Chapter 137

The late afternoon light poured through the nursery window, spilling across the freshly built crib and the rocking chair by the window. The room smelled faintly of new wood and paint, warm and comforting. The four of them stood together admiring the finished space, pride glowing in every face.

Megan stretched her arms over her head and sighed. “Alright, I think my work here is done. My arms are officially noodles.”

Ashley laughed softly. “Same here. My mimosa buzz is gone, and now I just feel like I did a full-body workout.”

Abigail grinned. “You two did great, though. Seriously, thank you. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

Megan smiled and brushed her hands on her jeans. “You don’t have to thank us. This was fun, actually. I can’t wait to see it when it’s all decorated with baby stuff.”

Ashley nodded, glancing around the soft green room. “It’s already beautiful. You two really made it feel like home.”

Emma’s eyes softened, and she gave both of them a warm smile. “Thank you for helping. Really. It means a lot to have friends like you.”

Megan waved her hand like it was nothing but smiled warmly. “You know we’d do anything for you guys. But,” she said, glancing toward Ashley, “I think we should probably get ready to head out. If I sit down, I’m not getting back up.”

Ashley chuckled. “Facts. My back is already sending me warnings.”

They all shared one last look at the nursery before moving toward the door. Emma followed them to the living room, walking slowly, her hand resting on her stomach. Megan leaned over to hug her carefully. “Rest, okay? You deserve a lazy evening after all this.”

“I plan on it,” Emma said with a smile. “Thank you again for coming.”

Ashley hugged her next, then turned to Abigail. “And you don’t stay up too late doing whatever you do when you say you’re going to ‘relax.'”

Abigail laughed, hugging her back. “No promises.”

Megan pointed a playful finger at her on the way out. “Text us tomorrow. Let us know how class goes.”

“I will,” Abigail promised. “Drive safe, you two.”

Once the door closed behind them, the condo felt calm again soft and quiet except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan and the rhythmic tick of the clock in the living room.

Abigail turned to Emma, smiling softly. “I’m going to pack my bag and snacks for tomorrow before we crash. I don’t want to be running around in the morning.”

Emma nodded, easing onto the couch with a little sigh. “Good idea. Tomorrow’s Monday, right?”

“Yeah,” Abigail said, heading toward their bedroom. “And I’ve got Professor Shields first thing in the morning.”

Emma’s face grew serious. “Right. That’s not exactly the way I’d want to start the week.”

Abigail looked over her shoulder, her tone calm but firm. “I’ll be fine, baby. I know what to expect now. I’m just going to keep things professional, go to class, and get through it.”

Emma shook her head slowly, sitting up a little straighter. “I want to know if she does anything if she even looks at you a certain way, I want to know.”

Abigail set her backpack on the bed and met her gaze. “Of course, baby. Whatever you need.”

Emma’s expression softened, but her voice stayed firm. “I mean it, Abs. I don’t care how small it is. If she makes you uncomfortable again, I want to know.”

Abigail nodded and walked over to her, brushing a hand along her cheek. “I promise. And I’ll leave one of my AirPods in just in case you want to call during class. That way, if anything happens, you’ll hear it.”

Emma blinked, surprised but touched. “You’d really do that?”

“Absolutely,” Abigail said. “I’ll also call you when I’m walking in and when I’m leaving, just in case she tries to stop me.”

Emma exhaled, finally relaxing a little. “Okay. That makes me feel better.”

Abigail smiled softly and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “I’ve got you, baby. Always.”

Emma rested her head against her chest, her hand tracing lazy circles against Abigail’s side. “You’re handling this better than I would.”

Abigail held her close, kissing the top of her head. “You’re handling plenty, trust me. I just want to make sure you and the baby don’t have to worry.”

Emma looked up at her, her eyes warm but fierce. “You’re my world, you know that?”

Abigail smiled, pressing another kiss to her lips. “And you’re mine.”

She stood after a moment, giving Emma’s hand a gentle squeeze before heading back to the bedroom. She grabbed her laptop, notebooks, and pens, then packed her snacks granola bars, trail mix, and a bottle of water all neatly stacked inside her backpack. It was her small routine, her way of preparing for whatever the week would bring.

When she finished, she glanced toward the nursery. The soft green walls seemed to glow under the hallway light, and she smiled. Tomorrow might start with a challenge, but she knew exactly who she was doing it for.

The soft glow of early morning filtered through the curtains, casting a warm golden haze across the bedroom. Abigail stirred before the alarm ever went off. It was barely six, but her body had learned this rhythm—quiet mornings before the world fully woke. She slipped carefully out of bed, mindful not to disturb Emma, and stretched her arms overhead with a quiet sigh.

After slipping into her workout clothes, she grabbed her water bottle and AirPods, tying her hair up before heading into the living room. The steady beat of her playlist filled the space, soft but enough to move to. She started with squats and pushups, feeling her body wake up with each motion. Ten minutes in, she was fully in her rhythm, breathing steady, muscles warm. It felt good. Grounding.

