Chapter 166

Abigail gathered another stack of plates and nodded toward the sink again, half-smiling. “Come help me before I decide paper plates are a lifestyle choice.”

Megan laughed and followed her into the kitchen, automatically reaching for a towel. The space felt warm and lived-in, sunlight creeping across the counters, the smell of coffee still hanging in the air. They worked quietly at first, falling into an easy rhythm—rinse, dry, stack—like it was something they’d done a hundred times before.

After a few moments, Abigail broke the silence, her voice softer. “Hey… there’s something I’ve been wanting to say.”

Megan glanced over, attentive. “What’s up?”

Abigail paused, hands under the running water, watching it bead across the ceramic. “I really appreciate you and Ashley being here. Not just today—like… in general.” She took a breath. “And I appreciate how you’ve handled everything. The past, the attraction, all of it.”

Megan leaned back against the counter, listening without interrupting.

“I know things could’ve gotten awkward,” Abigail continued. “We crossed lines once, and it could’ve made everything messy. But you two never made it weird. Never pushed. Never made us feel like we owed you anything.” She looked over, sincere. “That matters to me. A lot. Especially now.”

Megan’s expression softened. She set the towel down and nodded slowly. “I’m really glad you said that.”

She took a moment before responding, thoughtful. “Honestly? That was our first time doing anything like that too. Ashley and I had never really stepped outside our relationship before. So we were figuring it out just like you were.” She gave a small, self-aware smile. “And we learned pretty quickly that respect had to come first.”

Abigail smiled faintly, relief evident in her shoulders.

“We would never pressure you,” Megan went on, more firmly now. “Not then, not now. You and Emma are building something real. A family. That’s not something you casually mess with.”

Abigail swallowed. “Thank you.”

Megan shrugged lightly, trying to keep it casual but still honest. “We just want to be part of your lives in whatever way makes sense. Friends. Family. Aunties who show up with too many toys and loud opinions.” She smirked. “Whatever you’ll have us as.”

Abigail let out a quiet laugh. “Chosen family,” she said. “That’s what it feels like.”

Megan nodded. “Yeah. That.”

She hesitated, then added more quietly, “It’s actually really nice to have people like you outside of basketball. Teammates are great, but everything’s competitive, loud, always on. With you guys… I can just exist. Be myself.”

Abigail turned off the faucet and faced her fully now. “You don’t know how much that means to hear. This city can feel huge and lonely sometimes.”

“Exactly,” Megan said. “So… thanks for letting us in.”

Abigail smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. “Thank you for staying.”

Abigail rinsed the last mug and set it in the rack, then turned the water off. The kitchen felt quieter now, like it was holding its breath. She wiped her hands on the towel and looked at Megan, emotion sitting right at the surface.

“Come here,” Abigail said softly.

Megan didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her, the hug easy and genuine. Abigail held on for an extra second, grounding herself in it, in the fact that this was real and steady and not complicated.

Megan pulled back just enough to look at her, one hand still on Abigail’s shoulder. “Listen,” she said, her voice low but sure. “I’ve got your back. Always. And so does Ashley.”

Abigail nodded, throat tight.

“And seriously,” Megan added with a small smile, “Ashley’s usually home. Like… always. So whenever Emma needs anything, anything at all, she can just call. No questions. No hesitation.”

Abigail exhaled, something easing in her chest. “That means more than you know.”

They shared one more quick hug before heading back into the living room, where Emma and Ashley were still deep in conversation, laughter mixing with quiet sniffles. Emma looked up when she saw Abigail and smiled that soft, full smile that made everything feel worth it.

Abigail crossed the room and slid an arm around Emma’s shoulders, kissing the side of her head. Emma leaned into her instantly.

Emma tilted her head slightly, studying Abigail’s face a little longer than usual. Her brows knit just a touch, not worried exactly, but attentive in that way that said she noticed everything.

“Hey,” Emma said softly. “Are you okay?”

Abigail blinked, surprised, then smiled. “Yeah. Why?”

Emma shrugged gently, her thumb brushing along Abigail’s arm. “I don’t know. You just… shifted a little. Like something settled.”

Abigail let out a quiet breath, the kind that came from deep in her chest. “Yeah,” she said honestly. “I think it did. I’m more than okay.”

Emma’s shoulders relaxed immediately. “Okay, baby.”

She leaned in and kissed her, slow and affectionate, nothing rushed about it. Just a soft reminder that they were right here, together.

