As Erin’s mind wondered, she crossed the kitchen and searched underneath the kitchen sink for cleaning supplies. She found plastic disposable gloves, Lysol cleaner and Clorox wipes. She grabbed the wipes and sat the round tub on the counter, then turned on the faucet so she could wash the dishes. As she worked, Erin wondered if having a girl’s night would pep Amy’s spirit. Erin could call Mariah and they could grab a few things from the store. The thought played around in her head so long that she didn’t notice the time move. As she drained the sink there was a knock on the door.

Erin frowned them reached for the paper towels that hung from the wall mount. The knock came again just as she neared and without looking, Erin swung open the door bringing a spicy waft of air inside. The questionable look in her eye turned into delight at the sight of Caleb. They’d spent every waking day and night with each other since their engagement but seeing him was like getting a cake with a present inside; one where a half-naked thoroughly toned sexy military man jumped out. Never mind Caleb was fully dressed in a polo tee, and cargo shorts. In Erin’s mind, he was in his birthday suit. Probably how you got pregnant in the first place.

“Hey baby,” she crooned.

“Hey love.” Caleb stepped forward and slipped an arm around Erin’s waist. “I missed you.”

“Already?”

“This is our day to hang out.”

It was true. With Erin being the owner of Nocturnal Encounters, a popular nightclub in the heart of Pensacola Florida, and Caleb being at the National Guard most mornings, they seemed to pass each other day and night. But every second they had free, they shared with one another. It was better to have those moments then the six years they’d had to wait when they were separated by multiple oceans.

“I know baby, but this is operation important,” she said.

Caleb cracked a smile and Erin giggled.

“Operation important?

“Yeah, and I was just thinking we may need to have a girl’s night.”

Caleb’s eyes widened. “Am I in the dog house now?”

“What?!”

“Should I tell George to scoot over?”

Erin laughed. “Don’t be so dramatic.”

“I’m just checking my status here. You can’t blame me for wanting to know.”

“I’m sure you could use some time alone with just your buddies.”

“If I wanted time alone with them, I would have it, but if you want to spend some time with your girls I’m not mad. I’ll be lonely though.”

Erin giggled again and swatted Caleb on his arm.

“I take it this trash is going outside?” He asked motioning to the bag of trash next to the wall.

“Yes, can you take it down with you?”

“Of course. Here’s your food. Yours on the top.”

“I thought I told you I ate already.”

Caleb frowned. “You said a bowl of fruit. That’s great to start the day off but I will not have you starving my child, woman.”

“Oh my God, here we go with the theatrics. Okay, thank you very much babe.”

“You’re welcome.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead then her lips. “I’ll see you soon?”

“Yes.”

Caleb kissed her again then backed out of the doorway where he lifted the trash bag and strolled to the bank of elevators. Erin watched him with a longing eye as he disappeared into the tin can. Caleb winked, and she winked back just as the doors closed.

“Who was at the door?”

Erin spun around to find Amy standing in one of her flimsy Betty Boop nightgown shirts.

“Breakfast,” Erin replied, closing the door. “How do you feel, better?” Erin took an eye over Amy’s wet hair and refreshed face.

“Somewhat,” Amy said.

“Well, come over here and have a seat. Maybe when you get some food in your system you’ll feel completely renewed.”

Amy followed Erin’s instructions, this time, without giving her attitude. She plopped down on the sofa and Erin took the food out of the bag and rearranged it on the table in front of them. Grabbing Amy’s hand, Erin said a quick prayer and they both began eating silently.

As they did, Erin stole peeks at Amy making sure she wasn’t picking over the food but really indulging. She was, and that made Erin feel better.

“This is good,” Amy said.

Erin’s face brightened. “It is,” she said taking a bit of her hash browns.

“At first, I thought you were going to try and cook something,” Amy added.

Erin’s brow lifted. “With what? It’s no man’s land in that kitchen.

Amy chuckled out a giggle and Erin was happy to see her friend smile.

“I haven’t felt like going to the store.”

Erin nodded. “That’s understandable, but you could send me.” Erin saw her rebuttal coming full force and she held up a hand. “I’m pregnant not handicapped.”

That made Amy smile again. “I wasn’t going to say anything about your pregnancy.”

Erin twisted her lips.

