Chapter 133

The next day Emily went to her doctor appointment with AJ. She was happy to see Dr. Paul again even though she liked Dr. Gill a lot too. It was just good to be home!

“Emily, I see you had some drama!” Dr. Paul said as she flipped through the records Dr. Gill had sent.

Emily laughed. “Just the one time. No contractions since then.”

“That's great! You must be complying well with bed rest then.”

“Not like I can move around all that well anyway, to be honest.”

AJ laughed. “She's been great.”

Dr. Paul did a quick exam. “Dr. Gill was right, everything is coming along great. Their size is terrific! You're going to have two healthy babies I'm pretty sure!”

“How much more of bed rest?” Emily asked, hopeful.

“Two more weeks should do it.”

Emily grinned from ear to ear.

“Let's talk about the delivery.” Dr. Paul said. “Right now, they both actually seem to be head down but that could change. Do you still want to attempt a vaginal birth?”

Emily took a deep breath. She wasn't really thrilled with any concept of birth but she knew what was best. “I think it makes sense to try it. It's better for both of us, right?”

“Babies do tend to have fewer complications with a vaginal but the difference is pretty small. Your recovery would be a lot easier than a c-section, that's for sure. But you're aware of the possibility that you could deliver one only to have the other one flip at the last minute and you'd need the c-section anyway, right?”

Emily nodded. This was all news to AJ. “Wait...so what would be the point then? Why not just do a c-section?”

Emily let Dr. Paul answer, figuring he needed to hear it from her. “A c-section, while routine, is still major surgery. The recovery is longer and more painful. Also there's increased chance of the baby having fluid in the airway since it doesn't get squeezed in the birth canal...that's what helps clear their lungs. Also, the thing Emily mentioned as one of her biggest concerns is that she won't get to hold the baby for a few hours. She would go to recovery and the babies would go to the nursery. That's pretty hard on a mother.”

AJ nodded, it all seemed to make sense to him. “But it's still kind of a gamble?”

“Yes, it is. But not a serious one. If it happens, it happens.” Emily said.

“Exactly. And you plan on an epidural?”

“Actually I was hoping you could put it in before I go into labor?” Emily joked.

“Don't I wish!” Dr. Paul laughed.

AJ had a few more questions and the doctor patiently answered them all.

They picked up lunch on their way home and then Emily took a nap and AJ decided to take one with her. They were both woken up a few hours later by the ringing of his cell phone.

AJ left the room in an attempt to keep from waking up Emily but she couldn't get back to sleep.

“Who was that?” She asked when he came back in.

“Management. They want me to do a charity thing the night before Thanksgiving down in Nashville.”

“For your solo stuff?”

“Yeah. I told them I needed to think about it. I mean that could be baby time!” he said.

“But...” Emily said, sure there was a catch.

“I have a clause in my contract that obligates me to so many label events a year. I haven't fulfilled it, apparently. Usually I don't think the care but since I was hesitant to agree, they're trying to force me.”

“What happens if you don't?”

“I could possibly lose my contract. I'm not sure, I'm going to call legal on this first.”

“Maybe you should just agree to it.”

“What? What if you have the babies while I'm gone?”

“Look if I go into labor you'll probably have enough time to catch a flight home. Or shoot, even drive! It's like, 4 hours! And with the way you drive, even less than! I promise I'll call you right away if I think something is happening.”

“But...I really don't want to be gone from you then. Besides, it's Thanksgiving!”

“I know. But I really don't want anything to interfere with your record deals. And if they're playing hard ball with you over this it must be important.”

AJ nodded. He knew she was probably right but he wasn't thrilled about it. “I'll see if I can work it so that I leave here as late as possible and come back first thing Thanksgiving morning.”

Emily was not at all happy with this new development but she also knew there were some definite downsides to being married to a pop star and this was one of them.

The day of Emily's second shower went quickly. It was a more relaxed and smaller shower than her Hollywood one, as she referred to it. Leighanne had a ball hosting, as always. After everyone had gone home, Emily cornered Amanda while Leighanne busied herself cleaning the kitchen.

“What's going on, Mandy? You're not yourself.”

Amanda shrugged.

“Randy?” Emily guessed.

“Yeah. Things just don't seem better.”

“How so?”

“Well, to me, things have been going very well. I haven't freaked out on him for anything, and not because I've just been hiding it, it's actually because I seriously haven't freaked out. If he's late, he's late and I know he's working and not screwing his nursing staff. I know that now. But I don't think he believes that I know that. Do you follow?”

“Barely.” Emily said. “You don't think he trusts you that you trust him?”

“Jesus, that does sound confusing.” Amanda said, hearing it repeated back to her. “So what do you think? Leighanne says I should just keep on going and he'll come around.”

