Everyone settles in the living room. I've set up coffee for them—decaf for Emma, though I don't draw attention to it. Yet.
"So," Ryan says, getting straight to business. "Why are we here?"
Emma looks at me. I nod encouragingly.
"I have some news," she starts. "Actually, we have news. Multiple news items. Newses? Is that a word?"
"You're stalling," Brennen observes.
"I am absolutely stalling." Emma takes a breath. "Okay. First: I accepted the merger with Preston & Associates."
Candace beams. "That's wonderful! Emma, that's such a smart move?—"
"Second," Emma continues, "Miles and I are having a baby."
Nobody speaks.
Ryan blinks. Once. Twice.
Brennen's mouth falls open.
Candace gasps, hands flying to her face.
Joselyn starts grinning.
Then Ryan laughs. Actually laughs, dropping his head into his hands. "Oh, thank God."
"What?" Emma stares at him.
"You're just pregnant." Brennen's laughing too now, looking slightly hysterical. "You're JUST pregnant. That's it."
"What do you mean JUST?" Emma's voice rises. "I'm growing a human! In here!" She points at her stomach.
"We thought you had cancer!" Ryan blurts out.
The room freezes.
"You WHAT?" Emma shrieks.
"You've been sick for weeks!" Brennen gestures wildly. "Pale, nauseous, avoiding everyone, losing weight?—"
"I haven't lost weight?—"
"You looked like death at the exhibition," Ryan continues. "And the wine! You wouldn't drink the wine! You LOVE wine!"
"So, you thought I was DYING?" Emma stares at them. "I look a little green and you instantly decided I've bought the farm?"
"The entire town thinks you're seriously ill!" Joselyn adds helpfully. "Julie started a meal train. Daisy posted prayer requests on Instagram."
Emma looks at me in horror. "They think I have CANCER?"
"The rumor mill got creative," I admit.
"Someone suggested leukemia," Brennen says. "Dorothy from the book club mentioned rare blood disorders?—"
"DOROTHY?" Emma's practically yelling now. "Dorothy thinks I have a BLOOD DISORDER?"
Candace is trying not to laugh. "We were all very concerned. Very worried. Planning interventions and support systems?—"
