Okay so the first chapter was a little more easier to structure than this one. Because I have to save certain parts for the last chapter, it was a little bit harder to decide what should go in this chapter, how/where it should go, and when (and watching the 70's episode I kinda based this on gave me very little help).

Nevertheless, here's Part II.

When Oscar entered the living room Thursday morning, he came across Felix making adjustments to an assortment of cameras. "Please tell me you've got some photography gig and are leaving this apartment?"

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Felix questioned back. "If you must know-"

"I mustn't," Oscar joined him on the couch, "but you're going to tell me anyway."

"-I am organizing my equipment to determine which camera is best suited for the occasion."

"I'm probably going to hate myself for asking, but what's the occasion?"

"Well for starters, I'm saving this particular camera," Felix picked up one of the cameras, "to take photos of the completed nursery," he enthusiastically began to show the unenthusiastic Oscar pictures, "you'll notice that these are the 'before' pictures. It would make the most sense to also include the 'after' pictures on here as well."

"Uh-huh," Oscar couldn't even pretend to care.

Felix gestured to the rest of the cameras on the coffee table lined up in a row. "Now I'm uncertain which one of these cameras I should bring with me into the delivery room."

"Wait a minute: you're actually going to be in the room when…it happens."

"Of course I am. It is the birth of my child after all."

"Yeah, but you're not going to…with the gross…" Oscar couldn't even verbalize what he was trying to say.

Felix understood what Oscar meant and was now trying not to go pale. "I realize that natural childbirth is an unattractive process, to say the least, but I've been told that watching your child travel down the birth canal is an unforgettable experience."

"You're not worried about all that blood, or the tearing open of body parts, or when-"

A nauseous Felix held up his hand for Oscar to stop. "Oscar, please!"

"Sorry."

Felix took a deep breath to calm himself. "I'll admit, I am a tad…apprehensive about going into the delivery room, but it's something I have to do."

"And Emily's okay with you going in with a camera?"

"Are you kidding? I'm barely fine with taking photos, but she was the one who suggested I film it."

"Ew, why?"

"Emily's mother wanted to be in the delivery room with her, but Emily declined. Filming the birth of the first grandchild is a sort of compensation. Evidently, I'm to be the only person in attendance."

"Well, besides the doctor."

"Regardless: if I'm not in there when my child is born, I'd feel as though I disappointed Emily, myself, and my child."

Oscar put his arm around Felix's shoulders. "I have faith in you, Felix."

"You do?"

"You've seen worse, right? Like my apartment?" this got Felix to laugh. "There you go, that got a smile outta ya."

"Thank you, Oscar. I think I needed that." Felix got up. "Now if you'll excuse me: I have some oatmeal and Bran Flakes that I need to prepare."

"Aw, come on Felix, cut your wife some slack."

A puzzled looking Felix blinked at Oscar. "Sorry?"

"I'm just sayin': can't you give her something normal for breakfast?"

"I was actually referring to my breakfast."

"So that nice smell coming from the kitchen is regular breakfast?"

"On Tuesdays and Thursdays I prepare a special breakfast for Emily. However, you are more than willing to help yourself."

"Cool; what are we having?"

"Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, asparagus, and goat cheese."

"See: you had me at the scrambled eggs, but you lost me at the rest of the nasty stuff." Oscar took his phone from his pajama pocket and began texting. "I'll just have Dani pick me up my usual McDonald's breakfast."

"Suit yourself. Oh darn, I usually check on Emily right about now; Oscar, can you-"

"Yeah sure, why not," Oscar headed to Felix and Emily's room.

"Thank you!"

Oscar paused before knocking on the door. "Goat cheese?" He literally shrugged this off and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Emily allowed. Oscar opened the door to discover Emily in the center of the room on a yoga mat, the sounds of classical music droning on in the background. When she saw him, she gave a slight wave, "Hi Oscar."

"Em." He barely stepped forward. "Did I come at a bad time?"

"No, I'm just doing my prenatal yoga routine."

"Felix's idea?"

"Yeah, but once you make a habit of it, it's not so bad. It keeps me both healthy and in great shape." She stepped aside while doing some sort of yoga maneuver. "Wanna join?"

