Hey Everyone!! Happy New Year!! Sorry it took me so long to update . . . had to type this puppy up and I couldn't do that at home 'cause my Mom hardly lets me on the computer. So I just finished typing it up a few minutes ago, so if there are typos that's why. Next Chapter you're all going to hate me . . . I won't tell you why but you will. . . BTW This story is about 46 chapters long . . . so we have 5 more left!! OH NOES!! Anyway, ENJOY!!

Unexpected

*Knock Knock!*

Jo and Mark looked up from their respective places in the loft. Mark was on the metal table, fiddling with his camera. Jo was on the couch, writing out random book ideas that came to mind. Both were working quietly when the loud knock was heard.

Jo volunteered to get the door and got up, walking to it. She and Mark vaguely wondered who it might be. Emma was at school, waiting to be picked up by Roger and Mimi and they weren't due home for at least 15 minutes. Jo finally opened the door. A flash of red hair was all Jo saw before she was scooped up into a bear hug, courtesy of Amber Maguire.

"Jo!" Amber cried joyfully.

"Amber?" Jo wheezed from between Amber's arms.

"Oh, Jo! It's so good to see you!" Amber squealed, squeezing Jo tighter. Jo let out a squeak.

"Okay Amber, you can let go of her now." Lena said, glaring at Amber. The fiery red-head let go of Jo and stuck her tongue out at Lena. Mark jumped off the table and strode to the five friends, laughing.

"What are you girls doing here?" He asked, hugging each of the San Francisco girls.

"Well," Ella said, "We'll tell you in a minute, let's settle down first."

"Of course," Mark said, "C'mon in, Roger and Mimi are getting Emma from school."

"How is Emma?" Kaila asked, always the mother hen. "Are you feeding her actual food?"

"Yes mother," Jo teased, "Mimi knows how to cook and Joanne comes over to cook sometimes for us."

"Good . . . And yet, you still haven't gained any weight, have you?" Kaila asked, eyeing Jo's slim frame.

"Nope," Jo grinned cheekily. Kaila sighed, shook her head, and sat on the duct-taped couch with the other girls.

"So . . . what's up?" Mark asked as Jo sat with him on the love seat.

"Well," Amber said, "We're going to be moving out here!" She was jumping for joy.

Mark and Jo were pleasantly shocked, "What?"

"We've collectively decided to move out here." Lena said, clarifying.

"Why?" Jo asked, still shocked.

"For you and Emma," Ella said matter-of-factly.

"For me and Emma?" Jo asked, confused.

"Well, we knew you couldn't live without us and if something ever happens to you we want Emma to have a well rounded Bohemian family in New York." Kaila explained.

Jo thought for a moment before nodding, "Okay, I understand that; but where will you live?"

"A few blocks down in a loft with three bedrooms and two baths." Ella said.

"Two bathrooms?" Mark exclaimed, "You lucky girls! We only have one for five people!"

The girls laughed, "Ha ha," Amber teased, "We've got more bathrooms than you do!" She sang.

"Oh, shut up you!" Jo said playfully, "At least we have more bedrooms than you do . . ."

Amber was about to reply when the loft door opened and in strolled Roger, Mimi and Emma.

"OH MY GOSH!" Amber exclaimed when she saw Emma.

"Amber!" Emma squealed, running to the redhead; her ocean-blue eyes sparkling like her sister's did. The pair embraced and Amber picked up Emma and twirled around with her in her arms.

"Oh my gosh, Baby Girl! You've gotten so big!" Amber squealed. Emma just giggled and climbed down from Amber's arms and hugged each of the California girls before going to Mark, sitting next to him, and burying her face in his chest.

"How was your day, Emma?" He asked, holding the small girl with his arm.

"Great! I got an 'A' on my spelling test!" She exclaimed, picking up her head to talk to Mark.

"She wouldn't stop talking about it all the way home." Roger laughed.

"Hey, Josie; what are your friends doing here?" Emma asked.

"They're going to be living here in New York. They're moving from San Francisco." Jo explained.

"Really?" Mimi asked.

"Yeah," Ella said, "We found a place not far from here."

Kaila continued, "We wanted to be here for everyone in case something happens." She explained.

"Oh," Mimi said, surprised, "Okay,"

"So, where are you going to live?" Roger asked.

The girls explained again that they would be moving a few blocks down.

"Really? That's great!" Mimi exclaimed, "Now you can be part of the family."

"That's what I was thinking too!" Jo said enthusiastically.

"Do you girls need help moving?" Roger asked, "'Cause we'd be more than happy to help you move in."

"Could you? We have so much stuff its ridiculous." Ella said.

"Most of it is Amber's equipment." Kaila rolled her eyes.

"Hey! I need my equipment to work and get money!" Amber claimed. "Besides, I'm getting studio close by so I don't take up so much space at home."

"Thank god . . ." Ella commented. Amber glared at Ella and everyone else laughed.

"Josie?" Emma called to her sister when the laughter died down. "Can we go to the Life for dinner?" Jo smiled at her baby sister.

"Sure Sweetie; after all, you did get an 'A' on that spelling test." Jo said, "You guys in for some food?" She asked her friends.

"What kind of food?" Amber asked, curious.

"Um . . . health food; like soy burgers, miso soup, pasta with meatless balls . . ." Mark said, naming off different meals.

"Ew . . ." Amber protested. "Why do you eat there?"

"It's the atmosphere there that counts over the food." Mimi said. "And even then, there's grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta and regular salads . . . just no meat." She explained to the Cali girls.

"Oh, okay . . ." Kaila said. "We can do that."

An hour later, everyone was at the Life Café, including Collins, Benny, Maureen and Joanne. Everyone was talking to each other and enjoying the company. Amber and Maureen were trying to outdo each other on achievements; Ella, Lena and Collins were planning an anarchist event. Roger and Mimi were playing cards with Emma. Joanne and Benny were chatting with Kaila and Jo and Mark were happily watching everyone.

"So Mark," Kaila caught Mark's attention, "Has she gotten you in bed yet?" She teased.

Mark and Jo grinned. "What do you think?" Mark shot back playfully. "I got my HIV results months ago."

"So you've been screwing for that long?" Amber asked.

"Amber!" Ella, Kaila and Jo exclaimed. Jo put her hands over Emma's ears. "Watch what you say!" Jo scolded.

"Oops . . . sorry . . ." Amber blushed and smiled apologetically.

Jo sighed and rolled her eyes, "Its okay . . . just watch your mouth . . . okay?"

Amber nodded and usual chatter resumed.

After the Life, everyone went to their respective homes. Roger, Mimi, Mark, Jo and Emma made it back to the loft and put Emma to bed. Then Roger and Mimi went to their room and Mark and Jo stayed on the couch, enjoying each other's company.

"I'm glad my girls came out here . . ." Jo said, nuzzling her face into Mark's neck and kissing it.

"Me too; our life is about to get ten times more hectic." Mark said, smiling.

"And we wouldn't have it any other way . . ." Jo said before standing up and pulling Mark's hand, leading him into the bedroom. Mark grinned and followed her.

Yes, their life was going to be 10 times more hectic . . . but nothing prepared the family for what was to happen next . . . no one was prepared to lose a vital part of their lives.

Aw, Crap. I just know you're all going to kill me when the next chapter comes out. But That doesn't mean you can't REVIEW!!!! PLEASE REVIEW!!! I REALLY need the support!!