Abigail smiled into the kiss, her hand coming up to rest at Emma’s waist. When they pulled back, Emma rested her forehead against hers for a beat.

“Good,” Emma murmured. “Because I need you okay.”

Abigail chuckled softly. “I am. I promise.”

Emma kissed her one more time, quick and sweet this time, then tucked herself back against Abigail’s side like it was the most natural place in the world.

Emma stayed nestled against Abigail for another quiet stretch, the room settling into that easy, lived-in calm. Megan and Ashley’s voices drifted in and out from the other side of the kitchen, dishes clinking softly, laughter low and warm. It felt domestic in the best way. Safe.

Then Emma’s body shifted.

Not much—just enough for Abigail to feel it.

Abigail glanced down. “What?”

Emma didn’t answer right away. She pulled back slowly, eyes unfocusing as if she were listening to something only she could hear. Her lips parted, then pressed together again.

“…Do you guys know what sounds really good right now?” she asked suddenly.

Abigail smiled immediately. “Here we go.”

Megan leaned against the counter, interested. “This feels important.”

Emma straightened up, one hand automatically resting on her stomach like she was bracing herself for the announcement. “Okay. So. I need—” she paused, thinking hard, “—a cinnamon raisin bagel. Toasted perfectly. Like, golden but not burnt.”

“Specific,” Ashley said gently.

“With cream cheese,” Emma continued, warming up now. “A lot of cream cheese. Not a polite amount. I want it thick enough that someone would look at it and be like, ‘Wow, that’s bold.'”

Megan laughed. “The audacity.”

“And,” Emma added, holding up a finger, “I need cold apple slices. Granny Smith. Peeled. Straight from the fridge. Crunchy.”

Abigail nodded like she was mentally inventorying. “Okay. Bagel. Apples.”

“And a glass of milk,” Emma said, then winced slightly. “But—” she glanced around, already defensive, “—with ice in it.”

There was a beat.

Ashley blinked. “Ice?”

“Yes,” Emma said firmly. “Ice. I don’t make the rules.”

Megan made a face. “That’s… unhinged.”

Emma shrugged, unapologetic. “The baby likes contrast.”

Abigail laughed softly, reaching out to rub Emma’s arm. “Honestly? This is mild compared to the pickle situation.”

Emma gasped. “Do not bring up the pickles.”

“You ate an entire jar,” Megan said.

“And I would do it again,” Emma replied without hesitation.

Abigail leaned down and kissed the top of Emma’s head. “I’ve got bagels and apples in the fridge. Milk too. No judgment on the ice.”

Emma’s face softened instantly. “See? This is why I chose you.”

Ashley smiled, watching the way Abigail immediately turned toward the kitchen like it was the most natural thing in the world. “You’re really good at this.”

Abigail glanced back over her shoulder. “At bagels?”

“At taking care of her,” Ashley said.

Emma reached out and grabbed Abigail’s hoodie sleeve as she passed. “And she does it without acting like I’m ridiculous.”

Abigail smirked. “You are ridiculous. I just love you anyway.”

Emma laughed, leaning back against the couch cushions with a satisfied sigh. “Okay. I can wait. But not too long. The baby’s patience window is… limited.”

Megan shook her head, smiling. “I love this house.”

Emma grinned, eyes following Abigail as she moved around the kitchen. “Me too.”

Abigail moved through the kitchen with quiet intention, pulling the bagel from the fridge and slicing it cleanly before sliding it into the toaster. While it warmed, she cut the apples into neat wedges and tucked them back into the fridge to chill, then poured a glass of milk and added ice without hesitation. When the toaster popped, she spread the cream cheese thick, exactly the way Emma liked it.

She carried the plate over and held it just out of reach, a small grin tugging at her lips. “Alright,” she said lightly, “I need payment first, baby.”

Emma laughed softly, setting her phone aside. She leaned forward, one hand curling into the front of Abigail’s hoodie as she kissed her—slow, warm, and affectionate. Nothing rushed. Just enough to make Abigail smile into it.

When Emma pulled back, she whispered, “Thank you, baby.”

Abigail finally handed her the plate, brushing a quick kiss to Emma’s forehead. “Anytime,” she said.

Emma’s face lit up immediately. “You nailed it.”

Abigail leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. “Good.”

Emma took a bite, closing her eyes for a second as she chewed. “This is exactly what I needed.”