"I think I'll pass. Felix asked me to check on you while he made you your goat cheese breakfast."

Emily let out a small laugh. "The goat cheese tastes better than it sounds."

"Yes, but I'd prefer not to know which animal my cheese came from. I wanna eat my food, not learn its entire backstory."

"I know, I miss eating regular food." Emily sighed. "I can't wait til I have this baby; maybe then I can go back to eating food that I actually like."

"Do you want me to have Dani sneak you in some McDonald's?"

"Oh God, yes!" Emily's face faltered, "Actually, you probably shouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Emily, Sweetheart," Felix was standing in the open doorway, "breakfast is almost ready."

Oscar pointed to Felix while directing his attention to Emily. "It's like he knows!" Emily just nodded in agreement.

"Knows what?" Oscar left the room. Felix moved closer to Emily. "I'm afraid I don't know what I know."

"Never mind him," Emily tried to brush this off, "it's just Oscar being his usual self."

Felix acknowledged that before turning off the music. "Come on, I'll help you to the kitchen."

"Felix, I can go into a kitchen by myself you know."

"I know," Felix looked a little hurt. "I just-"

Emily put her arms around him. "I know you mean well, but you need to take it easy."

"Yes, you're right, but…" he put his arms around her waist, "I don't know…I'm afraid that if I take it easy I'll forget everything."

"Forget everything? You? The guy who corrected both the childcare and the Lamaze instructors? Felix, you've read every book on the subject at least twice, you've watched those weird documentaries and how-to videos, you've constantly asked questions, you've even practiced diapering my mother's cat! Trust me Felix: taking it easy would be a good thing. Let me try to do things on my own. Let me take care of you just as good as you've been taking care of me." They kissed until something pulled them away. Emily giggled. "The baby likes it when we kiss like that." She put Felix's hands on her belly for him to feel. "It's like it gets even more hyper."

"Hmm," Felix looked as though he was about to give a diagnosis.

"What?"

"This could be an early onset of contractions." With a playful groan, Emily pushed Felix toward the door. "I'm serious!"

"I think I know my own body, Felix. Why don't you let me tell you when the contractions begin, okay?"

"I know, you're right." Felix took a deep breath. "I do need to be more relaxed."

"Yeah, and maybe get some sleep." Before Felix could protest or even ask how she knew he wasn't sleeping, Emily started to explain, "I've gotten so used to hearing that snore of yours that I kind of miss it. Don't try to tell me you're sleeping when you're really not."

"Well if you're listening for whether or not I'm snoring, then that implies that you are not sleeping either."

"I'm not sleeping because I'm carrying a bowling ball inside of me and it's hard to get comfortable when I lay down. What's your excuse?"

"I worry about the woman lying uncomfortably beside me with the bowling ball inside of her." Emily couldn't help but swoon. "I love you."

"I love you too," she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "but a long nap could do us both some good. Look," she took a particular pillow from the bed and displayed it, "I even made sure to bring your special pillow."

"Emily, you know that once I have woken up, I cannot go back to sleep. Plus I won't be able to sleep knowing that Oscar's apartment is the way that it is." Emily rolled her eyes. "I can just sense him in the kitchen right now, making another mess I'll have to clean."

...

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Oscar decided to help himself to some scrambled eggs. After pouring himself some coffee, he got some ketchup out of the refrigerator. When the plate and mug were on the kitchen table, Oscar towered the ketchup bottle over the plate and squeezed the bottle. The ketchup didn't come out right away so Oscar gave it a good (somewhat violent) shake that seemed to do the trick. While most of the ketchup did get on the eggs, some ketchup also got on the side of the plate and a dollop managed to fall onto the table. It's not like Oscar noticed, however. Once the ketchup was splattered, he began scarfing down the eggs.

"Knock, knock," Dani called out to indicate her presence.

Oscar swallowed his helping of eggs as she entered the kitchen and dropped a McDonald's bag in front of him. "You got here fast."

"You texted me as I was at the drive-thru picking up my breakfast. I had to turn around to order yours." Oscar resumed eating his eggs. "Yeah, you're welcome, and you owe me five bucks." Dani noticed the breakfast. "Why'd you make me get you food if Felix made some?"