Emily thought for a moment. “You know, I don't really agree. I think he might be waiting for some kind of...symbolic gesture or something.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well have you actually talked to him about it?”

“Not really. I figured he wouldn't believe me just by telling him so I figured it was better to show him.”

“I think the way he's playing this that's not enough. He's waiting for something more.”

“Like what?”

“I'm not really sure. But he was really serious when he left the ball in your court. Randy has a stubborn streak to him. He's waiting for you to come to him. That was the deal, remember?”

“Yeah. But what the hell am I supposed to say?”

“Why don't you propose to him?” Emily suggested.

“I can't propose to him!” Amanda scoffed.

“Why not?”

“Because! That's not how I want to remember my marriage proposal. I don't want to tell my kids, 'Well Daddy didn't believe Mommy really trusted him so she asked him to marry her as a way to prove it.' Is that how you'd want it?”

“Ok, I see your point. I'm just saying it needs to be big like that.”

Unfortunately AJ walked in at that point pretty much ending their conversation.

“I'll think about it some more and get back to you.” she said.

“Hey baby, how was the shower?” he said, leaning down to give her a kiss.

“It was great! And don't worry, all the gifts will fit in one car this time.”

AJ laughed. “I'm glad you had a good time.”

“Honey would you go see if Leighanne needs any help in the kitchen?” Emily asked.

“Yeah, I suppose I could do that.” he said, walking towards the kitchen. “Hey Leigh, can I help you?”

“Oh hey AJ, care to dry a few dishes for me?” she said, handing him a dish towel.

“I think I can handle that. How's Emily?”

Leighanne knew he was really asking if she behaved and stayed seated all day. “The only time she moved from that chair was on one of her many trips to the bathroom. We should have just had the party up there!” she joked.

“Good. Thanks for taking good care of her!”

“You're really worried about her, aren't you?” Leighanne asked.

“I'm just trying to take care of her. It's the only thing I can do, you know?”

“That's sweet. It won't be long now. Your mom and my mom were talking about how the babies seem to be sitting lower and how much more tired she seems.”

“Yeah I've noticed that too. Where is my mom, anyway?”

“Oh she insisted on running some errands for Emily. You know, groceries and things. She's cooking you your favorite pot roast tonight.”

AJ's stomach growled at the thought of it. “Listen, I'm being basically forced by my label to do this stupid charity show in Nashville the night before Thanksgiving.”

“What!?” Leighanne exclaimed. “You can't leave her then!”

“Believe me, I don't want to but they pulled out some bullshit contract clause. They're pretty adamant. Emily told me I have to go.”

“How are you going to pull that off?”

“I don't have to be there until evening. I'm actually going to drive, it should only take about 4 hours and realistically I'd spend about that much time flying between the amount of time I have to be at the airport and then the actual flight time. And that way I'll have a car in case I need to leave. So I'm going to leave around noon, that gives me six hours to get there so that should be plenty of time. Then I'm going to get some sleep after I do the show and get up really early and drive home. But can you just make sure to be within reach of her? She said you guys were going to be in town for the holidays and I don't really want to leave her with no one to help if she needs it. She won't be on bed rest anymore by then but she could realistically go into labor at any time then.”

“Of course! She could stay here if she wanted, I doubt she will though but I'll offer. But absolutely, I'll check in on here and make sure to keep my phone on and with me.”

“Thanks. That'd make me feel a lot better.”

“You know, you're going to make such a great father.” Leighanne said, feeling a little emotional.

“What makes you say that?”

“Just the way you worry about her and take care of her, those qualities will make you a wonderful father.”

“Thanks, Leigh.” AJ said, touched at her compliment. It wasn't every day he and Leighanne had a heart to heart like this. “Things going ok with you and Brian?” he asked, hoping this emotion wasn't coming from a lack of care in her own marriage.

“Oh yeah, we're fine. I guess every now and then I get a little emotional at seeing you two so happy finally.”

“So do I.” he agreed.

AJ loaded up the packages and helped Emily into the car. “You got some packages delivered to the house today, too.” he said.

“Oh great!!” Emily said, excited at having more things to open.

Once again, he sat her in the rocking chair in the nursery as he helped her put all their new baby things away. He opened her new deliveries and found that they'd received their cloth diaper order and a few other things.

“What in the world is that?” he asked as Emily held up a scary looking contraption.

She laughed. “It's a double breast pump.”

“I have a feeling that's not as kinky as it sounds.”

“It's for breast milk you perv!”

He chuckled. “It looks like it might be painful.”

“Nah, it's not so bad. You know what? I think we might actually have everything ready!” she announced.

