The next morning, Nick and Zoe got up early. Zoe groaned as she got out of bed, they didn't even really have a reason for getting up, only that they had woken up and couldn't fall asleep again. Jody, on the other hand, managed to sleep in quite easily. Nick and Zoe spent their morning in the kitchen eating fried eggs and bacon.
"How long have we been up for?" Zoe asked Nick.
"A couple of hours." He replied.
"No way! What's the time?" He checked his watch.
"Just gone eleven."
"...and Jody's seriously still asleep?" Zoe asked slowly. Nick's eyes widened in sudden realisation of what Zoe was implying. He ran up to Jody's bedroom, burst in the door, and his worst fears had been revealed. The room was spotlessly tidy (typical, he thought), the window open, the bed made and a folded sheet of paper lying neatly on the pillow.
"Crap!" He muttered under his breath. He rushed back down to Zoe and handed her the note. She read out loud.
"Mum,
Mum, I know that you said I could talk to you, but you were still sleeping, so
I couldn't. I woke up at about half past four (nightmare)
and I was really angry. I just had to get out of the house, clear my head a little.
I'm sorry about not telling you. Well, I've got my phone. Feel free
To text me or call me when you find this.
I love you lots like jelly tots :)
Jodes.
"Well crap." Zoe finished.
"My sentiments exactly. You'd better call her." He said. Zoe, who already had her phone out, nodded and said,
"Already on it." She speed dialled Jody and waited.
"Hello." Jody answered.
"Jody. Where are you?"
"I'm at granny's house. I'm sorry mum. I was just pretty close to having a repeat of the last time I got that angry. I just thought the best thing to do was to get out."
"No, its okay. You're right. Just, put granny on the phone." Reluctantly, Jody passed the phone to her gran.
"Zoe dear?" She said into, the receiver.
"Hi mum. Sorry about all of this, she didn't wake you up too early, did she?"
"Not at all. I'm happy to see her at any hour any way dear." Zoe smiled.
"Thats good. Well, we'll be round in about five minutes Mum, is that all good?"
"Zoe dear, the kettle's already boiling..." This made Zoe laugh.
"And the tea bags are in the pot." She finished, laughing. "Love you mum, see you in a minute.
"Same to you dear." They hung up.
"Right Nick. Get your shoes on, we're heading to my mums." Nick nodded. Then he remembered something rather important.
"Um, Zoe?" He asked, slowly.
"Yes?"
"Does your mum actually know that you're pregnant yet?" Zoe gasped.
"No she doesn't! Oh well, that'll be a nice surprise." Zoe giggled nervously.
They pulled up outside Zoe's Mum's and got out. Zoe had deliberately put on a ling coat, hoping to at least let her poor mum know the truth, not leaving her to guess. They walked into the house freely, shut the door and headed to the living room.
"Zoe!" her mum exclaimed. "Its been far too long you!" She added, trapping Zoe in a tight hug.
"I know mum, I'm sorry. Now, sit down for a minute mum. Oh em, where's Jodes?"
"Upstairs. Bathroom I think." She replied.
"Oh okay, well anyway. I need to talk to you. The reason we've not been around is because, well, its been a bit hectic with work and, on top of that, I'm six months pregnant." She said, smiling slightly.
"What! Oh Zoe! Congratulations! Oh darling, I understand! Oh well done, the both of you!" She exclaimed, Nick and Zoe beamed. Thankfully, Zoe removed her coat. "Oh look at you! You look fabulous Zoe!"
"Thanks mum! I'm so glad you're happy about it!" Zoe laughed nervously.
"Happy? Darling I'm ecstatic! So proud of you!" She smiled radiantly. Jody came back into the room then.
"Hi." She said, awkwardly.
"Hello sweetheart. Are you all right?" She nodded.
"I suppose. I'm sorry about this morning... I just needed a bit of space... I'm sorry I didn't tell you." She hung her head, ashamedly.
"Baby, I'm not angry. I understand. Plus, you left a note and you took your phone. No harm done, eh?"
"I suppose not." She hugged Zoe tightly then and sat down at her Gran's feet. Almost immediately, the old woman smiled and began to rub her hand in circles, soothingly, on Jody's back.
"I love you Granny." She said, resting her head on her gran's knee.
"I love you too dear." They both smiled. Zoe felt a quick tear escape her eye just watching them, but she wiped it away quickly. Nick had caught her though, so he took hold of her hand and smiled at her, telling her he loved her with his eyes.