Chapter 8:

Change

The three days came and went and I was glad to be back in Gotham. Things went right back to normal once classes started up again. That was alright with me. I'd rather drown myself in my studies or with doctor's appointment than think about what had happened back in Iowa. I didn't know if I'd ever go back or if I even wanted to now.

A couple weeks passed and were pretty uneventful. We went back to our normal routine of classes, homework and Jonathan going to work. It was getting close to five so I decided to get started on dinner. Spaghetti sounded good so I started to boil some water and got out the noodles. A few minutes passed and I heard a knock on the door. Thinking Jonathan had managed to forget his key, something he never did, I just walked over to the door.

"Forget your key?" I asked while I opened it but was surprised to see my brother Karl.

"Emmy." Karl smiled. I stared at him for a moment. Panicking, I quickly shut the door on him. I had no idea why he was here, what he wanted or how he even found out where we lived.

Jonathan's P.O.V

I had finished work and a few apartments down from where I lived when I noticed Emmy's brother Karl at the door. I knew Emmy wasn't expecting company, she would have told me if she knew he was coming.

"Karl." I acknowledged getting out my keys to unlock the door.

"Jonathan. I came to see my sister." Karl greeted me.

"Have you tried knocking?" I asked wondering why he was just standing there aimlessly.

"I did. She opened the door and then slammed it in my face." He answered. I was surprised Emmy would do that, it didn't seem like her.

"I don't think she wants to talk to you then. I suggest you go and come back later." I responded, putting the key in the lock, unlocking the door and opening it.

"I want to speak with her." Karl repeated.

"Clearly she doesn't want to speak to you. I suggest you leave her be." I suggested before closing the door on him. I turned to see Emmy staring at me.

"Why is your brother here?" I asked her as I walked away from the door.

"I don't know. He just showed up." She replied.

"Are you going to talk to him?"

"I don't know. I haven't decided yet." She confessed. By that time Karl had started beating on our door, shouting his sister's name.

"I suggest you decide before he breaks down the door."

"You think I should talk to him?"

"I think you should open the door and let him in or send him away before we don't have a front door anymore." I replied, walking passed her and into my office. A few minutes passed by before I heard the door open and heard Emmy and her brother talking. I couldn't hear what was being said, but as long as he didn't hurt the vessel that was carrying my child, I had homework that needed my attention.

Emmy's P.O.V

After Jonathan was in his office I looked back at the door. Deciding to see what my brother wanted I walked back over to it and opened it.

"What do you want?" I asked Karl before he had a chance to hit my door again.

"I just want to talk to you." He said. I thought a moment before I nodded and let him into the apartment.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked him.

"I understand why you didn't want to tell us anything about Jonathan or the baby. Dad's temper doesn't seem to be getting any better and you have every right to live your life the way you see fit. The boys and I got together and we decided to let you know that no matter what you choose, we're on your side. We have your back and we won't let dad hurt you anymore. We want you to be happy and if this makes you happy then we're with you 100%." Karl said diving right into why he was there. I was surprised he'd come all this way just to tell me that.

"Couldn't a phone call sufficed to tell me that?" I asked him.

"In order for that to work you'd have to actually answer your phone." Karl replied. He was right; I hadn't answered any calls and deleted all voice messages from my family since the day I left. After taking it in for a moment I gave Karl a hug. I was grateful to him for coming all this way to tell me that.

"Thank you." I smiled as he returned the hug.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" I asked as I remembered I needed to go stir the noodles. "We're having spaghetti."

"If its alright." He agreed. I nodded and walked back over to my kitchen. We talked while I finished making dinner. Once done I took some food to Jonathan and then came back and had a nice talk with my brother.

"There's something else I wanted to show you." Karl informed me reaching into his pocket pulling out a piece of paper. He handed to me as I read it.

It was an acceptance letter from Gotham University.

"I've been accepted into Gotham University's art program. I start in the fall." He said. I looked up at him surprised.

"You're moving here?" I asked him. He nodded.

"I started on the application when you left last August. I finished it when you left; after I found out you were pregnant and married. Its time dad stopped controlling all our lives. I figured if you could get away then so could I." Karl told me. I knew he loved to draw and paint but didn't realize he wanted to pursue and education with it.

"I'm so happy for you. I hope you'll enjoy Gotham University as much as I have." I hugged him.

"I move here in July; I already have a job and apartment set up. Things are working out."

"I'm happy for you. You'll be here just before the baby gets here." I told him, putting my hand to stomach. He smiled at me.

"When do you find out what you're having?"

"Three more weeks; I'm getting anxious. There's so much to do and plan before he or she gets here. There's so much to buy and get set up. We haven't even started on his/her room yet." I sighed.

"You're going to be a great mom Emmy. This baby is lucky to have you." Karl told me.

"I hope so. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. I just hope I can give him/her a good life."I confessed.

