I can't apologize enough for not updating for so long. I hope you guys forgive me.
~ H.
Emma
The next morning, I awoke before Killian. All I can feel is nothing pain, ANNOYING BODY ACHE – Killian is honestly an animal when it comes to business in the bedroom. I gathered the sheets around me and lifted it higher up to my chest. Killian turned over and wrapped his arms around me, curling closer to my body. I took his arms and slowly lifted them off me. I have to go to the bathroom bad or else this bed is not going to be pretty for long.
I reached for Killian's dress shirt that I tore the other night and slipped it on – boy, if only I had an excuse to be a little drunk I wouldn't be feeling embarrassed right now. I quietly tip toed to the bathroom and shut the door behind me quietly. My stomach is already churning with the leftover contents I just had yesterday. I rushed to the toilet and fell on my knees, lowering my head while heaving so heavily. Huh. I went through this before, but gosh I hate it. When I was pregnant with Henry, my mother knew some remedies that helped with morning sickness, but now since I'm on my own, these next eight months are going to be great torture.
It wasn't long until Killian heard that. He knocked on the door madly, asking for me to open the door. But I was unable to do it right away. After about a good two minutes emptying out my system, I flushed the toilet and ripped a square piece of toilet paper and wiped my mouth.
I touched my stomach, rubbed it smoothly and remained in that position for a moment. "Baby, I'm sorry...Mommy is so sorry."
Killian this time tried to break in. I forced myself to stand up and rushed to the door and opened it. Killian instantly pulled me in his arms and started off with his angry yet concerned tone. "What's wrong are you alright?"
I lifted my head for him to see me, and I simply nodded. "I'm fine. I just ate something bad yesterday."
"Don't scare me like that again."
"I'll try not to."
~ When my boys left the house, I called for a taxi to meet up with Jimmy. He offered me to go to the hospital to have a screen test to check the progress of my pregnancy.
I held onto his hand tightly all the way until we got to the hospital. Dr. Whales, the doctor Jimmy told me so much about, assured me with gentle words when I was told to lie down on this stretched out hospital chair. I remained silent and kept my trembling eyes in the computer scanner that showed the view of the baby. Dr. Whales lifted my shirt half way and rubbed some kind of cold gel on my belly, with some kind of tool, he rubbed the end of it and kept his eyes on the screen of the small computer to find the area of the egg. After a few tries he finally found the egg. Since it was hard for me and Jimmy to see where it was located, Dr. Whales pointed out for us and continued with his observation.
"The baby is very much alive now, after a few months when you reach to your second or third trimester of your pregnancy we'll be able to predict the sex of the baby."
"The baby is alive?" I asked.
"Yes. Everything seems to be in good place for now so you have nothing to worry about."
"...G-Good, then..Is that all?"
"Don't you want to know when your pregnancy started?"
"No. No that won't be necessary. Jimmy, let's go."
Jimmy stepped forward and gave me a nod. "Of course, Emma."
However, Dr. Whales didn't wipe the gel off my belly; he continued to rub the tool gently on my belly and kept his eyes firmly on the computer screen. I looked at the doctor and called for his attention. "Doctor. Dr. Whales, is there something wrong?"
"Impossible." That was the only thing he could say.
Jimmy went over to him and touched his shoulder that shook the doctor back to reality. Dr. Whales looked up at his friend and then back at me with widened eyes. "There...There appears to be another baby in your womb, Miss Swan. You are the mother of another child."
"What? No. No that can't be possible. I counted the days the last time I was ever with a man. It just can't be. I mean like last night I..I..."
Oh no. Can it be that last night was what caused this? But it's not possible. Not possible at all. I thought last night will definitely cause something to happen, but this result was clearly not what I expected at all.
My eyes looked straight at the screen, shaken that there really was something inside..I'm a mother of two. Two! Two, oh my God...
I grabbed the towel that was laid on a silver tray and wiped the gel off on my stomach. I quickly rolled down my shirt and got off the chair. "You know what, I think I'm going to go home now."
"Emma, sit back down, let the doctor speak."
"No. No, I can't stay in here."