“I hope so because we're all out of room.”

“Well, the clothes are washed and put away, everything is organized, the furniture is built, the cradle is in our room, the pack and play is set up downstairs, all the baby gear is put together and the car seats are installed! Now all we need are the babies!”

AJ lifted up her shirt and said to her stomach, “You hear that babies? We're all ready for you! Your mommy is a lot happier now!”

“Don't wake them up, they're finally asleep after a few hours of jumping jacks on my bladder.”

“Why don't we go take a nap? You look tired.”

“Yeah, I am.” she admitted. “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”

“Not today.” he teased.

“I love you! I'm so grateful to you for helping do all of this for me, for making life off of my feet so much easier than it could have been. Thank you.”

He gave her a soft kiss. “I keep telling you, there is no need to thank me! But you're welcome anyway. And I love you too.”

Amanda had been thinking a lot about what Emily said after the baby shower. Maybe she was right. Maybe Randy really was just waiting for some big show of commitment and readiness. She understood what Emily meant by proposing to him. It needed to be something bold and romantic and genuine, from the heart. She tried to come up with a plan on her way home. She had a few ideas but she wanted some time to mull them over, maybe talk to Emily and Leighanne about them.

“How was the shower?” Randy asked when she got home.

“It was a lot of fun. Emily is getting so big, the poor thing must have made at least ten trips to the bathroom in two hours but she seemed to really enjoy herself. Even if she was stuck in a chair the whole time!”

Randy laughed. “That's great! Lots of nice gifts I'm sure?”

“Oh yeah. Baby stuff out her ears. I can't wait to go over and see the nursery. She said AJ had it decorated as a surprise for her birthday, isn't that sweet.”

“Yeah.” Randy said, not really caring to hear about the sweet things AJ had done. He and Emily were friends and there were no romantic feelings but he always had a sense of protection to her. He had to admit that the only things he knew about their marriage were the bad things because whenever Emily had come into his life it had been at a bad time between her and AJ. Starting with when they dated when AJ had left her before she was married. Then when they'd slept together when she thought AJ had left her and turned up in rehab. And again when he'd started dating Mandy, and Emily turned up living with Leighanne when things got rough after AJ found out about Emily and Randy sleeping together and her losing the baby. So he was aware that his opinion on AJ wasn't very well-rounded. But he didn't like the guy and never liked hearing about him. He just didn't want Amanda to pick up on that because given her past behavior he was pretty sure she would misinterpret his distaste for AJ as something else.

“So Leighanne and I might go over for dinner one night this week. Are there any nights you know you'll be at work late? That might be a good night to go.”

“I have pre-natal meet the pediatrician night thing on Wednesday.” he said.

“Ok, that should work out nicely then. Oh...I almost forgot to tell you the big gossip!”

Randy put down his newspaper, sure this was going to be good.

“So remember how I told you that AJ had a half-sister and about his dad trying to get money from him?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Randy said, nodding.

“Well....so I guess Emily and AJ had a little argument over giving her the money after they got to meet her. She apparently snuck over one night to their house to meet him. So anyway Emily wanted to give the money but AJ didn't want to. He didn't want her to think he was trying to buy her off into liking him or something. So Emily decided to sneak over there during the day to give the money!” Amanda told the story with as much detail as she knew about how Bob McLean had pushed her over and AJ had come flying in and attacking his own father.

“Oh my God!” Randy said, surprised! “Was she ok? What about the babies?”

“She said that even though AJ was absolutely furious with her, he was still clear-headed enough to make her to go the hospital and check on the babies and everything was fine.”

“I can't believe she did that! I mean she's supposed to be on bed rest!”

Amanda shrugged. “That's what Leighanne said. She said she figured she'd just be riding in the cab and wouldn't need to actually be on her feet that long to give them a check. She didn't know the rest would happen.”

“AJ's father must be a real piece of work.” Randy muttered.

“I know. He certainly managed to screw up AJ enough. Even after all these years he still knows just what buttons to push with him.”

Randy secretly enjoyed it when Amanda had been with Leighanne and Emily because she always came home with some really good stories. He hated to admit that he enjoyed the gossip as much as he did, but then again, these weren't the every day stories, were they? How many other people did he know where the father-in-law pushed over the woman pregnant with his twin grandbabies? Maybe Margie was starting to rub off on him.

Chapter 134

A few nights after the shower, Emily woke up in the middle of the night in a panic.

“What? What is it? Is it time?” AJ asked, sitting up in a panic of his own.

Emily shook her head. “I don't know what it is. Must have just been a nightmare.” she said as she lie back down.