Jonathan's P.O.V

I finished the bowl of spaghetti Emmy brought in for me and decided to take a quick break. I went to walk out of the office when I heard Emmy and Karl talking. I stopped. I couldn't help but wonder what I would hear.

"You're going to be a great mom Emmy. This baby is lucky to have you." I heard Karl say to Emmy.

"I hope so. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. I just hope I can give him/her a good life." Emmy told her brother.

"You will." Karl said. I smiled a bit.

Emmy was going to be a good mother to our child. She was nurturing by nature so I didn't really worry about her. I wondered slightly how I would be with the baby. My childhood wasn't a pleasant one and I didn't want that for my child. I was going to do everything I could to make sure my child had the best opportunities and was supported. This was my chance at a real family and I wasn't going to waste it.

Emmy's P.O.V

"I had better get going. I head back to Iowa tonight and I need to get back to the airport." Karl informed me.

"You're leaving already?" I asked disappointed he had to leave already.

"I'll be back before you know it."

"Have a safe trip back. Give the boys my love."

"Will do. Emmy, don't worry about dad, just keep doing what you're doing. You deserve to be happy." Karl reinforced before leaving.

I closed the door behind him thinking about what had happened. I didn't expect it but was glad my brother was taking his life into his own hands. I hoped he would find joy in his adventure as I had in mine. I knew even if I never made peace with my father at least I could count on my brothers.

Three more weeks passed and finals were a week away. Jonathan took the next week and a half off work to study and get final projects ready. I was happy and sad the semester was almost over with. Jonathan would be graduating with his Masters next weekend and I honestly couldn't be more proud of him. In the short time we had been married he had shown a great devotion to work and education, he had earned it. I wanted to do something for him to congratulate him but I couldn't figure out just what.

It was the day before our 20 week ultrasound. Jonathan was studying in his office, no surprise there, when I decided to get started on our laundry before studying for finals. I walked by his office to go to the small utility closet when I felt a small jolt in my stomach. I gasped, dropped the basket and put my hand to my stomach. It was loud enough for Jonathan to turn from his desk and look over to me.

"Emmy? Are you alright?" he asked before he stood up and walked over to me. I leaned against the door frame. I felt the flutter again. A huge smile appeared on my face as I realized the baby was moving. I grabbed Jonathan's hand as he reached me and put it to my stomach just as another kick was felt.

"The baby, it's kicking." I told him happily as I felt another kick. I watched his reaction as we felt our child move around. After a few moments Jonathan's face broke into a smile. I returned the smile and looked back down at my tummy. We stayed like that for a few minutes until the baby had calmed down and we didn't feel anymore movement.

I looked back up at Jonathan hoping to get another glimpse of his gorgeous smile. My eyes met his. My heart jumped a bit, I was use to only seeing his usual smirk or half smiles. Without thinking I put my arm around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.

Jonathan's P.O.V

I was surprised by Emmy's actions but once the initial shock wore off, I rested my hands on her waist and returned the kiss. Normally we would share a couple pathetic kisses a day and then some more lustful ones when we made love. This kiss seemed different…almost sincere and genuine. I could feel her emotions in this kiss; she was happy. I don't think I had ever been around her when she was this happy.

Once the kiss ended she leaned her forehead against mine. I looked into her eyes trying to read her. After a couple seconds Emmy seemed to realize what we were doing and she drew back.

"Sorry, I should let you get back to studying." Her voice shook before she picked up the laundry basket and walked away. I watched her for a moment before I turned and went back to my studies.

Emmy's P.O.V

I quietly put a load of whites in the washer as I thought about what had just happened. That kiss was completely different than the others and I didn't know what to make of it.

'It was just in the moment…nothing's changed.' I reassured myself. I spent the rest of the day trying to convince myself that nothing was changing.

….

Once I set Jonathan's dinner down on the desk, I walked away hoping to get out of there before anything else happened. He was a master at manipulation and I was a naïve little country girl. I didn't want my emotions to change if it was just another one of his mind games. Of course I was the one that initiated that kiss.

"What time is the ultrasound tomorrow?" Jonathan questioned just as I reached the door to his office.

"9:30, so first thing in the morning." I asked. "Are you still planning on coming?"

"There's no way I'm missing this one. I want to find out along with you." He turned back to look at me. I nodded and went to leave the room.

"Emmy." I heard Jonathan say. I heard him stand up and walk over to me. I turned back to him unsure of what to expect. When he reached me he put a hand behind my hand and one on my waist before he pulled me into another passionate kiss. I was breathless when the kiss ended and Jonathan went back to his studies. Maybe things were changing.

...

Author's Note: Thanks to those following/favoring my story. Thanks to Niwer for the review. We find out the gender of their baby in the next chapter! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and are looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks again to all my readers! If you have a moment please leave a review. Constructive criticism is always welcome! Thanks!-Lin