Immediately I ran out of the hospital and went straight down to the exit. Jimmy ran after me but I got out on time. Anyone can consider me as a bad mother of the fact that I'm not giving any effort to be careful with this baby in my belly...I mean, babies.
Oh gosh! Two?! Two babies?! Expecting one baby is hard enough, why is there another one growing inside me? Is this even possible, or am I just the very first one to ever have another egg to grow inside me while another one formed first a month earlier.
Honk! Honk! I quickly broke away from my thoughts and stopped running. I wanted to punch myself when I realized I'm standing in the middle of the side walk. A cab driver in front of me honked away for me to move. But before I was about to walk away, someone inside that car made me stop, it's Bae.
"Emma! Stop right there!" Jimmy yelled.
He was coming closer from where I'm standing. Immediately, I ran around the cab and opened the door. Bae protested and his gray eyes tried to search to my side of the seat.
"Hey, get out. I don't share rides with strangers."
I took both his hands and gave it a kiss to each one. "It's me, Bae. Emma."
He calmed down and a smile curved on his lips. "Emma. Emma is that really you?"
"Yeah. It's me...Um, driver, just drive. And can you go a little fast, I'm in a hurry."
The driver fixed the rear-view mirror to the right center, and gave her a nod. Thankfully, the lights changed to green and the car drove away on time before Jimmy was able to cross the street.
Bae tightened his hands on mine and his eyes looked ahead. The grin on his lips still remained.
"It's so good to have you here with me again. How are you?"
I first looked back at the window to see if Jimmy managed to get in a cab and is possibly chasing after me. But there was no other cab following us. I turned my attention back to him and said breathlessly.
"I..I uh…Give me a sec...Hooo..Okay. Um, I just happen to be a little lost. Can you help me?" I lied.
Bae shook his head. "Emma, don't lie to me. Remember you still suck at it."
"Alright. I'm lying but the fact I need your help is not a lie."
"What is it?"
"I can't tell you here. Can we just go somewhere where we can talk?"
"Sure. I'm actually on my way home. Is that okay?"
"Perfect."
After the twenty minute drive, the cab pulled over a little far away from the city to this penthouse. Bae sure did spend his money well.
When Bae paid the cab driver for the ride, the two of us got out. Bae unfolded his blind cane and took me by the arm. He escorted to the doorway of the house and reached into his pocket for the keys. When he unlocked the door, the two of us went inside into the heavenly looking place.
The place is absolutely..well, its so off my taste but its very beautiful and modeled into a refreshing style that only welcomes for single men. The architecture of the place is quite neat and built into beautiful shapes; the walls are painted white; the furniture is pure leather and embellished with vases and artificial flowers; and..and a slide?
By the staircase, there's some sort of slide where you can just slide down on instead of just using the stairs. Bae obviously knows the place like a book. Even though I released his arm, he knew where I was.
"Bae, what the hell is this?"
"Ah you mean the slide."
"Yes. Why do you have one?"
"Why not? When I got my pay check I got wild and spent too much on things I barely need. This one is actually a helical slide. After my stay in this program for blind people, I was allowed to live all by myself, of course that was after living under the same roof with this nurse. Stairs were my worst fears so I had to think of a way to get down without going through them. So I thought of this brilliant idea of making a slide, I called for someone online and they made me this three days later."
"It's pretty crazy. But the slide could only help you to get down, how did you get upstairs if you're scared of using the stairway."
"I got an elevator next. I'm not scared of the stairs anymore, but I still like to keep everything for fun."
I couldn't help but laugh at this. All these ideas he thought of are absolutely ridiculous, but at least he had his fun during those times when I wasn't there for him...
"Hey, why won't you try it?"
"I can't."
Bae took my hand and playfully pulled it to where the stairway was. "Oh come on. It won't hurt for you to try."
It's time to tell him. I have to if he might be willing to give me his help...
"Bae, I really can't."
"Emma, don't be such a baby."
"Baby...Um, I need to tell you something that involves that particular word. Uh..You're going to have to sit down first before I tell you."
