“Sorry.” I mumbled.
We pulled up outside of the bar and Aiden ran around to open my door. Before I could climb out, Aiden put his hands on my face, cupping my cheeks.
“Baby, you have absolutely nothing to worry about, okay? The guys just know that you mean the world to me and want to meet you. That’s it.”
“Fine.” I grumbled.
There was something incredibly nerve wrecking about meeting a guy’s friends that I hadn’t experienced before. What if they didn’t like me? Would Aiden leave me if they told him to? No, of course he wouldn’t, but I really didn’t want him in the position where choosing between his friends and me would leave him on the outs with his team.
We walked inside, hand in hand, and were greeted by an incredibly loud group of guys. Aiden surprised me by shouting back at them from across the room, “This is a public place, KEEP YOUR VOICES DOWN!” He yelled, making everybody laugh. I started laughing, loving how playful he was around his friends. We got to the table and Aiden pulled me in front of him,
“Guys, this is Emily. Emily, these are the guys.” He said.
I rolled my eyes and elbowed his side. “Do ‘the guys’ have names per chance?” I asked pointedly.
An older looking guy, probably around thirty, stood up and guided me to the empty chair beside him. “Forgive Swift, he wouldn’t know what manners were if they kicked him in the ass. I’m Dominic.” He said, putting his hand on his chest. He pointed to a red headed guy across from me, “That’s Chase.” Next was a guy with dark brown hair and nearly black eyes, “Brandon,” A guy with light blonde hair and light brown eyes was after that, “Luke,” One more guy was left, and his name was Jesse. Jesse was the closest to my age and had medium brown hair and amazing green eyes. If I wasn’t so in love with Aiden, Jesse was definitely my type.
There were a few girls with the group too; one blonde named Courtney was hanging all over Chase, and a girl named Kimber, was Brandon’s sister.
Aiden sat down next to me and the conversation took off from there. They eventually moved to the topic of our new house. “So are you guys still down with helping us move?” Aiden asked.
The guys all nodded and my eyes widened. “You’re making your friends help us move?” I smacked his arm.
“Well yeah, why pay people when I have guys who will do it for free?” Sometimes Aiden was such a guy.
“Are you at least buying them dinner or something?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“Will me buying them something make you feel okay with them helping us?” He asked warily. When I nodded, so did he. “Sure, I’ll buy them dinner or something.”
Everybody around the table started laughing and Jesse high fived me.
“Thanks for feeding us, I think I’m going to like you.”
I fake scoffed, “Like you don’t already.” I saw his eyes widen slightly before he laughed and nodded, “Yeah, I definitely like you.”
“Don’t like her too much.” Aiden grumbled, making us all laugh again.
I secretly loved it when Aiden got jealous, not only did it show how much he cared, but he always ended up with this adorable pout that made me want to kiss him for the rest of our lives.
I used my pointer finger to pull his pouted lower lip down a little before I kissed his jaw.
“Don’t worry.” I whispered, which made him relax a bit. I don’t think that Aiden was honestly worried about Jesse, but after everything that happened between Cancún, Dylan, and Brittney, Aiden just happened to be on edge when it came to things that could possibly break us apart.
The night went by quickly and so did the next couple days. Before I knew it, my room and Aiden’s apartment were full of boxes. Even though I wasn’t very far along in the pregnancy, Aiden was very strict about me only lifting a couple pounds at a time, which was irritating and endearing at the same time.
The guys helped more than they really should have, there was way more to do than any of us figured there would be. I made Aiden buy them about twenty pizzas and a lot of beer. Of course the pizza was a bit much, but I wanted there to be enough for them to take home if they wanted.
At the end of the day, I felt like I had gained five brothers and a beautiful home.
Within the next week, Aiden and I worked on perfecting the master bedroom. In the end we had something neutral for both of us that looked really nice.
However, by the time that one room was finished, people at Ikea, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Target all recognized us when we walked in the door. I know it sounds really spoiled, but it was amazing to walk into a store and not have a budget. It was something I never had before.
