Beside You | Jemi

Twenty Two

"You did what?!" Eddie exclaimed Demi sighing as she leant back against the couch. It wasn't the kind of reaction she was hoping for when she told her parents that she had offered to carry Joe's baby but it was much more than just carrying Joe's baby, it would be her child as well and would have to watch another woman raise him or her.

"I offered to carry a baby for them because they can't, I know it's not something that is suitable but Joe is my best friend and I'm willing to do it for him if it means he'll be happy and so will Emily. Joe means the world to me." Demi answered.

"But Demi this comes down to more than you just carrying a baby for them. It will be your own child that you'll have to give to them just minutes after he or she is born. It will take a strong woman to be able to do that and before you commit yourself to anything we want to make sure that you believe that you are strong enough." Dianna urged Demi sighing.

"I'll think about it but don't worry, he didn't seem to keen on the suggestion so if I do decide to do it I'll have to convince Joe," Demi stated. "But Joe is my best friend and I'll be around the baby all the time, I've always told him I'll be an Aunt to his children cause he doesn't have any."

"You'd be his or her's mom not Aunt Demi no matter what they call you, you'll be the name on the birth certificate." Eddie answered.

"I know which is why I really need to think about this before I commit to anything. I know how hard this is going to be, you don't need to tell me that but now seems most suitable than any other time. I'm not working yet and it can be done while I look for a place." She knew no matter what she told her parents they wouldn't fully be behind her.

Demi leaned up kissing Joe's cheek as she handed him a bottle of wine, he had offered for her to come over to dinner that night so they could catch up some more. It would give her a chance to get to know Emily a little more since she never got the chance before. She was a completely different person to who she was when she was a teenager. Joe led her through into the dining room where they both took a seat Joe pouring the wine.

"Emily is just getting changed, she's still a bit down so everything is taking a bit longer for her." Joe explained Demi sighing, she couldn't imagine how she must be feeling.

"So how did you become head chef? I thought you'd be a little young to get there." Demi stated starting up a new conversation, she hoped to get both their minds of everything that had happened today but she knew it would be hard.

"I became close to Colin, the man who trained me up, and he gave me the spot when he retired," Joe shrugged his shoulders. "Colleagues weren't too happy about it but who gives a shit because I'm their boss now." Demi laughed taking a sip from the wine glass before setting in on the table again, she could imagine him getting stroppy at everyone when orders weren't getting done as quickly as he wanted it to go.

"I think we all knew you were going to become a chef one day." Demi stated.

"Yeah I used to help mom with dinner all the time, tonight is really simple though. More the food you would enjoy and not what is put on the menu at work." Joe explained.

"Why is it all fine dining at work?" Joe nodded his head gently.

"I've thought about changing it up but the atmosphere and design is just right for fine dining. I'm thinking about opening my own restaurant one day anyway so I'll wait until I get around to that." They begun to have a conversation as dinner was continuing to cook and as Emily was getting ready for tonight but Demi wanted to tell Joe about her thoughts before she came back so didn't waste any time on starting up the conversation.

"Joe I've been thinking all day and I'm really considering offering to carry a baby for you and Emily." Demi revealed looking up at him.

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