Chapter 127

Later that week, Emily was in only slightly better spirits and AJ still hadn't decided how he was going to handle things with his sister. Neither one of them were really in the mood to go to the group dinner but Emily really wanted to get out of the house and at least she could see Brian, Leighanne, Kevin and Kristin.

“Are you sure I don't look like Barney?” Emily asked, looking in the full length mirror and fussing with her dark purple dress.

“Emily, Barney has a green tummy!” AJ responded, half teasing.

Emily glared at him. “That's it, I'm changing.”

AJ grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug. “I'm sorry, I was just picking on you. I keep telling you that you look fine and you keep not believing me!”

“I know, I just look so huge!”

“Emily Jane McLean, you repeat after me.” he said. “I am pregnant.”

“I am pregnant.” Emily repeated.

“I am having twins.”

“I am having twins.”

“So naturally my tummy is going to be a bit larger.”

“So naturally my tummy is going to look like a whale.”

“And my husband thinks I look beautiful anyway.”

“And my husband lies really well.”

AJ rolled his eyes. “You don't believe me? Fine! We're having sex when we get home from dinner and I will prove to you just how beautiful I think you are!”

“And how exactly do you think that's going to work?”

“Have you forgotten how creative we used to be with our positions? Trust me, I already have some pretty good ideas!” he said, tapping his head with his finger.

“So you've...been thinking about this for awhile?”

“Mmm-Hmm. It's been what? Two weeks since we've had sex? I've been thinking about you a lot!”

“And in these fantasies, am I still pregnant?”

“Absolutely!” he whispered in her ear.

“Well then...if you prove your point tonight, I promise to start believing you.”

“Good! Now can we please go before we're late?”

AJ drove them through the ever-present LA traffic and helped pull her out of the car. “Maybe I'll trade in this rental car for an SUV so you'll have an easier time getting out.” he said.

Emily shrugged. “Getting out would be easier but I think getting in might be harder.”

“Good point.”

They arrived at the same time as Howie and his wife Leigh and joined the others at their table. Emily made sure to keep AJ as far away from Nick and Natasha as possible but unfortunately, since they were sitting at a round table, that was difficult. If they were seated far apart that meant they were facing each other across the table so Emily had to settle for being two seats down from him. Natasha looked bored and trashy as usual and she tried very hard to ignore her. They spent most of their meal talking to Brian and Leighanne.

Over dessert, Howie's wife dared to ask Nick how the wedding plans were coming. Emily cringed on the inside as she felt AJ tense up at the mention of it.

Natasha perked up and spoke for what seemed like the first time that evening. “Oh we're thinking something small, like, 300 guests.”

Emily choked on her drink. Where she came from, 300 guests was slightly bigger than large! Apparently, by the looks on everyone else's face, the same was true for them. Natasha went on to describe the type of dress she was having designed and about how they were trying to land the top wedding planner.

“We can't wait to get married, can we baby?” she asked, stroking Nick's chest.

“That's right.” Nick answered. “I can't wait to live happily ever after with this woman.”

“Well, don't let the fairy tales fool you.” Kristin said. “Marriage is a lot of hard work, too.”

Nick laughed. “Our marriage is going to be great. It won't be anything like AJ and Emily's!”

Emily's jaw dropped and AJ looked over at her.

“Let him have it.” Emily murmured, giving him the permission he had been looking for to tear Nick to shreds.

“What the hell does that mean?” Brian asked before AJ could even speak.

Nick looked up, realizing he had said something he shouldn't have. But that was Nick- he often spoke before thinking. “I just meant...you know...I mean no offense but clearly you guys have had a lot of problems, that's no secret!” Nick said, looking over at AJ and Emily. “Our marriage will be based on love and respect!”

That about did it. If they hadn't been in public AJ probably would have launched himself across the table and pummeled Nick into the ground. As it was, AJ was up and out of his chair, throwing his napkin down on the table. Brian and Kevin also jumped up, ready to pull them apart.

“That's it.” AJ said, coolly. “We need to talk. Outside.”

“If you have something you want to say, you can say it right here, in front of Natasha and everyone else.” Nick said, folding his arms. Emily figured he was probably just too afraid to go outside alone with AJ.

AJ took a deep breath. “Fine. Ever since you announced this engagement, I've been biting my tongue but now I'm done. You want to know how I feel? How we all feel? It's a joke, Nick! You two barely know each other. Clearly she doesn't like your friends by the way she just sits there glaring at everyone all night and clearly she doesn't even know that much about you but the way she talks. You are just a child. You don't know the first thing about love and respect let alone marriage. How dare you judge my marriage to Emily! You don't know a damn thing about the things we have been through together and let me tell you this: if our marriage was not based on love and respect there is no way in hell after all the things we have gone through, that we would still be married. I do not support your relationship and I have very little respect left for you, Nick. What the hell happened to you? You used to be such a good guy. Where'd that guy go?”