"Do you know where that cheese comes from? I'd rather die eating something I like than choke on cheese from a goat." Dani made a disgusted face and backed away from the food. "Did I neglect to mention that's goat cheese?"

"I think I'm going to avoid that," she took a seat beside Oscar. "Okay, so what's on the agenda for this morning?"

"I'm just gonna sit at the desk and talk about what happened last night in sports. Same old, boring Thursday routine." Oscar reached for his coffee. "Do I even have anything for you to do today?"

"I came over in case there was anything that needed to be done before that big interview tonight."

In a typical clichéd fashion, Oscar did a spit take of his coffee. "That interview's tonight? Dammit, I completely forgot!"

"And this is why you pay people to remind you of these things."

"Oh, this is not good."

"What are you worried about? That kid's gonna show up, answer some questions Teddy and I already prepared for you, and you don't even have to shower—though I strongly recommend you do."

"Yeah, but it's gonna be my first one-on-one interview without you or Teddy there."

"The person you're interviewing did ask for only you. Besides, I have plans for tonight; I'm going on a date with Brad."

"Yeah, yeah, that's all well and good, but if I'm supposed to be alone with the kid, how the hell am I gonna get rid of-"

"Good morning!" Felix entered as if he was on cue. "Dani," he gave Dani a quick hug, "so nice to see you."

"Hello Felix," Dani greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"Emily and I have taken up temporary residence for a few days."

"Where is Emily?"

"Emily's seemed to have taken permanent residence in my bathroom," Oscar responded.

"Which, thankfully, was the first room I managed to clean," Felix proudly added as he sat down. Soon after, he began staring uncomfortably at Oscar.

Of course Oscar took notice. "What?"

"You're not using a coaster."

"So?"

"The least you could do is set your coffee mug on a napkin." Oscar slammed his mug down on the table, some of the contents spilling out as an effect.

Felix could hardly resist the urge to clean. When he reached for an emergency wipe and readied to clean, Oscar immediately stopped him with a, "Don't." Felix quickly backed away, but started reaching again. "Don't." Felix reached one final time, but Oscar scared him off with some gibberish yelling.

Emily came into the kitchen. "Hi Dani."

"Emily!" Dani got up and gave her a hug. "Oh my goodness, it's like you've gotten bigger since the last time I saw you!"

"Um, thank you," Emily pulled out a chair.

"Oh," Dani held her hands out acting as a sort of spotter to Emily (while Felix tried to make it seem like he wasn't doing the same), "do you need me to help you-"

"No, no, I can sit down on my own," Emily sat. "It's the getting up part I sometimes have trouble with." She paused. "Though I probably should've gotten some food before I sat."

"Here," Oscar reached into the fast food bag and grabbed a McMuffin, "might as well have something decent to eat."

"Ah, ah, ah," Felix prevented the sandwich from reaching Emily's grasp. "I am taking no chances letting my wife eat this kind of food. According to my extensive research: eating foods like this that are high in fat, sugar, carbohydrates, and cholesterol during the last trimester are more likely to bring on early labor. Part of our birth plan includes our child being born on its actual due date, which need I remind you people is in eight days."

"Hmm," Dani had her brows furrowed, "Oscar, remind me which one of these two is the pregnant one."

"Oh my god," Felix it looked as though he was about to have a panic attack.

Emily shook his shoulder. "Felix?"

"I'm going to be a father in eight days." He began hyperventilating.

"Quick, get a paper bag!"

Oscar ran into action, grabbing (and nearly ripping) a brown paper bag from his cabinet. "Is he okay? What's going on?"

Emily helped calm Felix down and get his breathing under control. "Felix, relax."

Felix momentarily pulled the bag away from his face. "How can you be so calm?"

"Ssh, just breathe," Emily demonstrated how to breathe and Felix did it as she had done. "There we go, disaster averted."

"What just happened?" Oscar questioned.

Dani looked concerned. "I think Felix nearly had a panic attack."

"Nearly had?"

"It could've gotten much worse, believe me," Emily tried to assure Oscar. "Felix has been told to take it easy. The doctor's afraid he'll pass out if he has another panic attack. The last thing we need for him is to be unconscious." Felix lowered the bag and continued exhaling. "Feel better?"

