Chapter 22- Forgive and Forget
"Toby will you please answer the door, I'm a bit tied up in here" Spencer shouted from the bathroom where she was battling with their 3 weeks old son, of which she was trying to bathe.
"How the hell could you hear the door from in there?" He laughed as he brought a towel in for the fussy baby.
"Well, when you have a baby to listen out for every minute of every day, having good hearing becomes a necessity; now please answer the god damn door" She laughed light-heartedly and she lifted her son out of the water so he could warm up in the towel.
"Sure thing momma bear, I'm on it" He saluted her before leaving the room to answer the door, he expected it to be Jason, he was the only one out of the entire group that didn't take having a key to mean that they could just waltz into the apartment at their own free will. Whoever was at the door seemed pretty urgent because they wouldn't stop knocking; he flung the door open to see the one person he least expected.
"Hello Toby"
"Jenna, what the hell are you doing here?" his voice was icy, proving that her presence wasn't at all welcome.
"Well that's not a nice way to welcome your step-sister, aren't you going to invite me in?" Her voice was filled with malice; he could tell that she had an ulterior motive for being there.
"You're not welcome around here Jenna, so say what you have to say without coming inside and going anywhere near my family"
"Now now, that's not playing nice is it? Can't we just sit down and have a normal conversation; after all this is pretty important."
"I doubt Spencer would appreciate you being in our apartment, near our son." He was about to shut the door when Spencer came bounding through the living room door with Elijah wrapped up in her arms.
"Toby, who was at the do-" she looked up at the figure that was standing over the threshold and suddenly felt a need to protect her child; she was still getting used to the emotions that came with being a mother but she knew she would do anything to keep her baby safe. "What the hell is she doing here?"
"I don't know Spence, but she was just going." He turned his head so he was face to face with the brunette that he had grown to hate. "Weren't you Jenna?"
"Oh no, I wasn't planning on going anywhere. After all I have some important stuff to tell you and a nephew to meet." There was a smug look on her face that showed she wasn't going to give up until she got her way. "So the sooner you let me in, the sooner this will be over."
"You can come in and tell us whatever is so important, but after that you leave and you stay the hell away from my child. Do you understand me? He is not and never will be your nephew; you haven't earned the right to be in his life so take the hint and leave us the fuck alone." Spencer turned around and walked back into the nursery that had been so lovingly designed by her best friends.
Over the past 3 weeks it had become hers and Toby's sanctuary, they would sit in there with the life they had created and just be the normal family they so craved to be. Both of them knowing that it was impossible to do while –A was still around. She looked around the room that had become so familiar to her.
Emily had chosen the colours that they were going to paint the nursery. Each of the opposite walls were the same colour, two of them a pale blue called "winter teal", she said she had chosen that colour because Elijah was going to be their winter baby; the other two walls were cream colour that was nearly white. Aria had been commissioned to paint a huge picture of things that represented their family on the wall above the crib; it was one of the most beautiful things any of them had ever seen. Finally, Hanna of course had been taken it upon herself to find pieces of furniture to go in there, which she had shown Toby so he could make them himself.
As she placed the sleeping baby in his hand made crib she took one last look around before she headed out into the living room to face what could potentially be one of the most painful events of her life. She would just have to remember that whatever Jenna has to tell them would never be as important as the child lying in that cot.
"So Jenna, what the hell do you have to say for yourself?" She muttered as she appeared back in family room.
"It's nice to see you too Spencer, I would love to come in and of course I'll have some coffee." She joked knowing that it would wind Spencer right up.
"Oh shut up Jenna, you can come in to tell us what the hell this is about but nothing more than that" Toby said as he eyed his step-sisters movements, he hated the way she was doing everything in her power to anger Spencer. She walked past him and took a seat on the couch next to the wall of windows.
"Well, first of all I have to tell you that there was something that came in the post for you the other day Toby. It looked pretty important but it looked really old, your Dad asked me to bring it over." She handed him the aged envelope and watched him look over at his girlfriend, they both knew exactly what it was and she thought she did too. "The other thing that I wanted to say was that I know about all the trouble you've been going through lately with this –A person and I think I know someone that has something to do with it all."
"What?" Spencer wasn't paying any attention to what Jenna was saying until she heard her mention –A, after all they had always thought she had something to do with all of this, they just never had anything to back it up with.
"I thought that would get your attention; basically, the other night when I got home from my Noel's I noticed someone at Emily's house. They were looking through her living room window with a camera or something, at first I didn't know what to think of it, it could have just been a joke but then I noticed that they were dressed all in black and I couldn't see their face"
"Wait, if you couldn't see their face then how the hell do you know who it is?" Toby chimed in
"Because when they were running away from the house they got into a car that I recognised, it was Garret's car."