I led Bae to the living room and the two of us sat down on the sofa. When I told him of my pregnancy it felt like 2001 all over again, and Bae's reaction to my news were the same as he did in the past, but this time his fears wasn't the idea of being a father, it was the fear of losing me completely now that he knows that I'm carrying the child of another man..well two men, but I'm keeping that to myself. Telling him I'm pregnant is enough for today.
"You're pregnant..I can't believe this."
"I couldn't believe it either when I found out. But Bae the signs were all there, I get morning sickness constantly, I overeat during the days and sometimes before I go to bed, and I've been very moody too."
"Does Henry know?"
"Of course, not. I'm trying to keep it a secret before my belly forms like a gigantic planet, until then I would have to tell him."
"How about this Killian you're with? It's his baby after all."
"I haven't told him yet, but I'm planning to tell him today."
"It looks like to me you got your own fantasy all ready to go. So why in the hell do you need my help?"
"Because I can't have this baby, Bae, once this baby is born it'll bring nothing but trouble."
Bae was shocked of hearing this from me. The time when I told him I was pregnant with Henry, abortion or adoption never crossed my mind, and Bae respected that. But now seeing me today pregnant again and hearing this from me is certainly strange and shocking to hear for him.
"You don't want the baby? What are you talking about?"
"Bae, Killian is no father, but I at first I wanted him to be the one, you know to be my partner. But part of me..part of me can't be with him anymore."
"Why? He's good to Henry, isn't he? He probably offered you a lot, so what's pulling you back?"
"Because Bae this baby inside me is going to hurt him a lot."
"What do you mean?"
"Bae the baby isn't Killian's, it's his best friend's."
"What?"
"I don't want to talk about it. But long story, short, I had a bad hangover at this party. I was really depressed after your mother stopped by at the house to see me, she told me a lot of things, enough to make me go against Killian."
"My mother? Oh God what the fuck did she tell you?"
"The truth...the truth that scared me straight."
Bae reached for my hand and scooted closer to me. His eyes wandered not at my face, but he continued to speak.
"Emma, I don't know what kind of crazy shit she told you about, but don't listen to her."
"Bae, she told me that Killian was still seeing all his past bimbos, even though we're living together with Henry. I was just shocked..But I...is it wrong to say I need him to be in my life since he at least supports Henry...I'm a really bad person, Bae."
"Emma."
"I really am. First I told Killian's friend, the father of this baby, that I wanted an abortion, and to top it off he also has a kid who I met on the night we..we did 'it'...And then, I took a crazy advice from this friend to try to sleep with Killian for the first time, so I can change the father of the baby, I thought it would work because I was hoping for the egg to be produced a few weeks late. But I was wrong..totally wrong..."
"Emma..."
"This is why I need your help. I didn't get on that cab to tell you all this so you can judge or comfort me. I'm not good enough for both Killian and Jefferson. I need to leave both of them so they can live on with their lives."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm going to tell the news to Killian that I'm pregnant and keep the name of the father a secret. When I reach to my second trimester of my pregnancy, I'm going to leave the house with Henry. Killian will be heartbroken, I know he will. But it's worse enough for me to play this stupid charade that I'm the same Emma he met at that party. I need to leave right away."
"Then what are you going to do next?"
"I'm going to have to leave New York and raise the baby on my own. I'll send a picture of it to Killian and of course, respectably write a farewell letter as well."
"Do you think you can do that?"
Tears fell down my eyes. I gritted my teeth hard to swallow the sobs building in my throat.
"No..No I can't. But I have to. Both those wonderful men did so much for me, it's time for me to offer them something back. When I leave I'm not just leaving for them to live a full life, I'm also taking away the pain that'll weigh their hearts into a deeper level that'll be too unbearable to endure..I doubt they'll ever understand me nor forgive me. But I know it'll be better that way..Yes it will."
"What should I do to help?"
"In the end of those six months, meet me at the Shells and take me here to your penthouse, I'll be waiting with Henry. All I need until then are two plane tickets to Storybroke. I'll be able to settle down easily by the time I get there with Henry; it's our home after all."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, Bae. That'll make things too complicated. But...But I hope you get ready to see your son again. I'm sure he'll be a little sad of how different you are now, but he'll be so happy to see you again."
"Emma."