Felix took another deep breath. "Better."

"Apparently this happened recently?" Oscar was still in a small state of shock. "Okay Felix-and I'm saying this for your own good-you need to get out."

"Pardon?"

"You clearly need a day off, and I'm kicking you out for the rest of the day."

"Bu-bu-I don't-"

"Get out of here! Go to a museum, go see a show, go help clean your apartment, hell go clean the Statue of Liberty, just get out of this apartment."

"Where will we go?"

"We?"

"You certainly don't expect me to go anywhere without Emily, do you?"

"Yes!" surprisingly, this wasn't Oscar.

Felix immediately turned to his wife. "Wha-why do...I don't-"

"Oscar's right. Honey, we both need a break from you for a while-and please know that I mean that sincerely."

"I do, but-"

"You can go out and have some fun, and I can stay here and sleep all day. Heck, I'll probably sleep better knowing you're out having a good time somewhere and not worrying yourself by constantly watching me. Felix, please; do this for me."

Felix looked around the room. "I...I just don't know. I don't feel comfortable leaving you here all alone."

"I won't be alone. Oscar will be here with me."

Oscar's eyes widened. "Oscar will what?"

"Emily, Sweetie," Dani began, "maybe you should also go out. You and Felix can have one last hurrah before the baby comes and Oscar can have his big, important interview tonight without anybody here."

"No," Felix sighed, "no, I think Emily deserves a few hours away from me. I mean: she's done so much for me, and I can never truly repay her. This is the least I can do for her." Dani swooned as Felix and Emily kissed. "Besides, I do feel better knowing that Oscar will be here and will not leave her alone."

Oscar's eyes were still wide, but it wasn't as though anyone was paying attention to him. "Again, Oscar's gonna do what now?"

Felix held Emily's hands in his. "Just promise me that you'll stay here."

"I promise," Emily promised.

"And you'll do your yoga?" Emily responded with a sound of annoyance. "Promise?"

"Alright, I promise."

"And that if you get hungry, you'll eat the leftovers I've prepared for you."

"Felix!"

"I know, I know, I'm sorry."

"Hold up," Oscar finally got everyone's attention, "when you say 'Oscar's gonna be alone with Emily', what exactly did you mean by that?"

"Oh Oscar," Dani chided, "are you still afraid to be by yourself around pregnant women?"

"Dani, do you think you could-"

"Did you not hear the part where I said I had a date tonight?"

"You should have known that I didn't!"

Even Emily couldn't help but give a small laugh at that. "Oscar, you have nothing to worry about either. I'm just gonna stay in my bedroom and I won't bother you when you're doing your interview. I'll only come out of my room to get food or to pee. Trust me, nothing is going to happen."

...

Whether or not Oscar believed her, Emily was right. Nothing was happening. Not with her anyway. She mostly slept while Oscar was the one who had to deal with Felix's incessant phone calls and messages.

He was banging his phone against the kitchen table in irritation when Emily came in. "Did Felix call again?"

Oscar passed her his phone. "For the love of God, please call your husband."

Emily playfully rolled her eyes at Oscar as she called Felix. "Hi Felix," she greeted. "No Felix, everything's fine, I was just sleeping...Well I couldn't have very well done it while I was sleeping...okay, I'll be sure to add on an additional half hour...Actually, I was just about to eat...Yes Felix, I was going to get some of that leftover kale." Oscar couldn't help but express disgust at that. "Okay...okay...okay Felix...I love you too," Emily hung up as Oscar heard Felix still talking on the other end.

"Add on a additional half hour of what and please tell me I don't have to get involved."

"Remember when I told you the prenatal yoga was routine?" Oscar nodded. "I do it three times a day, every six hours."

"I take it you missed the second time a day today?"

"If I miss the usual time, Felix adds on another half hour."

"Sounds like a new method of torture." Emily couldn't help but chuckle. "You know: I thought you hooked up with Felix out of pity but now I realize you're on some sort of mission from God." Emily playfully swatted him. "Sorry, I watched Blues Brothers last night when I ate dinner in my room."

"You didn't eat dinner; not with me and Felix anyway."

