Chapter 34: New Beginnings

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A/N: Hey you guys, smut is really hard to write so you can use ur imaginations for what happened last chapter.
sorry :/
Also the photo has nothing to do with the chapter I just really like it ;)
~

Today is the last day of my contract.
So, naturally, Charle's decided to throw us a party. Well, more like an elegant dinner.
Aldridge offered to host and wouldn't take no for an answer, so here we are, at the Ashford estate once again.
"You two look stunning!" Charles exclaims with a clap of his hands as he ushers Tom and I in.
Not to toot our own horns but we really do.
I am dressed in a black flowy top tucked into some black pants and Tom is wearing a burgundy button down with some black dress pants.
"So do you," I compliment. He is wearing his usual black suit but I notice he's switched out his tie for a dark green one, complimenting his eyes.
"Oh this old thing? Please," He waves me off with a flush of his cheeks. "Well, let's make our way to the living room?"
We let him lead the way to the living room we had been in less than a year prior. Aldridge is sitting there, looking much better than he did last time I saw him.
He perks up at our arrival, rushing forward to greet us.
"Val, Amaya wanted to talk to you. She's working upstairs, first room on your left."
"Okay, I'll be right back,"
I make my way up the stairs and step into the dimly lit room. The only light is coming from the small lamp on the table where Amaya is hunched over reading some papers.
"Oh, Val! Come in, come in, I didn't see you there," She says with a warm smile, beckoning me in.
I reach her and she engulfs me in an embrace, holding me tight.
"I have a secret," She tells me when she pulls back, her eyes gleaming. I notice a trace of sadness flash through them before they go back to beaming down at me.
"Well? Are you going to tell me or am I going to live in suspense forever?" I tease.
She laughs at me before leaning in close and whispering:
"I'm pregnant,"
"No! What? Are you serious? Congratulations!" I exclaim with a squeal and wrap my arms around her. She returns the hug and I can almost feel the giddy excitement flowing through her.
"I know! It's so exciting. But I haven't told Aldridge yet. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to make sure everything is alright with the baby, and if it is I'm telling him over dinner. It's his birthday tomorrow," She pauses and looks down at me warily.
"What?"
"I was wondering if you could come with me tomorrow? I mean I'm just nervous and I don't want to go alone but I can't take Aldridge, and besides I'm not really close with a lot of other women, and anyway I was just-"
I cut her off nervous rambling with another hug.
"Of course I want to go with you. What time is the appointment?"
"1 PM."
"Well, I was about to say that I would have to bring Tom but I don't since my contract is officially over! Do you want to meet there? Actually, I'll pick you up, a pregnant lady shouldn't have to drive herself."
"Bu-"
"I am not letting you endanger you and little Amaya or Aldridge in there,"
"But-"
"Nope. I will be picking you up at 12:45 tomorrow, end of discussion. Now, shall we go downstairs to eat?"
"Yes, let's," She agrees with a fond smile.
I love being able to be close with someone like this. It feels like I have a sister.
We sit down at the table and Aldridge pours the champagne.
"To Val! For the ending of a 15 month contract!" He exclaims and we all raise our glasses with him.
"Hear, hear!" Charles exclaims, clinking his glass with mine and throwing me a wink.
We dig in.
Dinner that night was absolutely wonderful, and it was the most fun I had had in a while. And when we went home that night I realized that this didn't feel like an ending. It felt like a new beginning.
******
"How are you feeling?" I ask Amaya as she sits down in the car.
"Nervous,"
Tom, while reluctant to let me leave having been connected to me by the hip for the past 15 months, had finally understood how important it was and decided to spend the day with his brothers.
It's weird not having him around 24/7. I feel different. Like when you cut your hair. It feels like a part of you is gone, but you also feel like a changed person. I miss him, of course, but I know that when I come back to the hotel room he'll be there. The hotel room that we have for one more day before we have to move out.
"It's natural to feel nervous, don't worry. I'll be right here with you the whole time," I squeeze her hand, letting her know that I'm here and I won't be leaving.
"Thank you," She says in a soft whisper, her voice breaking slightly. "Ugh, these damn hormones. I'm so emotional all the time,"
She wipes furiously at her cheeks, dabbing away the tears that had started falling.
We arrive at the pregnancy care center a few minutes before 1 and make our way toward the building.
Amaya grabs my hand again and I give it a reassuring squeeze.
Taking a deep breath she steps into the office.
"Hi, I have an appointment, it's under Amaya Ashford," She says to the receptionist.
"Perfect, feel free to take a seat. A doctor will be with you soon," She says with a kind smile, and we sit down on the leather seats.
A few minutes later a friendly doctor comes through the doors.
"Amaya Ashford?" The doctor calls out, scanning the patients in the room.
Amaya and I get up and make our way toward the door.
"Hi, my name is Dr. Stax, as you can see, " she says, pointing to a pin on her jacket where it says they/them, "My pronouns are they/them."
"Mine are she/her," Amaya says.
"Mine are she/they,"
"Perfect, can you lay down on the chair?" She aska and Amaya lays down, me taking a seat in the chair in the corner.
"I'll just go through the standard procedure, so just lay back and let me know if anything hurts or is uncomfortable," They say and Amaya sends me a worried look.
It'll be fine. I mouth and she gives me a small nod before turning back to look at Dr. Stax.
I lean back and examine the wall. It's pretty empty other than a few inspirational messages.
I zone out, my mind wandering to Tom.
I wonder what he's doing.
"Okay. Well, I think a little congratulations is in order!" The doctor says some time later. I look up at the clock on the wall to see that 20 minutes have passed.
"Really?" Amaya asks, eyes glistening with tears.
"Really, really. You are about 8 weeks along, and the baby is healthy."
Amaya lets out an excited little squeal.
"Lets go tell Aldridge," She says, beaming.
Amaya gets dressed and we head out to the car.
"Should we meet him for lunch? You can invite Tom too," Amaya offers.
"I wouldn't want to impose,"
"Nonsense. Here give me your phone I'll call Tom and Aldridge," She insists and I hand over my phone.
She sends a quick message to Tom and then one to Aldridge from her own phone.
"Tom says he'll be there soon,"
"Where is there?"
"Oh right! It's the mexican restaurant off of the next exit,"
"Perfect," I change lanes and head toward the restaurant. We park and get out, me making sure that Amaya is able to walk by herself.
"Hi, how many?"
"Four," I say and the hostess leads us to a table.
15 minutes later Aldridge and Tom appear and sit down.
"I have a surprise for you!" Amaya says as they scan the menus.
"What is it?" Aldridge asks, looking excited but wary.
"I'm pregnant!"

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