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“I saw Hudson on TV on New Year’s Eve. He freaking rocked the house,” Emma says as we sit facing each other on the couch in my living room. We both have a pint of ice cream in our laps.

With everything that’s been going on, I didn’t get to see Emma over the holidays like I normally would, so we decided to have a girls night in to exchange gifts and catch up a little.

“He was amazing, wasn’t he?” I smile around my spoon as I shovel a huge bite of Butter Pecan into my mouth.

“I can’t believe you were there.”

“Neither can I. The whole experience was so surreal.”

It’s only been four days since he went back on the road, yet L.A. feels like a lifetime ago. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how much I miss him every time he leaves. It seems like it only gets worse each time.

“So tell me what happened after the show. Did you guys hole up in a hotel for the next twenty four hours?”

“Pretty much.” I giggle. “Of course that was after Hudson took me to the roof top terrace of the hotel we were in and kissed me as the clock struck midnight. It felt like a scene from a movie.” My cheeks flush just thinking about it.

“Sounds like a scene from a movie.” She sighs. “I’m so freaking jealous of you.”

“You are not. You have Robert. He’s incredible.”

“No, I know that. Of course I do. And I love him more than I thought it possible to love another person. But Robert and I are boring.”

“There’s something to be said for boring.” I wag my spoon at her. “I’d give just about anything to be able to come home to Hudson every night. To have him here when I wake up. To kiss him before I leave for work. Yeah, it’s exciting and different and an experience not many people get to have, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its downfalls.”

“Yeah, I guess. The grass is always greener and all that good stuff.” She swirls her spoon in the ice cream carton.

“What about you? What did you and Robert do?”

“We sat at home and watched the ball drop on television.” She gives me a look that has me bursting out in laughter seconds later. “See, I told you. We’re boring.”

“You’re not boring. You’re married and you’re settling down. I never thought I’d see the day but, Emma Barrett Mills, I think you have officially become a responsible adult.”

“Oh my god, don’t say that,” she whines loudly. “I’m not ready to be an adult yet.”

“Well too bad. It’s already happened. Bout time you accept it.”

“Speaking of adult things.” Emma suddenly looks nervous, abandoning her ice cream carton on the coffee table as she straightens her posture. “I talked to my dad over Christmas and after the duplex project is finished I’m going to be taking some time off work.”

“What? Why? How much time?”

“A few years maybe.”

“A few years?” I gape at her. “I don’t understand. You love working for your dad.”

“I do. But things have changed.”

“What things?”

“I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you.” She gives me a knowing look.

“You’re pregnant.” Right as the words fall from my lips, an instant and a wide smile spreads across her face as she begins nodding.

“Nine weeks,” she confirms.

“Oh my god! Emma!” I toss my ice cream onto the end table before practically diving at my best friend, pulling her into the tightest hug.

“It’s still early.” She tries to tramp down my excitement.

“But what do the doctors say? Does everything look good so far?” I pull back.

“So far, yes. Everything looks completely normal.”

“Emma.” I reach out, cupping her face. “You’re gonna be a mama.”

“I am.” Tears flood her vision.

“I’m gonna be an aunt,” I announce, dropping my hands. We may not be blood but Emma and I are closer than most sisters. She is my family and this baby will be too. “I’m gonna be the coolest aunt ever.”

“Just not too cool.” Emma laughs. “I can’t have you making Robert and I look bad.”

“You just won’t know about it.” I laugh. “And Robert – is he excited?”

“Over the moon. God Len, you should see him. The other day I caught him reading a baby book in his study.”

“He’s going to be the best dad. This is going to be one lucky kiddo,” I say, placing my palm flat on Emma’s belly.

“I’m terrified,” she admits. “I’m scared something bad is going to happen again.”

“Nothing bad is going to happen. Has this pregnancy been anything like the last one?”

“Not even a little bit.”

“See. The doctors say everything looks good and you’re not having any of the same issues so it sounds like there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I know you’re right, but I think a part of me will always be a little worried.”

“Welcome to parenthood.” I smile, taking her hand in mine. “Pretty sure you’re going to be at least a little worried for the rest of your life.”

