A/N: Last one tonight! The other two will be coming before the weekend is over though, so be on the lookout for those. Anyway, as promised, here's a happy chapter for you! It is a little shorter, but I think it's till really good. Enjoy!
"So, how are things for you and Carter going?" I ask Marlee over my tea.
She smiles and sets her plate aside. "They're actually going really well."
"Really? Do tell!"
"Well, we're just really happy right now, you know? We've been spending a lot of time together and, I mean, don't get me wrong, it hasn't been all rainbows and sunshine, but I have no complaints."
"Wow, you sound just like you did when I asked you about him that first time."
Marlee laughs and leans forward. "America, it's just...I don't even know. I just love him so much. When I think about how it all could have ended up, I just laugh because I don't think I was supposed to be with anyone else, you know?"
"Oh, believe me, I get it. I'm constantly reminded of just how long it took me to get out of my own way."
"Well, anyway, Carter and I were wondering if you guys wanted to have, like, a couples' dinner tonight."
"Tonight? What's the occasion?"
"Oh nothing," she says with a wave of her hand, but I can tell something is up. "How does, six o'clock sound? In the private dining room?"
"Aren't I the one who's supposed to be inviting you to dinner there? It is my dining room after all."
"Whatever," she says, standing up, "does that sound good?"
"It sounds perfect."
"Alright, well I'll set the menu, so don't worry about that. I have to get back to work, but I'll see you at dinner tonight!"
She practically dances out of the room and I'm certain that she has some news that she's not sharing with me. I walk back to the office and sit down across from Maxon's desk instead of at my own.
"Marlee's pregnant," I say nonchalantly and wait for my husband to respond. I don't have to wait long.
"What?"
"She's pregnant."
"Did she tell you that?"
I shrug. "No, but I'm she is. She said she wants to have a 'couples' dinner with us tonight; just out of blue. I think she's going to tell us she's pregnant."
Maxon rolls his eyes and goes back to work. "Darling, I think she would have told you if she was. Besides, it's not a crime to invite your friends to dinner; I believe it's pretty common, in fact."
"Well, we'll see who's right at dinner, I guess."
"Fine," he says with a sigh and sets his work aside. "you want to make this official?"
I lift an eyebrow and cross my arms. "Yes, if we go to dinner and she tells us she's pregnant, then you have to cook me dinner one night a week for a month."
"What?"
"You heard me! I've cooked for you before, well, it's your turn now mister."
"Fine, but if it turns out she's not pregnant, then you have to let me do a photo shoot with you."
"I believe we have a deal."
At dinner Maxon and I maintain polite conversation, but I start to feel pretty tense as the meal starts to wind down and neither Marlee nor Carter has mentioned anything of note.
"So, Marlee," I prompt, "is there anything big going on with you guys?"
"Well," Marlee starts, and takes Carter's hand. "We're thinking about moving."
"Moving?" I ask, slightly panicked; this is not where I thought this was going. "Why?"
"We just want somewhere bigger, you know? Somewhere, we can...grow into?"
"Why don't you just move into one of the apartments here?" Maxon suggests, "There's plenty of space closer to us."
"We just didn't feel it was our place, and we don't want to insert ourselves where we shouldn't be."
"Nonsense, you know you're always welcome here." I reassure them, eager to keep my friend close to me.
"Well, it's just that..." Carter hesitates.
"I'm pregnant!" Marlee blurts out.
I jump from my seat and rush around to hug my friend. "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!"
She laughs as I hold her tight, and I see Maxon give congratulate Carter over her shoulder.
"We just don't want to be a bother what with a newborn and all," Carter explains.
"Please, it's no trouble at all. You think I'm going to let you leave now?" I ask as I let Marlee go and walk back to my seat.
"Well, we don't need to do anything now, but we'd like to move into a new space before too long, just so we can be ready, if that's okay with you."
"Whenever you need to, just let us know and we'd be glad to help," Maxon says.
I lean over to give him a kiss on the cheek, but I whisper in his ear instead, "I guess we better find you an apron."
A/N: Alright, there's a nice little fluffy piece for you! I hope you liked it! That's 4/6. The other two will be here before the weekend's over. See you again soon!