The first day, I kept telling Aiden I really wanted a few things, but it didn’t take him long to realize that everything that I pointed out was the cheapest on the rack. He made me put back everything and start new, much to my irritation.
“What do you think?” I asked, looking around the room from our balcony.
“I love it, do you?” Aiden asked, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Um, yeah, you made sure of that.”
I poked his side.
“Well, you’re the one who will be here on the nights that I’m away. Plus, if we relied on my skills, it’d be a white room with everything I used to own.” He said.
My eyes widened, “I’m sorry! We didn’t need to get everything new. We can return all of this and use your old stuff.” I said quickly, feeling awful that he wanted his other things. Aiden kissed me quiet.
“Emily Smith, I love you. If I happen to get new furniture out of that love, then all the more power to you.” He winked.
I looked up at him, actually it was more like I was staring him down.
“Are you sure? Because it’s your room too Aiden, don’t let me just get my way all the time. I know you told me to do what I wanted, but if you have any opinion at all about the room, tell me now.” I told him softly.
“Emm, I love it. I’m serious.” He said, pulling a straight face.
I sighed and rested against him. “Sorry, I’m feeling a little on edge and I’m not sure why.” I said, finally admitting what I’d wanted to say all week.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
I shrugged, “Something just feels off and I don’t know what it is.”
“And how long have you felt this way?”
“A little over a week?” I offered, not sure when exactly it started.
“Do you want to see a doctor?” He looked so worried, I felt awful for telling him this.
“No, I think I just need a nap. Plus, Ethan and Kira are getting married in a couple days. If the feeling hasn’t passed by then, I’ll go in,” I promised.
It was three days after Aiden and I had our talk and I was standing in the country club’s dressing room with Kira. She looked beautiful in her white dress. It had a fitted bodice and the rest flows to the floor, making her look like a Greek goddess.
“You’re so beautiful Kira.” I told her as I grabbed her bouquet off of the desk. It was all light pink roses with three magnolia flowers in the mix.
“Are you sure? Will Ethan like the dress?” She asked, taking the flowers in one hand and rubbing down the dress with the other.
“Yes, he’ll love it. Now let’s get out of here.” I said, looking down at my own dress and huffing out a breath. As much as I loved Kira, I could kill her for her bridesmaids dress choice. It was yellow with black lace over it. It had cute elements, but it wasn’t my style at all.
We walked out of the room and towards the dining hall where the wedding was set up. We stopped in front of the double doors and I quickly straightened her hair out and made sure her Dad was holding her arm right before I walked down the aisle first, winking at Aiden in his seat.
Kira and Ethan took their places and began exchanging their vows. The whole room was hanging onto their every word. Towards the end of the ceremony, I started feeling a sharp pain in the side of my stomach. Fear instantly hit me, but I couldn’t let
myself interrupt the bride and grooms moment, so I did my best to keep a neutral face and remain standing.
Luckily for me, the ceremony ended shortly after the pain started and I calmly walked over to Aiden, “We need to go, now.” I whispered, trying not to cry.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, panicked.
“It hurts Aiden, please help.” I whimpered, unable to help myself.
“Fuck Emm, I need more than that.” He put his arms around me though and lifted me into his arms, speed walking towards the door.
“Aiden, Emm!” We heard from behind us.
Aiden turned us to see Kira and Ethan racing towards us. “Where are you going?”
“I think there’s something wrong with Sobri.” I whispered, terrified.
“What?” They both practically shouted.
A shot of pain hit and I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes. “Go, hurry. She needs a doctor.” Kira instructed Aiden.
He practically ran us to the truck and sped the entire way to the hospital. I was terrified that something would happen to my baby.
Nurses met us at the entrance, Ethan had called ahead for us, and they began running tests immediately.