“I wasn’t!”

“Then what were you going to say?”

“The only person I’ve ever sent to the grocery store was Uncle Charley, and even then, I’d have to go back because he would leave something I desperately wanted off the list.”

“Like what?”

“You know I’m a supreme fan of Slim Jim’s, but Uncle Charley thinks they’re the devil's food with no good nutritional value for a trained soldier.”

Erin chuckled. Their conversation quieted, and Amy took a sip of the sweet tea.

“I don’t like it when you ignore my phone calls.”

Amy licked her lips and blew out a sigh.

“I needed time to wrestle with my thoughts.”

“Your thoughts are not your own. They belong to me, too.”

That made Amy smile again.

“You would've known eventually. I just needed to sort out all of the voices.”

Erin frowned. “How many are there?”

Amy laughed. “Too many.”

“Erin’s frown deepened. “Should I be worried?”

Amy was shaking her head. “No, I’ll be alright eventually.”

“So, did you and all of your thoughts come up with a verdict?”

The room fell silent again.

“Not really. On the one hand, I feel lost without Luke. After all the years we were apart, I never truly felt without him, you know. We were still together, happily I might add; at least in my head. But to know I was sharing him? His thoughts, ideas, his time, it’s weakened me like I never thought I could be weakened.”

Erin nodded. “That’s what you should tell him.”

Amy was shaking her head no again. “I’m not telling him anything. I’ve said everything I could, and I don’t think he gets it. I’m not going to beat a dead horse.”

“Maybe he just genuinely doesn’t understand.”

“You might be right, but Erin, honestly, I don’t feel up to the task.” She sighed. “Say I have this conversation with him, again. But this time I break it down in laymen’s terms, which I shouldn’t have to I might add, and he still doesn’t get it or doesn’t care. I will be worse off then I am now. So, I’d rather just let it be.”

Erin leaned her head to the side and peered at Amy.

“Do you really think he just wouldn’t care?”

“Whose side are you on right now?”

“I’m on your side as a couple. You didn’t let me bow out of talking to Caleb when I refused to. Do you really think I’m going to let you?”

Amy half rolled her eyes.

“I’m thinking we need to have a girl’s night in. I’m going to call Mariah and have her meet me at the store. We’re going to pick up some goodies, grab some DVDs, and some wine.”

Amy’s brow lifted in surprise.

“Well, wine for you all but sparkling cider for me.”

Amy grinned.

“I appreciate you and Mariah, but I have to work tonight. Who would run Nocturnal Encounters if the both of us are sitting here having a pity party?”

“Since I’ve hired Shelly and Tamara, they’ve both done an excellent job of helping me in the office and helping you run the bar, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yeah, but you think you could put such a huge responsibility like letting them run the establishment for a full night?”

“I won’t know until I put them in charge. Hey at least this way, I’ll have an idea of how often I can use them to run things. When I get further into this pregnancy I’ll need them to step in more anyway.”

Amy nodded. “I think I want to go in tonight. Don’t get me wrong. Having a girl’s night in would be just what the doctor ordered, but I don’t want to sit still. I need to unwind and get out of this apartment.”

“Oh, now she wants to get out,” Erin teased.

Amy smirked. “You should be happy about that because I was completely ready to spend the next week in here like a vampire feeding off blood and nothing else.”

Erin’s eyes lurched. “Whose blood?”

“That is still to be determined, but since you’ve interrupted my evil musings and I’m full and fresh I have to go out into the world.”

“I’m not sure I should apologize for changing your plans, so I won’t.”

They both chuckled and there came a knock on the door. Quickly their laughter died down and Erin rose to her feet.

“Are you expecting company?”

“No,” Amy said plainly. Her attitude had gone back to salty just that quick. “I’m not looking for anymore either, so just sit back down and let them knock.”

Erin pursed her lips and frowned over at Amy. “Girl, what if it’s an emergency? You know it’s never good to just ignore your doorbell or your phone. Trouble comes at all times you know.”

“Yeah, yeah, cry me a river,” Amy mumbled watching Erin stroll to the door.

Erin glanced through the peephole then pulled back, a soft smile spreading across her lips. She reached for the door to open it when Amy shouted.

“Who is it?”

“Uncle Charley, should I let him knock or…”