“I promise I would have never hurt her. I love her. I just know she could never love me back and now I accept that. Unfortunately, this is what it had to come to. I want her, and her entire family to know how sorry I am for taking her parents. They were good people; it all was just a really unfortunate accident. I regret it every day of my life. I should have never got behind the wheel of my car that night after I had been drinking. I deserve everything that happens to me from here on out. But Ben, he tried to benefit from this. He blackmailed me. He used an accident to get leverage over Emily. I may have broken the law, and killed those poor people, but he is the monster who tried to benefit from it. He deserves to be here just as much as I do!”
Emily turned to Avery’s chest and let out a scream as she listened to his confession. All these years she’d thought some shit bag drunk had taken them from her, and all along it was the man she loved at the time. It all made perfect sense now. How he walked away. How he couldn’t come to their services or look her in the eye. Why he ran when she needed him most. It was all his fault. She could forgive him for walking out on her all those years ago, but she would never be able to forgive him for taking her parents’ lives and getting away with it for all this time.
“This is too much...I can’t believe this, Jared. Mom! Dad! They fucking loved you like a son!” She sobbed uncontrollably, tears soaking the thin material of Avery’s shirt as her sister stood to engulf her baby sister in her arms. The two of them hurt badly, but this was something they would overcome together. For the first time since Ben had come into their lives, they would truly be sisters.
Chapter Eleven
The Aftermath
The weeks went by in a whirlwind of events, starting with Ben being arrested for his involvement in everything that had taken place. While Jared was clearly distressed, a psychiatric evaluation deemed him perfectly competent, and his taped confession was logged into evidence. Emily still found herself reeling from his admissions, everything had been so unbelievable.
Ben insisted he had nothing to do with Jared or his actions, but a paper trail connected him to everything Jared admitted. The fact of it all was, the charade started years earlier when Ben’s family lost a ton of money in the stock market. He sought out Amelia on purpose, automatically assuming rich parents would leave their daughter a sizable amount of money, one of those healthy trust fund girls. Amelia was well off between the slice of Grandpa’s pie she received and working hard in her own business.
He had started embezzling money from Amelia only six months after they married. She never even noticed any of it missing because she never paid much attention to the accounts her grandparents had set up for her. Emily has never seen her sister so completely wrecked as long as she had been alive. She slowly started moving her things out of the home she shared with Ben and rented a condo a couple miles down the road from her baby sister, and finally she filed divorce papers. With the amount of evidence piling up against Ben, everyone was sure he would just sign them to be done with the situation.
“Honey, we are going to be late.” Avery’s voice snapped Emily out of her daydream of the past month. He walked out onto the back deck of their home where Emily stood, watching the waves crash onto the sand. The sound was peaceful; it always helped her sort out whatever mess her busy mind had become.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, placing a kiss on her cheek as she turned in his arms. “We gotta head out if we want to make your appointment on time.” She leaned in and kissed him on his plump lips, sucking his bottom lip into her mouth. His hands ran down her body before settling on her tiny baby bump.
“As much as I want to continue this, I want to finally see my little one, up close and personal.” He kissed her once again before taking her hand and heading off to their first prenatal ultrasound they would attend as a couple. No more shocks about parenthood, no more surprises.
Avery helped Emily up into his truck before rounding the back and joining her. She started to toy with the radio, but he quickly stopped her.
“I got somethin’ I wanna play for you, Baby.” He plugged his iPod into the auxiliary cable and scanned for the song. A smile spread across his face as he pressed play. “I heard this, and it made me think of you.” He was so thoughtful, always picking the most romantic songs for these moments in their lives together. Darius Rucker crooned into the speakers, singing about history in the making. Tears pooled in her eyes. Damn these hormones.
“It’s perfect, Avery. Like always.” She leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek as the truck pulled out of the driveway, heading for the doctor’s office.
***
“Just lean back on the table. This will be a little uncomfortable for a moment.” The ultrasound technician warned Emily as she started inserting the alien probe inside her lady bits. The first time this happened, she had been completely unprepared for the internal ultrasound. Now she was an old pro, and Avery looked like he was about to hit the floor. When the technician asked her to remove her clothes from the waist down, Avery’s eyes had bulged out of his head like in those old cartoons.
“Here we go!” the technician said, clicking away on the computer before moving the wand around, looking for a different angle. Avery sat at her head, holding her hand and watching the computer screen like his life depended on it.
“When was the first ultrasound you had, and who did it?” the tech asked.
“Um, it was about a month ago, at the hospital. I think she was an intern, though. They were crazy busy that day and kind of just snuck me in,” Emily replied honestly. She started worrying that her baby had three heads and an extra arm that the other tech hadn’t discovered during the first ultrasound.
“Interesting...give me a minute.” She removed the ultrasound probe before lowering the paper down over Emily’s legs and walking out of the room. The couple looked to each other for comfort and reassurance. They were both scared shitless. Was something wrong with their baby?
Just a moment later, Dr. Bennett walked back in with the ultrasound technician by his side. Both wore smiles on their face as the doctor made his way over to the machine and pressed a couple buttons.
