Chapter Three: What the future holds

Being honest? I can't remember what happened during the ceremony… all I know is that I am now Mrs. Emily Mathis and I can't be happier. And also, this time I'm having a real family honeymoon, all of our friends are here: Nolan, Charlotte, Jack and Margaux, who just passed her first trimester. "Ok, Aiden I want you to go all Titanic with Emily" we laugh, and Margaux does her magic with the camera… "perfect!" she's excited, and Jack decides it's time to actually have some fun "I believe Voulez has enough right?" Margaux pouts but she agrees "You are right indeed" she kisses him. We all decided to go somewhere warm and after A LOT of arguing we settled with Aruba, and Pascal LeMarchal was happy to let us use his yacht and to watch Carl for the week. "we should take one with all of us" so, we follow Margaux instructions and she signals one of her photographers, I just keep smiling.

"I'm so excited, I wanna know the sex! Or do you guys want it to be a surprise?" Charlotte asks Margaux, she laughs "you know I wouldn't be able to wait, I have an appointment with my OB as soon as we get back so hopefully we will find out then" "and what's your instinct telling you?" I ask, excited for them too "Don't let Jack know but I think it's a girl" we squeal, "I'm gonna spoil her rotten" I say and Charlotte laughs "me too".

I can't sleep, the emotional rollercoaster finally catching up with me, I never thought I could be so happy… even with all that has happened around me I can say I am truly happy, I drop a kiss on Aiden's head… I love to watch him while he sleeps. I stand up; maybe some warm milk will help. With a cup in my hand I look at my emails one more time, still unable to believe…

From: Thomas Robinson

To: Emily Mathis

Subject: Adoption

Mr and Mrs Mathis: first of all congratulations, I received your marriage license a few days ago and I'm happy to say everything is going really well, child services called yesterday to let me know that as soon as you're back from your honeymoon the social worker will pay you a second visit, don't worry it's not a bad thing, there's a pregnant teenager:17 year old-5 months into the pregnancy, and she thinks you will be the perfect family for her baby girl. I'll arrange everything, enjoy your honeymoon.

Kind regards, Thomas R.

"What are you doing up?" Charlotte asks me rubbing her eyes "Hey" I say softly and show her my cell, she takes her time reading every line carefully "Oh my god" she hugs me, "I know…this is why I can't sleep, we will be home in two days, what if something goes horrible wrong?" she takes my hands, just like she did when I told her I can't have children, "Emily please listen to me, you will be the perfect mother" I hug her again, "I… thank you Charlotte" we stay like that for a while, and I decide it's to go back to bed, we still have two days in Aruba and I want to make the most of them.

Before I know it, it's monday… Margaux just called to let us know she was on her way to the doctor and I… I am anxiously waiting for the social worker's approval. She takes her time, just like in her first visit but every once in a while she turns around and smiles at me. Aiden is way more relaxed than I am, he shows her absolutely everything. "I think I have all I need" she says, startling both of us "Here's my report, congratulations". With the paper still in my hands, I sit on the couch and let guard down, Aiden sits beside me and kisses me… we don't need words. A while later the phone rings, "it's Jack's number" I say excited "Hello?" "Hey Ems, Margaux and I just wanted to let you guys know we are having a girl!" Aiden looks at me "aaand?" he says as excited as I am "they're having a girl" I answer and he takes the phone "congratulations guys! And don't worry Jack, I'll be ready to scare all the boys from her" I can hear Jack's laughter.

Looking around me, I memorize every single object in the tiny office: a plant, a painting I cannot recognize, 2 sofas and a coffee table. We're meeting with Annie today; as soon as we were approved by the social worker she called us. From what Tom told us, Annie is very sweet and smart, and she wants the best for her baby. When she enters, I am the first to stand up "Mrs. Mathis, it's a pleasure to finally meet you" "please call me Emily sweetheart" She smiles, Aiden offers her his hand "Hello Annie" she blushes immediately "you're British?" "oh, yes… yes I am" I'm the question caught him off guard. "well, as you can see I'm like in the middle of my fifth month…and I have to say, while I was reading about you I just couldn't imagine someone better for her" we can't keep the smile out of our faces… "I love her, I really do, but I can't take care of her like she deserves" I take her hand, "you have to know that if you choose us we won't hide her from you" she smiles sadly "thanks for that, but I don't think I'll be able to see her… even if this isn't a closed adoption I…." she closes her eyes, Aiden can't resist anymore and sits beside her to comfort her "it's your decision Annie" she cries on his shoulder and my heart breaks for her, I would do anything to take her pain away. As we say our goodbyes, her clear eyes show me that maybe it's okay to have hope. "Everything will be fine, take care Annie" Aiden tells her softly, she hugs both of us "you will be great parents". A couple of days later Nolan surprises us with Thai food, "Guys… I gotta confess something" he says looking guilty, "what did you do?" Aiden asks as calm as possible, I'm instantly worried "I couldn't resist… I hacked into the database of Child services" "you WHAT?" I yell at him, "wait! Wait! Don't kill me yet…please, I… the girl you were meeting the other day, she picked you guys, like for real…you are now expecting a girl" he says sweetly and all the air returns to my lungs. Aiden picks me up and kisses me until air is necessary, "we're going to be parents".

