A/N: um...so...I totally forgot that they had a puppy until niceoneBlondie reminded me :/ oh my god how could I forget about Lola! I'm such a spaz...so this chapter is dedicated to Lola...almost as awesome as my doggie Buster (yes, he's named after the one-handed cartographer extraordinaire from Arrested Development!) I should also apologise for my threats...that's not cool...clearly the power went to my head, lol...I aint killing no one...er...probably...but I appreciate your reviews like crazy...even if they are given under the threat of violence!
Thanks to HacknSlashUK for the idea for this chapter...also 'Naomilins' is now my favourite word for Naomily offspring, or just in general, so thanks to warriormari for bringing it to my attention in her awesome review!
Bit of a fun chapter for the weekend...
"Em," Naomi groans, still half asleep as she feels the redhead moving away. She latches on to her arm and tries to pull her closer to her. "Where are you going?"
Emily kisses her lips lightly and then slips out of the bed, pads over to their wardrobe.
Naomi misses her wife's warmth instantly. Stretches her palm out over her side of the bed, her eyes still closed. She hears the rapid footsteps of Lola running after Emily. Grumbles to herself because Lola apparently likes Emily more than her, despite the fact that she does most of the heavy lifting, like giving her a bath and feeding her every morning.
"I'm going for a run," Emily answers gently, her voice huskier with sleep.
"A run?" Naomi's eyes open wide and she regrets it immediately, blinking them closed again as the early morning sunlight stings. She rubs at them and eases them open again slowly, waits for them to adjust to the light. She sits up slightly and watches Emily slip into some very short shorts and a fitted t-shirt.
"You're actually seriously going for a run?"
Emily laughs. "Yes I'm seriously going for a run. Even bought new trainers." She holds up a pair of red running shoes.
Naomi wants to laugh because of course Emily bought red shoes.
"But it's only..." she reaches over to her phone sitting on the bedside table and glances at the screen, "Jesus Christ it's only 8am. And it's Saturday! It's illegal to get out of bed before ten on a Saturday."
She buries her head under the bed sheets and closes her eyes.
She listens as Emily chuckles at her, then move into their en suite, Lola following. A few minutes later she shuffles back into their bedroom. Naomi flings the sheets off her head dramatically, accompanied by a sigh. She's wide awake now, there's no use trying to go back to sleep.
She watches the redhead move around their room, her cute little bum fitting snugly into her shorts. Her eyes trail upwards and skim over Emily's taut stomach, then up to her breasts, sitting so full and perfect, and Naomi can't stand that Emily is so far away and has clothes on.
"Hold on. Since when do you go running?"
"Since today. Remember when Dr Parker said that I had the best chance of getting pregnant if I'm as healthy as possible."
It had been a few months since Naomi had brought up babies, and they'd discussed it endlessly and come up with a plan, finally consulting their doctor about it last week. They'd decided that Emily was going to carry the baby. Naomi wanted to have kids, she just couldn't imagine one growing inside her, while Emily was in love with the idea. They'd thought about adoption, but Emily had always dreamt of being pregnant. They hadn't ruled it out in the future though, but for the moment, Emily really wanted to give birth.
Naomi sits up in the bed and leans against the headboard, pulls the sheets up with her because she's not ready to leave their warmth yet. "Remember when she did those tests and said you were healthy?" She mimics Emily's tone teasingly.
The redhead smiles and stands, walking around to sit on her wife's side of the bed. Lola rushes over and jumps up on the bed, trying to wedge her way in between them. Naomi gently pushes her away. The redhead reaches out and tucks the hair that has fallen over Naomi's eyes behind her ear. It's tender and loving and Naomi's eyes flutter closed as she smiles. Emily leans forward and gives her a lingering kiss and when Naomi feels her start to pull away she sucks on her bottom lip, not wanting it to end. She tries to pull Emily back down onto the bed with her, but the redhead resists, finally leaning back and standing.
"But I could be healthier. I want to get fit...and I like running."
"Can't we just have lots of sex?" The blonde quirks her eyebrow and bites her lip seductively. "I can keep you fit."
Emily rolls her eyes. "I don't think that'll do it."
Naomi feigns indignation, her mouth dropping open and eyes narrowing.
"And no more alcohol," Emily adds.
Naomi's mouth opens even further, her eyes circling wide. "What?"
"From now on my body is a temple. Nothing bad is entering me."
"Does that mean we can't have sex anymore?"
Naomi giggles at her own joke while Emily shakes her head and scratches Lola's ears.
"You have the sense of humour of a fifteen year old boy."
"And the sex-drive."
Naomi reaches forward, grabs her hand and pulls, hard enough to send Emily crashing down on top of her. Emily makes a weak attempt to fight her off as they giggle, then gives up as soon as Naomi leans forward and crashes their lips together. They kiss slowly and Naomi's hands roam, slipping eagerly beneath the material of Emily's jogging outfit, feeling their way along her ribs and across her back. They are just about to slide down the back of her wife's underwear when Emily pulls back, grabbing the blonde's hands and removing them from her shorts.
