Chapter 61

Emily had a hard time waking up Thursday morning because someone had kept her up all night. AJ made it better by waking her up the same way he'd kept her up, so in the end, she forgave him.

“Come on slowpoke!” he hollered into the bathroom as she was getting ready.

“I'm coming! I'm just slow when I've been up all night!”

“Well you're the one who wanted to get there in time to watch the parade with Baylee!”

“Hey! You love the parade just as much!” she said.

“I know.” he said, coming into the bathroom and giving her a kiss. “That's why I brought you a cup of coffee.”

“I knew there was a reason I married you!” she said, taking the mug from his hands.

“Hey what are you wearing?” he called from his closet.

“Dark brown pants with a light pink, cashmere sweater. What are you wearing?”

“I don't know yet!”

The truth was AJ was feeling more nervous than he was willing to admit. He was worried that being near the doctor guy would tick him off more than he anticipated but there was also a small part of him deep down inside that wanted to make a good impression on the guy. He knew that Randy probably thought of him as some alcoholic scum who treated his wife like dirt, and he didn't like people thinking that about him. Even the people that had slept with his wife. He finally decided on his black, Armani dress pants with a dark gray dress shirt.

“You look nice!” Emily said when she finally came out of the bathroom.

“Thanks! So do you!”

Emily laughed. She was still in her underwear. She walked into her closet and quickly put on her clothes.

“Are you absolutely sure you want to go?” she asked when she was dressed.

“Emily, I've already told you a hundred times, yes, I want to go. Just relax. I promise I'll behave!”

“I'm not worried about you misbehaving!” she said, defensively.

“Well what are you so worried about?”

Emily bit her lip as she debated whether or not to confess. “I guess I'm afraid that you'll see him and you'll remember how angry you were with me all over again or something. I know we left it in the past and believe me I trust that you have, its just that, you know, people can't really control what they feel....”

AJ placed his hands on her shoulders. “You're afraid that maybe I just buried my anger deep inside and if I see him it'll surface?”

“Something like that.” she admitted.

“I understand. Part of me has already worried about that. But there's one thing you're forgetting about.”

“What's that?”

“I already forgave you. I meant it. I'm not going to take that back. Not now, not ever. Ok?”

Emily nodded. “I'm sorry. I guess I'm just more nervous than I thought.”

“We're going to have a great time! You and the girls will have a good time and so will us men! Now let's gather up all those pies you made and get going!”

They got to Brian's just as the parade was starting. Baylee was anxiously waiting for them on the couch while the others were sitting around the table.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” Emily called.

“Emily!” Kristin got up and hugged her. “How are you?”

“I'm good, how are you? Feeling ok still?”

“I'm great!” Kristin smiled.

Emily received a big hug from Kevin while Brian helped AJ put the pies in the kitchen.

“Please tell me there's coffee!” Emily said.

“Plenty left!” Leighanne said. “What's the matter, didn't get enough sleep?” she winked.

“Wouldn't you like to know!” Emily retorted.

“When did AJ get back?” Kristin asked.

“Around 7 last night.”

“Emily! Get over here, Big Bird is coming!” Baylee called.

AJ appeared with two cups of coffee and sat with Emily and Baylee on the couch to watch the parade. AJ put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned against him, yawning.

“It's so nice to see them happy together again, isn't it?” Kevin asked Brian.

“That's for sure.” he agreed.

After Santa had arrived at the end of the parade, Baylee fell asleep on the couch and Emily, Kristin and Leighanne got to work in the kitchen.

“I just got the turkey in.” Leighanne said. She assigned tasks to everyone and they all stood around the island counter chopping and mixing things while Kristin went on and on about how excited she was to finally be having a baby. Emily and Leighanne kept giving each other sympathetic looks as they listened to her babble about the crib she special ordered and her decision to not know the sex until it was born.

“Alright you guys, why do you keep looking at each other like that? Is someone else pregnant?” she asked.

Emily cringed and Leighanne sighed.

“No, we're not pregnant.” Emily answered.

“Then what's with the looks?”

“Emily why don't you fill her in while I go call Amanda and see when she's coming over?” Leighanne said.

“What is it?” Kristin asked after Leighanne had left the kitchen.