Hours later, I was lying in a hospital bed with an IV drip in my arm and Aiden holding my hand. His forehead was resting lightly on my ribs with his face pointing towards the baby bump, he was talking lightly to Sobri. His free hand was rubbing my stomach softly.
“What if…” I started to question Sobri’s current existence but Aiden interrupted me, “No Emi.”
“Did I…”
He interrupted me again and turned to face me, “No.” He said slower, “Stop asking questions, it’s just going to scare us even more, okay baby? We need to stay positive.”
I swallowed back my tears and nodded. Aiden leaned up and kissed me softly.
The doctor entered the room a few minutes later carrying a chart. “Emily Smith?” I nodded and he stuck his hand out, introducing himself.
“Well, it looks like you had a clot. It should pass easily with the medications we’ve given you. The babies should be fine,” he said with a smile.
Aiden and I both looked at each other, relieved, until what he said clicked in our minds.
“Babies?” We both asked at the same time.
He looked at the chart again, “Yes, the ultrasound technician recorded two fetuses.”
“I’m having twins?” I practically yelled.
“Twins? Baby, we’re having twins!” Aiden jumped up, smiling like crazy.
“Oh my god.” I whispered, staring down at my stomach, almost expecting it to grow even larger to accommodate a new baby.
“There’s two babies inside of me right now?” I asked the doctor, sounding almost desperate.
He laughed and nodded, “Indeed there are two babies inside of you right now, Miss Smith. I’ll give you kids some alone time.”
The doctor walked out of the room still chuckling. I don’t blame him, we must have been quite the sight. Aiden was jumping around the room ‘whooping’ and fist pumping, while I stayed in bed feeling terrified.
“Aiden, shut up!” I called out after the fourth ‘hell yeah’.
He stopped and looked at me; his excitement dying down when he realized that I wasn’t having as much fun as him. He sat on the side of my bed and held my hand, “Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked, still smiling.
“I barely wrapped my mind around one baby, now there’s two. What am I supposed to do? How are we going to raise two babies?”
Aiden’s large hand pushed the hair away from my face, “Emm, we can do this. You want to know how I know?” He asked softly.
I nodded, swallowing back tears.
“It’s because you are the sweetest, most beautiful person I’ve ever met. We have about fifty people we can call when things get tough, who will be at our sides without any second thought. We have a beautiful home with a huge back yard where they can play and grow up together. Everything will be fine because nothing can be wrong, do you hear me?”
At that moment, I fell in love with Aiden all over again.
I nodded and leaned up to kiss him, “Thank you.” I whispered.
He kissed my forehead and started smiling again. “So can we be happy now?”
I nodded, unable to stop myself from smiling again.
We were practically laying on top of each other in the small hospital bed, talking about the babies, when the doors opened and the newlyweds walked in.
“Hey guys!” I said, smiling.
Kira was by my side in a flash, holding my hand and freaking out.
“When you guys were leaving the wedding, at first I was so pissed, but then I realized that Aiden was holding you and that you would never let that fly on normal circumstances. I’m so sorry I was mad at you!” She cried, after speaking so fast I barely caught what she said.
I laughed, “Kira, its okay. I would have been mad at you too. But I’m fine now and we can both be happy. Now, why are you two idiots here instead of on your honeymoon?” I asked, glaring at Ethan.
He looked sheepish, “Flights are cheaper on weekdays.”
“Ethan!” I practically shrieked. “Are you freaking kidding me? It’s your wedding! You can’t be such a cheap ass on your wedding!” Aiden started laughing and pushed me back against the bed. I hadn’t realized that I’d sat up.
“Calm down Emm Emm, don’t kill him on the day of his wedding.” He was still chuckling.
“Can I kill him tomorrow?” I asked sweetly, batting my lashes at my boyfriend.
“Of course you can, Honey.” He answered back just as sweetly and pulled me to his side.
We started laughing, temporarily forgetting about Ethan and Kira.
“Uh, guys… pay attention to me!” Kira whined, making us all laugh.
