“I would definitely take him up on that offer,” Sam adds, to which we all laugh, except for Aubrey, who shakes her head with a blush over her cheeks.
We enter the house and find it eerily quiet and dark. “Morg?” I call out, but no answer follows. Her car’s outside, so we know she’s here.
Aubrey goes farther into the house toward her office while Ronnie checks the basement. They come back shaking their heads, indicating Morgan isn’t there. Just then, a pang sounds from upstairs, and we all look up.
“Sam, can you stay down here with the kids while we check upstairs? There are toys for them under the TV in the living room,” I tell him. Morgan and Clay always keep some close by with how often we’re here.
He nods, guiding the kids to the toys as we make our way up the stairs. When we get to Morgan’s bedroom door, we can hear someone crying through it, and my heart instantly aches at the sound. Cecilia pushes the door open slowly, and we find Morgan curled up on her bed, crying into a pillow.
“Oh, babe…” I say softly as we all rush over, climbing onto the bed around her.
“Oh God. I’m s-sorry, I’m a-a mess. You guys sh-shouldn’t be seeing m-me like this,” she sobs while sitting up and wiping her eyes and nose with her arm.
Aubrey quickly scoots off the bed and heads into the connected bathroom, returning with a box of tissues and handing it to her.
“Don’t be ridiculous, we’re your friends, Morg,” I tell her, kneeling in front of her.
“Still, it’s stupid.”
“There’s nothing stupid about you being upset over something,” Aubrey says in that delicate voice she always carries while placing her hand on Morgan’s knee.
“Plus, you’ve seen me have more meltdowns than I care to admit, and you were by my side the whole time. There’s no way we’re leaving you on your own when you’re clearly going through something,” Cece adds, pulling strands out of Morg’s face and placing them behind her ear.
“So tell us what’s going on. Whose ass do I have to kick?” Ronnie asks with her hand rubbing up and down Morgan’s back.
She giggles slightly through her tears at Ronnie’s comment, then takes a deep breath before speaking up. “I thought I was pregnant…” It comes out as a whisper, and we all quickly understand what’s going on. “I was late, so I took a test, but itcame back negative. So I had blood tests done with my doctor because I still haven’t started…” She starts sobbing again in her hands. “She called this morning to tell me there were no signs of pregnancy. That I’m probably just overstressed, and that’s why I’m so late.”
“Oh, sweetie…” My heart hurts for her. I lean in and wrap my arms over her shriveling form, the rest of the girls joining in shortly after. “These things take time. It’s normal that it doesn’t happen right away,” I try to reassure her as we pull away.
“Is it really, though? It only took you one time to get pregnant with Dante.” She looks to Cecilia, then to me. “And it took Greyson one time without a condom to have Gracie. Clay and I have been trying for two years now, and not once has it happened. What am I doing wrong?”
“Nothing. You aren’t doing anything wrong, babe. Maybe there’s a reason why it’s taking this much time. But it will happen. I don’t doubt it for a second,” I tell her truthfully.
Life works in weird ways. She’s right; it isn’t fair that she has to wait so long to have what she’s craving so desperately. But I’m sure when it comes, it will be worth the wait.
“Have you thought about seeing a fertility doctor? Maybe you and Clay just need a little extra help. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that,” Cece says.
“We talked about it. If we still aren’t by the end of hockey season, we’re gonna see a specialist.”
“See, that’s good.” I smile. “There are so many options out there, Morgan. You’ll get your baby. I promise.”
“How can you be so sure? What if they tell me I can’t have kids?” she cries.
“Then you’ll adopt. And you’ll be the best thing to ever happen to that baby,” Ronnie says matter-of-factly.
“However this baby comes to be in your arms, you’ll still be the best mama it could have asked for. Honestly, you’ll outshineus all,” Aubrey adds sincerely, then looks at Cece and me with a blush. “No offense. You guys are wonderful mothers.”
We both laugh as I say, “none taken.” We get it, we’re here to make Morgan feel better, not play who’s best.
“Thank you. I’m sorry I pushed you all away. I just didn’t know how to deal with this. Usually Clay cheers me up, but without him, it hit harder than I thought.”
“You have no reason to apologize. I shut you guys out for months when I was going through my shit. And Cece went completely mute when she was dealing with her own. I think you’re allowed your free pass,” I say with a smile.
“So let’s cheer you up. Clay isn’t here to fulfill his duties until later, so the job falls on us. Any ideas, ladies?” Ronnie asks, looking us over.
“We could go shopping. That usually always works,” Aubrey offers, which makes a lightbulb go off in my head.
“Oh my God! I know! Wait, give me a sec to find it.” I pull out my phone and scroll through my emails to one that came in this morning out of nowhere. It’s about a one-day pop-up sale. Everything is from 50% to 80% off. I turn my phone excitedly toward them, nodding my head enthusiastically. “We’re doing it. It’s today.”
