It was Sunday afternoon. Naya has been extremely anxious all day and it didn't help that her wife was working and had a long day ahead of her. Heather made Naya promise she'd call if she needed anything. Heather had to leave early this morning to finish the choreography for their upcoming holiday numbers.
Naya was eating breakfast at their kitchen island when she heard her phone buzzing next to her on the counter. She set her piping hot coffee down and picked up her iPhone. The caller ID indicated that it was Amber.
"Hey, Amber!" Naya said relieved to be able to talk to someone and distract her mind from itself.
"Hey, girl. How are you?" Amber asked casually.
"Ehh. I've been a nervous fucking wreck all morning and Heather's at work all day which doesn't help. She's finishing choreography with Zack so we can get started on the dance numbers this week so they had to put in a day of work this weekend." Naya tells Amber.
"Aww, I'm sorry. I don't have any plans today. Would you like to come over and hang out for the day? I'll keep you company." Amber offered.
"Actually, that sounds fun. I need a distraction. If I leave now I'll be there in about 20 minutes. Is that okay?" Naya replied already grabbing her keys and phone.
"You got it. Just text me when you're here and I'll unlock the door. See you soon!" Amber said then hung up.
Naya pulled up to Amber's house in her Black Mercedes G Wagon. She grabbed her phone out of the cup holder and grabbed her purse draping it over her shoulder. She got out and locked the doors. As she was walking up the pathway Amber opened the door motioning for her to come in. She smiled immediately at her friend and walked inside followed by Amber who locked the door behind them.
"Hey, girl. How are you?" Amber asked giving Naya a friendly hug. Naya always loved Amber's hugs.
"I'm okay" Naya said unsteadily. Amber didn't believe a word she said and led her over to the cream fabric sectional in the living room. The girls sat down and Amber gave Naya a look.
"You know that doesn't fly with me girl. What's going on?" Amber insisted patting Naya's knee encouraging her to continue.
"Ugh... I'm a nervous wreck about this damn interview tomorrow. I can't sleep. I barely slept all night. The only time I can sleep is when Heather's holding me. I feel like after today I'm literally handing my daughter over to the wolves that are crazy fans and paparazzi. I adore our fans and 98% of them are amazing but you always have those crazies that scare the hell out of you and the thought of my daughter being in danger is stressing me the fuck out! I can't.." Naya rambled letting everything spill out until she was literally gasping for oxygen.
"Woah, Naya! Slow down for me hun. Catch your breath. Don't be upsetting my little niece in there, alright?" Amber said while patting Naya's belly. "I completely understand where your coming from. People can be crazy. You two, well you three, will be fine though. We're all here for you. As for the interview, I actually think it's a good thing. That way the public gets the information they want and people will probably feel less likely to hound you. Does that make sense?" Amber asked.
Naya nodded. Amber had a valid point. It wasn't so much the interview that she was nervous about, she did them often, it was the mayhem following the interview she was most concerned about.
"It'll be fine. You know Heather. She'll make sure you're ok. You know she will. That girl is so ridiculously in love with you." Amber reminded with a smile and nudge to her shoulder making Naya look at her back and smile.
"Hey, Zack I think we should switch that quick step and opt for the turn beforehand. I like the idea of stretching that last move out and merging it into the split before the lift." Heather instructed while demonstrating making Zack nod in agreement.
"I totally agree. It makes it more fluid and less stiff. Good call Hemo." Zack praised with a high-five. "Take five. Call your wife. I'm going to grab a drink from the office." Zack announced before jogging out of the tin shed.
Heather grabbed her phone and didn't see any missed calls or texts. She hoped Naya was getting some sleep since she barely got any last night. She decides she'll try calling once. She picks up her phone waiting for Naya's voice to appear on the other end. Except she never hears that sexy raspy voice she loves so much. Heather takes that to assume she's catching some sleep and places her phone back in her bag.
Naya was very much awake. She just didn't realize she left her phone on vibrate turning off her ring after a series of annoying text messages from Lea complaining about another meaningless thing that Cory did wrong.
About 3 hours later Naya was still hanging out with Amber on her couch. Her head practically bobbing up and down she was so tired. Her mind just wouldn't shut off and allow her to relax.
"Hey Nay, want me to make you a little something? Have you eaten yet today?" Amber asked walking back into the living room with two cups of chamomile tea.
"Thanks, Amber." Naya says while grabbing the hot cup. "No, I haven't. I was way too nervous this morning." Naya said
"Nay we got to feed that baby. Let me grab you some crackers to start with. Trust me you'll feel so much better." Amber responds while getting up and grabbing some crackers out of the tall pantry cabinet and coming back to her previous spot on the couch.
