Sanctuary

Come Monday, it was time for Miranda’s appointment and she was nervous as hell. She never let go of my hand the entire time we were in the waiting room. I was beginning to feel like Alex with the constant handholding, but I wasn’t complaining.

“Miranda Cullen?”

She got up and smiled and I smiled back at her. She changed into her gown and was holding my hand again within ten minutes.

“Hello, Ms. Cullen, I’m Dr. Lawson.” she said shaking her hand.

“Hi.”

“Abby. The best friend.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“My boyfriend couldn’t make it. He’s out of the country.”

“Out of the country? What’s he do?”

“He’s in a band along with her fiancée.”

“Maybe I’ve heard of them.”

“All Time Low.”

“Oh. My daughter loves them!”

We all smiled. Good. My bestie is in a good mood.

“Anyway, so you want to be sure that you’re pregnant?”

“Yeah.”

She nodded. The doctor prepped Miranda and soon, the monitor was on. It was a matter of seconds when she pointed out something with a smile.

Miranda’s pregnant.

“You are indeed pregnant, Ms. Cullen.”

She covered her mouth. This confirmed that test and it was real.

“How many weeks?”

“I’d say five weeks.”

She got her first picture and smiled before hugging me. We left the office with her heart racing.

“I need to talk to Jack. Now. This can’t wait.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I want you here.”

She decided to FaceTime him. He answered after a couple rings.

“Hi baby.” he said.

“Hi.” she said with a smile.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve got some news. Big news. The biggest news I’ve ever gotten.”

She paused.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Um...I’m pregnant.” she said sighing.

She stared at the screen anxiously. Come on, Jack. Respond.

“That’s amazing.”

We were all overjoyed.

“Thank goodness. I was so worried about your reaction. I thought that you were gonna leave me.”

“Miranda. You realize how crazy that sounds? I love you.”

“I love you, too and yeah, I do. Abby pretty much told me the same thing when I told her all this. She talked some sense into me.”

“She’s a very smart person. I’d like to talk to her.”

She moved the phone, so he could see me.

“Hi Jack.” I said waving.

“Hi Abby.”

“Thank you for talking sense into her. I appreciate it.”

“What are best friends for?” I said kissing her cheek.

“Just don’t steal her from me.”

I laughed and she blushed.

“I could never do that to you. I love Alex way too much.”

He laughed.

“I went to the - we went to the obstetrician today to confirm my pregnancy. I’m five weeks.”

There was no way you could wipe the smile off his face; I melted. They talked for a few minutes before she let him go. Miranda laid her head on my shoulder pulling me close.

“I love you, hun.” she said.

“I love you, too.”

“I’m gonna be a mom.”

“And I’m gonna be an aunt.”

“You know, I don’t wanna go to work.”

“You don’t have to. Call in sick. I can too. We can stay home and watch movies if you’d like.”

“Abby...”

“You sure? Maybe we can both talk to Alex and see his reaction. I’m sure everyone’s gonna know by the time we call him.”

She bit her lip.

“You’re just saying that because you want to talk to Alex.”

“Of course I do, but that’s not why.”

“Alright. Let’s do that. You can call, then I will.”

We went home and headed straight to the kitchen.

“You in the mood for something? I can make anything.”

“Pancakes and bacon.”

“Pancakes. You sound like a certain someone I’m engaged to.”

“The man loves his pancakes. Doesn’t he?” she said laughing.

“He definitely does.”

After a quick and satisfying brunch, I went to call Alex.

“Ok. You call him and I’ll come in when he asks where I’m at.”

She nodded and sat on the couch. I was in the hallway impatiently waiting for my cue.

“Hey Miranda. Not that I’m happy to see you or anything, but where’s Abby?”

This is when I came rushing in and popped up behind her.

“Hi Alex.”

“Hi Abby. I thought you were working today.”

“It’s nice to see you, too.” I said jokingly.

He laughed.

“We decided to play hooky.”

“Whose idea was that?”

“Mine.” I said, raising my hand.

“Ooh...someone’s a bad influence.”

I laughed. I moved so I was sitting beside her.

“I said I didn’t want to go to work then she convinced me to call in sick.”

“Why? Oh wait, you don’t need to tell me. I heard the great news. Congratulations.”

“Thanks Alex. That means a lot coming from you.”

I pulled her in close this time.

“How’s it feel? You’re gonna be an uncle.” I asked.

“Awesome. I’m sure you’ll let Abby and I babysit from time to time. Right?”

“Yeah. There wouldn’t be two people Jack and I would rather babysit our kid. You guys will also get practice for when you two become parents.”

“That kid’s gonna be so freaking cute.” I gushed.

“Not as cute as ours.” Alex said winking.

“Is there something you guys aren’t telling me?” Miranda asked.

“No. Don't pay attention to him. We’re still talking having kids after we’re married.”

"Hey!" he said offended.

"I love you." I said innocently.

"I love you, too."

She laughed and nodded.

"I think I'm gonna let you two talk. Let me know when you're done. Ok?"

"Ok."

"Bye Alex."

"Bye Miranda."

Once she left, I turned back to him.

"Mr. Gaskarth."

"Ms. Shaw. So, is there anything else going on?"

"That's about it. It started on Thursday. I had been off the phone for five minutes after talking to you when I heard someone pounding on the door. It was Miranda and she ran into my arms and was bawling. You know, I don't wanna go through that again; it was heartbreaking."

"What'd she say?"

"I asked her what was wrong and she said that 'he's gonna leave me.' I was in full panic mode at this point..."

When I finished telling him about that conversation, he shook his head.

"You and I have always known he's not that kind of guy to just up and leave like that because his girlfriend is pregnant."

"We'd be talking some sense into him if he even tried."

He nodded.

"Anyway, so what are you and Miranda up to today?"

"Junk food and movies."

"That sounds so good right now."

"We'll have one of those days after you guys get back home."

"Awesome."

We talked for a couple more minutes since he decided on heading to dinner. Miranda and I had a lovely afternoon which turned out to be one we desperately needed just the two of us.

Notes