A/N Wow! Chapter 19 already! I can't believe I've written this much. I'm amazed. Enjoy this chapter, and please let me know what you'd like to see happen next! And also, review, because I love seeing what you all have to say! Thank you! :)
Chapter 19
By the end of their window shopping adventure, the friends had added several baby girl items to an online registry. They started off looking at strollers, and Spencer decided that she would trust her friends to choose the style for her, only asking that they pick a Graco branded one. They collectively decided on a brown and pink flowered pattern called "Faith." There were also a car seat, playpen, baby swing, and diaper bag available in the same pattern, so they added those to the registry also. They picked out a few baby bath sets, and Hanna insisted that her niece had to have the vibrating bathtub that they saw. Spencer corrected her, telling her that it might be a boy. She was consistent on trying to keep her own thoughts gender neutral for the time being, but it was becoming difficult. They continued working through the tabs on the Babies R Us website, coming to diapering, at which point an already overwhelmed Spencer decided that she would avoid the recent phenomenon of cloth diapering and stick with the disposable ones. They moved on to the "Feeding" section, where Hanna took over and added several bottles, a pink high-chair, a set of burp-cloths, and a nursing pillow without even asking anyone's opinion. As soon as Emily realized that their next section was "Clothing," she took the computer away from Hanna so she wouldn't go overboard. She added a classic Carter's layette set to their list, as well as a pink and white Calvin Klein outfit, in efforts to get Hanna to stop grabbing for the computer. Aria asked that the zebra striped and leopard printed pajamas be added to the mix. Spencer picked out a comfortable yet cute looking yellow dress. They decided to end off with choosing a dark wood crib that Spencer found absolutely gorgeous, and elegant pink and brown bedding set.
Once Spencer realized not only how many items were on the list, but also how much it would all cost collectively, she became nervous, "How am I going to do this? How am I going to pay for all this? How am I going to afford a baby?" She said frantically.
Aria was in the process or emailing the list to each of the other girls. "Uh, hello… you'll have a baby shower for the essentials, and then… Well, you do realize that you're rich…"
"My parents are rich. And once they find out, trust me, they're not going to be handing me any money. And we can't have a baby shower. I don't need to attract any attention. This is Rosewood. You guys know how it is here." Spencer said back to Aria.
Emily chimed in. "It doesn't have to be a big thing. Just us, and our moms, I guess."
"Have you guys told your mom's?" Spencer asked the group.
The girls looked at each other and shook their heads. "We wouldn't do that without your permission." Hanna said.
Spencer pressed her lips together before saying, "You can tell them."
They girls looked at her with confused faces. "Why?" Emily questioned.
"Because your moms are more caring and understanding than my mom is. And, well, I need a mom right now." Spencer said.
"But when are you going to tell your mom?" Aria asked.
"When I'm ready to." Spencer said. "It's not like she'll be here to notice anyway."
"Just don't wait too long. The longer you wait, the more trouble you'll be in." Emily counseled.
"I talked to Melissa about it and we're probably going to ask them to meet us for dinner one night, and I'll tell them then." Spencer said.
Aria was shocked. "Wait! Did you just say you talked to Melissa?"
"Yeah, I did. She's actually being supportive. I think I finally have a sister."
"That's so nice for you!" Hanna said. "I'm so glad she's willing to help you out and give you guidance."
Spencer smiled. "Me too. She's bringing me out to the city for my first appointment tomorrow, too."
"Aww does that mean that our slumber party has to end early?" Hanna teased.
Spencer rolled her eyes. "No, I think Melissa scheduled the appointment for two. We've got plenty of time!"
"Great!" Aria said. "And you have to call us to tell us how it went, okay? I don't know about them two, but I don't want to miss anything."
"Yes, yes I'll call you." Spencer said, letting out a long yawn. It had been a long and eventful day, and she was exhausted.
"Is mommy tired?" Emily said in her best baby voice. She usually didn't make jokes like that, but she was comfortable with being silly tonight.