Nick stood quiet for a moment as everyone waited, frozen, for his response.

“Fuck you, AJ!” Nick said and swung a punch at him. AJ must have been anticipating this kind of reaction and managed to duck and only caught part of the punch in his jaw.

Kevin and Brian were hauling Nick out of the restaurant before Emily even managed to stand up.

“Are you ok?” she asked, trying to get AJ to let her look at his face.

“FUCK!” AJ said, grabbing his jaw. “Yeah, I think it's just bruised. Why the hell did I teach him how to hit?”

“Come on, AJ. Let's go outside before you get kicked out.” Howie said.

“We'll take care of the bill.” Kristin said. “And we'll meet you out there.”

Emily slowly sat down in her chair. “I think I'm supposed to be really offended and pissed but right now I'm just too shocked. I can't get past what he said!”

Leighanne shook her head. “I can't believe he said it, either.”

“But it isn't true.” Emily said.

“Of course it isn't true!” Kristin said. “No one thinks your marriage is bad, Emily. Even when you guys were separated for that short time, we all still thought your relationship was too good to give up on. You two have just been through way more than the average couple. You've dealt with things Nick probably will never see in his lifetime. Things that Natasha is too dumb to even understand.” she mumbled that last part.

They took care of the bill and went out to the parking lot. Nick and Natasha were nowhere to be seen.

“I'm sorry.” AJ said, pulling Emily up against him. Well, pulling Emily's stomach up against him. Hugging was getting a little difficult.

“It's not your fault! You have nothing to be sorry for. Actually, you should be sorry you didn't hit him first.”

“I am, believe me.” he muttered. “Let's go home.”

The valet had pulled up their car and he helped Emily in.

They were pretty quiet on the way home.

“Nick's a dumbass.” Emily finally announced as they walked in the door.

AJ laughed.

“I'm serious! I may never speak to him again! The last time we all went out he made a comment about how huge I was and tonight he insults my marriage. AND he hit you! Three strikes!”

“Honestly, I think he reacted that way because he knew I was right and he couldn't think of a single defense.”

Just then AJ's phone rang. Emily went to the bathroom while he took the call.

“Hey why don't we go to lunch tomorrow?” he said after he'd hung up.

She gave him a funny look. “Don't you have to work?”

“Nope. The producer just called. Apparently, when Nick called and said he's refusing to work with me, they called Brian to see what had happened and decided to take a week off to calm things down.”

“But won't that push you guys back? I mean we are kind of on limited time here!”

“It will be fine. We'll probably all go in on our own a little to work on some of our solo tracks and we'll probably have some late nights catching up but it's worth it. We won't get much good stuff done if we go in after tonight.”

“Wow! So I actually might get to spend a little time with you!”

“See there is an upside to all of this!”

“Now aren't you supposed to be seducing me right about now?” she reminded him.

“I haven't forgotten, don't worry!”

And in fact AJ did have a few tricks up his sleeves as he made love to her for quite awhile.

“So do you believe me now?” he asked, catching his breath.

“I think I may have been convinced.” she said. “And I don't care what Nick says...how many married couples do you know who have sex this amazing?”

“Did it really bother you that he said that?” AJ asked.

Emily nodded. “I know deep down he's wrong, I guess it's just that when he said that it made me realize that he must have felt that way for a long time on some level and it made me wonder how many other people out there think our marriage is a joke.”

AJ was quiet. On some level he'd been wondering the same thing.

The next day over lunch, AJ told Emily he'd finally reached a decision on the whole situation about his father and sister.

“I think I want to meet her.” he said. “It isn't her fault our dad is a prick. So, I'll suffer through dinner with him and then once she and I meet, we won't need him to be in the middle of our relationship.”

“I think that's great!” Emily said. “Gosh, I'm kind of excited to meet her, aren't you?”

“I really am! I hope we get along.”

“I know, it would really suck if you went through all of this only to find out that you and her don't get along!” Emily laughed.

“Don't even joke about it.” he muttered.

“So when are you going to call Bob?”
“I guess I'll call him when we get home. Maybe he can come over for dinner tomorrow? Don't worry, I'll take care of dinner, I don't want you to have to worry about cooking.”

Emily nodded. “That'd be fine. So what are you going to do about Nick? I mean are you guys just going to go back to work in a week and pretend it never happened?”

AJ sighed. “No, we have to deal with it one way or another. It's probably best if I let Brian mediate. Nick won't listen to anything I have to say on the situation. Although I do think he owes you an apology too.”

Emily shrugged. “If he makes up to you that's enough for me.”

“Well it isn't for me! He disrespected you and embarrassed you. He owes it to you.”

“Truthfully, I just don't want to talk to him.”

AJ laughed.