“You know that fight she's been having with Brian? It all started because she wanted to have another baby and she wanted him to be around more for it this time. Only he wanted a new album instead. So after he came back from LA he told her he didn't really want another baby after all. So now Leigh is trying to pretend that she isn't devastated by acting like it never happened. So we have to do the same.” Emily explained quietly.

“Oh shit! I'm such a jerk, I had no idea! And I was going on and on!”

“You didn't know, Kris. It's ok.”

“Amanda says she'll be here in about an hour.” Leighanne announced.

“Oh God...” Emily groaned. “I don't think I'm ready for this.”

“For what? To see a guy you dated before you got married? Why is that so scary?” Kristin asked.

Emily gave her an odd look.

“Now what did I say?”

“You don't know?” Emily asked her.

“She doesn't know.” Leighanne answered. “I never told anyone else.”

“Told me what?” Kristin asked, completely confused.

“Why she and AJ separated for awhile.”

“You don't know?” Emily asked again.

“I don't know!” Kristin said, exasperated. “Leigh refused to tell me and Kevin didn't know either! All I knew was that he came back from rehab and then a few weeks later you guys had some huge fight in Mexico.”

Emily looked at Leighanne. “I told yours, you tell mine.”

Leighanne nodded. “Well....remember how we all thought AJ had left Emily, before we knew he was in rehab?” Kristin nodded. “Well, one night, Emily got pretty upset and she ended up going over to Randy's house to talk to him....and they kind of ended up....well....you know.....”

Emily buried her face in her hands as Kristin looked over at her shocked. “So that's why you guys separated? You slept with Randy?”

“Not exactly.” Emily mumbled.

“Try to keep in mind she thought her marriage was over!” Leighanne defended. “Anyway, the next day she got a call from AJ and she flew out to see him in rehab and they were together that night. And then a few weeks later, she found out she was pregnant.”

“Oh my God!” Kristin exclaimed.

“Shhhh!” Emily said, not wanting the guys to overhear them.

“Who's was it?” Kristin whispered.

“I don't know.”

“Well what happened?”

“She had a miscarriage right before AJ came home. So she decided it was best if he just never knew about it. Only he found out right after they went to New York.”

Kristin's eyes went wide. “Shit!”

“We tried to work it out, you know? But he just couldn't seem to get past it. I used the trip to Mexico as a last straw. It didn't work. That's why we separated.”

Kristin went over and gave Emily a hug. “I'm so sorry you went through all of that!”

“So that's why I'm a bit nervous over AJ and Randy being in the same room together.”

“I don't blame you! I just can't believe all this.....you ladies are a mess!” she said, pointing her finger at them.

Emily and Leighanne laughed. “Yeah, we know that.” Leighanne answered.

Meanwhile, Brian had carried Baylee up to his bed to sleep so the guys could watch football.

“It's good to see you, AJ.” Kevin said while Brian was still upstairs. “Its been awhile.”

AJ nodded. “Yeah, it has.”

“Is everything squared away now?”

“In what sense?”

“Well, you and Emily seem to be doing great, the albums coming along.” Kevin said.

“Things with Em and I finally seem back to normal and I finally have a great label to work for.”

“I'm happy for you man.” Kevin clapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey I'm happy for you! I can't believe you're going to be a dad!”

Kevin grinned from ear to ear. “I can't wait! What about you? You guys talk about kids yet?”

“Well we kind of agreed to try and get through at least the end of the year without anything happening and then we'll consider it.”

“What are we talking about?” Brian asked when he came back downstairs.

“The fact that Kevin can't wait to change a poopy diaper!” AJ said.

“Well that's only because he's never had to change one before.” Brian replied.

“Emily, seriously, you're driving me nuts. Settle down!” Leighanne scolded as Emily kept tapping her fingers on the counter.

“I'm sorry! I'll relax once they get here.”

“You'd better!” Kristin said. “You're making me nervous!”

“Well, what do you think I should do when they get here? I mean, should I stay in here with the girls and leave them alone with the guys, or should I go sit with AJ?”