"You're distracting me."
Naomi lunges for her again but Emily is too quick and moves away.
She pouts like a toddler. "You're wasting our Saturday morning."
"You could always come with me?" Emily offers as she stands and re-adjusts her clothing.
Naomi scoffs. "Please." She waves her hand at her body. "I can't improve upon this perfection."
"What about this?" Emily smirks as she leans forward to poke the blonde's belly. "Padding up for winter are we Naoms?"
She chuckles and walks over to the mirror, pulling her hair back into a messy ponytail.
Naomi glances down and frowns. Stretches herself out from the slumped sitting position she's in and watches her stomach. Maybe it does poke out a little more than it used to. Maybe it does look a little fuller. She has been eating a lot of junk food recently, always kept so busy at work that she only has time for something quick. She sucks her stomach in and out a few times. Flexes her abdominal muscles and pokes at them. They don't feel as strong as they used to. Maybe she is getting a little chubby. She pulls the blanket off her legs and examines her thighs. Wonders if they're a little wider than they used to be.
Emily turns around to find her wife studying her legs and looking concerned. Realises that Naomi has taken her words to heart. "I was kidding," she says quickly, moving to stand by the bed. "Your body is perfection."
She leans down to give her a quick kiss and then winks. Naomi smiles half heartedly.
"Besides," Emily continues, "I'm the one who's going to be as big as a house in a few months."
The image of a pregnant Emily pushes everything else out of Naomi's brain until she's swimming in thoughts of her wife's swollen belly and the baby growing inside. Thinks it might just be the best thing in the world. She grins as her heart swells.
"But you still might want to get in a little running before the breast cancer charity fun run next month," the redhead adds. "Just so you don't hurt yourself."
Naomi sighs. She'd forgotten about that, probably because she isn't exactly looking forward to it. She and physical exercise had never been the best of friends. But she had been inspired to participate in the run when her mum had gotten sick. Naomi doesn't believe in God but she thanks whatever is up there every day that Gina is in remission. It's been five months and all the scans are clear. All her hair has grown back, a little courser than before, and she's put back on the weight she'd lost. You'd never know she'd even been sick. She's being more annoying than ever, but Naomi wouldn't have it any other way.
"I take it that's a no?" Emily asks, a note of hope still clear in her voice.
Naomi ignores the question and leans forward to reach around Emily, grabs at her bum and squeezes. "These shorts should be illegal. You're going to cause some poor person to crash their car."
Emily swats her hand away and giggles. "You could always come with me. Watch me from behind."
Naomi enjoys the mental image for a second, then replays what the redhead said and feels affronted.
"What makes you think I'll be trailing behind you?"
Emily quirks an eyebrow.
"Why don't we find out?"
-x-
She spots Effy sitting at a table as she nears the cafe. The brunette is staring into space absentmindedly. It's a mild Sunday afternoon and the sidewalks are full of people, moving from shop to shop or enjoying lunch.
She feels oddly nervous. She hasn't really hung out with Effy in a couple of months, not just the two of them. Everything with her mum and work and the impending pregnancy has taken up her time and energy. She feels guilty that she hasn't been there for her friend, even though she knows Effy understands. She's glad that Katie and Effy have become good friends, so that at least someone is there for the brunette.
She makes her way over and smiles widely as she approaches the table.
"Hey Eff."
She groans and winces as she lowers herself into the chair gingerly. Effy studies her through narrow eyes.
"Something wrong there Naomi? Emily give you a sex injury?"
"I wish. The little minx tricked me into going running with her." She shuffles around in her seat and winces. "I think I pulled a muscle in my arse. I didn't even know that was possible."
She's pretty sure that every muscle in her body is sprained, and she's hurting in places she didn't know existed. Emily had coaxed her into going running with her yesterday and she'd almost died, pausing to suck in lung-full's of oxygen every minute or so. It was embarrassing really, with Emily running ahead and then doubling back to check on her every few minutes. Naomi had finally given up after fifteen minutes and walked home. Conceded that she really isn't fit.
Effy chuckles and Naomi laughs a little too. It's nice to see her friend smiling after everything she's gone through.
"Something tells me it doesn't take much for Emily to persuade you to do things."
Naomi rolls her eyes playfully. She's whipped. Everyone knows it. She loves it.
The waitress comes over and takes their coffee orders. When she leaves Effy lights up another cigarette and exhales a long cloud of smoke. Naomi waves it away.
"Jesus, don't let Emily see you smoking anywhere near me. She'll freak out and go crazy and think it'll stop her getting pregnant or something."
She doesn't think about the words until they've already left her lips. Clamps her hand over her mouth as soon as she realises what she's let slip. "Shit."
