Chapter 3
About a month went by since Em and I had actually spent time together alone. Of course the nonstop stress of AD down our backs, finally that coming to an end when we found out it was Lucas the entire time plus our busy lives were a factor but I also know that Paige left yesterday. I'll assume the news of me being pregnant with Emily's baby was all too much especially since we decided to keep the baby. Try explaining that to someone you were dating. We were all suppose to meet up for dinner tonight at my place. Spencer is staying for awhile to figure things out between her family, and Toby. Hanna is moving back to NY with Caleb but promises to visit and be present for the baby shower and the birth of our child. Aria and Ezra just got married and are thinking about staying as well this always seems like home to them and the most comfortable and obvious place to write best sellers. I do a little shopping after I get off work. Han is bringing wine, Aria is bringing cupcakes, Spence is cooking, and I am sitting on my butt because they refuse to let me do anything, I'm sure Emily will do the cleaning. I pull up to my house and Emily is already there. I grab the few bags and go inside. "Honey I'm home!" I scream out as I look around but don't see her. I put the bags down as a sense of panic runs through my body. This is what dealing with a monster that turned your entire life upside does to you, it instills worry even when normal things happen. I walk through my seemingly empty house when I hear noises coming from my guest bedroom. I lean on the doorframe at the sight. Emily putting together a crib. We decided this would be the baby's room, and cleared it of all furniture a few weeks ago with help of all of the girls Ezra, and Caleb.
"My hero! No way in hell I would've been able to get back up if I got down there." I looked around the room that also had a rocking chair in the corner and what seemed to be a large box with a changing table. I go to sit in the rocking chair.
"Well I may need your help getting up, so don't get to comfortable." She joked around and we fell into our own comfort zone. We talked about work, about the doctor's appointment next week, and Paige. Although she didn't say much I knew she was hurting and for that I was hurt. She finished putting the crib together which was a beautiful dark wood which could be for a boy or a girl and as soon as we made our way to the kitchen there were knocks at the door. No doubt one of them was Spencer and the other Hanna being impatient. Emily laughed her way to the door as I begin to prep the stuff for Spencer's meal.
"Took you long enough. Next time you two decide to get some afternoon delight can you let us know so we can show up a little late instead of stand on the porch and melt." Hanna walks past and flops down on the couch as she puts the wine on the table. Aria shakes her head greets Em with a hug, then hugs me before putting the cupcakes down and asking it I need help. Spencer rolled her eyes at Hanna's typical smart assness, and closes the door.
"Excuse her. Ya know what there is no excuse!" We all laugh.
"We were in the bedroom so we didn't hear the door." I look up to catch everyone's reaction. Before Hanna could say anything Spencer threw a pillow from the couch at her.
"Yeah I got off work early and decided to start setting up the baby's room. I finished the crib." Emily said triumphantly. Everyone chimed in excitedly wanting to see, so we collectively went to look at it. Everyone loved it. We go back in to finish making dinner and enjoying our night. We end up back in the baby's room after the amazing dinner Spence made and everyone cleaned the kitchen. I'm sitting in the rocking chair with a cupcake and a cup of milk, everyone else has a cup of wine. Aria and Han are putting together the changing table, while Spence and Em are deciding where everything should go. I look around at these women who I've known since we were girls and I'm happy.
"I love you guys." I said honestly not meaning to but meaning it nonetheless. Everyone pauses then breaks out into giggles.
"Must be the hormones!" Spencer chuckled out.
"Yeah, I mean Ali is sweet way sweeter than she used to be but that was all baby!" Hanna chimed in.
"We love you too Ali. Be sappy if you wanna be. Absolutely nothing wrong with that." Aria always stands up for me, she's still so small but so big. Emily flashes me the signature Emily Field's smile and walks over to hold my hand.
"We love you too." She looked around at the girls. "Who would've thought we'd be here? Look at us." Everyone giggled again.
"Well she's not the pregnant one so someone take that glass of wine away from Em" Hanna says jokingly.
"Right? Ali and Emily mommy's to be, Aria married and a best sleeping author, Hanna an amazing upcoming fashionista, and me… brilliant with no direction in life." We all laugh a Spencer's comments. But honestly who would've thought we'd be here.
"Okay so I was thinking. Han you can help with the décor of the room, Spencer I want your help on books everything from how to, first time moms, and books to read the baby. Aria I want your help painting and I'm thinking about a quote from one of my favorite books on that wall. I mean you all are family, and I'd love for each of you to be here every step of the way." Emily squeezed my hand, and I saw the others get a little emotional.