Emily set down her fork and sat back in her chair.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

“Yeah...I guess I just can't eat much at at time anymore, it gives me a stomach ache. And I'm tired.”

“Well let's get you home then! We can box up your leftovers for later.”

AJ took his wife home and put his wife to bed and called his dad and made plans for him to come over the next night for dinner. Bob sounded pleased but not exactly surprised to hear from him and he was friendly enough over the phone that AJ was slightly less anxious than he had been before.

The next evening, Emily could tell AJ was a nervous wreck. He couldn't sit still all day and spent nearly twenty minutes just setting the table. They'd ordered Italian food and had it delivered since he was clearly in no condition to cook.

Bob McLean rang the doorbell at six o'clock sharp, just as expected. Emily managed to get up off the couch and stood behind AJ as he opened the door.

“Hello, son.” Bob said. “Thanks for inviting me.” he added, awkwardly.

AJ froze when he'd referred to him as “son” not knowing how to respond to it. For as long as he could remember, his father had always called him Alex.

“Hey...Dad.” he said, finally. “Come on in. Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. I hope you don't mind, we ordered some take-out Italian.”

“That sounds great.” Bob said, stepping inside the house and looking all around him as he did so. “It's nice to see you again, Emily. You look radiant!”

“Thanks!” Emily blushed. She really wasn't sure what to make of AJ's father. She led them in and sat back down on the couch, AJ next to her and Bob in the chair across from them.

“So...how long are you going to be in LA?” he asked.

Emily looked at AJ, expectantly. He was, after all, the one who needed to be having the conversation with his father.

“We were hoping to stay until we finished the album but it looks like we aren't going to be completely done in time so I expect we'll be leaving right before Halloween.”

“I hope so, otherwise they won't let me on an airplane by then!” Emily chuckled. “And I certainly don't want to bring these babies into the world here in LA!”

“Emily hates LA.” AJ explained.

“Where are you from, Emily?” Bob asked.

“Ohio.”

“Well, that explains it then.” he teased.

The doorbell rang and AJ excused himself to pay for the food. Emily started to get up and help him put it on the table.

“Here, let me help you!” Bob said, offering his hand to pull her up.

“Thanks! I can't believe how hard it is just to get up these days!”

“I can imagine. But you look pretty good considering you're having twins!”

“Well...you're about as good of a liar as AJ is on that matter.” she said.

They made small talk over their pasta and it wasn't until dessert and coffee that AJ finally brought up the elephant in the room.

“So...this sister of mine?”

Bob cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable for the first time since he'd walked in the house. “Well like I said in the letter, her name is Jennifer. She's 15, 16 in November.”

“Why didn't you ever tell me?”

“I don't have a good answer. At first I thought I was protecting you. If you knew about her, you'd feel obligated to be a part of her life which would mean being a part of my life and I knew that was the last thing you'd want. And then, for selfish reasons mostly, I decided that maybe it was time for us to reconnect.”

AJ glared at his father. “None of that was really your decision to make for me. You should have told me.”

“You're right.” Bob admitted. “I was wrong. But I hope you won't hold that against Jennifer.”

“Does she know she has a brother?”

“I came clean to her the same day I did to you.”

“How does she feel about that?”

“She was pissed at first, just like you are. But now she thinks it's cool.”

“Does she know who he is?” Emily asked.

“No. I call him Alex all the time and as far as I know, she hasn't made the connection yet.”

“Why don't you tell us a little about her?” Emily suggested.

“She's a straight A student. She's always been a good kid. A bit dramatic from time to time but she stays out of trouble. She's been involved with theater at school and she says she wants to go to college but she doesn't know yet what she wants to study. Other than that, she's pretty much your typical American teenager.”

“So when can I meet her?” AJ asked.

“Well, here's the thing. She just got accepted to this private school. It would be an awesome opportunity for her to get ahead. She'll never have as many opportunities in the crummy public school where we live. But the school is in San Fransisco and she'd have to move down there and live with her aunt and use her mailing address.”

Emily had a bad feeling about where this was going.

“Well that sounds like it'd be great for her!” AJ said.

“It would be. But the thing is....we can't exactly afford to send her there. And of course she's too young to really understand finances and she's pissed as hell at us. And if she meets you, she might be tempted to...”

“Ask us for money?” Emily finished.

Bob nodded.

AJ's face went dark. “Are you here to ask me for money to send her to school?”

Bob put his hands up. “Not like that, son. No, I was just mentioning that she's probably going to ask you when you meet her anyway so I figured I'd get it out of the way so it didn't ruin your meeting her.”

“So you thought you'd go ahead and ask me for her.” AJ said, sitting back in his chair in disbelief.

“Well now don't get mad, son!”

“Don't call me son!” AJ snapped.

“Alex...” Bob started.