“Why don't you just wait and see how it feels?” Leighanne said, rolling her eyes.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Emily walked out of the kitchen and locked eyes with AJ. She was surprised to find that he looked even more nervous than she did! She walked over and sat next to him on the arm of the couch and grabbed his hand while Brian opened the door.

“Happy Thanksgiving!” he said as he let them inside.

“It's starting to get really windy out there!” Amanda said as she stepped in. Randy followed her and Brian shook his hand.

“Hey Randy, good to see you again!”

“Yeah, you too!” he said.

“Well come on in. The food's cooking, we're watching football. Can I get you anything to drink?”

“I'm alright, Amanda did you want anything?”

“No thanks!”

They walked into the family room. Emily could feel AJ tense up. Or was that her? She wasn't sure.

“Kevin, Kristin, you remember Amanda. And this is Randy.” Brian introduced.

Kristin gave Amanda a hug.

“And you guys know everyone else.” Brian finished, awkwardly.

Just then, AJ and Randy locked eyes. Emily thought it seemed like everyone in the room froze but she realized that was probably an exaggeration. It seemed like they were both trying to refrain from glaring at each other. AJ gave him a slight nod of his head and looked away. Emily let out the breath she was holding and felt him squeeze her hand in reassurance.

The only time AJ had ever seen Randy had been that brief minute in the Crowne Plaza bar when he thought Emily had decided to pick Randy and not him. He looked different than AJ was expecting. He looked like a friendly enough guy who had a youthful spirit in nice dress clothes. AJ also thought he looked like a wife stealer but he decided that might have been an irrational judgment.

Randy had never seen AJ in person before, he'd only seen pictures of him. He looked more normal than he expected. He half expected AJ to look like some kind of sloppy bum but actually he was clean shaved and nicely dressed. Emily looked like she was about to fall over and he couldn't really blame her. Amanda had told him all about their terrible trip to Mexico and all about what they worked through to get back together. He was honestly surprised that AJ stuck around through all of if, which spoke volumes of his devotion to Emily. He only hoped that he was treating her right. He loved Amanda now, but he'd always care for Emily as a friend. They had been through a lot together and he wanted to see her happy. He also knew AJ was not going to be thrilled to see him there, just as he wasn't all that thrilled to be around AJ, and he really hoped that the two weren't left alone in a room together.

When Amanda and Randy went into the kitchen to set down the rolls and sweet potato casserole they'd brought, Emily studied AJ to try and figure out what he was thinking. He could feel her eyes on him but he just needed a moment. He'd finally been able to put a face to the man he'd hated for taking advantage of his wife and he needed a second to process that. He took a deep breath and looked up at her.

“So what have you ladies been up to in there?” he asked.

Emily smiled. “Lots and lots of gossip!”

“That's what I thought. Get anything good?”

“No, unfortunately most of the gossip either involves us or Brian and Leighanne so we already know it all.”

“Do you need any help?”

“AJ! Did you just offer to help in the kitchen?” Brian asked.

“Is that a problem?”

“Yeah! Leighanne doesn't let us in there.”

“That's because the last time I let you help cook Thanksgiving dinner you burned the rolls and dropped the bowl of mashed potatoes!” Leighanne yelled from the kitchen.

Emily and AJ laughed. “I think there'll be plenty for you to help clean up after dinner while us women folk relax. I'm going to go see what I can do. But...if you need me, you can always come find me!”

“Emily why don't you and Amanda go set the table? I think we're going to eat in about an hour. And someone else should probably go wake up Baylee.” Leighanne instructed.

“I'll do it!” Randy volunteered.

“I promised him he could wear his pilgrim hat he made at school.” she said.

Emily and Amanda got out Leighanne's nice china and silver from the hutch.

“Are you ok Emily? You looked like you were about to shatter when I got here!” Amanda said as they set the table.

Emily laughed. “Yeah, I'm ok.”

“I don't blame you. I think Randy's nervous too.”

“It's just awkward. It has nothing to do with feelings, except for maybe the feeling that AJ might say something stupid.” Emily said, afraid that Amanda would interpret Randy's nerves to mean something completely different given her jealousy issues.

“I know.” Amanda assured her. “I've really been thinking about what you told me the other night. I'm trying really hard to let all that go.”

“Good! I know it's hard but you'll get there.”

