Thrive

It turns out that I ended up being diagnosed with a mild concussion, so I cut down my hours at work much to the dismay of Alex, who would've rather I not have worked at all; the man does know how stubborn I can be, though. The following Sunday, concussion free, I'm spending the day with Miranda and my adorable nephew as we're gonna go out Christmas shopping and at least get a head start. We skipped out on Black Friday because we're not crazy.

"How's Baby Luca today?" I asked while he was in his carrier.

He moved his arms and legs around and giggled.

"I'm gonna take that as really good, cutie." I said in a baby voice.

"He was difficult getting ready this morning, though."

"Were you giving your mama trouble today?"

"Say yes, Luca. You little troublemaker." she said tickling him.

"So, you about ready?"

"Yeah. Could you grab his baby bag for me? I'll take him."

I nodded and we made our way out the door with what we needed. After she put him in his carseat and was in the car, I buckled my seatbelt and took a huge breath, then let it out; I had a feeling that today was going to be a long one.

"You good?" she asked.

"Yeah. You?"

"Yeah. How you feeling about being in the final week of your second trimester?"

"Worried, but excited. I checked online and saw what was in store for me, so it's looking like it's gonna be a tough week. How were you at this point?"

"The same and it was tough, but as Alex has said before, you're a badass."

“He told me that the day Luca was born. I was talking about the pain I was gonna experience and he said that I could get through it, that I was a badass.” I said with an ever growing smile.

“He’s the husband of the year. Isn’t he?”

I blushed and rubbed my belly and felt Scarlett kick.

“She kick?”

“Yeah. Kick for your Aunt Miranda, baby girl.”

She placed her hand on my belly and it was a matter of seconds till she did it again.

“How often does she kick with Alex?

“Very. He loves talking to her over the phone, during FaceTime. He wants to go home so badly and sing to her. It’s one thing with hearing All Time Low through headphones, it’s another with her daddy singing to her.”

“You let her listen to ATL?”

“The clean stuff. I made a clean playlist for her. That sounds ridiculous. I know.”

She put the car in drive and pulled out.

“It sounds absolutely adorable.”

When we got to the mall, I got a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize, but my gut was telling me to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Abigail Gaskarth?”

“This is her. Who may I ask is calling?”

“The LAPD. We found out who rear ended you last week.”

“Yeah?”

“His name is Paul Myers....would you like to press charges?”

Did I? All I want is for him to leave me alone.

“I know who that is. He’s my father. He’s tried to get in contact with me before. Am I able to just pursue a restraining order?”

Miranda was looking at me confusedly.

“Of course...”

“Thank you, sir.”

“We’ll stay in contact.”

I hung up and sighed.

“What’s going on?” she asked immediately.

“They know who hit my car.”

“Who?”

“My father.” I said in disbelief.

“That is disgusting. I know he’s a horrible human being, but you’re his daughter. How could he possibly do something like that?”

“Maybe he just had enough of trying to get in contact with me and decided to hurt me. Who knows. I just want him away from me, so I’m gonna file a restraining order against him.”

“That’s a great decision.”

“Now, I have to tell Alex and we all know how’s gonna react.” I said rubbing my eyes.

“Overall, he’ll be relieved and happy. You know that.”

I nodded.

“I’m gonna call him now and hope he answers.” I said getting out of the car.

“Hey.” he answered after three rings.

“Hey.”

“What’s up?”

“I just got a huge phone call.”

“Who was it?”

“The police found out who hit me. You’re not gonna believe it.”

“Who?”

“My father.”

“Jesus fucking Christ. Please tell me you’re pressing charges.”

“I’m just gonna file a restraining order.”

“You gotta be kidding me. He tried to hurt you and he could’ve hurt Scarlett. He deserves at least a fine, for fucks sake.”

“I only want him away from me, away from our family. This was directed at me, Alex. As long as I don’t see him again, that’s fine.”

“Abby, he needs to pay for what he’s done.”

“I can’t deal with the legal system again. That first time was enough for me, I was a mess.”

I was in tears again. Miranda, who was on the opposite side of the car, walked over and hugged me; I deeply appreciated it.

“Guess you got a point.”

“Of course I do.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“So, what are you up to now?”

