EVERYONE PLEASE READ THIS!! There will be 3 more chapters after this one. I will be updating once a day.
Thanks to courtneylovejason, nemo123489, JPNeverlosetheButterflies, Nathanlvr23, OTH.daddy'sgurl.06, Brooke1622, naleyluv, naleyforevernalways23, goober396, luvnaley23, and x-Brucas-Naley-Jeyton-x for reviewing! ENJOY!
Chapter 39
Planning a wedding, searching for a house and taking care of a baby were all tough on their own, but putting them together is just hell. Ever since the first night back with Nathan we haven't had sex. We just don't have the time or energy to. Emily keeps us extra busy at all hours of the night. When we're not in school, we're looking for an apartment. If we've got a moment to ourselves we spend it planning the wedding. When we aren't doing any of those things we try and sleep, just to wake up and do it all over again.
Not only did I have these 3 things on my shoulders, but I also had to find a job. There was just no way we could expect our parents to pay for school AND an apartment! It was going to be hard, being a student, employee and, most importantly, a mother, but I was up for the task. I didn't have much of a choice. If Nathan had to get a job he would have to quit basketball, the one thing that is keeping him in school; his scholarship. I would never ask him to give that up, not in a million years!
It had been 4 months. Emily is now 5 months and 2 weeks old. She was turning her head whenever we called her name. She was able to sit up by herself, even if it was for a few moments. She would respond with noises and show her anger. I knew that she was developing right on schedule, having read all the books on child development.
Deb had asked me to help out at the café for a while, which I eagerly accepted. Not only did that mean more money, but it also meant less spending on a babysitter. Not that my family would deny chances to watch their niece/granddaughter! It was just comforting to know that she was right there in the crib behind the counter and I was right there to tend to her.
On this particular day, I am walking to work, Emily in her stroller. Nathan had left for school early in the morning, saying he had to attend a basketball meeting. I thought nothing of it and continued with my morning. Once Emily was all bundled we left for work. Here we are, stepping inside the café.
Not only was Deb there but mom as well. She had been helping out with the café as well as she and Deb spoke of a partnership in opening a night club. "Good morning!" mom called out and walked over to hug me. "How are the mother and daughter?"
I shrugged. "Tired," I replied. "Well, Emily's not tired, mommy is. Emily likes to wake up at 5 in the morning and doesn't like to stop crying until mommy's alarm clock goes off so there's no point in going back to bed."
They both gave me sympathetic looks, but I saw the laughter in their eyes. "That sounds so terrible, sweetie," Deb said and took my jacket.
I scoffed. "You can laugh if you want. I know you both do," I said and they burst out in fits of giggles. "Yeah, it's hilarious. Listen, I know you both went through it with me, Lucas and Nate, but can't you give me a little sympathy? I mean, I am your child and your future daughter in law."
They looked at each other before looking back at me and shaking their heads. "Do you think our mothers and in laws were sympathetic to us?" mom asked.
I shrugged. "I would hope so," I muttered and took Emily out of her stroller and placed her into the crib.
Deb placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Haley," she started. "You should enjoy her while she doesn't hate you."
I shot her a glare. "Why would she ever hate me?" I asked. "All I'll ever do is love her and give her everything she needs!"
Mom nodded. "Just like I did to you?" she asked. "Remember when I didn't get you that $1000 dress you wanted for your freshman homecoming and you wouldn't speak to me for 1 whole month?"
I scoffed. "It's called PMS, mom, and you know I would've used that dress for the rest of my dances!" I fought back. I knew what they were saying, but I just didn't want to hear it. She was not even ½ a year old and they were telling me how crazy of a teen she would be.
"If she is Nathan's child she will definitely sneak out in the middle of the night so keep alarms on her door and windows," Deb pointed out.
I groaned in frustration. "Will you two stop making her into a teenager? She's only 5 months old!" I whined and then began to clean off all the tables.
They stopped talking about Emily and began talking about Lucas and Brooke. "You know, I wouldn't be surprised if there was another engagement soon," Mom commented. "I can see it in both their eyes."
I nodded in agreement. "Lucas is so in love with Brooke and Lucas is all Brooke ever talks about," I said. "Hell, if we wait it out we could have a double wedding. It would definitely be cheaper."
They both laughed. "You don't need to worry about costs, Haley. All you need to figure out is where you will live once you're finally married," Deb said and mom nodded.
I sighed. "Can't you just buy us one for our present, mommy?" I asked and gave her a sweet smile.
She walked over and patted my back. "No, Haley," she said and then started to walk away. "Welcome to the real world, Honey. Nothing is free."
I let out a sigh of frustration and went back to wiping down the tables.
-----
I had been working for 4 hours but it felt like an eternity. I only had a half an hour before I got to go on break. I was counting down the minutes. Deb was in the back cooking while mom and I worked the floor and cash register.
"Thanks, come again soon!" I said as one table had left. I walked over and began to clean it off, another job that we had to do. I had received a generous tip of $10 and put it in my apron.
The bell jingled, signaling another customer. I looked over at the door and smiled. "Hey Luke, Brooke!" I exclaimed and they walked over.
"You guys need some help?" Lucas asked, taking the bin full of dishes from my hands.
I sighed and nodded. "I'll split my tips with you if you bus all these tables and do the dishes," I said.
He smiled. "I'll do it, but I won't take your tips," he replied and walked off before I could respond.
I looked at Brooke who didn't seem to be her cheerful self. "I love him sometimes," I joked and she managed a small smile. "Listen, I want to talk to you, Brookie, but I don't go on break for another 20 minutes, can you wait until then?"
She nodded. "I'll play with Emily," she replied. "Does she need to be fed?"
I smiled at her. "Yes, would you mind?" she shook her head. "Check the bag next to the crib." She nodded and walked off.
A few tables and $20 in tips later I was finally on break. I walked into the back where Brooke was with Emily and plopped down on the couch. "Tough day?" she asked.
I nodded. "So very busy," I managed to say.
She walked over and set Emily in my lap who immediately grabbed a hold of my hair. I managed to get it out of her tight grasp before kissing her forehead. "So, what's going on with you, Brooke? You don't seem to be happy."
She sighed. "You've become so much more than a friend, Haley. Ever since I met you I knew that we were going to be more like sisters," she started. "Now, there was a point to saying all that. It means I trust you enough to come to you with this."
I smiled. "You can tell me anything, Brooke, you know that," I reassured and took one hand in mine. "What's going on."
She didn't say anything. She stood and brought over her purse. She reached a hand in a pulled out a bag. She handed it to me and I took out it's contents. "A pregnancy test?" I managed to say. "Brooke, are you..?"
She shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. "I don't know, Haley. I'm so scared!" she said and I pulled her into my arm, her head on my shoulder.
"Shh, Brookie, don't worry. I'm going to help you, okay?" I asked and she mumbled against my chest. She sat back and I handed her a tissue. "You haven't taken a test yet?" She shook her head no. "Okay, sweetie, let's go into the bathroom and take this, okay?"
She nodded and stood. "I knew you would understand, Haley," she whispered.
REVIEW PLEASE!!!