“So if I tell you no to the money, do I still get to meet her?”

“Well that would be up to her but I'm not sure she'd want to meet her brother who refused to help get her a better education for her future.” That sounded an awful lot like a threat.

“You mean you'd actually have the nerve to tell her I said no?” AJ was even more shocked.

Bob shrugged. “She'd deserve to know the truth.”

AJ laughed. “You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you in the ass!”

Just then Emily gasped and grabbed her stomach.

“Emily? What is it?” AJ asked, immediately at her side.

“I think I'm having a contraction!” she said.

AJ's eyes widened. “What do you mean? Is it one of those fake ones?”

Emily shook her head. “I don't think so. I've been having those the last few days. They've been getting stronger since dinner started.”

“You mean you've been having them all night? Why didn't you say anything?”

“I wasn't sure. But I've been timing them and they're pretty regular...every twelve minutes.”

“What do you need me to do?” he asked.

“I think we need to go to the hospital and get checked out.”

“Ok, we'll go right now.” He looked at his father. “It's time for you to leave now.”

Bob nodded and left, without saying a word. AJ grabbed their hospital bag Emily had packed for just this situation and helped her out to the car.

“Are you ok?” he asked, nervously.

Emily nodded. “Just get me there fast, ok?”

Chapter 128

Luck was on their side as they drove to the hospital: traffic was fairly light and they made decent enough time. AJ parked in the labor and delivery spaces and made her sit in the car while he went to the door to get a wheelchair. They went up to the third floor to labor and delivery and Emily explained to the triage nurse what was happening. They immediately took her back to a triage room and hooked her up on a monitor.

“We'll call your doctor right now, I think she's still on the floor finishing a delivery so she should be here soon.”

Emily watched the monitor for the twenty minutes they were waiting on Dr. Gill. She was definitely contracting, not strong, but strong enough to be picked up by the monitor.

“Emily what's going on?” Dr. Gill asked when she finally walked in.

“I'd been feeling contractions on and off for the last few days but I thought they were braxton hicks until they got stronger and regular at dinner tonight.”

“What was happening at dinner?”

“AJ's dad was over. It was...stressful.”

“Have you been drinking enough water? Staying off your feet?”

“Yes. I didn't even do anything today except watch tv or read.”

Dr. Gill looked at her monitor strip. “You are definitely having real contractions here. Braxton Hicks wouldn't be this strong. The good news is they're still weak enough that we should be able to stop them. Have you noticed any water leaking?”

“No.” Emily shook her head.

“Ok. Well let's just check and see if you're dilated any first and then we'll talk about meds.”

Dr. Gill did a quick check and announced that Emily was already nearly two centimeters.

“It's a little earlier than I'd like for you to be dilated even if it's not your first pregnancy. So we're going to administer the medicine immediately through an IV to stop the contractions.”

Emily nodded and looked at AJ who was looking like he was about ready to freak out. “It's going to work.” she assured him. “We both knew things like this were likely to happen.”

“Why are you so calm?” he asked.

Emily shrugged. “I honestly have no idea. I just have a good feeling. I'll probably freak out later over something really stupid to compensate.”

AJ managed a small chuckle. The nurse came in just then and got the IV going and hung the medicine to stop the contractions.

“How long will it take to work?” he asked.

“It should only take about twenty minutes. If they haven't stopped after thirty minutes, we increase the dose.”

They flipped through magazines together while they waited and sure enough, the medicine worked. They waited there for nearly three hours after and when there hadn't been a peep on the monitor since they started the medicine, Dr. Gill said they could unhook her. Emily then had to wait another hour to make sure the contractions didn't start back up again and when they didn't, Dr. Gill said it was ok for her to go home.

“Now listen...you are now on bed rest until I say otherwise.” she said, firmly.

Emily nodded. She'd been expecting to be put on bed rest at some point ever since she found out she was having twins.

“You can get up to move from bed to couch but only climb the stairs two or three times a day. You can shower and go to the bathroom and that's it. And unfortunately, you're also on complete pelvic rest as well. I want you to see me in two days, ok? And I'm sending you home with a prescription of the same medicine. If you feel contractions come regularly that don't go away if you lie down and drink a lot of water, you take it right away. If it doesn't work, you have to come back here. Promise?”

“I promise. I'll be good.”

“Ok. The babies look great otherwise. Keep up the good work!” Dr. Gill said as she left.

“Wow. So...looks like you're chained to the bed for awhile, huh?” AJ said, unsure how she would feel about that.

“Yep. I was kind of expecting it.”

“What is pelvic rest?” he asked.

Emily gave him a sad smile. “It means no sex. Or anything else of the like.”

AJ's eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“I'm sorry, babe!”

“But...why? I mean....why?”

