-6 months later-
Sunday December 17th 2023
"Babe, you look great but, we're gonna be late." Joe says waiting in their bedroom for her to come out of the bathroom.
"I just feel like it's too much." Taylor checked herself out in the mirror, she wore a red sweater dress with black heels and her hair curled to one side.
"For family dinner sure but not for drinks afterwards at Estela's" he told her opening her jacket for her to put on.
"I've never been there."
"Well maybe it can be our anniversary spot."
"You're gonna spend a couple hundred dollars every 6 months for our anniversary?" She questioned.
"Well maybe after a year we'll just cut out the halves." He suggested.
"Yeah, I can make dinner at home just as good." She said and they headed out the door.
"Um you've never had their dumplings."
"Are you saying I'm a bad cook?" She questioned trying not to smile.
"No no no, haha, of course not. I'm just saying there out of this world amazing. I'm sure you could make them though." He says not wanting to make her mad.
"I'll make them better." She said with a smirk which Joe was glad to see. She's been a little moody the last couple days, which is typical for around this time of the month. She got yet another negative pregnancy test this morning again. It's been 5 months of trying after they went through a miscarriage shortly after they got back from their honeymoon. One more month of trying before they take the next step which would be IUI which is a type of artificial insemination.
When they got to Franks, Layla was standing in the window with Sean watching them approach the door.
"Someone's excited to see you." Joe said nudging Taylor. She loved that little girl, her face lights up every time she sees her.
"There she is!" Taylor said when they got inside, kneeling down with open her arms for Layla to come to her. She giggled and wobbled her way over to her.
"How are you today?" She talked to her, Joe and Sean made there way to the kitchen where everyone else was.
"What's the occasion? Did I miss the memo?" Henry asked seeing Joe dressed up and then Taylor too when she entered behind him holding Layla.
"No ha, we're going out to celebrate our 6 month anniversary afterwards."
"Ooo" Erin oogled.
"Wowww." Danny said.
"Fun fun." Eddie added.
"Where ya going?" Frank wondered.
"Estela's" Joe informed.
"Uh they have the best dumplings." Erin told them.
"That's what I said!"
"So I've heard." Taylor said laughing with an eye roll. They started putting the food on the table and sat down to pray.
—
Taylor and Eddie did the dishes afterwards, they've gotten very close through this whole journey. Beings they were the only other married couple in the family and have a little one too.
"So how are you?" Eddie asked with purpose.
"Huh I'm okay. I tested this morning and it was negative. But I kinda figured, I'm definitely having period symptoms, where as before it was different." Taylor told her rinsing dishes.
"I'm sorry. It's crazy how similar yet so different the symptoms can be with polar opposite things."
"Yeah it is, like I'm always moody around my period but I was really moody when I found out I was pregnant too. Same with bloating."
"Oh yeah. For sure, it's so weird. I remember getting a headache too before I found out and that was one thing I thought like, woah this is not normal, you know?" Eddie said drying a handful of silverware.
"Yeah, well for me, it was late and it was the night before our wedding so I kinda just chalked it up to nerves but I actually got sick! I thought I was paranoid at first for thinking it but lo and behold there it was." Taylor told her.
"Yep, always trust your gut." Eddie said. They had to stop talking because Danny came in to get a beer from the fridge. They were just about done anyway and went to join everyone else afterwards.
"Ready babe?" Joe asked before she sat down.
"Yeah sure, thanks for dinner, it was delicious as always." She gave Frank and Henry a hug before following Joe out. Everyone said bye and they were out the door.
They got to the restaurant and seated right away beings they had a reservation. This place was pretty fancy and there menu was almost in a different language to Taylor, Joe got a good laugh at it.
When they got there drinks Joe proposed a toast "Here's to half a year married and a year and a half together. It's only gonna get better from here on out, I know it." He said and they klinked there glasses together.
"I hope you're right." She says followed by a sip of the wine. They made small talk about the art of the walls, the music playing, the cool light fixtures above all the tables.
"You okay?" Joe asked after he noticed she seemed off still, and quiet.
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm just moody, and depressed. I wish I could flip a switch and not be but I cant." She said setting the menu down.
"It's okay. We can just enjoy a nice dinner out, go home and relax." He said with understanding.
"Yeah that sounds good." Just then the waiter came and took their order.
They had a nice dinner and left as soon as they got the check. Taylor had cramps and wanted to get home so she could take Advil before they got bad.
"I'm sorry we picked like the worst possible day to celebrate." Joe said bringing her a glass of water while she sat on their bed with the advil in her palm.
"Yeah." She said before popping them in her mouth and taking a drink.
"I just wanna go to sleep, I feel so worn out." She tells him getting undressed and climbing into bed.
"Alright, that's fine babe. I'll turn the lights off and do the same." Joe tells her and leaves the room.
When he climbs into bed she's got the blankets practically over her head.
"What are you doing?" He asks confused.
"I'm freezing." She says he snuggled up behind her.
"Seriously?" She's practically shaking.
"Maybe you're coming down with something." He suggests.
"Maybe. Goodnight."
"Goodnight I love you, hope you feel better." He kisses her cheek and they fall asleep.
——
Hope everyone is excited for this brand new sequel! If you haven't already be sure you go read "searching for Mrs. Joe hill" first!
I'm sure you're all sad they aren't with child anymore, but that's life sometimes sadly. Don't worry, it'll happen, just not yet. Make sure you leave your comments and thoughts!