Chapter 88

Sunlight was already peeking through the curtains when Abigail rolled over and groaned softly. Her muscles still carried a pleasant soreness from their cozy day in, and the smell of fresh coffee lured her out of bed. She stretched, tousled curls spilling across her shoulders, and padded into the kitchen in one of Emma’s favorite hoodies.

Emma was already up, humming softly as she poured herself a glass of water. She was dressed in soft leggings and a crop tee that showed off her growing belly, and her hair was tied up in a loose bun.

“Morning, baller,” she teased as she handed Abigail a cup of coffee. “You ready to dominate the court today?”

Abigail smirked and took a grateful sip. “Only if I get a good luck kiss before I go.”

Emma leaned in, pressing a warm kiss to her lips. “Always.”

Abigail wrapped an arm around her waist and gave her one more kiss before heading toward the bedroom to get dressed. She pulled on her favorite black compression shorts and put on basketball shorts over them, a loose white tank, and her beat-up basketball sneakers. She added a sweatband to her wrist and tied her hair back in a low puff.

When she stepped out of the room, Emma gave her an appreciative once-over. “Okay, sporty spice. Lookin’ real official.”

Abigail grabbed her gym bag and water bottle, tossing a towel over her shoulder. “Don’t gas me up now—I might not come back.”

Emma raised a brow. “Then who’s going to help me finish the ice cream in the freezer tonight?”

“Valid point,” Abigail said, kissing her cheek. “You win.”

Before she left, she texted Megan:

Abigail: Bout to head out. You driving or me?

Megan replied almost immediately:

Megan: I’m downstairs. Let’s go win some hearts and break some ankles. 😎

Emma called from the kitchen, “Tell Ashley to come when y’all head out. She can help me pick out baby clothes while you two act like you’re still in high school PE.”

Abigail laughed and sent a quick voice note to Megan:
“Ashley’s welcome to come now. Emma’s roped her into baby shopping.”

Moments later, Abigail was out the door, jogging down to meet Megan at her car. Megan was dressed in black leggings, a cropped hoodie, and clean sneakers, sipping an energy drink with her shades perched on her head.

“Ready to ball?” she asked as Abigail slid into the passenger seat.

“Let’s do it,” Abigail said with a grin.

As they pulled out onto the street, Megan glanced over. “Bet I score more than you today.”

Abigail raised an eyebrow. “You sure you wanna start this already?”

Megan just laughed.

The car rolled through the city streets, headed toward the court, music playing, windows cracked, energy high.

Emma had just finished rinsing her smoothie glass when she heard the gentle knock at the door.

She padded barefoot across the penthouse and opened it to find Ashley standing there with a bright smile, hands tucked into the pockets of a soft denim jacket. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and she wore comfy leggings and sneakers—ready for anything but clearly expecting a chill day.

“Hey, mama-to-be,” Ashley greeted, stepping inside and giving Emma a warm hug.

Emma chuckled. “Come in, fashionably casual. Coffee’s still hot, and I’ve got a tiny dictator in my belly demanding waffles, so help yourself.”

Ashley laughed as she walked in. “You got cravings, I got backup.”

After a few minutes of casual chatting and waffle munching, Emma glanced over the rim of her juice glass with a little smirk. “Sooo… I was thinking. Since the ballers are off pretending they’re still in their glory days, maybe we do something fun.”

Ashley perked up. “Like?”

Emma raised a brow. “Like shopping. Baby stuff, maybe a few candles. Something slow and sweet.”

Ashley beamed. “Girl, I love that. There’s this little boutique a couple blocks from here—great baby clothes, and they have candles that smell like heaven.”

Emma stood up, already grabbing her keys and sliding into her sneakers. “Sold. Let me grab my bag and we can head out.”

By the time they reached the street, the day had fully bloomed. It was warm with a gentle breeze, the kind of weather that practically begged for a stroll. The two moved at an easy pace, Emma’s bump nestled beneath a flowy sundress, Ashley’s arm occasionally brushing hers as they walked and window-shopped.

They stopped first at a boutique with soft indie music playing and wooden shelves lined with tiny onesies, handmade rattles, and pastel blankets.

Emma picked up a baby-sized pair of sneakers, holding them up with wide eyes. “Okay, these are criminally adorable.”

Ashley laughed. “Those are going to end up in a baby photo shoot, guaranteed.”

Emma mock-gasped. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

They roamed from store to store, picking up little things for the baby, grabbing iced teas along the way, and laughing about baby name suggestions they’d overheard online.

“Oh my god,” Ashley said between sips of tea, “I once met someone who named their baby Kale. Like the salad.”

Emma nearly choked on her drink. “Nooo. That child is gonna grow up and become a CrossFit coach or a barista with opinions about cold brew.”

Ashley nodded sagely. “Destiny sealed.”

By the time the sun was hitting its highest point, they had two small bags full of goodies—candles, a couple of tiny onesies, and a hoodie for Emma that read “Mama in Training.”

As they headed back toward the penthouse, Ashley grinned. “Today was unexpectedly perfect.”

Emma looped her arm through hers. “Honestly? I needed this. Fresh air, soft moments, a good friend who gets it…”

Ashley squeezed her arm. “Always here. You know that.”

Back at the penthouse, golden light warmed the hardwood floors as the sun dipped lower behind the skyline. Shopping bags were scattered near the door, laughter still echoing faintly from their earlier outing.