She laughed. Well for one, the big finale can set off contractions. And two, there's a hormone in your....swimmers...that is the same hormone my body produces when it's trying to dilate and soften the cervix. In a normal woman, it wouldn't be enough to make a difference if her body wasn't ready. But since apparently my body is being a bit irritable, it might make things worse.”

“So...did this happen because we..you know...made love the other night?”

Emily shook her head. “No, that didn't cause this.”

Dr. Gill walked in just then. “Sorry, couldn't help but overhear that last part!” she laughed. “AJ to answer your question, no, that isn't why this happened. Stress, however, can really contribute to things like this. So if you've been stressed lately, try to avoid that from now on. You need to focus on resting and relaxing.”

Emily looked over at AJ, who had a guilty look on his face.

“You're all set to go now, Emily. Your wheelchair is waiting outside. I'll see you in two days.”

As AJ took Emily home and put her straight to bed, he felt the need to apologize.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because your stressing has all been my fault. Nick was a jackass, and my father's whole thing which I haven't even had a chance to get mad about yet...and being in LA. It's all because of me.”

“Not because of you. You didn't make Nick say that, you didn't make your father the way he is and being in LA is for your job that's going to pay for these two babies. And besides, I think it would have happened at home, too. Remember...we knew this was a big possibility. So I'm going to stay off of my feet and hope they'll let me travel home next month. Hey hand me my laptop would you? I'm going to order a bunch of books and movies.”

AJ smiled and brought her the computer. “Do you need anything else?”

“No thank you. I'm probably going to sleep after I finish shopping.”

He bent down and kissed her forehead. “I'm going to go clean up the dinner mess. I'll come to bed soon, ok?”

She nodded. AJ went back downstairs and sat down at the table. Everything had happened so quickly and at the hospital he'd been so worried about Emily and the babies that he hadn't even thought about what happened with his father. But now that he was staring at the dinner mess, it all came back to him.

His dad was basically blackmailing him into giving him money for Jennifer's school. If he didn't pay up, he basically told him Jennifer wouldn't want to meet him because her father would tell her that he refused to help and who knew what else he'd tell her.

So the question was, how bad did he really want to meet his sister?

The phone rang and snapped him out of his dilemma.

“Hello?”

“It's Bob.”

AJ was quiet for a moment. “What do you want?” he asked, finally.

“I just wanted to make sure Emily was ok.”

“She's fine now. They stopped the contractions.”

“That's good to hear.”

“Yes, it is. But listen, the doctor told her that she's been too stressed out lately and she needs to relax. Which means you can not come over here or call again. And if I found out you have, I swear I'll get a restraining order if I have to!”

“I understand.” he said, coldly. “So I take it this means you don't want to meet Jennifer?”

“I want to meet Jennifer, but I'm not going to be blackmailed into it. So if that's how you're going to play this, so be it.”

“You mean you really don't want to meet your sister?”

“I told you I did. But it's not going to be on terms like that. Don't call here again.” AJ said, and hung up on his father.

Back in Atlanta, things were still a little tense between Amanda and Randy.

“Why don't you just come out and say it?” she said, finally, over dinner.

“Say what?”

“You don't want to marry me. That's why you didn't propose.”

“Where the hell did that come from?” he asked, setting down his fork.

“I know you were planning to propose for our anniversary. Why didn't you?”

“Why didn't I?”

“Yes. Why?”

Randy rolled his eyes. “Don't you remember that big fight just before our anniversary? The one where you flipped out when I came home late and I asked you if you trusted me and you couldn't answer?”

“I said I was sorry!”

“Sorry you said it or sorry you don't trust me?”

“I do trust you! I just freaked out for a moment!”

“Amanda, be honest with yourself. You're so damaged from Steve you can't even see it anymore. I haven't done anything to make you not trust me but you're hell bent on finding reasons not to. You're the one who doesn't want to get married, not me.”

Amanda's jaw dropped. Randy had never spoken to her that way the entire time she'd know him. Maybe Leighanne was right- maybe she was about to push him away for good.

“I can't do this forever, Mandy.” he said, his voice calmer. “I do want to marry you one day, but I won't spend the rest of my life having you doubt me. And I'm getting tired of waiting for you to get over that. I'm not waiting around forever.” And with that, he got up from the table and shut himself in the office.

She went out and sat by the pool to call her sister.

“I think you were right.” she said.

“Of course I was right. About what?” Leighanne asked.

“About me and Randy.”

“What happened this time?”

“I flipped out again at dinner and he said he does want to marry me but he won't spend the rest of his life with me not trusting him and he's not waiting around forever.”

“Oh...I was right.” Leighanne said.

“Leigh I don't want to be this way! It isn't like I am intentionally doing this. In my head I know that when he's late from work it's because he just had work to do. But then there's this little voice that wonders. You know, because Steve was always late from work and it turned out it was because he was screwing in the office. And I can't go through that again!”

