Shannon peeked at me for a quick second. "How's that going?"
I nodded, knowing that Tiel and I were due for a conversation on this topic. We'd been tap dancing around it for months now, quietly hoping the stars would align and we'd get lucky one of these months.
"I have no complaints about thetryingelement, but we have yet to see any success."
She blew out several breaths before responding. "Don't stress about that shit," she said. "I know that is easier said than done, and it's probably obnoxious hearing that from someone who got knocked up without trying, but give it time."
"A lot easier said than done," I laughed.
"Really, though," she said. "That kid is going to be so lucky to have you and Tiel. You're going to be the best parents, and I can't wait for that to happen."
"I have to admit, Shannon, I'm a little shocked to hear that. Where are the words of caution? Why aren't you asking about my medical issues or recommending genetic counseling? What about…I don't know, there has to be something else you're dying to say."
She rubbed her belly again, and her sick grimace tipped into a smile.
"I'm kind of dying for a pregnant friend actually, and Tiel would be an awesome pregnant friend. She wouldn't guilt anyone into going to the gym, and the absolute last place I want to be right now is the gym. She already has a million cute, flowy dresses and skirts that she'd look like the most adorable pregnant lady in the universe, and I know she'd happily share them, too. I might have to borrow some soon. And despite the fact I was a pain in your ass about her, I truly love Tiel. She's good people, and she's the best people for you."
"Oh…" I straightened my watch and brushed my thumb over the palm of my hand. "She would," I said. "She'd bring half of her closet to your place today if you asked. She'd do anything to help you out, and she just wants you to like her. Or, more specifically, not hate her."
"Tiel and I have had some colorful moments but I think we understand each other now. And believe me, it's going to happen for you guys," she said. "My little Froggie and your little band geek are going to be best buddies. Just wait, Will is going to be presiding over crawling races on my lawn next summer. We just need to get Matt and Lauren on this, too. But not Patrick and Andy. They're playing a twelve-year-long chess game."
"Chess game?" I repeated.
Shannon's eyes drooped shut again and she nodded. "A long chess game," she said. "Let's just say they're watching each other's moves rather carefully."
Will's voice rumbled from the conference room, and the muffled sounds of him and Patrick talking floated through the bathroom door.
"He's gonna yell at me," Shannon said. "I got a big speech this morning about needing to slow down and get more rest and wearing sensible shoes, and I told him to suck my dick while he shoved his paternalistic advice up his ass. I mean, fuck, I wore the flats but only because they go with this look. I'm not a leggings-and-heels girl."
I stood and stepped toward the door then paused, turning back to Shannon.
"Thank you for…" I started, gesturing toward her. "For this. For everything. I've been hard on you for a long time. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve all the shit I left at your door."
"I gave you some shit, too," she said, attempting to brush off my comments with a flippant shrug. She hated talking about feelings. "I think we needed some time apart. Maybe we were a little codependent, and we couldn't take any of the next steps until we found our sea legs. And of course we had to yell at each other in a bathroom to get past it all."
"You're probably right," I murmured.
"I'm often right."
Shannon opened her eyes, and we stared at each other for a moment. We were finally mourning the end of the relationship that sustained us through Angus, through our first breaths of adulthood, through the end of our twenties. We didn't spend our weekends shopping or open-housing anymore, and we didn't exchange hundreds of texts daily, and we could no longer name each other as the people who knew us best. But we were going to be okay.
"Peanut," Will growled from the doorway, "you're coming with me, and there will be no arguments."
"I don't have the energy for an argument," she said.
In one quick movement, Will scooped her off the ground and had her cradled in his arms. "There's a first time for everything," he said.
14
Tiel
April
Tiel:Ok don't freak out…
Sam:What's wrong?
Sam:Are you okay?