As the ladies finished up getting dinner ready, the guys sat around the living room. Kevin didn't exactly know what was up with AJ and Randy, all he knew was that Randy was Emily's ex-boyfriend, but he wasn't born yesterday. He could definitely sense the tension between the two men and so he let Brian chat with Randy and he kept AJ occupied while Baylee mingled between all of them.

AJ was relieved to have Kevin to talk to and he kept himself angled just right so that Randy wasn't in his line of sight. He was very glad when Emily came back in and sat with them until dinner was on the table. He stood up and gave her a quick kiss before following her into the dining room.

Chapter 62

Dinner was rather pleasant and fairly uneventful. Every so often AJ and Randy's gazes would meet and they'd look away in a half attempt to not glare but other than that, everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal.

“I'd just like to thank my lovely wife for all her hard work along with Emily and Kristin and Amanda.” Brian said. “It was a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.”

“Well I'm glad you all enjoyed it!” Leighanne said. “And as soon as the table is cleared, we'll serve dessert!”

“Come on men!” Brian said, standing up and grabbing some dishes. “Time to get to work.”

AJ gave Emily another kiss as he stood up and grabbed their plates and took them to the kitchen. “You guys clear, I'll rinse and put them in the dishwasher!” he announced as the ladies got up and sat down in the living room. It had been a long standing tradition that was started by Brian's father that on Thanksgiving day, to thank his wife for all her hard work cooking, he'd make all the men help clean up the dishes while the cooks got to relax. Brian even insisted that Baylee participate, having him collect all the napkins and silverware.

Twenty minutes later, AJ appeared again to tell them dessert was served.

“I can't wait to taste your famous apple pie, Emily!” Brian said. “AJ told me all about it.”

At the mention of her apple pie, AJ and Emily looked at each other and stifled a laugh as they remembered what they'd been doing while the pie was baking.

“Yes, I've always enjoyed it when you bake apple pie.” AJ winked at her.

“When do you have to leave for the airport Amanda?” Leighanne asked.

“We have about two hours. We're taking the red eye.”

“I hope you have a good flight. The weather is really starting to get nasty.” Kevin said.

Emily had been so worried about AJ and Randy that she hadn't even being paying attention to the weather and she was very surprised to look out the window and see the sky very dark and pouring rain while the wind seemed to be picking up.

“Emily still thinks we're all going to blow away.” AJ teased.

Emily swatted at him. “I do not...” she said, rather unconvincingly.

Not long after dessert, Leighanne's parents arrived from their own dinner party to pick up Baylee and take him to the airport. They promised to call as soon as they landed as Leighanne looked nervously at the sky and worried about her son flying in that kind of weather.

While Brian and Leighanne were saying goodbye, Emily cleaned up the remains of her pies in the kitchen.

“So just how long are you planning on avoiding me?” Randy asked as he walked in carrying his plate.

“I'm not avoiding you!” Emily said.

“Liar.”

“Well....maybe I am just a little bit. I mean come on, this is pretty awkward!”

“Obviously.” he smiled. “How are you?”

“I'm good. How are you?”

“I'm good too.”

“How are things going with Amanda?”

“Like you don't already know?” he grinned.

Emily laughed. “Well...I happen to know about a top secret trip after Christmas. But don't worry, I didn't tell her about it.”

Randy looked confused. “How did you......I'm going to kill Margie!”

“Oh don't freak out, Amanda still doesn't know about it!”

“Yeah well...I hear you get to take off every Friday to go to New York!”

“To be fair, Dr. Keaton ordered me to do that, I didn't ask!”

“So things are ok between you guys now?”

“Yeah, they are.” Emily nodded.

“I'm....sorry you had to go through all that.” he said.

“Yeah, me too. And I'm sorry you got caught up in it.”

“Well...I'd better go check on Mandy.” he said. “It's good to see you again.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Everyone sat spread out around the living room as they digested their turkey and tried not to fall asleep. Brian had turned on the weather channel to watch the latest on the hurricane while Emily, Amanda and Kristin poured over the Thanksgiving weekend shopping ads.

“I'm going to go smoke in the garage.” AJ said, coming over to Emily.

“Alright.”