“Ems, I am going to just take a look real quick, okay?” Dr. Bennett asked, picking up the probe and starting the process all over again. He clicked away, moving the probe around and typed a couple things out before looking at Emily and Avery.
“Everything looks perfect, but we did discover something a little different with this ultrasound. It seems like the original ultrasound missed something,” he spoke with a bright smile. The news he was delivering sounded bleak at most. How could he be happy about the hospital missing something?
“Congratulations, you are having twins. It looks like they missed the second baby during the first scan. It happens sometimes. They are so small and close together during those first weeks.” Avery peered over at Emily, trying to read the look on her face. Was that terror he saw?
“TWINS? How could they miss an entire damn baby!” Emily yelled at Dr. Bennett like he was the guy at Burger King who just screwed up her Whopper. Avery watched in silence, his eyes going back and forth between Emily and the doctor like he was watching an active tennis match. Sorry Doc, you aren’t going to win this one!
“Yes, twins Emily. Do you want to see them?” As if a switch flipped in her brain, her frantic fear which turned her into a giant bitch was turned off and the nurturing mother switch came on.
“Yes!” She looked over at Avery. His face was full of fear. Not one baby, two babies. Holy. Shit. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, supporting his love who was clearly just as scared as he was. What the hell would they do with two babies? One, yeah they could handle that. But two? Oh, fuck.
“This is baby a.” Dr. Bennett focused in on a little mini person on the screen. The couple could make out little arms, and legs. A big head and their baby was dancing all over the place. A small tear spilled from the corner of Emily’s eye, hitting Avery’s hand which gently rest
ed on her shoulder. He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“That is our baby,” he whispered to her in disbelief. “Wow,” he continued with as a look of awe washed over his face. Emily couldn’t help but catalog his expression; it was so new to her.
A couple of clicks and beeps later from the ultrasound machine, and Dr. Bennett zoomed in on the other baby. They looked almost identical, but this one was hanging out upside down on the screen, wiggling as enthusiastically as the other baby.
“This is baby b.” Dr Bennett used his finger to point at the screen. “Something interesting about your pregnancy, though, Ems. These are identical twins. They share an amniotic sac, so we are going to have to monitor them a little more closely. We want to make sure they get enough nourishment from the placenta.” Emily looked at Avery who just stared in amazement and smiled.
“One shot, two babies. Identical twins typically start as one pregnancy, and the fertilized egg divides in two. That is your biology lesson for the day. Oh, and they will also be the same gender, so there will either be a lot of pink, or a lot of blue in your house.” Avery chuckled and sent up a silent prayer for boys. Lord, don’t stick me in a house with four women. I don’t think I’ll make it!
“When can we find out what they are?” Avery eagerly asked before Emily had the chance to spit out the same question. Truth be told, Emily was probably the most impatient person ever, and not knowing their gender was going to hound her.
“Probably another month or so. We’ll make your next ultrasound appointment for another five weeks, just to be sure we can get a clear shot,” Dr. Bennett said before making a couple more clicks on the computer. “Want to hear their heart beats?” he asked, looking up at the couple. In unison they replied.
“Yes.”
Click Click Click, woosh woosh woosh woosh woosh woosh woosh woosh woosh. The machine sounded as they listened closely to baby b, before Dr. Bennett switched over to listen to their other miracle. “This is baby a.” The heartbeat filled the room. Woosh woosh woosh woosh woosh woosh.
“Is it supposed to be that fast?” Emily asked with concern as both men answered her at the same time.
“Yes,” echoed in the exam room. Avery had learned it in his paramedic training many moons ago, and the doctor looked at him with a smile. Before Dr. Bennett could comment, Avery offered a minor explanation. “Paramedic,” he said with a smirk.
***
“I need a nap after all that.” Emily laughed as Avery helped her step up into his truck. Avery smiled to himself, knowing he was banking on her mid-day nap to pull off his plan for the evening.
“Twins,” Emily continued as he got into the truck. “I thought one baby was more than enough. But now...two? I guess there have been two in there all along, but what the hell am I going to do? I am going to get as big as a freaking house!” Emily’s voice turned from worried to a flat out whine.
“You are beautiful, and nothing is going to change that, especially my babies growing in that gorgeous belly.” Avery reached over, holding on to her hand tightly and rubbing his fingers along her knuckles.
“I hope so.” She smiled and revealed a bit of her insecurity at her changing body. Her breasts had already grown nearly a cup size; she had to buy a handful of new bras since none fit anymore. Her hips were becoming noticeably wider, and her skinny jeans were now a thing of the past. She praised her love for yoga pants, since they were slowly becoming the only thing she could fit over her ass. But the one change that didn’t bother her, was the small bump forming. She thought it was forming too quickly, but now that she knew there were two babies in there, it all made sense. Her hand rubbed over her belly, and Avery’s joined her.
“I love you, Ems,” Avery said before turning the radio on, and relief filled her. Everything would be okay.
***
“You sure you want to do this?” Tom asked his best friend as they walked back into the Antique store where Emily had found her perfect desk weeks ago.