But the same thing happened again the next few nights. AJ was starting to feel like he couldn't take any more panics like that. Every time she did it he thought it was time to have the babies and he was sure that one of those nights his heart was going to pound right out of his chest. So he made her try and talk it out during the daylight.

“What's bugging you? Is there anything you can think of that's making you so anxious?”

“I've been thinking a lot about it too and the only thing I've come up with is that for the past few months I've been able to focus on moving back home and getting all the baby stuff set up and getting ready and planning the birth and being on bed rest to keep them inside me long enough and now that I've done all that, I feel anxious because I have nothing else to fixate on to take care of. I have one week left of bed rest and then who knows how much longer it'll take before they're born. I think the waiting is just freaking me out.”

“Are you scared?”

Emily nodded. “Terrified.”

“What are you afraid of?”

Emily laughed through some tears. “Everything. I have to give birth and that's scary and painful. Then, I have to take care of two babies! I mean one baby is scary enough but two?? I'm just afraid that I'm not going to be able to handle it or that I'll be so stressed out and tired that I won't really get to enjoy them as babies, you know?”

AJ nodded. He'd had a lot of these same fears himself lately. “I do know. To some degree, I have the same fears you do. True, I don't have to give birth but I have to watch you go through it all and try to be there and I have to know that I can't really help you. And I've worried about how I'll handle two babies...remember I'm clueless! You at least have all your nanny experience to lean back on! But I think these are all normal fears and I know that if we work together we will get through it. And you know what? I didn't make all that money being a pop star for nothing. If we have to hire the best help we can get, we will!”

Emily laughed. “I wonder if I'd ever be able to find a nanny I approve of?”

“Or maybe you'll be so tired you just won't care.” AJ joked. Emily didn't think it was quite as funny. “I know this is a scary time to just sit around and wait for our lives to change but let's just try and look at the excitement of it all instead of all the unknowns, ok?”

Emily nodded.

Later that evening, Leighanne and Amanda came over for dinner. AJ was still expanding his culinary skills and refused to let them bring dinner. He wanted to make fajitas! They turned out to be great, much to Leighanne and Amanda's surprise. Emily was excited to show off her nursery so while AJ did the dishes she took the girls upstairs. She let them look through all her baby things while she sat in the very comfortable rocking chair with her feet propped up on the ottoman.

“Awwww....I can't wait to have a baby someday!” Amanda said, running her fingers over a fuzzy blanket.

“Let's talk about that a little.” Emily said. “Have you figured out the whole Randy thing yet?”

“I think so.” Amanda said, sitting down on the floor and stretching out her legs. “See, I took the idea you gave me about proposing to him and decided that it wasn't how I wanted our proposal to go and I didn't think it was how he'd want it either.”

“True.” Emily agreed.

“So, I'm doing a kind of mock proposal.”

“What the hell is that?” Leighanne said, sitting down next to her sister.

“So, I'm going to cook this really romantic dinner for him. You know, candles and everything, me in a little black dress. And maybe after dessert I'm going to get down on one knee and propose to him that whenever he's ready, he propose to me and I will say yes. Or something like that, I haven't exactly figure out what I'm going to say yet.”

“That's stupid.” Leighanne said.

“No, it's perfect!!” Emily said. “This is very Randy. He always wants to be the gentleman. He wouldn't want you to propose. But it's like I said, he's waiting for a grand gesture. He's probably noticed the changes in you but he wants to make double sure that you mean it this time. So I think this is perfect! You're letting him know that you're ready and willing whenever he is.”

“Thanks, Emily!” Amanda said, glaring at Leighanne.

“I just don't understand why you can't just have a conversation with him about it, that's all.” Leighanne said.

“Because those are just words.” Emily answered for Amanda. “Don't you remember before AJ and I got married? Do you really think if we'd have just sat down and had a conversation we could have worked it all out?”

Leighanne thought for a moment before agreeing. “I guess you're right. You two would have ended up taking each other's heads off.”

“Exactly. Because we had so much passion! So much so that it was blinding us to a lot of things. So when are you going to do it?”

“Tomorrow night. You guys I'm so nervous I'm freaking out!”

“Why?” Leighanne asked.

“Because what if it doesn't work?”

“It'll work.” Emily said. Leighanne wasn't so sure but she had to default to Emily's judgment. She did, after all, know Randy a little bit better.

AJ poked his head in the door. “You ladies ok in here?”

“Yep, just girl talk.” Emily smiled. She knew he was probably just checking to make sure she was sitting down with her feet up. It was kind of cute how protective he'd become of her. She was going to miss that once the babies were born and he'd become protective of them instead.

“AJ, you did such a beautiful job with the nursery!” Leighanne said.