"That's impossible, Garret's dead remember." The tone in Spencer's voice proved that she was confused about all she was being told. "I thought they put his car up for sale when he died because none of his family wanted it"
"None of them did want it, so they gave it to the one person who did." This was the only time either Spencer or Toby had seen Jenna genuinely scared but they could tell that this time she wasn't faking. There was a look in her eye that proved she was being sincere with everything she was telling them.
"Who was it Jenna?" Spencer's voice had softened considerably as she walked over to sit on the chair opposite her; the other two people in the room were shocked by her sudden change of heart, in fact Spencer was shocked by her sudden change of heart.
"Wilden, Darren Wilden." Her bright green eyes flicked down to the floor as she spoke his name.
"Of course he would have something to do with all of this; I knew there was something weird about him from the start." Toby thought back to the first time he had met Wilden and how he was the first person (other than Spencer) to assume that he had a considerable part in Alison's death. It was like he was trying to cover his own tracks by making things worse for Toby and Spencer when her time came. "Jenna are you sure it was Wilden? It's pretty hard to tell who they are when they're dressed like that; mind you that's the point."
"Yes I'm sure, I remember seeing him driving around town the other day in that car because I remembered how Garret had described it the first time that I met him. Then the first time I could actually see it was absolutely amazing; I would never forget what that car looked like."
"Okay, Jenna I think we need to ask you to leave now though. Elijah will be awake soon and we need to talk to the others about all of this" Spencer stood up and walked over to the door so she could let their visitor out.
"Wait Spencer, there's one more thing I have to say. You may think that this has been a long time coming but I swear to you I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I am so sorry for everything I put you both through, especially you Toby; I made you life hell and there was nothing you could do about it. And Spencer I should never have held what Alison did to me against you, it was never your fault and I know that, I've known that since the night Ali came to visit me in the hospital. I never told me what she actually said about you, but it was something along the lines of
"I wish I could let all the other girls take the blame for what I did but I know that would be a stupid thing to do; after all they have been the ones there for me. But I swear to you if anyone finds out I had anything to do with this then I will tell everyone about your little sexcapades with your dear step-brother, and I swear to god you will regret it. Anyway who would believe your lies when I have the Hastings on my side, if I'm scared of Spencer Hastings and her wrath then I think you should be too. All four of those girls could give you a run for your money; so if you tell anyone about this, then you will only be playing with fire. You wouldn't want to get burned now would you?"
She was right, you four would do anything to keep each other safe and I've been there to witness it far too many times. Basically, this is me here to say that I am sorry; I regret ever making an enemy of you Spencer. Mainly because I know that Toby has such a good judge of character and for him to say such wonderful things about you and to trust you so much, it must mean that he's right. I want to get to know you Spencer, not as the girl that was my enemy's best friend, but as my step-brother's girlfriend and the mother of my nephew. I want to be in Elijah's life because I know just how amazing he is going to be, especially with parents like you two. So please take it into consideration, that is all I ask of you" Spencer watched in complete shock as she stood up and made her way towards to door "I'm sorry Spencer, I really am sorry" she left the apartment with nothing more to say, leaving them both completely taken aback.
About 10 minutes later the couple were sat on the couch with a coffee in hand still thinking about everything that Jenna had said to them. It all seemed a little farfetched but something told them that she was being sincere and maybe she did want to fix things for the sake of their family.
"Did she really just say all of that?" Spencer asked as she looked up into his big blue eyes that were so full of love and understanding.
"I think she did, but I don't know. I could have been asleep and just dreamt it." They both laughed light-heartedly "Whether she has good intentions or not though, we have to think about Eli here. If she's just messing us around and hurts him just because we had a momentary lapse when she came begging for forgiveness then we would have to live with that for the rest of our lives"
"I know that, it's all I could think about but what happens if she does just want to get to know him again for the sake of your family Toby? Elijah could be the thing that brings you all together; after all he deserves a stable family doesn't he?"
"Of course he does, but I don't think he'll get that from my side"
"And from my family's track record I very much doubt he'll have stability there either. Looks like we're once again relying on the mess we call our friend group" she kissed him gently on the lips and smiled sweetly "anyway, he has us. No one will ever love him as much as we do and we can just hope that he'll remember that."
"Spencer, I won't let him forget it" Toby placed his finger gently underneath her chin and lifted her lips towards his, he kissed her passionately and it seemed like an eternity before either of them found the strength to break away.
"Spencer, Toby are you here?" Hanna rushed into the apartment after she got the SOS text from Spencer "Come on Spence where are you?" About a second later she heard the familiar cry of the baby boy that was in his nursery; followed by a shuffling noise coming down the hall. Still being in the living room meant that she couldn't hear all of what was being said but she heard enough of it to make her heart melt.
"Hey little man, what's wrong with you?" Toby had gone in to attend to his son "You need to be quiet though so your momma can sleep; you've really worn her out. I don't like anyone but me wearing her out." She heard a slight chuckle come from down the hall which made her laugh too, she didn't really need to know about how Toby planned on tiring her best friend out but it still made her laugh.