"You're his father, Bae. And you always will be."
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Six months later…
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It is absolutely impossible to describe how torturous this pregnancy is. Henry and Killian are nothing but awesome, yet a little over protective helpers in the house. Every time I wince when I get a baby kick, or if I throw up or refuse to eat, honestly, Killian and Henry literally offer me help like eager children. I feel a lot more in peace when they're not around. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's awesome to have someone get my food and give me a nice massage on the shoulders. But it's really irritating when you're living in the same house with two jumpy boys who have done nothing but help this big me.
I never thought six months would pass by this quickly. But I know it's time to leave, I must prepare my proper goodbyes now. The only amount of time I have left is three days. It's hard to leave everything and everyone in this new life, but I must..I just must before it's too late...
Today is a Sunday. My boys busy themselves in the new nursery for the baby. They spent about two hours putting the baby cradle together while I helped with painting the walls into custard yellow.
"How are you boys doing?"
"We're almost finished, mom."
Killian hammered the last nail and placed his hammer down. He brushed the dust off his pants and gave Henry a high five. "There that's finished. Help me lift this up, mate."
"Okay, Killian."
The two stood back on their feet and lifted the cradle together. They carried it all the way to the spot Killian and I chose of what we thought was best to put it for the baby.
Henry went over to me and pointed his finger straight at the cradle. "So, what do you think, mom?"
"It's perfect. Nice work, boys."
Henry looked around at the areas of the walls of where I painted. "Hey, mom. Why are you painting the walls yellow?"
"Well, kiddo, I don't know the gender of the baby yet so I decided to pick a color that's good for both a girl and a boy."
"When are the tests coming, mom? I'm excited to know if I'm having a baby brother or a baby sister. Emily and I already thought of names for the baby. If it's a girl, Emily thought of the names Lily or Kathy, but if it's a boy, I thought of names like Johnny or Blake or even Robert; Robbie for short."
I returned back to my painting. "Well, you and your little girlfriend would have to hold your thoughts about any idea of names; the test isn't going to arrive until tomorrow."
Killian stepped forward and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "You heard her, mate. The test isn't going to arrive until tomorrow."
"Ah, man. I thought it was going to be today."
"I was hoping for that too, which is why I was able to pull some strings back at the hospital, and look what I got."
I turned around after hearing this. Killian reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded envelope. Henry was happy to see that. As for me, I felt uneasy.
"You got it so soon. How?"
"Emma, there is nothing a man like me cannot do. How about you open it?"
I took the envelope from him and ripped it open. I unfolded the paper inside and read through it quickly. The test resulted of the sex of the baby as a boy, and the other -that was confirmed to be produced late - as a girl. I folded the paper and slipped it back in. With a forced smile I announced.
"It's a boy."
Both the boys exchanged a high five and their excitement expanded. Immediately, they huddled closer to me and threw arms around each other for a group hug. The moment was sweet and something I'll never forget..but being in this moment is making things more hard to accept my decision of leaving the house, leaving this life, and leaving the man who I love.
When it was lunch time, the three of us had a little picnic outside in the backyard. We filled ourselves up with BLT sandwiches, fries, and a tray full of variety of treats that we can dip into the chocolate fondue pot. With my chopstick, I pierced a strawberry and dipped it in into the chocolate fondue pot. I blew on it before taking a big bite of it. Killian ate a few cookies that were not dipped into the melted chocolate. His eyes were distracted at the far off tall tree that gave us its shade from the sunlight.
"Do you have something in your mind, Killian?"
"I was just thinking. Maybe we can have a swing there by the tree, for all of us. And when our son grows up, he'll be able to ride on it too."
I swallowed hard on the strawberry in bitter guilt. This is the first time he ever said "our child" or "our son" before. It really hurts to hear him say that, sometimes I wonder why he would ever meet up with all his past girls if he truly cared this much for me and Henry.
"Sounds like a plan. But how about you take a break with all this planning?"
"Nonsense, I want to do everything I can to spoil our kid with love and affection."
"Spoil the baby? Uh oh. Should I be concerned?"
Killian smiled and pulled me for a kiss. "You should be concerned that our son will receive more love that not one child in this world never received so much from."