“Thanks, Leigh!” AJ said. “But really all I had to do was listen to Emily ramble about her dream nursery a few times to figure out what she wanted.” he said, winking at his wife.

Emily stuck her tongue out at him.

“Do you need anything, babe? I'm going to go call Jennifer in a few minutes.”

“Nope, I'm all set but thank you! Tell her I said hi, ok?”

“I will!” he said, shutting the door behind him.

“He's so sweet.” Amanda said. “I gotta say...watching him take care of you so well has made me almost have a little crush on him!”

Emily and Leighanne laughed. “I know. I always knew he'd be great but I never expected him to be this great, you know?” Emily said.

“So how are things going with him and Jennifer?” Leighanne asked.

“Pretty good from what I can tell. They talk about every other day on the phone and some random texts and e-mails. She and I e-mail too, just chit-chatty stuff. I'm not really sure what kinds of things they talk about but he seems to really enjoy getting to know her.”

“And how does his dad feel about this after what happened?” Amanda asked.

“We're not really sure actually. He's asked her a few times and she kind of evades the question. If I had to guess I'd say he doesn't know about it and wouldn't be thrilled if he did. AJ's careful not to ask about him too much. He doesn't want her to think he's just trying to get info on his dad or something. He's very paranoid to give her the wrong impression.”

“Well, I hope to get a chance to meet her someday.” Leighanne said.

The next night, Amanda was filled with nervous energy as she cooked. She was near tears over almost wrecking the chocolate cake when it stuck to the cake pan when Emily called.

“Emily I'm not sure I can do this after all!” Amanda said.

“Why? You're not freaking out again, are you?”

“No, I mean, what if it doesn't work? What if he doesn't believe me or what if he doesn't want to get married?”

“I know how you feel. But you know he loves you and you know he wants to marry you. Otherwise why would he still be around? Have a little more faith in yourself!” Emily encouraged.

“Yeah, I know you're right. I'm just nervous and none of my food is turning out the way I wanted it to.”

Emily laughed. “He'll be too busy looking at you in your little black dress to notice anything else.”

“Oh God!” Amanda shrieked. “I almost forgot to pick my dress up at the dry cleaners! I have to go.”

Emily was still laughing when she hung up the phone.

Somehow, Amanda managed to get all her preparations done with enough time to shower and look very glamorous before Randy came home from work. She had some jazz music in the background and the table was set with beautiful china and crystal that she borrowed from Leighanne and lots of candles. When she heard the front door open, her heart began to pound.

“Something sure smells...” Randy stopped in his tracks as he walked into the dining room. “What's all this?”

Amanda shrugged. “I just wanted to have a nice, romantic dinner with you. We haven't really done anything special in awhile. I thought it was time.”

He walked over and gave her a kiss. “It looks really nice. Thank you! What did you cook? It smells amazing!”

“Roasted pork loin with red potatoes and glazed carrots. Here, have a seat.” she said, pulling out a chair. “I'll get our salads.”

Amanda went into the kitchen and quickly appeared with a spinach salad and a bottle of chilled wine. She served him first and then herself, sitting down across from him. Randy could see her hands trembling as she poured the wine and wondered what in the world had gotten into her today.

“So how was work today?” he asked.

“Typical. Kids misbehaving, no one doing their homework last night, food fight at lunch.”

Randy laughed. “That's typical?”

“No, not really. I don't know what was in the air today. How about you?”

“Not so great. Lots of stomach flu going around. I don't know why parents always insist on bringing their barfing kids in. There's nothing I can do for them unless it's severe, which it almost never is.”

Amanda laughed. “Gee, great dinner conversation.”

“Sorry.” Randy chuckled. “I forget that not everyone is as used to it as I am. I did have one perplexing case today.”

“What was it?”

“There was this little eight year old boy that had been very run down, not eating, looks pretty pale. I ran some blood work and ruled out all the usual suspects- anemia, mono, some random infection...but I didn't turn anything up. The parents swear nothing is going on at school or home that would have him depressed in any way. But all the blood work and cultures were totally clean and normal so I had to send him home with the diagnosis of a virus and to come back in a week if he isn't better. The parents weren't too happy since this has been going on for about a month but I couldn't see any reason at this point to order any more tests unless I had something more specific to look for, you know? But it's still nagging at me. I agree with them that something's going on but I just couldn't find anything.”

“That must be frustrating.”

“Yeah. It's just like a puzzle I can't solve.”

After they ate dessert, they sat talking a bit longer. Randy had a feeling there was something more to this special night than she had said, so he was simply waiting to figure out what it was. Amanda was just trying to psych herself up to do what she had planned.