"I wanted something not prepared by Felix, so I snuck out for some Chinese food around one in the morning; I guess it technically was an after midnight snack."

"You know, I could go for an after midnight snack right about now."

"Yeah, I might as well get something before that Derek kid shows up. Tell you what: I'll let you pick dinner."

"Really?"

"Sure! Whatever place that delivers!"

"Oh, I was kinda hoping we could go out."

"Whatever place that delivers! You can order whatever you want."

"Whatever I want?"

"Whatever. You. Want?"

"Whatever I want," Emily smiled at that, "but what about the leftover kale?"

Oscar went to the fridge, removed the container with the kale, and threw it (container included) in the garbage. "What leftover kale?"

...

"Okay," about a half hour after dinner, Oscar was getting ready for his interview, "now to clean off my desk." He looked at his mess of garbage on the coffee table. "Hmm," without putting much thought into it, Oscar pushed everything from the table onto the floor. Then, he tried to make the pile of trash look neater. "Done." A knock on the door. "Just in time," Oscar answered the door. The person on the other end was a college aged boy in a varsity jacket. "Are you Derek?"

"Are you alone?" the younger man anxiously questioned back.

"I asked you first."

"I'm not coming in unless you're alone."

"And I won't let you in unless you're Derek O'Connor."

"Yeah, I'm Derek O'Connor."

"Oh, so you did give my agent your real name?"

"Can you promise my name will get bleeped out?"

"I can promise I won't mention your name, but I can't necessarily give a bleep. Come on in Derek," Oscar stepped aside to allow Derek in. "Have a seat on the couch."

"Thanks."

"If you're uncomfortable about some of the details you don't have to name names but make sure-" Oscar's phone started going off, "-excuse me," Oscar put the phone to his ear. "What now Felix?"

Sure enough, Felix was on the other end of the line. "My, it sounds like someone's cranky."

"What do you want Felix?"

"I couldn't get a hold of Emily. I was merely calling to check in."

"As we've told you the last fifty times you called: Emily is fine; she must've fallen back asleep after dinner."

"That reminds me: when Emily finishes the kale-we all know you won't eat it-could you soak the container in hot water for at least an hour before putting it in the dishwasher?"

"Why don't you do that when you get back?"

"That is the other reason I am calling: when I last spoke to Emily, she suggested that I go to the movies. I will not be allowed to use my phone during the film and in the event that I actually become invested in the movie and can't step away to call, I want you to inform my wife that I am at the cinema. Once the movie has ended, I will be coming home. Although given the low charge on my phone, I should be coming home sooner."

"Felix, you're gonna hear a noise that sounds like I'm hanging up, but I'm not so keep talking," as Felix continued talking, Oscar hung up. "Sorry about that, Derek," Oscar apologized before taking on the seat next to Derek. Oscar's phone rang again. "Seriously?" He answered his phone.

"Oscar," Felix again, "that noise was you hanging up on me."

"Right, and you're gonna hear it again," Oscar hung up in frustration. "You'll have to forgive this irritating-" another ring. Oscar growled, angrily answered the phone with a, "STOP CALLING ME!" turned his phone off, and threw it against the wall. "Okay," he calmed down, "that should-"

"Hey, Oscar," Emily called for him.

Derek immediately rose to his feet. "I thought you said you were alone!"

"You don't have to worry about her," Oscar assured. "It's my friend's wife, I probably woke her up," he went to Emily's room. "Em?" he knocked twice.

"Oscar?" Emily called back. "Oscar, I-"

Oscar opened the door and entered her room. "Listen, I'm sorry if I woke you, but Felix was getting on my last nerve."

"You didn't wake me," Emily was standing in the center of the room. "Oscar, I really-"

"Would you please call him and tell him everything's fine?"

"That's just it, I can't get a hold of him. I just tried calling him like six times and he was probably talking to you."

"Yeah, or he more than likely turned his phone off. He's at the movies and one of the rules there is turn off the cell phone during the movie. You know how Felix is a stickler for following the rules.

"Do you know if he got my texts?"

"Geez Em, you sound kinda freaked. Everything okay?"

"Do you know if he got my texts or not?"