AJ went into the garage and opened up the door. More than a cigarette, he needed some air. He hated being around Randy because he was a constant reminder of just how much AJ had let his own wife down. He reminded himself that it was in the past and since he couldn't change what had happened, he had to accept that it had happened for a reason and move forward. But that was a little difficult to do with Randy glaring at him all night. He lit his cigarette and watched the weather outside.

Meanwhile, Amanda and Randy needed to start getting ready to go to the airport.

“Leighanne did you find that suitcase I asked you about? I only have a small one and we're planning on doing some Christmas shopping on Michigan Avenue so I'd like to have some extra room.” Amanda asked.

“Oh...yeah, it's out in the garage. I stashed it out there so it wouldn't get in the way.”

“I'll go grab it.” Randy said.

“Thank you!” Amanda smiled.

Emily's eyes went wide.

“What's the matter?” Kristin whispered.

“AJ's out in the garage smoking.” she whispered back.

“Well....if Randy doesn't come back in a few minutes we'll send out a rescue party!” she joked. Emily didn't think it was that funny “Oh relax, AJ will behave.”

Randy was checking his messages when he walked into the garage and didn't see AJ there at first.

AJ looked up when he heard someone come out and clenched his jaw when he saw who it was. Randy looked up as he closed his phone and froze.

“Oh...hey, I didn't know you were out here. I was just grabbing a suitcase for Mandy.” he said, awkwardly.

AJ nodded. “Some weather, huh?” he said, tossing his cigarette outside.

“Yeah. I hope the flights are on time.”

There was an awkward moment of silence as the two men stared at each other.

“So....did you even bother to try and take care of my wife, or did you just toss her by the wayside?” AJ asked.

“Excuse me?”

“You know....after you slept with her and possibly got her pregnant. Did you even bother to see if she was ok?”

Randy sighed. He realized that if the two men were going to be expected to be around each other more that this was a conversation they needed to have to attempt to clear the air, but that didn't mean he was thrilled to be having it.

“Of course I tried to help her!” he snapped. “As much as she would let me, anyway.”

“Uh-huh.” AJ said.

“Look, I know what you must think of me and I can't say I blame you. I know you want to punch my lights out and you know there's a few things I'd like to say to you. But I'm not a bad guy.”

“Well, you're the bad guy in my story.” AJ said.

“Along with yourself, no doubt.”

AJ raised an eyebrow. The doctor guy had bigger balls than he thought! “I know the mistakes I've made.”

“I hope so. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what a great person she is and that she didn't deserve the way you treated her.”

“No, she didn't. But that's between she and I. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Hey, it isn't my fault your wife came to me!”

AJ took a deep breath. He really didn't like this guy. “Yeah, I'm sure it took all the convincing in the world to get you to sleep with her, right?”

Randy rolled his eyes. “It never would have happened if you'd had your act together in the first place and taken care of her the way she deserves.”

“Don't you worry about me. I'm taking plenty good care of her now.”

“Good. I hope you keep it that way.”

“Or else what? You'll swoop in and save the day again?”

“Look, what Emily and I had was a long time ago. We're good friends now, nothing more. I am very happy with Amanda and I have no intentions of messing that up. And for some unknown reason, Emily thinks the world of you. I just don't want to see her world come crashing down again.”

“Let's just both agree that we don't like each other and leave it at that. If you intend to be with Amanda for a long time, we're going to have to find a way to be around each other. Just keep your hands off of my wife and make sure you treat Mandy well!”

“Deal.” Randy said.

Emily breathed a huge sigh of relief when Randy walked back inside. She was quick to notice, however, that he had a very agitated look on his face. She decided she'd better go check on AJ. He was still in the garage leaning on the wall just inside with his arms crossed.

“Hey!” she said, walking over to him. “You've been out here awhile, is everything ok?”

“Yeah.” he said, putting a half smile on his face. “I was just watching the rain.”

“AJ...I just wanted to say I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

“For Randy.” she said, looking up at him. “I know that you forgive me and that it is in the past...but being here and seeing just how uncomfortable you've been...well, I can't help but feel guilty all over again.”

AJ wrapped her up in a big hug. “You don't need to apologize.” he whispered as he kissed the top of her head.