"Let's go get you something to drink while she sleeps, then we'll go wake her up" the sound of footsteps coming down the hall made Hanna hesitate, completely unsure to what the protocol for barging into your best friend's house after you receive an SOS text when she's asleep and her boyfriend has just been woken up by their baby. Before she could move, Toby was in the living room looking at her completely dumbfounded.
"Hanna, what are you doing here?"
"Oh yeah, Spencer text? The SOS? It seemed pretty urgent and the others are on their way over, I just happened to be dropping some stuff off at Aria's while she was shopping" She replied, trying not to make this situation more awkward, after all Toby was stood in front of her with nothing but a pair on boxers on.
"Of course, she text you all when Eli was making a fuss but he finally fell asleep and so did she" He smiled earnestly at the thought of the scene he had walked into only 15 minutes ago. Spencer was lying on their huge bed with her back propped up against the headboard and Elijah was sleeping peacefully in her arms. It was the most adorable thing he had ever seen so of course he took a photo. He picked his phone up off the counter and looked for the picture before he showed Hanna.
"That is so cute" She laughed at the sight of Spencer with her hair all bunched up at the back and the bags under her eyes with the slight hint of drool on her chin; then there was the angel in her arms that they all adored so much. "Hey do you want me to take my favourite nephew while you go and wake sleeping beauty up?"
"Sure, he needs feeding but I'm pretty sure you know what to do by now right?" He wasn't sure whether Spencer had given Hanna "the talk", Aria and Emily had named it. He was answered with a confident nod from Hanna as she seized control of the situation regarding the snuffling baby. Toby spun around and began to wander back into his bedroom to wake his beautiful girlfriend.
"Oh and Toby" He twisted around so he was looking wide eyed at Hanna "You may want to consider putting a bit more clothing on" she laughed as his cheeks turned the brightest shade of red she had ever seen before he practically ran back into the confines of his boudoir.
"Spencer" He prodded her gently in the side trying to ease her out of her sleep but there was no response "Spencer honey; wake up" again no response. He knew that there was only one other way to successfully wake his brunette beauty up; he lifted her up gently so she was in the middle of their bed before he knelt in front of her.
"Spence, baby" he stroked her cheek gently trying to get even the smallest reply before he had to pull out the big guns; but again he got nothing. "Right, you asked for it."
The next few seconds were a jumble of shrieks coming from Spencer and limbs being flailed about the room as Toby tickled her relentlessly. As soon as the tips of his fingers touched her sides he got the reply he had been waiting for as her eyelids shot open and she started to shout for help between laughs. Finally he stopped deeming it a job well done.
"You're awake" He beamed as she fixed her hair and wiped the tear stains from laughing so much off her cheeks.
"No shit Sherlock" She joked as she returned the loving smile. "What was that for anyway?"
"Blondie is in the living room with our son after getting an SOS text from sleeping beauty over there" He laughed.
"Oh shit! I forgot all about that, how many of them are here?"
"Just Han I think, so for now we have a temporary baby sitter" he looked at her; she knew exactly what he was suggesting but the idea of 'doing it' while her best friend was in the house made her feel slightly queasy.
"We are definitely not going there right now boyo. But if you promise to put our son to bed tonight and run me a bubble bath then I think it might be worth your while" she prodded him flirtatiously in the chest finally noticing he wasn't wearing anything but a pair of black calvin klein boxers. "Please tell me you weren't just wearing those when you went out there and saw Hanna?"
"This situation would be a lot less awkward if I just kept my mouth shut right about now" he indicated that he was zipping his lips and locking it, throwing away the key.
"I think that would be a very good idea" she laughed as she leaned over and kissed him hard, she had been dying to do that since Jenna left but the fact that their son wouldn't sleep was a rather large obstacle.
"Is it my turn to question your motives this time? I'm scared. What have you done?" He looked around the room expecting to find that she had broken something that he had made for their room but as usual, everything was pristine. The look on his face amused her even more as he inspected everything in the room.
"Do I need a motive to kiss my extremely beautiful, amazing, hot, loving, hot, caring, did I mention hot; boyfriend?" She kissed him again but this time it was more loving, making him go weak at the knees; it was good that he was sitting down.
"Well if that's the game then is it alright if I kiss my extremely gorgeous, amazing, hot, loving, hot, caring, did I mention hot; girlfriend?" he had leaned closer every time he complemented her so their foreheads were touching; Spencer instigated the passionate kiss that they were engaging in as Hanna came tumbling through the door with their son in arms.
"I hate to break up your love fest but everyone has arrived and we need to know why the hell it was so god damn important we got here." She left the room again giving the couple some time to compose themselves and for Toby to get some god damn clothes on. Not that it wasn't a nice view, she just didn't think Caleb would appreciate her staring at somebody else's abs. Spencer probably wouldn't be too keen either.
About 5 minutes later Spencer and Toby were stood among everyone else in the living room thinking of ways to tell them about their unexpected run in earlier; neither of them entirely sure how they'd react.