Enjoying my weekly lunch with the girls, I tell them the good news, "the social worker called us yesterday" Charlotte can't stop herself "and what did she say?" my smile gets bigger "Aiden and I are parents!" both of them hug me and say how happy they are for us, I tell them a little about Annie and that our little bundle of joy will be here in about 3 months. Margaux puts her hands on her belly, "We finally chose a name" she says, and we patiently wait for her to say it "Simone Pascal Porter-LeMarchal" "It's beautiful Margaux" Charlotte says first, "I'm sure your father will be touched" I add.

Aiden and I decide it's time to celebrate, so we go to the city and enjoy our time together, "I still can't believe it you know?" he says, "Me either" we look at the other, and I take his hand "I love you Aiden Mathis" "And I love you Emily Mathis". When I thought I couldn't be happier, life surprises me with this, after all the pain and misery that surrounded me for years I can finally allow myself to be happy…and I'm pretty sure that my father is as happy as I am right now because I'm going to be a mom.

Margaux calls me a few weeks later, she's entering her fifth month and needs some advice "Well, Annie told me it wasn't that big of a deal but you already know her… I think labor is the only thing that scares her" she laughs "Did she look like a cow too?" and now it's my turn to laugh "Margaux, you look as beautiful as always! And your belly is perfect" I try to remember everything for her; sometimes it surprises me how easy it's to talk with her. "Take care of you and Simone, I love you both" "Bye Ems, love you too". I left the house in a hurry, Annie is waiting for me… she's now almost reaching her 7 month mark. "Hi Emily!" she hugs me as tight as she can, and surprisingly I could feel our baby kicking, my mouth is wide open and Annie smiles "I think she's happy to see you too" we go inside, "how are you feeling sweetie?" I ask her concerned, "very well, I mean this-she points her belly- is really uncomfortable and she decided that jumping on my bladder was her favorite to pass the time but other than that I'm good" I smile, "Oh don't bother mommy baby girl, she needs the rest" I say sweetly and Annie laughs "Not even born and already in trouble with your mom huh?" Tears try to fall but I manage to stop them, Annie takes a sip of her iced tea "You should name her, I don't wanna jinx it but the doctors say she could come out anytime from now on".

Aiden seems deep in thought, "so what do you think?" I ask him, he kisses me "I love it" I kiss him this time "Amelia Mathis" I smile, maybe we will never experience parenthood the same way Margaux and Jack does for example, but that doesn't mean our feelings aren't as strong as theirs, at the end of the day Paget might not be my biological daughter but she will be my daughter from the heart and that's more than enough for me and I'm sure Aiden is as excited as I am to call Annie, after all she deserves to know first… I don't think I'll ever be able to thank her enough; she gave me the greatest gift a woman in my position can ask for. "Hi Annie, you're on speaker" I say quickly "Hi guys" Annie cheerful voice fills our room "How's the school?" Aiden asks, he doesn't even realize how easily he became a father figure for her, "really good, just A's on my report card…mom is really happy about it" We laugh, "We're proud of you, you'll be a great actress Annie" I'm sure she blushed "Thanks, I hope Juilliard thinks the same next year" we keep talking about everything and nothing, until Aiden reminds me the real reason for our call, I clear my throat "Annie, guess what? We finally agreed on a name" this caught her attention "tell me!" "Amelia Mathis" "Aw guys it's beautiful" "thanks, we're glad you like it…otherwise we were going to change it" "It means a lot to me, you know that you care about my opinion… the social worker was always telling me that probably I wouldn't have a say in, well anything baby related once I choose a couple, but you have been so nice to me, this will never be easy but you definitely made it easier" A silent tear manages to escape, "you are forever related to us, don't forget that… are you still sure about your decision?" I ask her again, the first time we met she told us that once the baby was born we would lose contact "Em, I … I will never forget you guys, but it would be too much for me and for her… I already know she will be so loved, If someday she decides she wants to meet me maybe I'll do it but for now my decision is still the same" Aiden takes my hand "We understand Annie, good luck with the finals… see you next week ok?" "yeah, bye guys" He disconnects the call.

The next morning, Margaux calls me crying "Margaux what's wrong?" "nothing is wrong…" she says softly and I'm even more confused, "I don't understand" I tell her sincerely "Carl called me mommy" Oh, yes that would definitely have me in tears too; Carl is close to his second birthday and he's been calling Margaux by her name for several months now, "sweetie that's wonderful" I say excited, "I…I don't want to replace Amanda" "you aren't, Margaux listen to me knowing Amanda as well as I did, I know that she's thrilled Carl has such a loving mother figure in his life" Now I'm crying too.

Sometimes I wonder what my father would think of all this, and every time I put my hand on Annie's belly, play with Carl, share with my friends or even when I am with Aiden I feel so loved, so happy… I can feel him with me every step of the way. I realize I was wrong, the Graysons took my past, but the future is all mine.

~A&E~

Again, I couldn't resist, I love the dynamic between all of them! I really really hope you like it. Oh, and the other one is still a work in progress but I want to wrap this up as soon as possible.

Kisses, Cami