“I’m gonna use the bathroom real quick,” Ashley said, toeing off her sneakers with a sigh of comfort.

Emma nodded. “Second door on the left.”

As Ashley disappeared down the hall, Emma wandered into the music room. Her fingers itched for the keys. It had been weeks since she let herself play, but today something soft tugged at her. She sat at the grand piano, exhaled, and let her fingers find the melody. The notes spilled out, rich and familiar. Her voice followed—a soft, soulful hum that swelled into lyrics halfway through the verse.

Ashley returned just as Emma’s voice hovered in the air like velvet.

She froze in the doorway, watching. “Emma…” she breathed, stunned. “I never knew you could sing and play like that.”

Emma glanced over her shoulder with a gentle smile. “Yeah… I was a high school music teacher before we moved here.”

Ashley stepped in slowly. “You’re seriously amazing. Like, no joke… that was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

Emma gave a little shrug, suddenly shy. “I don’t play much anymore. Only when the mood hits.”

Ashley moved closer, eyes locked on Emma’s face. “You should. You light up when you do it.”

Emma laughed softly, but Ashley didn’t. She just kept watching her. Then, before Emma could say anything else, Ashley leaned in and kissed her—softly, gently, and just for a moment.

Emma’s breath caught. She pulled back just a little, her heart pounding.

“Ashley…” she started.

Ashley stepped back half a step, eyes earnest. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. I’ve wanted to do that since that day Megan and I accidentally walked in on you and Abigail in bed.” She looked down, then back up. “It’s been stuck in my head.”

Emma stood, hesitating only for a moment. “You—”

Ashley kissed her again.

But this time, Emma kissed her back.

The second kiss was longer, deeper. Their hands moved—Emma’s fingers found Ashley’s waist, and Ashley’s hands cradled Emma’s face like she was something delicate. There was breathlessness, the edge of something dangerous, but also… curiosity.

Emma didn’t even hear the front door open.

“What the—” Abigail’s voice rang out from the hallway, stopping them cold.

Emma and Ashley jerked apart like magnets pulled in reverse.

Megan stood beside Abigail just outside the music room, eyebrows raised but arms still casually crossed. Abigail looked between them, lips parted in surprise.

No one spoke for a moment.

Emma’s chest heaved slightly as she tried to find her words. “Abby—”

Abigail blinked once, then again. “That was unexpected,” she said slowly, voice neutral but not angry.

Ashley turned red, backing up a little. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—well, I did, but—”

Megan touched her arm. “Relax. Nobody’s yelling.”

Emma looked between the two of them, heart in her throat. “You’re not… mad?”

Abigail exhaled and crossed the threshold. “Mad? No. Surprised? Obviously.” Her eyes flicked to Emma. “But we’ll talk.”

Megan gave Abigail a little nudge. “Guess we walked in at the right time”

Everyone laughed, tension easing just slightly.

Abigail walked up to Emma, brushing her fingers gently down her arm. “You okay?”

Emma nodded, eyes glossy. “Yeah. Just… a lot.”

Ashley cleared her throat. “I should give you two a moment.”

_______________________________

The moment still hung thick in the air.

Emma’s lips were slightly parted, breath coming soft and shallow as she looked at Abigail, who stood in the doorway beside Megan. Neither of them looked angry. In fact, Abigail had a lazy, unreadable smirk curling at the corner of her mouth.

“You okay?” Emma asked cautiously, pulling back just a little from Ashley, who was still flushed, lips kiss-swollen and stunned.

Abigail stepped forward first, her tone calm, low. “I’m not mad,” she said gently. “At all.” Her eyes flicked to Ashley, then back to Emma. “Honestly? That was kind of hot.”

Emma blinked, her brows knitting in surprise. “Wait—what?”

Megan walked in behind her, shrugging with a playful grin. “Yeah… I mean, we did walk in on you two once. Can’t lie, the vibe’s always been there.”

Ashley ran a nervous hand through her hair. “I swear, it wasn’t a plan or anything. I just… couldn’t help myself.”

Abigail came over to Emma, cupping her cheek. “I love you. And I trust you. And if something’s growing here, something that feels right? We don’t have to pretend we’re not curious too.”

Emma felt her heart stutter in her chest. “You really mean that?”

Abigail leaned in and kissed her, slow and deep. “I mean it.”

The tension melted into something charged and curious—no jealousy, just possibility.

Megan’s fingers laced with Ashley’s. “So… what now?” she asked with a sly smirk.

Abigail looked between all of them and smirked. “Now? We stop pretending.”

Emma stood, heart hammering but pulse thrumming with anticipation, and walked slowly back over to Ashley. Her fingers touched her wrist first—delicate, careful—before she leaned in and kissed her again.

But this time, it was deeper.

Their mouths moved together with growing heat, Emma’s hands slipping up Ashley’s sides, fingers digging into her hoodie. Ashley responded eagerly, hands tangling into Emma’s curls, the kiss turning hotter with every second. Emma broke away only when she felt Abigail behind her, warm hands skimming down her waist.

“You look good like this,” Abigail murmured, pressing soft kisses to Emma’s neck as Ashley leaned in to trail kisses down her collarbone.

Emma was sandwiched between them, eyes fluttering shut as her body ignited. Abigail’s hands were grounding, possessive but gentle, while Ashley’s touch was exploring, teasing, new.

“Bedroom?” Ashley asked, breathless.

Emma looked over her shoulder at Abigail.

Abigail nodded. “Let’s go.”