"I don't think so. He just called me to check on you. I think he also mentioned his phone charge was low."

"Oh, God," Emily began pacing. "Oh, this isn't good."

Oscar headed toward her. "Em, are you sure you're alright. You seem a little..." something distracted him and he looked down, "...why is the floor wet?" Emily stopped pacing and the look she gave him was enough to answer Oscar's question. "Oh no!" She bit her lip. "No!" She nodded her head. "Now?" A squeak emitted from Emily signifying 'yes'. "Oh my God!"

"My thoughts exactly!"

"You can't be in labor, Felix isn't here! Felix is supposed to be here!"

"What, you think I planned on this happening now? Oh God," Emily clutched her stomach while Oscar silently panicked, "this is definitely a contraction." When she cried out in pain, Oscar did the same. This went on for a few times. "Ah!"

"Ah! Make it stop!"

"If I could, I would!" Emily tried to breathe through her pain.

"Can't you hold the kid in for eight more days?"

"Oscar, you have to take me to the hospital."

"Okay, I'll call an ambulance."

"No, I have to have someone in the room with me."

"I'll have the paramedic wait with you."

"Oscar!"

"Emily!"

Derek knocked on the open door. "I heard all the screaming. If this is a bad time, I can come back later."

"Hey kid," Oscar hurried over to Derek, "want to make fifty bucks?"

"Huh?"

"I'll give you fifty bucks to take this lady to the hospital and wait in the delivery room with her til her husband gets there."

"No way!" the track and field kid took off running.

"I can see why he made the team."

"Hello!" Emily's contraction had ended and she brought the focus back on her, "We kind of have a situation here."

"What's this we stuff? You're the one having a baby."

"But you're the one who has to take me to the hospital."

"How 'bout I call your mom? Felix said she wanted to be in the room with you!"

"My mom's in Florida til Monday."

"Your sister?"

"Casey went with her."

"Uh...Dani!"

"Dani's on a date, remember?"

"Apparently I don't!" Oscar snapped his finger in realization. "I'll call Teddy! He's been through this before!" Oscar ran to the living room to procure his phone. Once he picked it up, he tried in vain to turn the device on. "Come on!" But the phone just wouldn't turn on. "No! No! No!" Emily made her way into the living room closet closest to the door. "Hey, hey, what are you doing?"

"I'm getting my overnight bag and I'm going to the hospital."

"I've got an idea: why don't you have a home birth?"

"Excuse you?"

"I'll go fill up my bathtub and you can have a water birth while I awkwardly wait in the living room trying to drown out the screaming!"

"You really don't know how labor works do you?"

"I don't intend to find out either!"

Emily sighed as she took the readied bag. "If you don't want to go, fine, you can stay here. I'll call a cab and hope the taxi driver doesn't keep the meter running while he waits with me."

Oscar let out a lengthy, exasperated groan, "Fine, I'll go with you."

"You will?"

"I promised Felix I wouldn't leave you alone." Oscar took the pad of paper and pen he was planning on using for his interview. "I guess I'll have to leave him a note; he said he'd be home after the movie."

"Stick it someplace where he'll see it."

"Uh..." a frenzied Oscar raced into the kitchen, took the container of kale out of the garbage, quickly scribbled a note, and placed the note on top of the container. Next, he carried the container with the note to the living room.

"What are you doing?"

Oscar set the items on the bare coffee table. "He's bound to see it here, isn't he?"

"In a weird sort of way, I guess you're right."

"Alright then," he pointed to the stuff resting on the coffee table, "Stay," he said that as though he was commanding a dog.

"I uh...I don't think it's going anywhere."

"I'm obviously not thinking clearly right now."

"It's probably best that I call a cab."

"Call it a what?"

Emily shot him a strange look. "And I'm the one who needs a doctor?"

Well, that certainly was longer than I anticipated. I hope that makes up for a bit of a delay. I'll try to get this done a little faster next time.

Also, I tried to do a little foreshadowing in this and the first chapter. I kinda hope I did, but if I didn't, eh I tried. I'm only telling you because a friend read over this work and thought I did-but I thought she was being nice.

Anyway, until Part III is published, you readers have fun trying to conclude what will happen next.