Finally she decided to just rip off the band-aid and get it over with. After taking a deep breath, she began. “I know that we've had some issues lately and that I'm to blame for most of them. You were completely right before.”

“Right about what?”

“When you told me that if we were going to be able to move forward together I had a lot of shit to work out.”

“Well, I didn't exactly phrase it like that.” he smiled.

“Well, that was the gist of it. I've done a lot of thinking and reflecting and I knew you were right even back then, I just didn't know how the hell I was supposed to get over Steve's cheating. I mean how do you just let go of that much hurt and not let it affect you anymore? That's kind of why it's taken me so long. It was never that I didn't realize what I was doing, I just could never figure out how to stop.”

Randy nodded and waited for her to continue.

“But once I realized that it was either stop being psycho or lose you, I knew I had to find a way. And I really think that I finally have. Seriously. I don't know if you've noticed but it's been like, a month since I've freaked out on you for being late or distracted with work.”

“I've noticed.” he said, meeting her eyes.

“Good. I was hoping you had. And I really hope you believe me. I haven't just been hiding my freak outs from you. I really don't care anymore if you work late. I know you're working and not screwing your nurses.” she smiled.

“Amanda as angry as you'd get with me I don't think it's possible for you to hide it one bit.” he said, returning her smile.

Amanda looked a little embarrassed. “I realized that you were probably waiting for something more from me so that's really what tonight is all about. You know, watching my sister work things through with Brian and watching Emily being pregnant and seeing how much AJ loves her for it and takes care of her...I want those things too. But I only want them with you. I want us to get married someday and I want to have your babies. I can't wait to see you as a dad! So....” she said, getting up and going over next to him and getting down on one knee. “I know that you'll probably want some more time before we do those things,” she said, grabbing his hands in hers, “But I just want you to know that when you're ready again to propose to me, I am ready and waiting. I will say yes and I will mean it and I will trust you for the rest of our lives.”

Randy was beyond taken aback. He figured she was just going to tell him how much she had changed and maybe give him a night of wild sex but he hadn't expected this, that's for sure.

“But you do kind of have to say something now.” Amanda said, looking a little uneasy.

Randy cleared his throat. “Mandy, I love you.” He stood up and pulled her into his arms. “Thank you.” he said. “You know I was honestly starting to believe I might lose you.”

“So was I.” she said.

He looked deep into her eyes as if giving her one final question to be sure she was for real before he leaned down and kissed her. Amanda decided to let him lead. She'd done her part, the rest would be up to him.

Chapter 135

The next few weeks had flown by. Things with Amanda and Randy were great. He told her he definitely still planned on proposing to her but he did want to give it a few more months. Not because he didn't believe her, he just wanted things to be great when he did it and he wanted her to be surprised.

AJ had tried as hard as he could to find an out to the charity show. Brian had even offered to appear instead but they wouldn't take it. Emily agreed that even though her bed rest was technically over, she would stay off of her feet to try and do everything in her power to ensure the babies wouldn't come before he had to go or while he was gone.

Leighanne and Amanda had come over the weekend before Thanksgiving to hang out and give AJ a night off to go out to the movies with Brian because unfortunately, Emily being in bed meant that AJ couldn't really go out all that often.

Amanda filled them in on all the details of her relationship.

“You guys have no idea how great it feels to have all that weight off of my shoulders. I never even realized how bad I was until I worked things through. Constantly being afraid of being screwed over again. And let me tell you, the sex between us has gotten SO much better!”

“Eww!” Leighanne said. “You're my little sister!”

“Oh don't even pretend you don't want to know about it.” Emily said. “I'm starting to feel like I'll never have sex again!”

The girls laughed. “You will, eventually.” Leighanne said.

“It seems so far away! I mean we've had alllllll these weeks of pelvic rest and then I'll have recovery time after birth and then I have to manage to have energy to want to do it!”

“Honey the good thing is that when you have two newborns you won't want to. It won't be because you can't, you just won't want to.” Leighanne said. “Once those hormones leave your body you'll stop feeling like a horny teenager.”

Emily laughed. “Unfortunately, I don't think it will work the same for AJ.”

“No, you're right about that. Men don't get it.”

“What don't they get?” Amanda asked.

“Well, you know, they don't have to nurse the baby all day and hold crying babies and try and get them to sleep. They come home from work and want to jump us and they don't get that after breastfeeding for hours and getting puked on and peed on, the last thing we want is to have a husband put even more physical demands on us. It just takes time to adjust to being a new mother.”

“Geez Leighanne, make it sound horrible why don't you?” Amanda muttered.

“So you and Randy talk about kids much?” Emily asked.