"Try taking some small bites and sip your tea." Amber instructed. She continued to talk to Naya as a distraction keeping the topics light so she would relax, and therefore eat.
Naya did in fact eat quite a few crackers and finished her tea which Amber was relieved to see. She motioned for Naya to move over to the chaise portion of the sectional so she could stretch her legs and hopefully sleep for a little while.
Naya's phone continued to buzz multiple times throughout the afternoon but she had put it in her purse and she didn't hear it.
1:34 pm Incoming Heather: Hey beautiful! Just checking in! I'm hoping you're getting some sleep. You need the extra rest. Love you both!
2:58 pm Incoming Heather: Naya sweetheart, are you still sleeping? I hope you are, but if your awake please give me a text or call and let me know your ok. Love you baby.
4:21 pm Incoming Heather: Naya I've been trying to call you since this morning. You're starting to worry me now. You never nap this long. I'm going to leave the shed now and head home. I love you so much beautiful.
Amber and Naya had been watching various TV shows until Naya finally fell asleep. Amber could tell it was extremely restless though. Occasionally hearing Naya whimper or shake her head as if she was having a bad dream.
Heather drove her car into the driveway of their home and quickly got out and ran to the front door. The front door was locked so she frantically searched for her house key and shakily unlocked the door. As soon as she stepped into the house she didn't see or hear Naya, so her first thought was to run to the bedroom as she was most likely out cold after barely any sleep.
Heather opened the door slowly in case she was sleeping and walked in only to find the bed made and her wife nowhere in sight. Alright now was the time to panic. She desperately searched the entire house and backyard. No signs of her wife. She ran to the garage to see if her Mercedes was there. It was gone. Heather was beyond confused. Where would Naya have gone all day without answering her phone?
At this point, Heather's mind was going to every dark place imaginable. Naya's been worried so much lately about being out and about with the paparazzi. They agreed she wouldn't go out to any public places today before the interview because it was almost impossible to conceal the bump now. Did she go out anyway and it turned into a paparazzi or fan frenzy? Was she hurt?
Heather couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her phone trying Naya one more time but had no luck. She called Diana.
"Diana!" Heather rushed out.
"Hemo? Are you ok? What's wrong!" Diana said noticing Heather's tone.
"I can't find Naya. I've literally been calling and texting all morning. I assumed she was asleep since she slept horribly last night but she's not in the house. Her car is gone. I'm freaking out!" Heather cried out tears starting to stream down her face.
"Heather I haven't heard from her. Come pick me up and we'll look for her. It will be ok. I'll grab my shoes and wait for you outside." Diana said
Amber was sitting on the couch watching some shows she recorded for later. She looked to the side when she heard whimpering. The second she saw a tear fall down Naya's cheek she knew she was having a bad dream and tried to wake her up.
"Nay! Nay, wake up hun. You're having a bad dream." Amber said shaking her friend gently.
"No, leave me alone! Don't touch me!" Naya cried out in her restless sleep.
"Naya it's me, Amber. Wake up, honey!" Amber said starting to shake her harder needing her to wake up before she got too upset.
"Do not touch my baby! No!" Naya screamed out before jolting awake and breathing roughly and staggered. She took in her surroundings looking confused at first, then turned her head towards her friend and let out a sigh before bursting into tears.
"Oh hun, come here. You're ok." Amber says while bringing Naya close and letting her lean on her while gently rocking her back and forth. "Honey I'm going to call Heather ok. I think you need her." Amber said grabbing her phone. Naya didn't bother arguing. She did need her wife.
Meanwhile, Diana and Heather were in Lea's driveway. She was also waiting outside with Jenna who happened to be over at Lea's going over lines for next week's scripts. Both girls ran over the second the car pulls in and hop in the car. Diana and Heather explained what was going on. All the girls were extremely worried but Heather was beyond the point of consolation.
"Have you tried Amber yet?" Jenna asked quickly.
"Jesus, no I haven't." Heather mentally kicked herself. I can't fucking think straight!" Heather finishes with tears in her eyes. Diana rubs her arms up and down trying to comfort her in any way possible. Just as Jenna is about to dial Amber's number and they're about to pull out of the driveway, Heather's ringtone goes off. The caller ID reads Amber.
"Amber! Is Naya with you?!" Heather sobs into the phone.
"Yes, hun she's here. She really needs you." Amber replies. She's slightly concerned and confused as it sounds like Heather's sobbing and frantic. "Heather hun are you ok? What's wrong?!" Amber asks growing concerned about her too.