“Remember what Emily told you? About taking a leap of faith? You just have to tell that voice to shut the hell up and let yourself be happy.”

“How was it Emily was able to do that, exactly?”

“I don't know. I guess when she was faced with the realization that she was going to lose AJ, she didn't have a choice. If the thought of not being with Randy isn't enough, maybe he isn't the one for you.”

Amanda thought about that for a moment. “No...he's the one. I can't see how I'd put myself back together if he leaves.”

“Do you think he's really going to leave you?”

“If you could have seen his face, you'd know he meant every word.”

“I'm sorry, sweetie.”

“Ugh...maybe I should talk to Emily.”

“Good luck. AJ is screening her calls.” Leighanne chuckled. “Half the time he won't even let me talk to her.”

“Why?”

“She went into pre-term labor last night and she's on bed rest and was told to avoid stress. And so AJ is keeping a pretty tight leash on her. Every time I call he wants to know what I want before I'm allowed to talk to her.”

“Do you think you could talk to her and have her call me?”

“I think I can probably do that. I haven't called since this morning. I just hope he's less cranky. Something happened with his dad but he was listening so Emily couldn't talk about it.”

Leighanne decided to send Emily a text message saying, “Call me when you have a chance, I have a funny Baylee story to tell you!” She was almost positive AJ would let her hear a Baylee story.

Sure enough, twenty minutes later, Emily called.

“Is this call being monitored?”

Emily laughed. “No, believe it or not, he left me up here all alone. He went to the grocery store.”

“Oh good! Now you can fill me in on all the good stuff!”

Emily told Leighanne everything that had happened with Bob trying to use Jennifer to get money. “Oh...my...God!” Leighanne said. “That's awful! No wonder you went into labor!”

“I don't really think it was just because of that.” Emily said.

“No, I know it wasn't. But still! Although it was great timing on your part. Your uterus probably prevented a huge blow up between those two! So how are you getting along with bed rest?”

“Well it's only been a day so I'm still in the enjoying being pampered stage. I'm sure after another day or two I'll start getting bored.”

“What are you going to do when AJ goes back to the studio in a few days? Brian says they're trying to get Nick and AJ to talk tomorrow so they can get back to work.”

“He hasn't mentioned anything about that, but I'm not surprised. He doesn't want me to worry. Actually be bought a little mini-fridge and put it right beside my bed with a small microwave on top. He's filled it with drinks and food and there's a box beside it of other snack foods. He said he'll make my lunch and dinner each day and put it in the fridge for me.”

“Awww, that's so sweet! And a really good idea, too! But do you think you'll be ok to be alone so much?”

“I don't see a problem with it. If something happens I can always call an ambulance or you.”

“Well you know I'll be there in a flash if you need me! I assume he's taking you to your OB appointment tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Oh hey listen, Amanda wants to talk to you when you have a chance.”

“Oh yeah? What's going on?”

“You remember how I told you Randy didn't propose? She confronted him about it and it didn't go so well. She wants to know how it is you were able to just take a leap of faith and trust in AJ enough to let go of everything in your past.”

Emily laughed. “Jesus! What the hell am I supposed to tell her?”

“Well...tell her how you did it!”

“But Leighanne, I don't know how I did it, I just did it.”

“Well you're going to have to come up with something better than that!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Emily muttered. “Tell her I'll try to call her tonight when AJ goes for his run.”

“Ok. Listen take care and call if you need me, ok?”

“Thanks, Leigh. Oh and hey if you hear any gossip on what happens between AJ and Nick, call and tell me! I want to stay in the loop.”

“Ok but you have to swear not to tell on me or AJ will have me head for it!”

Emily laughed. “I promise.”

Chapter 129

Later that evening, after AJ had gone out for a jog on the beach, Emily called Amanda. She'd been thinking of what to say and she really hoped she'd be able to get it right for the sake of both Amanda and Randy. She decided a secret call to Randy might also be in order.

“Emily I'm so glad you called!” Amanda said when she picked up. “How are you doing? Everything ok? Leighanne told me you were in the hospital last night! You can't have those babies in LA, I want to see them when they're born!”

Emily smiled. “Trust me, Mandy. I do not want to have them here, either! I'm doing my best to make sure of that. I'm doing ok, just been relaxing all day.”

“So bed rest huh? Do you have any idea how long it will be for?”

“Hard to say. I see the doctor tomorrow so I'll probably have a better idea then. I ordered a ton of stuff on amazon last night. Books and DVD's. AJ's going out tomorrow morning to buy a bunch more pillows for the bed.”

Amanda chuckled. “So you can have your own little nest of fluff?”

“Something like that. The bigger I get the more pillows I need to get comfy. So...your sister tells me we need to have a little chat.”

Amanda sighed. “Yeah.”