Spencer answered. "Yeah. I am. Are you surprised?"
Emily just laughed. The girls had just started to discuss going to sleep when Spencer's cell phone rang. It was on her night table, closest to Aria, who looked over to it when Spencer asked who it was.
"It's Toby!" Aria said. She grabbed the phone and pressed the answer button. She spoke into the phone while Spencer was trying to grab it out of her friend's hand. "Hi Toby, its Aria. How are you?" Spencer crawled over Hanna's legs to Aria and got close to the phone so she could hear. Toby answered with an awkward "Great…" Aria then said back to him, "I'm glad! Would you like to speak to Spencer?" And Spencer heard him say, "Uh, yeah, that's who I called for." And she grabbed the phone from Aria's hand.
"Hi" She said softly into the phone.
"Hi darling. How are you doing?" He asked.
"Fine, I'm having a great night with the girls. We're pooped!"
"Oh, do you want me to hang up so you can sleep?"
"Not at all Toby! Talk to me for a while!" Spencer said. The group of girls moved closer to listen in, and when they did, Spencer shot them a look, hopped off the bed, went into her bathroom and shut the door for some privacy. She then continued her conversation. "Okay we can talk without being listened to now. Those girls are so nosy!"
Toby laughed. "They're not being nosy intentionally, Spence. They're interested. That's all!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." She said.
"Well you are having a fun time, so you can't complain."
"I know… I'm really enjoying myself, but I miss you." Spencer said.
"I miss you too. It's only been a few hours Spence, and soon you'll go to sleep, and I can be there in the morning if you want. Does that make you feel better?"
"Really? You would do that? Thank you Toby."
"Of course I would do that, Spence. I would do anything for you. You know that." Toby said sincerely.
"You're so perfect, Toby. When you get here just let yourself in, okay?"
"I will, and I'll be right there when you wake up. Okay? Now get some rest."
"I love you, Toby." Spencer said without a doubt in her mind.
"I love you too, Spencer. Goodnight."
And just like that, they hung up. They hated those cheesy couples that played the "No you hang up first!" game. They were practical, logical people. They didn't need to express their love by wanting to hang up last.
Just then Spencer's phone alerted her to a new text message. New Text Message - Unknown Number it read. Shit. Spencer thought. She reluctantly opened the message.
Enjoying yourself?-A
And that was all that was written. Forget it. Spencer told herself as she exited the bathroom.
"Time for bed!" She exclaimed to her friends. They didn't fight her on that at all. They viewed every second they had to sleep as a privilege. So they each took hold of their overnight bags, retrieving their pajamas. Aria pulled out an old grey, cotton t-shirt and a pair of dark purple flannel pants. Emily had a matching set of navy blue pj's that really complimented her eye color. They were plain and comfy-looking, yet somewhat fashionable. Spencer settled on wearing Toby's old shirt that she loved so much. And Hanna's pajamas were definitely the most fashion-forward of the bunch, yet still wearable. The vertical pink and brown stripes on her capri pants gave length to her legs, and her white v-neck was sparsely detailed with silver sequins. They all removed their jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and earrings that they had used to complete their outfits. Then the clothes came off, fabric dropping to the floor piece by piece.
As they were all slipping into their pajamas, Aria called to Spencer and said, "If you need anything wake us, okay?" To which Spencer replied, "Aria, I'm pregnant, not dying. I think I'll be alright." Aria sighed in response.
The girls were finally ready for what was hopefully going to be a good night's sleep. Aria had already claimed the side of Spencer's bed that wasn't being used, so Hanna and Emily set up the usual sleepover makeshift bed- Spencer's spare comforter, along with a few other blankets for extra cushioning. They usually all slept on the floor to make things fair, but from then on, fair would be Spencer sleeping in her bed where she would be comfortable. After everything was all set up and straightened out, the girls gave hugs and bid each other a good night. They got themselves comfortable, and after a long and tiring, but exciting day, they fell asleep almost instantly.