“What if I’m not ready for this?”

“Emma, you are the most incredible person I know. You are going to rock this the way you rock absolutely everything you do. This kid is going to have the best mom in the world.”

“And the best aunt.” She grins, her green eyes wet with unshed tears.

“Definitely the best aunt,” I agree.

“Now you and Hudson need to get on it so we can complete our plan of having our children grow up together.”

“Hudson and I are nowhere near ready to have children.” I shake my head.

“I don’t know. You two seem awful gaga over each other.”

“That may be, but being crazy about each other does not equate to being ready for children.”

“I don’t know. I could totally see a little Hudson/Lennon combo running around.”

“Let’s handle one baby at a time, yeah?” I gesture to her stomach.

“Fine. But I still think it would be amazing.”

“Not happening.” I need to nip this conversation in the butt. I had enough baby talk out of Hudson’s family over Christmas. I don’t need to hear it out of Emma too.

“You’re no fun.” She pouts out her bottom lip dramatically, jumping when her phone springs to life on the table next to her. “It’s Robert,” she says, sliding her finger across the phone before pressing it to her ear. “Hey babe.” She smiles as she listens to her husband on the other end. “Yeah, Len and I are just sitting her talking.” Another pause. “Yeah, I told her.”

“Congratulations,” I yell, able to hear Robert’s ‘thank you’ through the line.

“I think Lennon is already planning on ways to make this parenting gig harder on us,” she tells Robert, winking playfully at me.

“Hey, I’ll make it easier too,” I object. “Free babysitting.” I hitch my thumb at myself.

“Robert said to tell you he heard that and there are no take backs.”

“I wouldn’t dream of taking it back. I’m going to want as much time with this little baby as I can get,” I tell her truthfully.

As I watch my best friend talk to her husband, I realize just how much our lives have changed over the past few months. I can’t help but think about Hudson and what it would be like to be pregnant with his baby. While I’m not ready for kids yet, I can’t deny how full the thought of carrying his child makes me feel.

My imagination gets the best of me and I can’t help but think about our future together. Marrying Hudson. Lying in bed with him while he talks to our unborn son or daughter growing in my belly. Sitting on the deck watching our children play on the beach. It all comes together perfectly. Suddenly, the thought of taking that next step with him doesn’t seem quite so scary.

“Okay, be home soon,” Emma says, snapping me from my daydream.

I look up just in time to see her disconnect the call. “You’re leaving?” I pout out my lip dramatically.

“We’ve got dinner plans with Robert’s parents tonight. Trust me, I’d much rather stay here and stuff the rest of this ice cream in my face.” She laughs, snagging the carton off the table before standing.

I grab my half eaten container, following her into the kitchen.

“Thank you for today.” She tosses her ice cream in the trash before reaching for mine, dropping it directly on top of hers. “I needed this.”

“Me too,” I agree.

Even though we see each other nearly every day, I feel like we don’t get enough days like this together. Days where we can sit around, eat junk, and gossip about whatever we want.

“I’ll see you Monday?”

“Yep. Bright and early. I still can’t believe you’re leaving me. I don’t want to imagine doing this job without you.”

“I know. But Robert wants me to stay at home until the kids are in school, and honestly, I don’t like the thought of someone else raising my child if I don’t need it. And we don’t need my income. Robert does well enough for the both of us.”

“I get it. It’s just going to suck without you.”

“We’ve got a couple of months until that happens.” She grabs her keys off the island before turning toward me. “Well, wish me luck. Robert wants to tell his parents about the baby tonight. I’m pretty sure his mom is going to lose her mind. She’s been harping on us to have kids since the day we got married.”

“It’ll be good,” I reassure her. “At least she wants grandchildren.”

“True. I was way more nervous to tell my parent’s but they were both so excited. I really don’t know why but I didn’t think they would be.”

“Of course they’re happy, Em. Because you’re happy.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She smiles, pulling me in for a quick hug. “I gotta go. Love you, Len.” She releases me and steps back.

“Love you too. Be careful on your way home and good luck tonight.”

“I will. Thank you.” She throws up a small wave before heading for the front door, disappearing outside moments later.