Chapter Six

"Come on."Mark hadn't so much as set foot inside the coffee shop before Emily was pushing him back out the door.

"What? Where are we going?"he asked, confused.

"I'm going to get this over with while I have the courage. And you're coming,"Emily snapped forcefully, as she summoned a taxi.

"Er...okay?"Mark said, still confused, as a taxi pulled over and Emily shoved Mark inside.

"Take us into the city,"Emily barked at the cab driver.

"Where in the city?"the cab driver asked.

"Just the city!"Emily cried.

"Okay lady!"the cab driver said, throwing his hands up defensively. He began driving. Emily was scowling, a stray piece of hair falling into her face, making her look kind of crazed. Mark had never really known a pregnant woman before, but he assumed that this was some sort of odd mood swing, and decided it was best not to question Emily any more.

The cab dropped them off on the sidewalk in New York City and Emily jumped out, storming down the sidewalk. Mark took the two dollars he had in his pocket and handed it to the driver sheepishly, jumping out and following Emily.

"Emily! Wait up!"he called, running after her quickly.

"Walk faster!"Emily snapped back, completely disregarding Mark's request. Mark finally caught up with her just as she was walking into an apartment building. He followed her up three flights of stairs, and they stopped before door 3D. Then Emily froze, her scowl disappearing, being replaced by a look of fear.

"Oh God...what am I doing? Why am I here? What was I thinking!"she moaned.

"Well, I wish I could tell you, but...I have no idea what we're doing either,"Mark pointed out. Emily sighed, turning to Mark.

"I'm sorry, I just...I finally got up the courage to come here and tell my parents the news, and I was so ready and so pumped and now...now I can't!"Emily explained miserably.

"Yes you can Emily!"Mark assured her. "You made it all the way here, with me I might add, so I'm not letting you turn back now!"Emily sighed, looking at Mark.

"You're really not gonna let me go are you?"she asked.

"Not unless you knock me out and throw me down the stairs. And I would appreciate it if you didn't try that,"Mark replied. Emily let out a deep breath, nodding.

"Okay. I can do this...I can do this..."she repeated to herself. She raised her fist up...and knocked on the door. There was a pause...

"Coming!"a woman's voice called from inside. Emily was shaking a bit now. Then the door opened to reveal a woman, probably in her late fifties, with glasses, short brown hair and a very confused look. She smiled at Emily, though she looked confused.

"Emily! How are you dear? What are you doing out here? When did you come out?"the woman asked(she also had a British accent)Emily had her coat on, hiding her stomach, so her mother didn't notice anything.

"Oh, er...I just flew out recently. I've been working as nurse here, in the hospital,"Emily explained. She paused. "Um...there's something I need to tell you and dad."Emily's mother, Mrs. Weston, nodded.

"Of course dear, come in. Who's your friend?"she asked, spotting Mark.

"Oh, this is Mark Cohen. I met him at the hospital,"Emily replied.

"Oh, are you a nurse as well?"Mrs. Weston asked Mark. He frowned.

"Er, no..."

"No, he was one of my patients, mom. I was taking care of him,"Emily explained.

"Oh! I see. Well, come in Mark,"Mrs. Weston invited. Mark stepped into the cozy apartment(nothing like he and Roger's place), hands in his pockets uncomfortably. "Charles! Come here!"A tall, handsome man, also in about his fifties entered the room. He smiled when he saw Emily.

"Ah, Emily!"he said, walking over and hugging his daughter. "So nice to see you again. How have you been?"

"Fine dad..."Emily squeaked in reply. She looked very pale by then.

"Emily has some news for us,"Mrs. Weston replied. Mr. Weston eyed Mark, and grinned at him.

"Does she now?"he asked. "Well, let's sit down! What's your name young man?"

"Er, Mark. Mark Cohen,"Mark answered.

"Cohen. Nice name. Irish?"Mr. Weston guessed.

"No...Jewish,"Mark replied awkwardly.

"Oh. I see,"Mr. Weston said. "Well anyways, sit down! What's this great news you have to share with us Emily?"Mr. and Mrs. Weston sat down together on a couch. Emily took an arm chair across from them and Mark took the arm chair beside her.

"Well, um...you remember William from back home, right?"Emily began.

"Yes. You were dating him, weren't you? Fine fellow, I suppose. Never able to keep his priorities straight..."Mr. Weston commented. Emily took a deep breath.

"Yes, well...you see I'm, er...I'm going to...have a baby,"Emily said. Mrs. Weston squealed, and Mr. Weston looked shocked.

"Oh, wonderful darling!"Mrs. Weston said. "You and William, parents...imagine!"

"Um, actually that's why I'm here,"Emily interrupted. "William and I...aren't going to be parents."Mrs. Weston's smile faded, and Mr. Weston looked very stern.

"What do you mean?"Mrs. Weston asked.

"William left me when he learned about the baby. He left me with nothing. I used all the money I had to come out here and ask you for help. I've been here for almost three months now, I was too scared to come to you."Mrs. Weston looked mortified, and Mr. Weston, to Mark's surprise, looked furious.

"You mean to tell me you've been running around carrying some man's child who isn't even a part of your life any more?"he demanded.

"What was I supposed to do?"Emily replied.

"You shouldn't have even gotten involved with that boy! I knew he would mess up your life! I warned you, Emily!"Mr. Weston shouted.

"I didn't know! I made a mistake!"Emily insisted.

"And you will pay for it yourself! Now get out, I will not discuss this matter any further!" Mr. Weston hollered, pointing his finger at the door. Tears began to fall from Emily's eyes. She scowled at her father...and ran out the door. Mark stayed where he was, staring at Mr. Weston.

"What are you waiting for?"Mr. Weston growled at him.

"Charles, please,"Mrs. Weston sighed sadly.

"How could you do that to her?"Mark demanded suddenly. "Your own daughter came to you in her time of need, how could you just send her away like that!"

"Young man, this does not concern you-"Mr. Weston began.

"It does concern me! Emily is my friend, and I don't want to see her hurt like that! You're trying to punish her for her mistakes...well I hope you get punished for yours!"And with that Mark turned and stormed out of the Weston's apartment.

He found Emily standing on the curb outside, crying into her hands. He walked over to her.

"Hey,"he greeted.

"Mark, just leave. You don't need to get wrapped up in this,"she sniffed.

"Well, I think it's a little late for that. I just blew up at your dad,"Mark replied. Emily suddenly looked up, staring at Mark.

"You...did?"she asked, shocked.

"Yeah, I know, I even surprised myself. But that was ridiculous Emily, the way he treated you. No father can act like that and get away with it,"Mark said. Emily was looking up at Mark in awe now.

"Wow...you stood up for me?"she asked.

"Of course! You're my friend, I couldn't stand to see you hurt like that,"Mark said. Emily was able to smile a little.

"Wow,"she repeated. "I guess I owe you a thank you."

"Don't worry about it. I'm pretty sure you would do the same for me,"Mark pointed out. Emily nodded, sniffing and wiping the tears from her eyes. Mark wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He needed some way to cheer her up, make her feel better about things for at least a little while.

"Hey Emily...I think it's about time I let you in on my secrets."

Yes, the next chapter finally comes the moment we've all been waiting for...Emily meets the gang! I can't wait to write this one!