When she finished, she wiped her forehead with a towel and took a few long sips of water. The condo was still quiet except for the soft hum of the air conditioning. She showered quickly, letting the warm water roll over her shoulders and wash away the last of the morning tension.

By the time she stepped out, her hair was damp and her skin glowed from the heat. She slipped into a pair of loose sweatpants and a tank top, then wandered into the living room where her guitar leaned against the stand.

It was second nature to reach for it. The weight of it in her hands felt like peace. She strummed gently at first, letting the sound fill the quiet—low and soft, the kind of melody that didn’t need words. Something about it grounded her before the day started, especially when she had a class she wasn’t looking forward to.

Her fingers moved across the strings, forming a tune she’d written for Emma. Slow and comforting, like the sound of home. She was lost in it until she heard the faint rustle of sheets from down the hall.

Emma’s sleepy voice drifted from the bedroom. “You’re gonna make me fall in love with you all over again if you keep that up.”

Abigail smiled, her fingers still gliding over the strings as she looked up. Emma stood in the doorway wrapped in a blanket, her hair a sleepy mess and her cheeks flushed from rest. Her eyes were soft, full of that quiet admiration she always had when she looked at Abigail like this.

“Sorry, baby,” Abigail said softly. “Did I wake you?”

Emma shook her head and smiled. “No. I could wake up to that every day.”

Abigail’s grin widened. “Good, because I’ve still got an hour before I need to leave. You want me to make you breakfast or anything?”

Emma yawned, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “Mmm, yeah, actually.” Her tone turned playful. “I’ve got a craving.”

Abigail raised an eyebrow, setting the guitar aside. “Oh boy. How weird are we talking this time?”

Emma grinned sleepily. “Peanut butter toast with sliced pickles on top. And a side of strawberries.”

Abigail blinked, then laughed. “That’s… creative.”

“Don’t judge me,” Emma said through another yawn. “The baby made the request, not me.”

Abigail stood and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “No judgment, beautiful. Peanut butter, pickles, and strawberries—coming right up.”

Emma smiled sleepily, watching as Abigail moved around the kitchen with easy familiarity. She leaned against the doorway, her heart swelling as she watched the love of her life prepare breakfast without hesitation, not even at her strangest craving.

Abigail toasted the bread, spread a generous layer of peanut butter, and carefully laid the pickle slices on top before adding the bowl of strawberries to the plate. She turned with a playful smirk. “One pregnancy special, made with love.”

Emma laughed softly, taking the plate from her. “You’re the best.”

“I try,” Abigail said, turning back to the counter to make her own breakfast. She scrambled a few eggs, wrapped them with turkey bacon and cheese in a tortilla, and blended a quick smoothie for the road—a mix of banana, almond milk, and protein powder.

The sound of the blender whirred for a few seconds before the condo fell quiet again. Emma had taken her first bite and was humming contentedly between bites of her unusual creation. Abigail leaned against the counter, watching her with an amused smile.

“So… peanut butter and pickles, huh?” she teased.

Emma shrugged, cheeks puffed. “Don’t knock it till you try it.”

Abigail chuckled. “I’ll take your word for it, baby.” She checked the clock. “I’ve still got a little time before I need to go. You want me to pack you a snack before I leave?”

Emma smiled softly. “Actually, yes. I already know what I want for lunch.”

Abigail tilted her head. “Another craving?”

Emma nodded with a little grin. “Uh-huh. I want a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and strawberry jam.”

Abigail blinked and laughed. “Oh, that’s definitely a pregnancy craving.”

Emma giggled. “Don’t act like that doesn’t sound good.”

“I’m not saying it doesn’t,” Abigail said with a smirk, already pulling out ingredients. “I’m just saying your taste buds are living their best life.”

Emma giggled and rubbed her stomach. “We’re very creative over here.”

Abigail made the sandwich carefully, pressing it in the pan until the bread turned golden brown and the cheese melted perfectly. She wrapped it up in foil and placed it in a small lunch container. “There. Your lunchtime masterpiece is ready.”

Emma smiled wide, her eyes warm and full of love. “You take such good care of us.”

Abigail leaned down, kissing her softly on the lips. “Always, baby.”

For a few quiet minutes, they stood together in the soft morning light—Emma at the table, content and glowing, and Abigail beside her, finishing her breakfast burrito and sipping her smoothie. The air felt still and perfect, like one of those moments they’d both want to hold onto.

Finally, Abigail glanced at the clock again. “Alright, I should start getting ready to head out soon.”

Emma reached out, catching her hand. “Be safe, okay? And remember what we talked about.”

Abigail gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand. “I remember, baby. I’ll call you when I get there.”

Emma smiled back, her voice soft but certain. “Good. I love you.”

Abigail kissed her gently. “I love you more.”