Love Grows (Love series: book 3)

Chapter 14.

Ella

Today has been a good day, I'm glad that I and mom are finally talking again. That we're moving past the lies and the fallout from everything.

And now everyone we love knows about our soon-to-be arrival in a few months. Everyone was happy and excited when we announced our news, Remi is currently running around George's house, proudly wearing her big sister's T-shirt.

My mom is being as civil as she can be with Valerie, but I know that she's struggling too. Which is understandable for a while there Valerie put me through hell, manipulated me into breaking Scott's heart at one point, by using my daughter.

But at the end of the day last year Valerie saved my life, so I think despite the fact of her past, my mom is trying to be polite because she did help me that day.

I feel lighter now, I can't explain why I do, but I just do.

The baby is no longer a secret because I feel at the stage where I can be excited about it, I'm still scared but I have faith.

My mom is back to being my mom, that pain and that anger is no longer running through me, and our families are together for the first time....and actually happy.

Pulling out of my thoughts I head outside to the garden; I need some fresh air and I'm fairly sure I saw Amanda come out here earlier and never came back in.

I just had a feeling that I should check on her, she hasn't really been herself lately.

Walking up to the outside sitting area, just as my eyes spot her. But I suddenly stop in my step when I see her pushing the visible tears away from her eyes.

Taking a breath and sighed, before taking a seat facing her. Amanda's eyes shoot to me as she sees me, as she wipes her tears away faster.

"Hey...Ella, I was just coming...back in" She stuttered, trying to hide the emotions as spoke.

"Amanda are you okay?" I ask her, she waves of my concern, but I've known her long enough to know when something is wrong.

Amanda, she's a happy, bubbly person, she's upfront and says what's on her mind, she's doesn't hide from anyone or anything.

"Yeah, I'm fine... it's nothing".

"Yeah, I don't believe you, so I'm going to channel my inner badass Amanda Vaughan and push the answer out of you-;" I smiled, she looks at me and lets a small genuine laugh, with a smile.

"I don't push....much" She argued back jokily.

"I'm your family Manda, I'm here. God knows you've been there for me through everything, it's time I returned it" I said trying to get her to open up to me.

"Oliver and me we've been going through some stuff-;" She started to say.

"You guys are you okay, aren't you?"

She looks at me and sadly nods her head, but I see the tears in her eyes still.

"Yeah...I really don't want to tell you this Ella. Not today of all days"

"You can tell me anything," I said not letting it go, she needs someone to talk to. And God knows I've cried to her many times about things, and she's always been there for me.

Amanda holds my stare for a second, but quickly drops it when she knows I'm not letting this conversation end.

"Since our honeymoon, we've been trying to have a baby. And I haven't got pregnant-;" She admitted to me.

Blinking a few times and just stared at her, because neither she nor Oliver has mentioned anything about trying to start a family, to me or to Scott.

I know they both want kids and that they adore Remi. But I didn't know they were actively trying for a baby and for so long.

She said that they've been trying since their honeymoon, their first wedding anniversary is in a few months, so it's nearly been close to a year that they've been dealing with this.

And now I feel like a crappy best friend and sister-in-law, I came here today and announced my pregnancy, basically rubbing it in her face, something that she wants.

"I'm sorry Amanda...if I would have known I would have told you privately".

"No Ella....this is why I didn't want to have this conversation today. You have nothing to apologize for" she said to me in a rush.

"Still-;" She cut me off.

"Still nothing if anyone deserves this kind of happiness and blessing. It's you and Scott, this baby is your rainbow through one hell of a storm you have survived".

I listen to her words, I know she is right this is our rainbow baby after the miscarriage last year, but I still feel guilty because, in the space of the time she has been trying to get pregnant, I've gotten unexpectedly pregnant twice. And my heart hurts for her because I know that she would make a fantastic mom one day.

"I'm still sorry for you, I know how much you want to be a mom"

"Have you been to see specialists" I added, Amanda wipes her fallen tears.

"Yeah, a few weeks ago we did. Oliver's tests were fine, but yesterday my doctor told me. That I have a condition called endometriosis" She replied.

"Endometriosis, I think I've heard of that...is there anything they can do?" I whispered mostly to myself.

"There's no cure for it, it explains a lot though. The main complication is infertility, there's a surgery they can perform to remove the endometriosis tissue, that could improve my chances of getting pregnant, but there's no real guarantee".

"Are you going to have the surgery?" She nods her head, still unsure of herself.

"I think so, I want to explore my options with my own body first. And Oliver and me we've said, that if the surgery doesn't help and that we will try for another six months or so, and if nothing happens then we will consider other options on how to start a family".

"I hate that you...and Ollie have to go through this," I say sadly to her.

"Oliver has been amazing, so loving and caring through it all. Especially when I found out about the endometriosis, I couldn't ask for a better loving husband".

"Good, I would hate for him to have his ass kicked by a woman if he wasn't..." I tried to lighten the mood; she laughs a little.

"On a serious note, if you need anything I am here" I added.

Amanda smiles at me and nods her head.

"I know, which makes you an amazing sister to have." She replies.

I know technically she's my sister-in-law, but she's always my best friend and that will always make her my sister first.

"Let's go back inside, oh I forgot I do have one request..." She started to say as we head back towards the house, arms linked.

"What's that?" I ask, she looks at me and smirks.

"I plan your baby shower..." returning her smile and laughed.

"I wouldn't have anyone else, do it but you" I answered with the truth.

And with that, we head back into the house to our family.