It's mid-afternoon when she quickly makes her way up the path towards the front door; a carrier bag gripped in one hand and the other hand reaching out to knock on the front door. She's just about to knock the door when it swings open to reveal the blonde standing with a grin on her face.
'Emily! I didn't realise you were in town.' JJ says smiling as she instantly embraces the brunette. JJ feels Emily's body tense at ths contact before slowly beginning to relax.
'Spur of the moment thing, I guess. I actually only booked my tickets yesterday... Are Will and the boys home?' Emily asks and JJ can see the tears glistering in her eyes.
'No, they're out at the park... Come on in.' JJ replies ushering Emily into the house. She guides her through to the living room and they both take a seat on the sofa. Emily lets out a shaky breath as she reaches up to wipe her cheeks.
'I'm such a mess, I'm sorry.' Emily says and JJ shakes her head.
'You don't have to apologise, Em... You've been through a lot over the past few weeks. I'm so sorry about Mark. I know I didn't get to actually meet him but I could see just how happy he made you.' JJ replies.
'I think I'm pregnant.' Emily almost whispers.
'Oh, Em...' JJ says staring at her friend.
'I didn't want to do a test on my own and I just didn't know who else to go to... How stupid is that? As a grown adult I felt the need to fly all the way from London to take a pregnancy test.' Emily says shaking her head.
'It's not stupid at all. Taking a pregnancy test is such a big thing, especially after the few weeks you've had. I'm glad you came here, Emily.' JJ replies.
'I don't actually know if I've got any tests in the house.' JJ adds and Emily reaches for the carrier bag.
'I stopped by the store on my way here; I didn't know which to get so I just bought three different packets.' Emily admits causing JJ to smile
'Do you want to do the test just now or do you want to wait a bit? Have a drink?' JJ asks.
'I want to do it now.' Emily replies and JJ nods her head.
There's a line of six pregnancy tests set out on some paper towels on the table in front of them. Tears stream down Emily's cheeks as they both silently stare at the tests; they've watched as one by one they all showed up positive. Reaching out, JJ wraps her arm around the brunette's shoulders who instantly lets out a sob.
'Oh, Emily...' JJ says softly.
'What do I do, JJ? I can't be a mom.' Emily cries.
'You'll be a great mom, Emily. I know this isn't what you planned and it's not how you would've wanted it to be but you will be great.' JJ says.
'I don't want to do it all on my own.' Emily almost whispers.
'Then you have options.' JJ says and almost instantly Emily is taken back to being that scared fifteen year old facing one of the hardest experiences of her life.
'I-I can't have an abortion.' Emily replies shaking her head.
'Okay so you have a baby... Whatever you decide to do, you need to know that you're not going to be on your own. There are so many people here who will love and cherish that little one when they're here. You've seen how everyone is with my boys.' JJ says and Emily nods her head.
'I know. I know. I just- I don't know how to do this without Mark.' Emily admits.
'It's not going to be easy, especially with you being in London but I'll always be here for you, Em... Whatever you need, whenever.' JJ says and Emily sighs.
'Thank you.' Emily replies quietly.
'Are you going to tell the others you're in town? How long have we got you?' JJ asks and Emily shrugs her shoulders.
'I don't have a set day for going back. They've put me on compassionate leave until the end of the month. I wanted to keep working but they said I needed time to process everything.' Emily replies and JJ nods her head.
'They're right. Jumping straight back into work would only have allowed you to push your grief to the side until it completely overwhelmed you.' JJ says.
'Please don't tell anyone about this... I just- I need time to process it all before I tell people.' Emily asks as she gestures to the tests.
'I won't tell a soul... We're having pizza for dinner tonight, would you like to stay for some? The boys would love to see their Auntie Em?' JJ asks.
'I don't want to impose.' Emily replies.
'We'd love to have you stay for dinner. Will can drop you off wherever you're staying.' JJ says and Emily nods her head.
'Okay. That would be really nice actually.' Emily replies smiling.
'Thank you for dropping me off, Will. And for having me over for dinner. It was lovely spending some time with you all.' Emily says smiling as she glances at her best friend's husband sitting in the drivers seat.
'Honestly you don't have to thank me. The boys loved having you over and I know JJ did as well... We'll arrange something else before you head back to London.' Will replies and Emily nods her head.
'Night, Will.' She says softly.
'Night, Emily.' He replies as she gets out of the car. She makes her way into the hotel and up to her room. Dropped her bag by the door, she kicks her shoes off and removes her jacket before making her way over to the bed. She drops backwards onto it and sighs as her hands move to settle on her stomach.
'You're quite the little curve ball, aren't you? Your daddy would've been over the moon about you.' She almost whispers. It's been five weeks since the day that completely shattered her world. Five weeks since she lost him and now she's faced with a whole new reality.