“Yes, dude. Don’t try and talk me down. This is exactly what I want to do. This is what I need to do.” Tom eyed his best friend, never thinking he would see the day when he would finally settle down. The entire time they had been friends, Avery was married to his career as a firefighter. Yeah he had dated around, and occasionally picked up a hot piece of tail, but he never thought he would see the man of little words settle down.
Now they were standing over the jewelry case, waiting for the Antique Estate Ring Avery had picked out a couple mornings earlier. He was relieved when he noticed it still there after Emily had spent an extended period of time staring at it the morning they found her dream desk. She quickly turned her attention, not wanting to lead Avery to believe she was desperate for a ring.
The little old man behind the counter slowly made his way back to him with the black velvet box in his wrinkled hand. He stopped in front of Avery, slowly opening the box and pulling his glasses down onto the tip of his nose to examine it before he would hand it over.
“I cleaned it up nicely. I haven’t seen this beauty shine like this since we got her in.” The old man smiled at Avery with genuine happiness for him. “She is a lucky lady,” he continued as he closed the box up and slid it across the counter and into Avery’s shaking hand.
“That I am, Sir.” Avery returned his smile and slipped the box into his jeans pocket, where it would be safe until tonight.
***
Becca insisted on dragging Emily out for the afternoon. Their first stop included lunch to fuel Emily up for an afternoon of her crazy best friend dragging her around like a rag doll. Her appetite had slowly started to return, so by one o’clock in the afternoon she felt damn near famished. The second stop was their favorite nail salon.
The two women sat for manicures and pedicures while they gossiped about everything from Princess Kate giving birth, to the Kardashians. Guilty pleasures for Emily. Something about the whole celebrity thing always intrigued her. Just like every damn American these days.
Emily picked purple for her nails, toes matching her fingers for the first time in a while. Hell, it had been ages since she took the time to go to the salon and get pampered at all. It felt good, especially on her feet. Pedicures once a week will be a requirement of this pregnancy. This is heaven!
“Where to now, Bec?” Emily asked as her best friend pulled out of the petite beachside strip mall.
“Shopping now!” Ah, some retail therapy! Exactly what Emily could go for.
“Good, I need to hit up Vicki’s for a new bra. These babies just won’t stop growing.” Emily grabbed her boobs and pushed them up toward her chin. In the matter of barely two months her breasts had grown a full cup size. “I am sure this whole growth thing isn’t natural at all, but Avery certainly is enjoying it.” Emily grinned like the Cheshire cat.
“There are some things I don’t want to know, Ems.” Becca laughed as they turned down International Speedway Boulevard.
“Really, Bec? Seriously? Don’t even go there!” Both women started laughing. “So please tell me, Becca, what exactly is going on with you and Tom? I am getting sick of asking! I want a real damn answer this time!”
Becca could tell her best friend wasn’t going to accept the whole, we’re just having fun, answer anymore. It wasn’t normal for her to continue seeing the same guy, but something about Tom had changed her ways. “We are seeing each other,” Becca admitted, as Emily grabbed her chest and gasped for air, faking her shock and awe at her friend finally admitting the obvious.
“Har Har Har Ems. You know how hard that was for me.” Emily could see her friend’s brow starting to tense while she continued driving.
“Becca, you know I am happy for you. But we all know you guys have been seeing each other. You have never spent this much time with anyone, but me. Ever,” Emily continued, hoping to break through and have a real heart-to-heart with her sidekick. The girls had been inseparable for most of their lives and she could read Becca like a book. There was more to whatever wa
s going on and she would pick it out of her best friend before the end of the day.
“He understands me more than anyone else has, I guess.” Becca shrugged. “We are a lot alike. Lots of one night stands. But when we were together there was just something more. Any time we touch each other, even in the most minor way...shit is just fucking explosive.” Becca’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. There was something more to their relationship all right.
“That first day at the fire station, Avery wanted to rescue you from Tom.” Emily chuckled, thinking back to finding her best friend wrapped in his arms, making out with him against the fire truck. “I told him you could fend for yourself.”
Becca burst out laughing. A single tear ran down her face as she tried to gain control over her hysteria. Emily was right, Becca could for sure take care of herself, and she did when it came to Tom. That was for sure.
“Why are we here?” Emily looked around the parking lot to see a hand full of stores, but no place either women would go to shop. HH Gregg, Sally’s Beauty Supplies, Hobby Lobby, and then she saw it. Babies R Us in the corner, connected to a huge Toys R Us location. Someplace she hadn’t been in ages. Becca had dragged her out baby shopping.
“Time for baby shopping, lady!” Emily had been scared to buy anything for the babies yet. Becca continued yammering on, “This is going to be the most spoiled baby ever!” She leaned over, rubbing Emily’s almost non-existent belly.
“Auntie Becca is going to spoil the hell out of you, little one.” Emily realized her and Avery hadn’t told anyone about their new found discovery at the doctor’s office yesterday.
“Bec, I have to tell you something.” The serious look on Emily’s face made Becca’s stomach flip-flop like she did something wrong. Before Emily could start whatever she had to say, Becca cut her off.
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