She and Emily had decided that they aren't going to tell anyone until she's actually pregnant. They know how difficult it can be and thought it would be easier to deal with that way. When they only have their own expectations and hopes to deal with.
But it's no use pretending she didn't say anything. If being friends with Effy all these years has taught her one thing it's that Effy hears everything. Even some of the things you don't say out loud.
The brunette raises an eyebrow. "Pregnant?"
Naomi smiles sheepishly. "Nothing's happened yet. We've only just decided on it. Spoken with our doctor a couple of times."
Effy doesn't betray any emotion on her face, and Naomi feels compelled to keep talking.
"But we don't want anyone to know at the moment. You know...not until something has actually happened. Because nothing has happened yet...we're still kind of planning...but we're hoping that it'll be soon...but we're not telling people yet...so if you could keep it quiet?"
She realises she's rambling and shuts her mouth. Watches her friend and feels nervous about her response. Every since she found out about Effy's suicide attempt she's felt anxious about telling her friend good news. Always feels like she's bragging. She knows it's silly, knows her friend is happy for her, but she still feels slightly guilty. Everything turned out so well for her and Emily but so much has gone wrong for Effy. At least that seems to be changing for her now though.
The waitress returns with their coffee. Naomi takes a sip of hers. Isn't sure what to think as she waits for Effy's response.
But then the brunette's face brightens with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"Wow Naomi, I was wondering when you were going to do your duty and knock her up."
The blonde chuckles and feels the lightness of relief. "Oh trust me, I'm working on it." She raises her eyebrows suggestively and gives Effy a look that tells the brunette exactly how she's working on it.
Effy scrunches her face at the information about her friend's sex life that she definitely doesn't want. After a beat she sighs, a smile on her face. "Kids huh? Little Naomilins running around organising political rallies in the kindergarten. With a lopsided fringe and cute little bows in their hair. You could even have twins."
Naomi laughs at the thought but thinks it's rather wonderful. Thinks that it would make her very happy indeed.
"Who would have guessed," she muses.
She hadn't. Not as a young teenager when she'd first fallen in love with Emily and not even when they had finally gotten together. Back then she'd thought about it, even dreamt about it sometimes, but she'd never let herself dare to hope for it. Didn't think she was lucky enough or good enough to have Emily Fitch as her wife, let alone the woman having her child.
"I did," Effy replies seriously. "I saw it that first day at college, when you stormed past Katie into the classroom, then came back out to insult her. I saw the way Emily looked at you and then smiled after you'd gone. It was actually pretty fucking obvious. Katie knew too. That's why she hated you so much at first."
Naomi takes it all in as she sips on her coffee. "Well fuck Eff, you could have told me all of that back then and saved me a year of drama and heartache," she teases.
Effy takes a drag and raises and eyebrow. "Would you have listened to me back then."
It's not really a question.
"Point taken."
"Besides, who knows if it would have turned out the same if we'd told you back then. Everything happens for a reason right?"
The words are so hopeful and optimistic that Naomi is a little shocked to hear them leave Effy's mouth. Effy, the broken-hearted girl who used to be so pessimistic and cynical. She smiles fondly, thinking that she's not the only one who's grown up these last few years. They all have. Effy is clearly moving on with her life. Katie and Cook have a predictably dramatic relationship but they've managed not to kill each other so far, and seem genuinely in love. Panda and Thomas are still living together over in the US. Even JJ has found himself a fiancée.
Sometimes Naomi still sees them all as seventeen year olds. Confused and scared and excited and hopeful. And sometimes she still feels that way. But she's older and a little wiser, and she's learnt from her mistakes. They all have. She can't regret anything she's ever done because it has all led her to where she is now, and she could never regret that for a second.
"Yeah, you're right. I guess it does."
-x-
A few weeks later Emily has kept up her running regime. Naomi shouldn't be surprised because she knows that when Emily Fitch sets her mind to something she gets it done. Doesn't stop until it she does. Naomi hasn't gone with her since that fateful first time. It had taken over a week for her body to feel normal again. But she still participated in the charity fun run, albeit at more of a walking speed, talking Katie and Effy into doing it with her. Her mum had even come along.
Naomi used to hate that Emily's alarm would wake her up as well early in the morning, but she soon discovered that she didn't mind it so much after all. Because after Emily came back from a run she was usually so high on adrenaline and endorphins that she would practically molest Naomi in her sleep, waking her up and then having her way with her. Not that Naomi ever objected to it.
Not that Naomi could ever object to Emily Fitch showing her how much she loves her.
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Just a bit of fluff for you all...
So...I've got like nine more chapters planned...but I don't mind writing more...so if there's anything you want to see let me know...otherwise we almost done!
Review pleeeeeaaaaase? No more threats, you'll just have my eternal gratitude in return...not good enough? Fine...I'll make out with you...meet me under the bleachers after school...
:)