“Honestly Amanda, I don't think there are any magical words I can tell you to make it better. You're going to have to figure it out on your own.”

“But how did you figure it out?”

“Honestly? I thought I was going to die of breast cancer. I know it was a bit dramatic but remember I had that lump biopsied and it really shook me. I really was able to sit back and look at my life and examine it and I realized that if I were to die, I would not have left behind the life I would have wanted to. I ran scared from my one true love and from every other dream I had because I thought it was easier than facing the truth. So my best advice to you is think about that. If you were to die tomorrow, how do you want people to remember your life?”

“Shit Em, that's morbid!”

“Yeah I know. But it's a good way of looking at it.”

Amanda and Emily chatted for a little while longer before Emily had to hang up. Amanda sat outside and thought about what Emily had said. Deep down, she knew everything Emily had said was true. She was not living the life she was supposed to be living simply because she'd been so badly hurt by Steve. Then again, if it hadn't been for Steve cheating on her, she never would have ended up with Randy who was so much better than Steve on all accounts so in the end, it worked out better for her than she ever could have imagined. So maybe it wasn't all bad. She thought about the things she hoped for out of her life. A happy marriage, kids, security, stability. None of which she would have if she didn't just let the past go. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she exhaled, she imagined herself blowing out all of the hurt and insecurities her past had caused her. She decided it was time to forgive Steve and thank him for being a total fuck-up so she could be with Randy. The only thing she had left to do was to convince Randy that this time, she really meant it.

The next morning AJ took Emily to see Dr. Gill. The doctor was pleased that Emily hadn't had a single contraction since she'd left the hospital. She did a quick ultrasound just to check the fluid levels and see that the twins were growing ok and then hooked her up to the monitor for what they call a Non-Stress Test.

“What exactly does this do?” AJ asked.

“What we're looking at is how the babies' heart rates react to their movements. So we record their heartbeat and then whenever Emily feels a movement she pushes this little button. In healthy babies, the heart rate should accelerate and then go back down with each movement. Just a way to make sure they're happy in there.”

“Relax honey, it's standard.” Emily assured him. “Everything is fine.”

And as it turned out, she was right. The babies were looking fine. She was still dilated to two centimeters and Dr. Gill said she wanted her on light bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy.

“It's likely your body is just getting tired. So I want you to rest as much as possible. You can get up to use the bathroom and shower or move to the couch and occasionally you can go out to eat or something but no walking around town.”

“My baby shower is in two weeks, can I still go?”

“If you promise to do nothing but sit in a chair, you can go. Are you still planning on returning to Atlanta?”

“I really hope so.” Emily muttered.

AJ resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“My advice would be then to get home sooner than later.”

AJ took this advice to heart and decided it was time to talk to the guys about their plans.

He took Emily home and got her settled. “Is there anything else I can get you before I go to the meeting?”

“I think I have everything I need. I have the tv remote, my cell phone, the house phone, my book and a food supply to last me two days. I promise I'll be fine.”

“Ok I'll call you in a few hours to check on you.”

“Alright but if you wake me up from a nap there will be hell to pay!” she warned.

“I'll take my chances to know you're alright.” he said, kissing her gently.

“Good luck!” she said.

This certainly wasn't the first time there was a large rift in the group. Over the years they'd seen some pretty big blow-ups. He was prepared to be calm and rational and he hoped that Nick would do the same.

They decided to keep it just the four of them. They sat down in a conference room together and Brian was the unofficial mediation leader. He gave Nick the chance to explain the comment that he made regarding AJ and Emily's marriage.

“Look man, it was more of a joke than anything else. I didn't really mean it the way it came across. I just meant...you know...you guys have a lot of drama and I'm kind of on the outside of all that, you know? We're not close like we used to be so I don't know half of what really goes down between you guys. And maybe I was trying to hurt you because I know you don't like Natasha.”

AJ nodded. “You know a lot of that drama comes from the passion that she and I have for each other. Whenever there's great passion, it bleeds into all other aspects of the relationship. Drama included. But listen man, I can't have you disrespecting my wife like that. Especially right now.”

“I'm sorry. I heard about what happened the other night. I guess to be honest I just don't get you two.”

“Well, Nick, I don't get you and Natasha either. I just don't want to see you get hurt.”

“I can respect that. But you've gotta treat Tasha right, too man. At least try to get to know her before you judge her like that.”

“Point taken.”

Brian exhaled a sigh of relief. “So are we good now? Can we get back to work?”

AJ looked at Nick. “Yeah...I guess we're good.” Truthfully AJ was still pretty pissed but he had to pretend for the sake of the group. He supposed he'd either get over it or they'd get in some other altercation. He was pretty sure Nick felt the same way. “Actually while you guys are sitting here, I think we need to talk about the schedule. As you know, we're on a bit of a time crunch.”

“Gee, you think?” Howie joked.