"Amber me and the girls will be there in 10 minutes!" Heather rushes out and hangs up.
"Is Naya there?! Is she ok?" Diana rushes out and Heather takes off for Amber's house.
"She's with Amber. Amber said she needs me. That's all I know." Heather said quickly. Her mind trying to focus on driving so she makes it there in one piece.
Amber is rocking Naya trying to steady her sobs which are still streaming down her face. Amber's concerned about both her and Heather after hearing her on the phone sounding beyond upset and flustered.
"He wouldn't let me go. They just wouldn't stop. I couldn't see from all the flashes…and I told them… I said…" Naya attempting to speak through muffled sobs.
"You're safe. You're okay, Nay." Amber said continuing to rock them soothingly. Amber's head pops up hearing car doors open and close one after the other. She remembered she had unlocked the door to get the mail earlier and it was still open so she wouldn't have to let Naya go.
Heather and the girls quickly pulled up into the driveway and opened the doors to Heather's car quickly shutting them. They see Naya's Mercedes in the driveway and all four of them run up the pathway.
Heather opens the door immediately throwing her shoes off as did the others and called out for Naya.
"Naya! Honey where are you?" Heather yelled already making her way through the kitchen to the living room.
"She's here Heather" Amber says.
Heather takes in Naya's appearance. She looks exhausted. She's basically curled up in the fetal position against Amber. She looked so scared.
Naya immediately lifts her head when she hears the sound of her wife's voice. She immediately reaches for her and sobs again.
Heather runs around the coffee table over to where Naya's sitting on the chaise. Amber gets up motioning for Heather to sit where she was. Heather swiftly picks up Naya bridal style and sits down in Naya's spot cradling her pregnant wife in her arms. Naya's head lying against her chest. She's sitting sideways in Heather's lap. Heather has one arm wrapped around her back, her fingers running up and down her arm slowly, while her other hand is rubbing circles on Naya's belly.
"You're okay my love. I'm right here. Try and relax for me and our girl, okay beautiful? Just relax. Rest your eyes. We'll talk when you wake up. I'm here. I'm not letting you go." Heather reassures attentively.
"Baby…" Naya mumbles out half asleep already. Naya immediately relaxing in her wife's embrace."
"The baby is fine, my love. I'm holding her too." Heather assures as she places her hand protectively on top of her belly. "She's okay. You go to sleep honey. I've got the both of you now." Heather consoles soothingly while grabbing a pillow to put behind Naya's back and settling into the chaise farther so Naya can lay against her. Heather moves her hand to massage Naya's head and run her fingers through her hair. She takes a throw blanket and tosses it over the both of them with Amber's help. Heather sends her a grateful smile along with the others as they look on.
"I've got you, baby. I've got you, little love. Momma's here" Heather reiterates speaking just above a whisper. She knows Naya heard as she sees a tiny smile on her face. Naya wiggles further into her embrace. Once Naya's breathing evens out and Heather knows she's sound asleep, she places a kiss on her temple and brings both hands to cradle Naya's belly protectively. She takes a few moments to sit silently with her wife trying to gather her own emotions.
The other four girls were chatting quietly in the living room when Heather's eyes opened and squeezes shut several times before opening and scanning the room. She still hadn't moved from her position cradling her wife. Both hands remained over her baby girl and Jenna's the first one to look over noticing Heather was awake.
"Hey, Hemo. How are you feeling?" Jenna asked softly
"Exhausted. I honestly don't think I've been so scared in my life." Heather replies as a few tears escape her eyes and the girls give her nods and sympathetic looks. "Amber, why was she here? Why didn't she call me?" Heather asked.
"I had called her this morning to check-in and she had explained that you were working all day. She was feeling particularly anxious today, which I later found out was because of the aftermath she thinks the interview will cause with overzealous fans and paparazzi. I think she just needed to be with someone to keep her mind occupied. I told her I wasn't busy and invited her. I assumed she told you but she must not have. I think she honestly just forgot. She didn't have her phone out all day. We did a lot of talking. I tried to make her see that an interview could be a good idea. I was able to get her to eat some crackers and drink some tea. She said she only sleeps well with you holding her, which clearly…" Amber smiles motioning to Naya sound asleep against Heather. Heather subconsciously tightens her hold around her wife and smiles. "Well, she managed to fall asleep for a little while but not too long after she started having a nightmare and was getting really upset in her sleep. I was shaking her and yelling for her to wake up. She kept saying not to touch her baby. She basically jolted awake and I had to hold her while she was sobbing until you came."
