𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑- 𝐉.𝐓

ᴏɴᴇ

"ᴊᴏᴇʏ, ʏᴇᴀʜ, ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ sᴘᴇᴀᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴊᴏᴇʏ"

My fling's roomate from 2 months ago, Chandler Bing, was calling for him in the distance, only to be answered with a low grunt of  'coming' and a loud yawn.

"Hello?" he asked tiredly.

I looked down at the black and white image in my hand, rubbing my forehead. "Central Perk, be there in an hour. I have something important to tell you".

I ended the call even quicker than I made it, throwing the blocky white receiver onto its stand and running across the room nervously, startling my puppy in the process.

( A BASSET HOUND, WITH THE SAME COLOUR, JUST YOUNGER)

"Sorry, Tilly," I sighed, seating myself on the cream sofa of my apartment, stroking her as she settled into my lap once I picked her up, "what'd I do?" I whined, knocking my head back nervously.

I stood up after a while, carrying her with me as I made my way to my spacious room, curtesy of my well-paying job. I lay Tilly on one of the pillows whilst I chose an outfit, hearing small snores almost immediately.

I sifted through my closet, wading through shorts and jeans that were all getting slightly too tight now, thanks to the extra chub on my hips.

I settled on a plain white skirt and matching jumper, and, considering the lack of walking I will be doing today, I decided to pack a blanket into my large white handbag and settle Tilly's little body inside for some fresh air, even though she can't walk on grass yet, I can carry her places.

I swiped my key from the rack and unlocked the door before sliding it onto my finger, ruffling Tilly's fur quickly before stepping outside, quickly locking it again before clipping it to the keychain inside my bag and taking off toward the cafe not far from my home.

꧁꧂

The air was still warm as I entered the cafe, scanning the room for Joey, settling on him sat with two other guys and two girls, smiling a little once he noticed me.

"Hey, Aubrey! Guys, this is Aubrey," he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, I could feel his grey jacket graze the skin on my neck, "Aubrey, this is Monica, Phoebe, Ross, and you remember Chandler".

I smiled as Chandler hugged me lightly before returning to his seat on the sofa, waving quickly to everyone else before Joey recaptured me and pulled me aside. We took a seat in the corner and I pulled Tilly out of my bag to give her a short while out of it after seeing the 'pets allowed' sign above the door.

"So, what is it?" the man in front of me asked, sipping on the coffee that was just delivered.

I sighed, rummaging around in my bag with my free hand whilst the other kept Tilly close to my chest- I hesitated slightly once I felt the shiny photo against my manicured fingertips.

I pulled it out, placing it on the table to show him, earning furrowed eyebrows and a confused look from.

"What's this?" he asked, turning it in different directions to try and determine what the image was of.

"I'm pregnant, Joe".

He dropped the paper, spitting his drink back into the strangely large mug with wide eyes, "what?!" he yelled, earning the attention of everyone in the coffee shop, who quickly looked away again and went back to their lives.

"Calm down," I ushered as I placed my hand on his, earning a small smile, "I'll give you some time to think about it, but... I'm keeping it."

I smiled as he handed me back the picture, only for me to slide it back to him, "I have another, keep it."

I placed a sleeping Tilly back into my bag and gently pulled it back onto my shoulder, making sure not to wake the puppy.

"Alright, bye," I hugged him warmly, feeling his hesitation to squeeze me, even slightly, before letting go and turning to leave.

"Hey, Aubrey?"

I turned around with a smile, holding the door open with one hand, "yeah?"

"I'll be at your place by nine. Pepperoni still your favourite?" he asked, leaning his arm on the table and smiling sincerely.

"Yeah, Joe, it is".