"I would like that...I would..."
Henry kissed me goodnight after freshening up in the bathroom. "Goodnight, mom."
"Goodnight, kiddo. Sweet dreams."
He turned to Killian who was lying down beside me, and they both exchanged a quick hug. "Goodnight to you too, Killian."
"Goodnight, mate."
After a short second, they pulled apart and Henry turned off the lights before leaving out the door. My position when I go to sleep is exhaustibly sad, believe me, any women who are not pregnant I have one advice for you, DON'T GET PREGNANT IF YOU'RE NOT READY! I would honestly kill to sleep on my belly, I been sleeping sideways for too long.
Killian curled closer to me and offered his arm for me to use as a pillow. I accepted his other arm wrapped around me.
"Are you asleep?"
"Not yet..The little rascal is keeping me up. I think he got that from Henry..Oh God when I had Henry, my mother had to sleep beside for three whole months because I always complained about those horrible baby kicks he gave me."
"At least it's a sign the baby is alive and healthy."
"Yeah, but I wish it stops. I pee every five minutes till midnight, I think that's a better sign to know that the baby is alive."
"Ha! Perhaps, but don't worry, just two more months then your pain will be gone."
"Oh don't be so sure. There will be far more to do to take care of this baby. Honestly, Killian, when you bring a baby home, sure it's cute and to our eyes you see an adorable doll. But the real work hasn't even started yet. I mean, we're talking diapers – a lot of diapers, a breast pump, clothes, blankets, baby powder; technically a baby stuff kit, toys, and a child nutritionist. It's really a lot of work once you scan your brain of all the things I just said we need."
"Well, I'm up for it. Really."
"Don't rush yourself, Killian. It's not easy raising a baby, and it gets worse when they grow up."
"We already have Henry. I'll practice hard to become the greatest dad in the world. I promise you that."
"...I'm sure you will. I know you will..."
"Anyway, tomorrow your friends have a little surprise for you. They called me this morning to tell you they're planning a little baby shower for you here in the house. I suggested for them that the food and whatever else they wanted will be all on me."
"Well, thanks, that's sweet of you..Geez, a baby shower. I never did a baby shower before."
"Not even with Henry?"
"No. Both my friends and parents were too shocked with me being pregnant so the fact they accepted my decision to raise Henry on my own was the greatest present they ever gave me."
"Well, I hope you have a great time in your very first baby shower tomorrow then."
"What time?"
"At about two. They assured me it's not going to be big, just something small."
"Okay, that's good to hear."
"Well, let's get some sleep. I don't want you to be tired for tomorrow."
"I always nap every morning, I doubt my body can ever get tired in any day. So don't worry. Goodnight."
"Goodnight. I love you."
"...I love you too..."
~ The next morning, my boys were off to their business; Henry at school and Killian at work; leaving me to have the house all to myself. I changed into a comfortable white summer dress that had a little embroidering of flowers on the bottom, and as my hair, I simply braided it into a loose fish tail and allowed it to rest on my right shoulder.
The food and decorators the girls called for arrived an hour later. I remained upstairs while they decorated the living room for the little baby shower. When they left, I came downstairs to rest on the couch.
Soon, the girls arrived. But apparently, this little party isn't going to be small after all. Over five cabs stopped by with all the girls who work with me in the diner and some of the female employees in Granny's motel. I was at least happy to see my most beloved three ladies: Ruby, Marjorie and Granny.
Every one of them did not enter the house empty handed, they all brought in gifts. Now I understand why the girls ordered a lot more food and drinks for this so called small baby shower. After about an hour of talking and enjoying themselves with the food and drinks, it was time for opening presents.
I sat down on the couch between Ruby and Marjorie. I first opened their gifts first. The first one I picked was from Ruby. I unwrapped the pretty wrapping paper that had endless patterns of yellow ducks, and then opened the box. Inside was a white knitted blanket. I gasped and pulled it out. I simply loved it, it wasn't wide but it was long and wide enough for me to put around my shoulders.
"I love it. Thank you, Ruby."
"You're welcome, Granny taught me how to make that for over three weeks. Her present is underneath the box."