AJ and Emily went back inside a few minutes later and sat down in front of the gas fireplace together to warm up after being out in the chilly, damp air. Kristin was sitting on the couch with her feet up on Kevin who was massaging them. Amanda was re-packing her suitcase while Randy called the airport to check on their flight. Brian and Leighanne sat on opposite sides of the room.

“AJ when is your album going to be finished?” Kristin asked.

“I have about 3 and a half weeks left in New York recording. Then they'll do the mixing and it should be done by the end of the year, I'm hoping.”

“Emily said something about you going on tour with Colby Caillat?”

AJ nodded. “Her tour starts in early January. I'm hitting up her bigger shows, right now it looks like eight or ten of them. It'll be kind of hectic because it's like, I'll fly one place for a show and then fly home and then a few days later I'll fly out for another show and then I'll fly home. I'm not doing her whole tour so I don't just, you know, follow the tour caravan.”

“Well, send us a copy of your album as soon as you can, ok?”

“I will! I promised Emily she gets the first copy though.” he said, smiling at his wife.

Leighanne watched Brian during their conversation. She could see him itching to get in on the album talk and for a moment, she almost felt bad for asking him not to do it. Then she remembered that he was the reason she was only going to have one child and the guilt was quickly replaced with hurt and bitterness. She didn't hear much of the rest of the conversation as Kevin talked about his movie role and Emily talked about her job at the doctor's office.

Brian saw Leighanne's face and knew that she was off in another world for the moment. He had a hunch that all those feelings she'd been trying so hard to suppress had broken through and for a moment, he felt bad for her. Then he himself remembered all his hurt and anger towards her.

Emily leaned over and spoke softly to AJ. “Would you look at those two?” she said. “They've been pretending all day, haven't they?”

AJ looked at Brian and Leighanne and nodded. “I think you might be right.”

“It's like polar opposites. Brian and Leighanne compared to Kevin and Kristin, who couldn't possibly be happier.”

He smiled as he watched Kevin talking to his wife with his hand on her belly. “It's all those pregnancy hormones getting to them!” he joked.

Emily sighed. “I think they're getting to everyone.”

“Oh yeah? How so?”

Emily shrugged. “I don't know. I guess it's just been hard listening to her talk about the baby all day. I find myself feeling a little jealous, a little sad.” she admitted.

AJ was surprised. It was the first time she'd mentioned wanting a baby since she told him she'd gone back on the pill. He had honestly expected her to want to wait longer before bringing it up again.

“Well, you know we'll have that someday, right?”

Emily nodded. “Yeah. I was kind of thinking maybe in January we could go off the pill. What do you think about that?”

AJ grinned. He was honestly thrilled. He didn't want to pressure her about it after everything she'd been through but he'd been hoping that she wouldn't want to wait too much longer. After all, they weren't getting any younger! “I think that would be great!” he said, kissing her cheek.

Emily hadn't really meant to bring it up then but she couldn't seem to get it off of her mind. She knew he'd be excited when she told him and she just felt like she had to tell him. She was surprised that being around Kristin had such an impact on her desires to have a baby. Maybe listening to Leighanne talk about how much she wanted one had also made a difference but after seeing Kristin's subtle pregnant belly, Emily had a knot in her stomach. She wanted that. She wanted to see AJ's proud glow every time he looked at his pregnant wife. She wanted to babble about cribs and breast pumps. She hadn't thought she was ready until it was right in front of her face, and suddenly she realized she was.

There were things she wanted to talk to AJ about first, some more details, but they could do that later, in private. Hearing Leighanne speak of Brian being gone so much when Baylee was a baby encouraged Emily to want to ask him what his expectations were of being around. Did he intend to be at home or did he intend to keep going full speed? She had a feeling that judging by how excited he was at the prospect that he would want to be around as much as he could but she still wanted his reassurance.

Brian looked at all the couples engaged in their own conversations and he missed his wife. He missed leaning his head towards her for those intimate moments. He knew they were just in a rough spell of their marriage, maybe things had just gotten too mundane. Maybe they just needed to try and spice things up a bit, rekindle the passion and romance. He missed her but he also knew that something in their marriage had to change or else they were at risk of not making it. He made a Thanksgiving Day resolution to be more thankful for his wife and to try and make things better in the coming months.