“A little. It's kind of a given that he wants them and obviously I want them too. He would prefer it if I was a stay at home mom but he says he would never force me to if I decided I really want to keep teaching. But I think that I do want to stay home with my kids. I couldn't handle the thought of sending them off to daycare all day and missing out on so many things with them. And since he's a doctor it isn't like we'll need me to make money. Our only disagreement is on how many years between each kid is. He wants two years, I'd like three or four.”

“I can't wait until your wedding!” Emily said. “Maybe then AJ can stop being so weird about Randy.”

“He still doesn't like him?” Leighanne asked.

“Not really. He doesn't even want him to be the twins' doctor.”

“Why? He's really excited about that!” Amanda said.

Emily shrugged. “Probably his own insecurity. I can't really blame him for it.”

Tuesday night AJ was nearly worked up into a panic over leaving Emily.

“Maybe I can tell them I lost my voice?” he suggested.

“Honey, relax. Everything will be fine.” she tried to reassure him. She had a hard time sounding convincing because she was pretty nervous herself to be without him. What if she really did go into labor and he wasn't there to help her through it? It wasn't just about missing the birth, she was counting on his support through every painful contraction.

“You're staying in bed, right?” he said.

“Yes. I won't even get up to shower!” she promised.

He sat down next to her on the edge of the bed. “I just really hate that I have to leave you. Now of all times. I have no fucking idea why it's so important to them that I make this appearance. I'm not that famous anymore!”

Emily laughed. “Well, you're doing a good thing for charity. And if you see the guy that's making you go, feel free to punch his lights out.”

“Alright, I'll keep that in mind. So Leighanne's coming over to bring you dinner, right?”'

Emily hesitated. “Well....actually....Leighanne got stuck hosting Thanksgiving again because here mom is sick or something. So she's going crazy getting everything ready and Amanda has some school concert thing she has to be at so Randy's going to bring me dinner.”

AJ sighed. “And you just found out or you weren't going to tell me?”

“Well....I found out this afternoon and you get that irritated, jealous and stubborn look on your face whenever I say his name so I thought maybe I just wouldn't tell you so you wouldn't be bothered by it. Although really....do you think I'm going to have a hot, steamy affair in my condition?”

AJ managed to laugh. “No, I know you're not going to have an affair with him even if you weren't hugely pregnant with my babies. Em, I just don't like the guy. He's always a dick to me and way too interested in you.” he said, his jaw set in that tell-take sign of his stubborn attitude.

“I know. Look I'm not asking you to like the guy but someone has to bring me dinner! And it was nice of him to offer.”

AJ knew his hands were tied. “So he'll come after work?”

“Yes. His office closes early that day for the holiday so he'll be over around five. He'll probably stay a little bit to keep me company and then go meet up with Amanda.”

“Can't Brian do it?”

“Does it really matter that much?”

AJ knew he was trapped. He knew he shouldn't be so jealous or bothered by Randy coming around. “Em, I know what he's going to think. He's going to think I'm a jerk for leaving you now and not taking care of you. I can't stand the thought of that arrogant ass thinking that of me. It's not like I want to leave you!”

Emily crossed her arms. “I know, honey. And if he even implies anything I will be sure to set him straight.”

“Can't Brian do it?”

Emily shook her head. “Brian's trapped over at Turkey Hell. Leighanne is seriously flipping out over feeding like, twenty people at the last minute. She almost couldn't find a big enough turkey. Listen, I know you don't like it and it's not like I maintain a close friendship with him but we are friends and you promised to accept that.”

AJ rolled his eyes. “Fine, I know. I'm just a little high strung right now and this was the last thing I needed.”

Emily rolled her eyes right back at him. “You think I'm happy about any of this? Do you think I like being stuck in bed? Do you think I like having you leave me now? That I like having to have someone bring me my dinner because I can't make it myself? Get a grip!”

“You know Emily, not everything is about you!” he snapped.

“I never said it was.” she said, hotly. “You're the one throwing a big fucking tantrum over nothing!”

“I love how you can never just acknowledge my feelings.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means you never want to let me feel how I feel.” he said, realizing he sounded like a total woman. “I mean first you wouldn't listen to me about not giving Jennifer that money and look what happened? Because you were so sure that I was wrong.”

“So what are you trying to say, exactly?”

“I'm trying to say that you are friends with a guy I don't trust and it drives me insane that you can never understand that!”

“I understand it, I just think it's ridiculous!”

“Is it?”

“Yes!” she cried.

“Why is it ridiculous?”

“Because he loves Amanda, first of all. Second of all, even if he did have a thing for me it wouldn't matter! It's not like I'd feel the same! Jesus AJ, you're losing it!”

“Emily.....” he started, then shut his mouth.

“What?” she said, daring him to speak.