“I really need to get Emily home as soon as possible. Her shower out here is in two weeks and I think we need to leave soon after that. I know she'll be more comfortable at home especially if the babies do come early.”

“AJ man, you don't need to explain it to us. We were surprised you guys have stayed here this long.” Brian said.

“Well, I mean I still take the album seriously, it's just...”

“Man you're starting a family, that takes priority over everything!” Howie said and Brian and Nick nodded in agreement.

AJ relaxed. “Thanks guys. I don't know why I was so nervous to talk about this.”

“Did you really think we were going to get pissed at you for leaving before we finished?” Nick asked.

AJ shrugged. “I guess not really, I just...I don't know. Maybe I'm still not used to that kind of freedom, you know? Anyway I really appreciate it. I'd like to leave in time for her birthday, October 20, the week after her shower.”

“So let's get as much done as we can now and we can finish the rest after the New Year, does that sound good to everyone?” Brian suggested. Everyone nodded. “Good. Let's get to work!”

Emily called Randy hoping to catch him on his lunch break.

“Emily” he sounded pleasantly surprised to hear from her.

“Hey Randy! How is life at Glenview?”

“Same as always! How are you? I've been worried about you since Mandy told me you went into labor!”

“I'm doing fine. I kind of realized that it didn't matter if I'd been ordered to stay in bed or not, I really can hardly get myself up anyway so what's the difference?”

He laughed. “But you're ok now? And the babies are ok?”

“The babies and I are fine. I saw the doctor today and had an ultrasound and a non-stress test and they looked great. Don't worry, I'm taking great care of your future favorite patients!”

“How much longer are you going to be in LA?”

“Hopefully only a few more weeks. I'm getting anxious to get home and get ready. I don't even have a nursery ready yet and I'm starting to panic that they'll come early and nothing will be ready for them.”

“Well if it happens it happens and I'm sure you'll work it out.”

“Speaking of working things out....”

Randy sighed. “You heard?”

“Of course I heard! Did she tell you I talked to her last night?”

“No, we've been kind of avoiding each other.”

“Good. Listen- I can tell she's on the verge of working this out. My advice, not that you asked, is to wait for her to come to you. She needs to do this herself just like I did.”

“Yeah but when you did you didn't pick me.” he said, immediately regretting it.

Emily was taken aback. “Well....” she started, not sure of how to respond.

Randy cursed under his breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just don't want to lose her but I know that she needs to fix this because I can't have her freaking out every time I come home from work late or hire a new nurse, you know?”

“Yeah I know. She's not going to leave you Randy. She wants to stay with you she's just trying to figure out how to let a lot of stuff go.”

“Well at least one of us is sure about that!” he said.

“I'm sure. So how's Margie doing?”

Randy laughed. “Same as always. She still asks about you and she can't wait to meet your twins!”

“You know I kind of miss it over there still.”

“Yeah, I kind of miss you here too. I know it sounds kind of pathetic but...I guess I just don't have many friends anymore between my work and my girlfriend. It's nice to have someone to talk to.”

“It is, isn't it?”

“Yeah. Thanks for calling.”

“Anytime. And listen, you can call me whenever you need to.”

“Wouldn't AJ have a problem with that?”

“Well, he's not allowed to upset me so he can't get too mad at me!” she joked. When he didn't laugh, she said, “I'm kidding. Mostly. I think he's over it.”

“Well that I kind of doubt. Listen I have to get back to work. It was really nice to hear from you.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Emily's cell phone rang just a few seconds after she hung up the house phone with Randy. It was AJ calling to check on her.

“I just called the house phone but it was busy. Everything ok?”

She smiled. “Everything is fine. I was just talking to Randy.”

“Oh. Why?”

“Just stuff. Mostly about Amanda. And about the babies. He's excited to have them as his new patients.”

“Wait what? You want him to be our pediatrician??

“Well...yeah! I thought you'd kind of assumed that. Why wouldn't I?”

“Why would you?” he retorted, dodging her question.

“He's the best I know.”

“What about Dr. Keaton?”

“Dr. Keaton is a great doctor, don't get me wrong, but I trust Randy more.”

AJ was silent.

“Look, you know this isn't about personal feelings. Don't get all jealous on me again. Randy and I are friends yes but he's also the one I trust to take care of my children. Obviously I'm not going to jeopardize their care because of a personal history.”

He sighed. “I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound jealous...but can you really blame me? This guy keeps popping up in our lives and now you're just inviting him back in!”

“AJ...it's in the past, remember?”

“Yeah.” he said, remembering their vow to one another. “I know.”

“We can talk more about it later. I do want you to be comfortable with it so if you're really not, we can meet other doctors.”

“Thanks, babe. Look I have to go. Call if you need me, ok?”

“Ok. Love you.”

“Love you too.”