"There's more? Okay."
Underneath the box was covered in this vague wrapping paper, I pulled it out and took out what was inside. Everyone and including myself broke into laughter. Granny walked in with a cup of tea in her hand. She almost choked on her coffee from laughing once she saw I opened her gift. Her gift turned out to be a black laced lingerie that had a red rose in the center of the bodice. The funny thing about this is that I would expect Ruby to give this other than the blanket. Boy, Granny has changed since the last time I saw her as the innocent old lady who always stood behind the front counter back at the motel.
I looked straight at her once I recovered from laughing. "Granny, are you serious?!"
She shrugged her shoulders. "When the baby comes out, Emma, believe me, you would want something a little more from your man other than helping out with the diaper changing."
I laughed again and with a still uncomfortable tone I thanked her and moved on to the next present. But Marjorie commented on Granny's outfit that made me broke out to laughing all over again.
"I didn't know you had that in you, Granny. Is there also a whip inside that box?"
I gave Marjorie a light slap on the shoulder as I covered my mouth from laughing. After a good two minutes, I moved on to unwrap the next gift that was from Marjorie. Her gift was five different kinds of picture books and a box that contained two cute mugs; one is a big one written DADDY and the other small one written SON. I gave her a hug and thanked her for the gift.
"It's just perfect. Killian will love this once I show him the mugs."
"You're welcome. The mugs were actually Robert's idea – he's better at picking gifts than me."
The very thought of Bae's father just ruined my day. I love Marjorie, she's a sweet girl. But I just hope once Bae finds out about his father's relationship with her, he'll feel the same way for Marjorie as much as I do.
"Well, tell him I said thank you."
"I will."
The other gifts are both adorable then again useful: gloves, socks, clothes, hats, shoes, toys and stuffed animals, breast pumps – love the two girls who gave me the two different kinds, blankets, and a few sex toys that I am most definitely not going to show to Henry neither use it. After the baby shower, my three women offered to stay a bit longer before heading back to the city.
The four of us settled down on the couch, refreshing ourselves with coffee, lemonade, and cookies and sliced raw veggies. I munched on a carrot stick and took a sip of my lemonade.
"So how are you feeling, dear?" Granny asked.
"Horrible. I never enjoyed going through this when I had Henry, and right now I still feel the same way."
"Well, I hope you enjoyed the baby shower at least." Ruby said.
"I did, actually. It was a lot of fun. Thanks again you guys for the gifts and for being here with me."
"No problem, besides we enjoyed ourselves," Marjorie took my hand, "So have you decided on any baby names for your little boy?"
"Not yet. Killian hasn't thought of any names either. But so far Henry likes the name Johnny, Blake and Robert; Robbie for short."
"That's so cute, Henry thought of his own baby names. Aww..How is that little guy and his cute girlfriend?" Ruby asked.
"They're doing fine. But a couple months ago, me and Killian scared them straight when we had..you know, 'the talk'. I kind of pushed Killian to do all the talking – I was thankful for my pregnancy at that time; I had the power to make everyone do what I wanted. Anyway, Killian told the kids in a weird awkward way about sex ...well he described what its like to have sex and what can happen to you after doing it without protection. The only sad part after he was finished was that the kids already learned all that stuff from school. I can't tell you how embarrassed Killian was once they said that."
They all laughed at this.
Marjorie looked down at my hand and looked somewhat disappointed. "No engagement ring?"
"God no. Killian and I are not ready for marriage just yet."
"What?!" The three of them literally shouted that out almost at the same time.
Granny first started after taking an uneasy sip from her tea cup. "What do you mean you two are not ready for marriage? You're going to have his baby, isn't that a sign for you two to get hitched and live together as one big happy family?"
"Granny, I know it's a shock. But there are many couples who have kids who are not married, just because our son is going to be born soon doesn't mean we should rush things straight to marriage. There are still a lot of things we need to get to after all."
"Like what? Your likes and dislikes? Wasn't that one boat trip and you living with him now enough to know what kind of person Killian is?" Ruby asked.
"I guess...But I need more time, I'll know when I'm ready, right now just isn't the time to get married or at least engaged either."