"I totally agree. Our baby is gonna be so lucky. So many aunts and uncles! You guys have always been my family, like the sisters I never had. Imagine our kids having instant best friends because we're all still close." Emily finished off her wine.
"I totally see it now. All the lies, backstabbing, sleeping around, and drama. I can't wait!" Spencer said drily as she poured another glass of wine for herself and Emily.
"Ya know just because that was our experience doesn't mean it has to be our kids. They can be normal we just have to find a way to move forward ourselves." Aria always the optimist. I shake my head in agreement.
"Well I have faith in us as parents. I for one think we will all be amazing moms!" Hanna says finishing up the last sip of her wine. And I think we all silently agree. The night goes on, and we finish setting up as much as the room as we can. Three bottles of wine later and all the girls are pretty tipsy. Spencer decides to walk home since it's so close while Aria and Hanna fight over the couch knowing they both can comfortably fit on it. I grab blankets and pillows for them and say goodnight. I walk into my room where I go take a shower and Emily is already down the hall taking a shower. I stay in the shower until the water gets cold. One because it's so relaxing and soothing. Two because I don't want to face Em. A drunk Em can go two ways, she's handsy and I don't have the willpower to say no. Or she's sad because of Paige and she'll be to herself and quiet. I get out dry myself off and walk into the room where she is already sitting on the bed. She's wearing a pair of short shorts and a shirt, hair still a little wet. I grab something to wear to bed and throw it on. My back turned towards her not noticing she was watching me until I turn around. I blush and walk over to the bed and get in. Em always sleeps on the right side, and I've become used to sleeping on the left even if she's not here. I get in bed but don't turn off the light on the table. I grab my book and settle in to read it. She lays down and gets comfortable. She just stares at me. "Ali?" there's hint of a question in the way she says my name. I close my book and look at her. She looks at me for far too long and I being to panic. "Do you mind if we cuddle, I'm tired and can't really sleep." I put the book on the table and turn off the light. I lay down and wait to feel Emily's body against mine. She tells me to come here so I end up with my head on her chest, arm around her, and our legs intertwined. She's playing in my hair and I feel so relaxed I don't even notice falling asleep. I wake up to voices in the living room and Emily wide awake but still cuddling me.
"You could've woke me up you know?" I said as I rolled over to my side of the bed.
"You looked so peaceful and I would've woke you up when breakfast was done." She says as she gets out of bed and heads to the bathroom. I smell bacon! I get up to go into the living room and Hanna and Aria are cooking.
"Good morning sleeping beauty. We talked to baby mama while you were drooling, adorably might I add, and she said that you love waffles, so we decided why not make you guys breakfast." Hanna said with a wide smile as she finished the bacon. Aria was watching the waffles while cutting up fresh fruit. There's a knock at the door and Em walks past me and answers the door.
"I come bearing gifts. Mimosas for us, and for you this really awesome smoothie that has all kinds of pregnancy goodness in it. Vitamins, and fruit, and veggies." Spencer walks past me handing me my drink and grabbing glasses for everyone else's drinks. Em gets a glass of water and hands me my prenatal vitamins. Hanna and Aria smile at each other at the sight.
"So what's up with the lovebirds? Have they admitted their undying love for one another yet?" Spencer asks Hanna and Aria quietly as they look at us only a few steps away.
"We can hear you!" Emily said and everyone turned to look at us.
"No they haven't and it's obvious that they just went to sleep last night because Miss Grumpy Pants wouldn't be so snappy if she would've got laid." Hanna said grabbing her glass and rolling her eyes.
"We can STILL hear you!" Emily snapped back. I grab her face and turn it to me to kiss her lightly on the cheek.
"Calm down Killer and help me set up the table for breakfast." I whispered to her and no one else heard it. She complied and everyone watched us as they talked to themselves about other things. We all talked during breakfast before everyone except from Emily went about their day. I feel a little sick so I sit on the couch while Emily sits beside me talking to her mom who she finally told about the baby and the circumstances. Pam and I always got along but now that she knows I'm carrying her daughter's child she is definitely more accepting and she even sends me things for myself and the baby. I watch her sit quietly beside me until it's all too much. "What's on that beautiful mind of yours?" I ask as I move her hair behind her ear.
"If the baby is a boy, can we name him after my dad?" Emily said in a somber tone. I put my hand in hers and squeeze.
"I couldn't think of a better name for a son. Either way our child will know that his grandfather was an amazing man, a hero." I said proudly as Emily sneezed my hand back.
"Well what about girl names?" She asked as she got comfortable. I just smile before I begin to think.