One String Attached

89.

.Riley.

I'd never felt more confused in my life but I was trying to not let it show for the kids' sakes.
For them, everything was slowly going back to normal and I didn't want to ruin that for them.

We had gone over to Em's for the rest of the day following the court proceeding earlier this morning and Asher and Aaliyah were currently outside with Wyatt, playing a game of hide and seek with him. 

At first I wasn't sure about him and I knew James wasn't either but he really is a keeper for Emily. He's great with kids and it's clear he cares about my sister a lot.
Plus, he seems to make her happy and that's all I've ever wanted for her. Someone who makes her feel good about herself and content in her relationship. 

Hunter didn't fail in that but they were both struggling way too much to survive their relationship.
I knew he had been thinking of proposing to her one day but sometimes things don't go to plan. I just hope he'll find someone else to love the same way Emily has.

Autumn was sat on the playmat we had set up for her in the middle of the lounge, just near the couch we were sat on.
I sat beside James with his arm draped over my shoulders and I rested my head slightly against his chest. 

We were yet to talk about what had been asked of us by the Judge but I'd decided to bring it up when we're in private instead.
I can only imagine what thoughts are currently coursing through his head at the moment but the last thing I want is for him to keep it all bottled up inside of him. 

Autumn moves around on the playmat, rocking back and forth as she played with one of her soft toys so I support her back with my leg, stopping her from falling backwards and banging her head against something. 

"I'm actually glad you two passed by," Emily says when she sits herself down on the opposite couch after giving James his cup of coffee. He hadn't had the chance to have one this morning which is the only reason I let him off for it.
Sometimes that man had far too much caffeine a day but I knew today wasn't the day to complain about that to him. 

"There's something I need to get your advice on," she says to me, making me raise an eyebrow only getting more curious as to what she was talking about.
I hadn't been as involved in her life lately as she had been in mine but it's clear this is something important to her and if she's asking both James and I for our input, it must be pretty serious.

"What's up, Em?" I ask her softly. 

Autumn wriggles around on the carpet, jogging her father's legs, causing me to quickly move out of James's touch and pick her up from off the floor positioning her on my lap instead.
She squeals at my sudden touch but as I place her on my lap, she wriggles herself around until she found a comfortable position. 

She continues to babble to herself in her own language as I turned her body so the front of her body was pressed against mine and I let her legs straddle my waist, her head resting sideways against my chest, leaving her to cling onto her soft toy. 

I keep away from James, not wanting Autumn to jig him which will only end up in him spilling coffee over himself but to keep her happy, I give her the occasional kiss here and there whilst rubbing her back. 

Emily's eyes fall onto Autumn and I and then she bites her lip, only causing me to frown.
Had this been any other time, she would have smiled or laughed or made a comment about my parenting skills.
This time, however, it was different. 

"I... I don't know for sure... but I..." She pauses, her eyes drifting between James and I before she sighs.
"I think I might be pregnant," she whispers, making my eyes instantly widen out of happiness for her. But she didn't seem to be as thrilled. 

James stops sipping his coffee and smiles. "That's great news!" he exclaims, saying exactly what I was thinking. But it didn't seem to be the same way for Emily. 

"Have you taken a test?" I ask her before she shakes her head.

"No," she whispers.
She keeps her gaze fixed on Autumn, but I think her niece must be the only person giving her the courage to say all of this. "Not yet. I'm scared to. Wyatt didn't want children just yet, remember?" she reminds me, causing me to sigh. 

In the midst of everything, I'd completely forgotten about Wyatt's situation and how he had a rough childhood and upbringing.

I shake my head at her before gesturing towards the garden where he swung Aaliyah around in a circle.
"He's amazing with children, Em," I say to her softly. "I think you should explain everything to him, tell him what your suspecting and see what he says. I know it's scary but I know you've got this. And I am so incredibly proud of you and how far you've come," I say to her, making her chew her lip, still unconvinced. 

"I haven't tested because I don't know what he'll say, Ri. What if he just gets mad and chooses not to be with me anymore? What if it's all too much for him?" 

"Wyatt? Mad?" James speaks up, making me chuckle softly as Emily rolls her eyes, shifting her gaze to facing him.
"He's probably the most understanding and reasonable guy I know, other than myself, Emily," he says cockily, making me scoff, putting the smallest smirk on his face. 

"And I know it's scary, like Ri said, but she's right. You do have this and all you need to do is talk, trust and communicate with him. If you are pregnant, you'll both have a whole nine months to adjust to everything but it's all about talking things through and taking the test and finding out the results together that matters," he says. 

As he talks, I can't help but relate his response to the two of us. It feels like there's still so much he and I need to talk about.
But this time it isn't me with the secrets. It's him. I know when he's keeping things from me. 

After it goes silent for a few seconds, Autumn repositions herself again and turns around to face Emily before falling onto her bottom on my lap, making me wrap my arms around her waist securely, holding her tight.
She babbles a bunch of random words to herself before clapping her hands and laughing as she faces her auntie, making the three of us start laughing. 

"See, even your youngest niece agrees with us," James chuckles, making me laugh before leaning down and swarming my daughter's cheek with kisses, making her giggle more.
Emily smiles, rolling her eyes playfully then I watch as her eyes shift towards the garden where her boyfriend remained playing with my other two kids. 

I knew she was worried - so was I when I had to admit to James that I was pregnant with Aaliyah.
But Wyatt and James are both good guys and I know he couldn't possibly have a bad reaction.
If anything, he'll listen to her with understanding, love and adoration.

I just know it.