“What?”
“Well nothing, I’m just jealous that you have such a hunky boyfriend.” She sighed. Ethan scoffed and crossed the room, pulled her up so she was standing, bent her backwards, and kissed her.
“Bow chica wow wow!” Aiden hollered as I started clapping.
“See, now don’t you wish you hadn’t been so cheap?” I asked once they separated. Ethan sat and pulled Kira to his lap.
After a bit of small talk, Aiden and I looked at each other, both of us were clearly ready to tell them, “So… would you like to know why I had to come in here today?” I asked.
Kira got a look of horror, “I’m so sorry I didn’t ask sooner!” She practically screamed.
“Don’t worry, I liked the happy talk anyways.” I soothed, “But really, it’s happy news.” I said.
“What’s up?” Ethan asked, keeping a calming hand on his wife.
“It’s twins.” Aiden announced, his smile was brighter than 100 Watt light bulbs.
“What’s twins?” Ethan asked, clearly confused. I started laughing and pointed to my small baby bump.
“I’m having two babies, not one.” I answered.
“Wait, twins… as in you’re having twins?” Kira double checked. Aiden and I nodded.
“Holy shit! Way to go man! Talk about super sperm.” Ethan said, leaning forward to high five Aiden.
Kira rolled her eyes and gave me a high five, “It wasn’t his sperm, it was her kick ass ovaries.” I laughed.
The rest of our time in the hospital went quickly. I was allowed to go home just before visiting time ended. Once we were back home, I went up to look at the empty room that would be my babies’ nursery. My whole idea of what it would look like changed drastically as soon as I found out there would be two.
“We get to pick out two names now.” Aiden said, walking up behind me with a cup of hot chocolate.
I smiled, “I know. I have a lot of them picked out already.” I admitted.
“Do you?” Aiden asked, grinning.
I nodded, “Yep. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it already.” I said.
He shook his head, “Of course I’ve thought about it. What names
do you like?” We started walking to the bedroom.
“Well, I like the names Willy and Charlie for boys, Grace and Rose for girls, and I don’t know what I’d do with one of each.” I said, smiling. I climbed up onto the bed and turned to face Aiden, who crawled up to his side.
“William and Charles, Emm? That’s kind of British. I like Jackson and Colton for boys, Hayden and Payton for girls, then Luke and Leia for a girl and a boy.” I burst out laughing.
“We are not naming our twins after Star Wars.” I smacked his arm.
“Why not? It’s cute.” He laughed.
“So not happening.”
“Okay Emi.” He sighed, cuddling into his pillow.
“Aiden?” I whispered after a few minutes.
“Hmm?” He mumbled.
“I love you so much.” I sighed as I ran my fingers through his hair.
“Love you too baby.” He said before tugging me to his side.
Time seemed to slip through my fingers and before I knew it, I was seeing the month of August on my calendar.
“Aiden!” I wobbled out of the kitchen to the bottom of the staircase and yelled up to him. He was playing some video game up in his ‘man cave’. Aiden had insisted on each of us having our own rooms to hang out in. Mine was the only room downstairs and I filled it with books, art supplies, and very comfy pillows. Aiden’s was full of leather furniture, a huge TV, gaming systems, and a pool table.
“Yeah babe?” He walked to the railing.
“Where’s the ice cream?” I asked, holding my huge baby bump.
“Did you check the freezer?” He asked sarcastically. I glared at him.
“No, asshole. I decided I wanted ice cream and checked everywhere but the fucking freezer.” I snapped.
I watched as he suppressed a grin and came down the steps. He rested his hands on my, now, very wide hips and pecked my nose with his lips. “I’ll go to the store and get some. Would you like to join me?” I thought about it for a minute and nodded, then thanked him.
We got to the grocery store and made our well-traveled way to the freezer section. In the past five months or so, we’d been making almost daily trips here for ice cream. The cashiers knew us by name.
Game Changer Page 14