“Never mind.”

“Yeah, that's what I thought.” she said.

AJ clenched his jaw and stormed out.

Emily huffed and angrily punched her pillows as she tried to get comfortable. She understood he was freaked about leaving and probably freaked about becoming a father, blah blah blah. Why did men always pick the worst times to freak out?

AJ took himself down to the basement for a very long session with his punching bag. He knew he shouldn't be so angry at Emily but he just couldn't seem to help it. He supposed it was possible he was just feeling out of control of a lot of things at the moment and Randy bringing Emily dinner seemed like one of the only things he could control so he latched on to it. But knowing that didn't make him any feel any better.

Emily was glad that she was so tired because otherwise she knew she'd be too pissed at AJ to sleep. He better hope she didn't go into labor while he was gone because as mad as she was at him she thought she might not even call to tell him!

After AJ worked himself to exhaustion, he took a shower and climbed into bed. He could tell Emily was still pissed because even in her sleep she looked angry. He wondered if her mood transferred to the babies. Like if she was mad at him, were the babies also mad at him, or did they find her anger confusing and scary? He chuckled as he had a momentary image of the babies with their fists clenched ready to punch at Daddy if he dared talk to them.

The next morning he woke up before Emily was awake and went to make her breakfast. She glared at him when he set down her cereal and bagel on the bedside table.

“Em...” he started, putting his hand on her shoulder. “I'm sorry.”

She shrugged him off. “Sorry for what?”

“I'm sorry for what I said last night. You know I didn't mean it.”

“No, actually I don't know that.”

AJ sighed. He knew his wife well enough to know he wasn't getting anywhere with her right now. She was too pissed and probably stressed enough without his bullshit.

“I'm sorry, Em. Look, I have to leave. I'll call you later and we'll talk then.”

“Whatever.” she mumbled.

He absolutely hated leaving her that pissed at him but he didn't have a choice. He also hated leaving her pissed at him when Randy would be visiting.

He threw his bag in the car and took off for Nashville and prayed that Emily would forgive him soon and that she wouldn't go into labor until he was home.

Emily stewed until about lunch time and then she decided she was lonely and missed her husband and she knew he was really sorry this morning when he'd tried to talk to her. So she called him.

“So do you forgive me yet?” he asked when he answered.

She laughed. “Yes, I do.”

“Good. Because I really am sorry I flipped out.”

“I know. Do you care to explain what that was really about?”

“Just your typical guy about to become a new dad freak out?”

“Seemed like there might have been a little more to it than that.”

“I know. I hate that I'm gone from you, I'm getting really nervous about being a dad and I just feel out of control of a lot of things right now so I latched onto something I didn't like that I thought I could control.”

“Randy?”

“Yeah, I guess so. I know he doesn't mean anything, but obviously you know that he and I don't get along. So I just latched on to that and I guess everything just kind of came out. I'm sorry....”

“Well, I guess I can understand feeling irrational at times. I just wish you'd have talked to me before about all your anxieties!”

“I know. I just didn't want to add to yours. But I guess I did anyway, didn't I?”

“Yeah, a little bit.” she laughed. “So where are you now?”

“I'm about thirty minutes away.” he said. “How are you?”

“Doing pretty good. Ate my breakfast, took a nap, you know, same old stuff.”

“Anything happening?” he asked, fingers crossed.

“Nope. Well, Leighanne did call for help making a pumpkin pie. She wanted to know my secret to a non-cracking pie. I almost didn't want to tell her but she swore that I could bring the pies every year after this one so I told her.”

AJ laughed. “I do miss your pie. Do you need anything?”

“Yes. I need you to get home safely tomorrow morning!”

“I will, I promise.”

“Ok, good.”

“How are my babies doing?”

“Ugh...your babies feel like they are elbowing me relentlessly! But they are good.”

“Good. Ok baby, I love you very much. I should go, traffic is starting to get annoying.”

“I love you, too.” she said. “Call me soon?”

“Of course, my love!”

“Oh and hey before I forget, I need to tell you to be very, very careful on your drive home tomorrow. It's supposed to pour rain down here all day.”

“Huh. Another bad Thanksgiving storm?”

“Yeah I know, the weather people keep talking about the coincidence of that after that hurricane last year.”

“Jesus, remember that? Being trapped at Brian's with drunk Kevin exposing everyone's secrets?”

“How could anyone forget?” Emily laughed. “But yeah, no hurricane tomorrow but they are calling for some pretty severe storms. So don't be in such a hurry that you do something stupid like not pull over when you can't see through the rain or something, ok?”

“I promise honey, I'll be very careful.”

“Thank you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you more!” she said, hanging up.