Marjorie folded her fingers on my hand and padded the top of it with her other hand. "Well, when that time comes, make sure the rock on that ring is nice and big. I don't care if you're not in to bling, Emma. When a man has enough money in his pocket, then let him buy a ring that can make all the women in New York grow extremely jealous of you."
"I'll remember that."
After a half an hour of cleaning the mess in the house, their cab arrived. I was upset to see them go and had the sudden urge to cry. Thankfully the girls thought I was just being emotional because of my pregnancy, they had no idea I was truly crying because this is going to be the last time I'm ever going to see them again. When we got outside, I gave each one of them a long hug and a kiss on the cheek. Ruby was the last one for me to hug; she was by far the hardest person for me to let go, the girl is my friend, my best friend whom I trusted after all these years.
"Goodbye, Ruby. Thank you again."
"No problem. Stop crying, Emma, I get you're getting emotional because of the baby, but relax its not like we'll never see each other again."
"Right...Huh. But I promise to you I'll say the same exact thing when you get pregnant."
"Oh believe me, it's going to take me at least a year or two to find Mr. Right."
"You better find him very soon, there aren't much fish left in the sea once you get more older."
"I'll remember that. Maybe he might turn out to be richer that Killian. Who knows?"
I quietly chuckled by that. I padded her back smoothly for the last time, and with the most difficult effort, I released her. Ruby gave me a smile before going inside the car. I closed the door for her and gave a last look at the three wonderful women for the last time. And then the cab drove away, Ruby and Marjorie showed their faces out the opened window and waved goodbye until the image of the cab grew smaller and smaller. I stood there in the middle of the street, waving goodbye straight ahead until the car was completely out of sight.
"Goodbye, girls. I'll never forget you. I promise..."
~ I arranged all the gifts in the living room – the "toys" and the lingerie that are only for Killian's amusement are kept hidden underneath our bed. Soon my boys arrived home. When they saw the presents, they looked through each of them, looking excited to use them once the baby is born.
Henry looked through the baby's clothes and shoes. "They're so small. I can't wait until my little brother wears all this."
"Me too, mate. Say, didn't you have something you wanted to ask your mother?"
"Oh yeah. Mom, is it okay if I go to Emily's house for dinner. Her mom asked Killian today if I can, but Killian said I would have to ask you for permission."
Oh God, I almost forgot about Emily. How could I let Henry leave her? She is the very first friend that Henry ever had. How can I bring him with me tomorrow?...
"...Sure, kiddo. That's fine with me."
"Really?! Thanks, mom."
"But no 'funny business', mate." Killian reminded him.
Henry rolled his eyes and said. "I heard you the first time when you started off with 'the talk' a long time ago, Killian."
"Good. Because honestly, mate, I have no intention of going through that again."
I went over to Killian and took the mini gloves from his hands. "How about the name? We haven't discussed about that."
"Well, I'm not sure. Do you have any names in mind?"
"No. But I want to name our son with your choice."
"Really? Well, alright then. Let's see. Hmm...How about Ethan?"
"Ethan. I like that. Then its settled our little boy is going to be named as Ethan Jones."
Henry shook his head. "Wait. You should add a middle name to that. The name Ethan Jones isn't enough; it needs more edge."
"Okay. Then what do you think about this, boys? Ethan Xavier Jones."
"Xavier. Now that is a cool name. Well done, my love."
Henry also added. "That really is a cool name, mom. We can also make a nickname for him like 'X – baby' for now, and then when he's a lot older it could be changed to 'X – man'."
Killian gave him a high five. "I like the way you think, mate."
"Sounds good, Henry. But I hope your baby brother remains as 'X – baby' for awhile, raising both you and Killian is hard enough."
"Oh right! I can't wait for him to come out now, mom! 'X – baby' is going to be awesome."
I looked right at him. How happy that little guy is. Since all this ever happened, he's always been happy like this. Perhaps...Perhaps I can find a way to leave him here for awhile. I don't think I can bear the thought of forcing him to leave the life he has grown attached to for so long.
But what good lie could assure everyone of my disappearance that has to last for two months?