Chapter 63

Emily saw Randy go upstairs to use the bathroom and decided to sneak up there to make sure he was ok after his run-in with AJ. She'd said she was going to take their things up and get something out to give to Amanda before she left. AJ was too engrossed in a boxing match on tv to really even hear what she'd said.

She waited in the hall for him to come out.

He jumped when he saw her standing in the shadows.

“What the heck are you doing?” he asked.

“I just wanted to make sure my husband didn't like, threaten your life or anything.” she tried to joke.

Randy didn't laugh. “No, he didn't. We were both as civil as possible and reached an agreement to dislike each other and leave it at that.”

“I'm sorry.” she said, touching his arm and then pulling away.

“You don't need to apologize for him. We're both adults, Emily. I understand where he's coming from.”

“Well...I...look I understand that this is awkward and that I'm to blame for a lot of it, it's just that...well, I'd like to think of us as friends. AJ will come to understand that and I just...wanted you to know that just because he might try and scare you away doesn't mean I want you to disappear completely. Jesus...that sounded almost stalker-like and pathetic. I just mean...”

“We're friends, and you'd like it to stay that way.” he finished for her.

“Yeah.”

“Look, Emily, I want us to be friends too but I'm not about to encourage it if I don't think your husband is ok with that. As your friend, I want you to protect your marriage first and foremost.”

“Hey, don't tell my wife who she can and can't be friends with!” AJ appeared, having come to check on what Emily was up to.

She cringed and turned to him. “That wasn't what he was saying...” she tried, but soon realized that AJ and Randy were focused completely on each other and wouldn't have heard a word she said.

“Hey, all I said was that she shouldn't do something that you wouldn't like. I'd rather her keep things good with you!” he said, crossing his arms.

“Yeah well, what the hell do you know about how I feel?”

“What, so you wouldn't care if she and I were good friends?” Randy challenged.

AJ glared. He knew he'd been backed into a corner. “She's free to be friends with anyone she wants.” he said, his jaw set.

“I don't really believe that's how you feel.”

Emily didn't either. But she knew AJ would never admit it because he'd know it wasn't completely fair to her either.

“Yeah well...maybe I don't believe you really just want to be friends with her!” AJ shot back.

Randy laughed. “AJ I'm not after your wife. I'm not that kind of guy.”

“Yeah, well, that remains to be seen.”

Randy shrugged. “Maybe it does. And you'll see that I'm right.”

“Listen, Emily is free to be friends with whomever she wants but just because I trust her doesn't mean I trust you, got it? So if you so much as put one toe over the line with her, so help me God....” he warned, getting in Randy's face.

Emily got between the two men. “Enough!” she said. “You're both right. I pick my own friends and let's just please leave it at that. Randy, I can take care of myself. Thank you for looking out for me but really, I can handle it so you'd better stop being so protective or you'll make Amanda think you have ulterior motives. Have a great trip to Chicago, we'll see you around Christmas.” she huffed, irritated with both of them for losing their cool.

Randy brushed past them both and went downstairs. Emily turned to AJ.

“What the hell was that about?”

“I'm sorry.” he said. “I just don't like him interfering in our relationship.”

“He wasn't. He was just saying he didn't think it was a good idea for us to be friends if you weren't going to be ok with it. My marriage should come first. And it does.” she said, sincerely.

AJ nodded. “I know that. I just don't like him thinking I'm some huge asshole who doesn't treat you right.”

“He doesn't think that.....”

AJ crossed him arms and raised an eyebrow.

“Ok so maybe he does think that, but in time, if he's still around, he will come to see that isn't true. And besides, it doesn't matter what he thinks of you.”

“Well, I don't want your friends to think I'm a jerk.”

“Either do I.” she said, standing on her tip-toes and kissing him. “So stop acting like one when he's around, ok?”

AJ smiled. “Alright. At least I didn't hit the guy....”

“Yes, sweetie, I'm very proud at you for not punching his lights out!” she chuckled. “And I love you very much.”

