pause. She grabbed her key and unlocked the loft stepping inside. She dropped her purse on the couch and plopped down, taking the fated envelope out. She placed it on the coffee table and stared intently. She wasn't sure how long she had been there when the back door opened and Toby stood in the doorway. He gave her a sideway glance and then stared at the envelope on the table.

"What's that?" he asked.

"Something I should probably share with Jason," Emily replied.

"STD results?" Toby joked.

"No," Emily laughed. "It's gonna tell us if we're having a boy or a girl."

"Well," Toby sat down next to her, "which would you prefer?"

"I just want a healthy baby," she replied.

"That's what everyone says," Toby laughed. "Come on, given the choice, what strikes your fancy?"

"I've always pictured myself having a little girl," she said. "But I guess a boy would be good too. I worried he wouldn't have a paternal influence, but I guess I have Jason for that now."

"And me," Toby chimed in.

"I want to teach him football," Emily replied, "not how to ride a motorcycle."

"Whatever," Toby sighed. "I would be the best uncle ever."

"Could you do me a favor?" Emily asked him. "I mean, it's only your duty as the self proclaimed best uncle ever."

"Sure," Toby leaned back, "why not?"

"Can you open it?" she asked. "I don't want to know, I just want someone to know. I like the idea that it's not a secret, just a surprise."

"Sure," he said picking up the envelope.

Toby opened it up and pulled out the small card inside. It was a photograph of a the scan but a colored baby footprint was placed next to it, with the color corresponding to the child's gender. Toby smiled when he saw it and shoved the photo back into the envelope.

"You saw it?" Emily asked.

"Yupp," he smiled.

Before Emily's curiosity to overcome her, she heard a loud tapping on the door. Emily got up and opened it up to find Spencer standing at the top of the steps.

"Hey," Emily said.

"I'm here to talk to Toby," Spencer explained.

"I'll just..." Emily grabbed her apron and bolted down the stairs.

"So," Toby said pulling Spencer in for a quick kiss, "didn't know you were coming around today."

"There's something I need to tell you," she said quickly.

"Sit down," Toby gestured toward the couch. "Can I get you anything."

"I'm fine," she snapped covering her stomach with her wide scarf.

"What's going on?" Toby asked concerned as he sat down across from her.

"Before you came back," she began, "something happened..."

"Spence," he breathed, "you're scaring me."

"Please," she cut him off, "don't make this harder than it needs to be. I just have to get this off my chest."

"Sorry," Toby said shutting up.

"Okay," she took a deep breath, "I'm pregnant."

"You can't be," his jaw dropped in shock.

"Believe me," she pleaded, "I wish it wasn't true."

"Wow," Toby sighed. He took her hand. "I knew that trying to get back together would have it's challenges but..."

"I'm so sorry," she told him. "I never wanted this to happen."

"I think you should leave," Toby said quietly.

Spencer bit back her tears as she grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

SNEAK PREVIEW

"So," the young nurse smiled, "everything looks good. The doctor will be in soon."

"Thanks," Spencer said as the woman left the room.

She waited patiently alone in the room. Her eyes scanned the stale décor and she willed herself to control her breathing. She had always wanted children, but she never expected herself doing this alone. If she was honest with herself, she would know Toby was the one meant to be by her side. Instead, the chair in the corner of the room sat empty. Luckily her fear of abandonment was interrupted by a tap on the door.

"Wren!" Spencer sat up, the shock written all over her face. "Fuck! Is there no other doctor in this town?"

"Hanna!" Mona turned the corner and gave her a huge smile.

"Hi," Hanna flashed a smile back. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you here."

"No," Mona replied glancing at all the baby products hung on the wall.

She rested her hand on her stomach. Hanna couldn't help but notice that Mona looked like she was about to pop.

"Sorry I'm late," Jake said walked straight toward Aria.

He leaned down and kissed her, taking a moment to graze his fingertips along the tiny bump growing from her midsection.

"Hey," Aria smirked, "don't be so obvious, not yet anyway."

"I can't help it," he whispered in her ear.

Aria shot another look in Ezra's direction. His gaze was diverted so as not to see the happy couple. Aria's heart broke just a tiny bit at the sight of Ezra sitting alone across the room from her.

"How will you settle on a name then?" Jason asked.

"I guess I can pick one of each," she replied. "Or a unisex like Alex or Taylor."

"That's no fun," he replied. "I think you should go with Jason, either way."

"That's quite narcissistic of you," she laughed. Then she felt a jabbing in her side. "Ow."

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Just kicking," she said. "Do you want to feel?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

Emily grabbed his hand and guided it over the spot where the baby was kicking the strongest. Jason sat quiet for a moment until there was a tiny nudge above Emily's belly button. Jason smiled. Then it happened again.

"Em," he leaned in close to her. "That's amazing."

"I know," she smiled.

I hope you likes it! For the Ezria fans, he'll be a prominent character in the next chapter. I got 10 reviews last time, this time 20 reviews gets you the next chapter today! I also put up a poll on my profile where you can choose what gender all the babies will be and you get 4 votes, one for each girl. Go vote!