“About to head into the mall with Miranda and Luca to do some Christmas shopping.”

“You think it’s gonna be crazy?”

“No. That’s why we avoided Black Friday. Hell, I’ve always avoided that day.”

“Well, have fun and tell Miranda and Luca, I said hi.”

“Will do. What’s going on with you?”

“About to head to lunch. So, I’ll let you go.”

“Ok. Have a good day.”

“You too. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I hung up and stuck my phone back into my purse.

“Is everything okay?” Miranda asked, getting Luca out of the car.

“Yeah. That didn’t go exactly like I thought it would. I knew he probably wouldn’t be happy about me not wanting to press charges, but that was crazy.”

“He’s good with it now?”

“For the most part, but he wants him to pay for what he did.”

"As long as he's out of your life, I don't care."

"Now, let's go shopping."

She nodded and began pushing his stroller. When noon rolled around, we headed to the food court to eat.

"Could you hold Luca for a sec while I get his bottle prepped?"

"Of course. Come here, cutie pie."

I gently picked him up and held him against me.

"I need to tell you something." she said.

"What is it?"

"I found something while I was cleaning yesterday. It was in a square blue velvet box."

"You found an engagement ring?"

"It looks like that."

"Oh my God. Was it beautiful?"

"Absolutely. I was speechless."

"I wonder why he hasn't proposed yet?"

"Sure he will when he gets back."

"You can't tell him you found it, at least not for a while."

She nodded and motioned me to give her Luca.

"And you can't tell Alex."

"Oh, definitely. Hey, want me to get you lunch?" I said laughing.

“No. You go ahead. I’ll go when you get back.”

When I came back with my food, Miranda was on the phone with who I’m assuming is Jack.

“He’s doing great. Might’ve been a pain this morning, but he’s been a dream ever since.”

I waved.

“Hey, Abby says ‘hi’.”

Pause.

“He says ‘hi’.”

I smiled and sat down with my food.

“Would you like to talk to him?”

“Of course.”

“Hold on a sec.”

She positioned the phone, so he could see him.

“Hi Luca.”

He giggled.

“How’s my little man? You treating mommy okay?”

He started to reach for Jack which melted my heart.

“I love you, Luca.”

If I’m like this already with my nephew, how’s it gonna be with Scarlett? They talked for maybe five more minutes until Miranda's growling stomach took over the conversation. She came back and dug into her food as soon as she sat down.

"Hungry?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Very."

"Where you wanna go next?"

We headed to go to the same music store that I refused to go into ten months ago during Alex and I's huge fight about me wanting to forgive my mom about what she said the day after Christmas.

"Remember that day I didn't want to come in here because Alex was here back in January?"

"I definitely did. That was the biggest fight you guys have ever had? Right?"

"Yeah and he actually forgave her in due time and luckily before the wedding."

"And there won't be any negativity when her granddaughter gets here."

"Yeah. You don't need that in the delivery room."

"Speaking of babies, how impatient are you?"

"Incredibly. I just wanna be able to hold her in my arms and to watch Alex tear up while doing the same. I really can't stand that I'm not gonna have him for another six weeks; that longing feeling is intensified when you're pregnant."

At this point, I had to lean against Miranda as I was on the verge of tears once again.

"I'm crying in a record store. What the hell?" I asked laughing.

"Hormones. They get the best of us."

Wasn't that the truth? I managed to pick up a few Christmas presents while I was in there. We only to one other place when we were out of the mall and it is where I found the most wonderful item and it wasn’t even a Christmas present.

I love you in the morning and the afternoon. I love you in the evening and underneath the moon.

It was a sign with one of the sweetest quotes I had ever heard.

“This is going in her nursery.” I said, picking it up and setting it in the cart.

She melted while reading it.

“I love this, Abby.” Miranda cooed.

“I’m taking a picture of this and send it to Alex. This can’t wait.”

Found this gem today. What do you think about placing it in her nursery? Because I can’t imagine it not being there.

I sent it and not even a minute later, he responded.

I love it! Please buy it! It’s perfect.

“Read.” I said to my bestie.

“Aww...”

I miss you.

Notes

Not thrilled about the title, so hopefully the chapter made up for it.