Soon after they went back downstairs, Amanda and Randy had to leave. They all walked them to the door and said goodbye. Emily gave Amanda a big hug and told her to stop worrying and enjoy herself. She was surprised when Randy grabbed her in a hug as well. She knew what he was doing- testing AJ to see how he'd react.

AJ watched him hug his wife and made eye contact as Randy looked over at him as he did so. He wasn't an idiot, he knew he was being tested and he wasn't about to lose his cool over a hug. Still he knew Randy was making a point. He walked over and gave Amanda a kiss on the cheek and then shook Randy's hand.

“Happy Thanksgiving.” he said, looking him square in the eye. Emily was right. If he was to overcome his image of being a jerk, he had to stop acting like one. So, as much as it pained him, he decided to act civil.

Randy was surprised by the gesture but he too knew what AJ was doing. They had reached an unspoken understanding in that moment that while they didn't like each other in the least and probably never would, they would respect each other for Emily's sake.

After they left, Kristin suggested they all play a game. After some debate, they managed to settle on Trivial Pursuits and teamed up as couples. Brian and Leighanne didn't look thrilled to be on the same team but Emily thought that maybe it would be good for them so she didn't interfere.

Leighanne was quiet for most of the game. She was tired from a long day and she just didn't feel like putting on her happy face anymore. She could see that Brian was at least trying to engage her as they discussed answers to their questions and she was even more surprised when he held her hand under the table. She gave him a weak smile in appreciation but her heart just wasn't in it. Seeing Kristin so excited about the baby and seeing Emily and AJ so happy together, and even her sister and Randy, it had all been a painful reminder of how unhappy she was and how much she missed the way her relationship used to be with Brian.

Brian realized that he was perhaps a little late in his efforts to try and improve things with his wife. He suspected she was feeling the same things he'd been that night as he looked around at all his friends, happy together and realized that he didn't have that anymore and that he wanted it back. He just wasn't sure quite yet how to get there, but he knew he would.

After getting hammered by Kevin and Kristin, everyone decided to call it a night. Kristin could hardly keep her eyes open and AJ and Emily were exhausted from a lack of sleep the night before. Emily put her pajamas on and went back downstairs to sneak another piece of pie before bed.

“Busted!” AJ said as he walked in wearing his boxers and t-shirt.

Emily smiled as she ate another forkful. “Want some?”

“Sure!”

She shared her pie with him and then they shared a glass of milk. The house was dark except for the flashes of lightening that were beginning to come more frequently. Emily tried to see out the dark window and shuddered at another clap of thunder. She couldn't see anything but it sure sounded like the weather had gotten nasty outside.

AJ wrapped his arms around her waist and she turned to face him.

“Doesn't it seem like such a long time ago, back when I lived here and you'd be visiting?”

“Yeah. In a way it does and in another way it seems like time has gone so fast, you know?”

Emily nodded. “So much has changed since then.”

“Remember our first Thanksgiving together?”

“How could I forget that?” Emily groaned.

“You got beat up by Joe the Asshole and we kept fighting with each other every time we were left in a room alone. Ah...the good old days!” he joked.

Emily laughed. “How about the time you had us arrested for TP'ing your house.”

“I didn't have you arrested! I just had you sit in jail for a bit!”

“Same difference!” she laughed. “I can't believe we've been married for almost three years already!”

“And the honeymoon still hasn't ended.”

“With you, I don't think the honeymoon will ever end. You've still got the sex drive of a teenage boy!”

AJ pretended to glare at her. “You know what? That's only because you do things like bake in the nude to intentionally make me crazy for you!”

“Maybe. So...other than the obvious, did you have a nice Thanksgiving?”

“I honestly did. It's great to get some time with Kevin and Kristin, hell even Brian and Leighanne. I feel like I haven't seen them in quite awhile either. I just wish things with them were better.”

“I know. If it weren't for them, I don't know if we'd have ever made it. Them and their tag-teaming abilities.”

“Unfortunately, I think what's going on between them is beyond tag-teaming.”

“I think you're right.” she agreed. “I wish there was something I could do. But it sure does make me very glad that you and I are ok.” she said, burying her face in his chest.

“Me too.” he whispered, holding her tighter.

“I love you.” she said, softly.

“I love you too.” he kissed the top of her head. “Come on, let's go to bed.”