Heather's eyes clouded over with tears at the thought of Naya feeling so miserable and she wasn't here. She kisses Her wife on the forehead and lifts Naya's shirt so she can sneak her hand under and rub her belly knowing Naya is comforted by skin-to-skin contact. She continues to move her hand soothingly over the round belly and place kisses all over Naya's face needing that closeness.
About an hour later at 6:30 pm, Naya was still out cold. Heather was mainly listening to the other girls chat, not wanting to risk talking too loud and waking her wife.
"You really are so good with her Hemo. You two really are made for each other." Jenna said looking at the girls cuddled on the couch.
"Thanks, Jenna. I can't put into words how much I love them. When I couldn't find her, I completely panicked. Every worst-case scenario played out in my head. That was so scary." Heather pouted. "Amber thank you for everything. Thank you for being there for her." Heather looks over at Amber gratefully.
"Hemo you never have to thank me for that. I love Naya. We all do. I tried my best to comfort her honestly, but I'm not you." Amber stated while smiling widely at the girls.
Heather smiled at Amber and kissed the top of her wife's head. "Hey, Amber do you know where her phone is?"
Amber nodded and grabbed Naya's purse holding it open for Heather to grab the phone. One Heather found it she saw all the unanswered texts from herself and a couple of others on the Lock Screen. She turned the phone to the side and noticed the ringer was off and it was set to vibrate.
"That's why she didn't hear…her phone was on vibrate. Well, that makes sense." Heather said to herself setting her phone down on the couch turning the ringer back on. She set the phone down and brought her hand back on top of Naya's belly and her other hand cupped the back of her head.
"I'm so glad your okay beautiful and it was just a big misunderstanding. We'll make sure that doesn't happen again. The main thing is you and our daughter are alright. I was so worried about you both. I'll make sure to protect you now. You don't have to worry my love." Heather whispers to her sleeping wife while the others look on at the one in a million relationship that is Heya.
It was just past 7:30 pm. Amber decided to order a couple of pizzas for the girls. They were all talking around the coffee table, filling their mouths with delicious pizza. Heather was still sitting on the couch holding her sleeping wife. Heather promised Amber she would eat when Naya woke up.
About 10 minutes later the girls were discussing Thanksgiving plans when Naya began to stir. Heather quickly looked down and ran her fingers through her hair and smoothed her hand up and down her belly to ease her awake calmly.
Naya fluttered her eyes open and Heather smiled at her wife. She saw the dark brown eyes she loved so much and leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead.
"Hi, beautiful. Did it feel good to sleep a little bit?" Heather asked while continuing to massage her head.
"Mhmm felt so good. Thank you for holding me." Naya replied laying her head in the crook of her wife's neck and placing a kiss on her jawline.
"We ordered some pizza. Would you like a piece?" Heather asked motioning to their pizza boxes on the coffee table.
"Sounds kinda good. I haven't had much to eat today." Naya replied almost shamefully.
"I know sweetheart. I've heard your stomach growling a couple of times while you were sleeping. We need to feed our baby girl." Heather says leaning forward with Naya still in her lap and scooting towards the end of the couch and sinking down the floor. Her friends stare at her wondering how she can maneuver like that with someone in her arms.
"Why is everyone looking at me like I got two heads?" Heather asks genuinely confused. She lifts her hand feeling her head to make sure there was only one still. The girls chuckled at their friend and Amber put two slices of pizza on their shared plate.
"You know you could have just asked Naya to get up so you could have moved much easier." Lea pointed out
"Why would I do that? I'm not going to push my pregnant wife off me so it's slightly easier for me to stand up. That makes no sense." Heather replied dumbfounded. The other girls giggle and let it go. They know it's just how Heather is with Naya.
"What if I was laying on you..would you carry me in your arms like that?" Lea asked
"Ok well, my first question would be…why the hell is Lea in my lap, to begin with?" Heather says causing all the girls to giggle. "and no, I'd probably pushed you off." Heather finishes with a shrug.
"What? Why?!" Lea feigning hurt.
"You are not my wife Lea." Heather replied as if was the most obvious answer. "How many laps do you sit on besides Cory and Santa, Lea?" Heather asks causing everyone to laugh.
"Whatever." Lea huffs.
Heather shakes her head and looks at her wife who's smiling. "How do you feel beautiful?" Heather asks and kisses Naya's cheek.
"Better. You're here. Everything's just better when you're around. I'm still incredibly nervous but I know you'll be with me." Naya smiles
"I won't leave your side tomorrow. I promise you." Heather says looking Naya in the eyes. Naya blushes and nods her head.