Filling in the Cracks

Chapter 37: Not a Goodbye

Shaking. I'm shaking. Why you ask? Well, my best friend from Monte Carlo should be here any minute. I should be happy since she'll be taking my mind off, you-know-who. But what do I do instead? Be a nervous wreck!

I just hope she'll find everything at its best and everyone will get along with her. What am I saying? Of course they will! It's Zoe Flemmings we're talking about here! Correction. Zoe Hartman now. Fun, social, chirpy, and now with a baby bump Zoe! I wonder if she looks like Chelsea, or something close to her.

My thoughts were broken by the buzz and I instantly ran down before hearing whatever the guard had to say, I slipped on my sandals and quickly ran a hand through my natural wavy hair and took a few deep breaths.

I can be a bit much when I'm excited.

I decided to hide in the kitchen and let Linda bring Zoe and Brandon into the living room to greet Mom and Dad. That's right. My Dad's here. He came in last night especially for graduation which was now only two days away. It felt so good to be a daddy's girl again.

Noah was coming in the next flight which would land in about three hours. Talk about a full house.

I slowly crept up behind Zoe who was now sitting on a leather loveseat with Brandon. I knew he saw me since he sent me a small smile and chuckle. Zoe was too busy to notice since she was eating a 'few' finger sandwiches.

Pregnant women sure can eat. Wait let me rephrase that. Zoe sure can eat.

"Boo!" I yelled onto Zoe's side as she dropped her finger sandwich and grasped onto Brandon letting out a short yet loud scream.

I laughed and sat on the edge of the loveseat looking at my best friend in amusement. She playfully slapped my arm.

"Don't you know not to scare a pregnant women!" Zoe exclaimed while I pulled her into a bear hug right as my mom and dad came in.

"Brandon." I greeted him with a big smile and a short hug.

"Have you been treating my best friend alright?" I asked him feigning seriousness.

"Always the best." He chuckled showing off his teeth. His smile wasn't as good as Kayden's but I can see my bestfriend has a good eye for men.

Why am I even thinking about him.

"Mom, Dad." I brought them towards Zoe and Brandon.

"Remember Zoe," I started to ask my mother, but I guess the bone crushing hug meant a 'yes.'

"Mom, don't kill the pregnant woman." I joked.

She quickly let go and regained herself, she looked over to the couple and smiled happily like a mother looks at her children. Zoe was basically a sister to me and a daughter to my mother. Zoe was family. Especially since the only family she had lived in New Zealand., her 32-year-old brother Derek and his girlfriend Clarissa.

"How dare you think I'd ever forget Zoe! But I certainly don't remember this." My mother smiled and rubbed Zoe's baby bump which was clearly showing unlike Chelsea's.

"Have you decided a name for.." My mother trailed off not knowing the gender.

"Her, and we decided on Britt. Britt Sunset Hartman." Zo said with a huge smile now directed to me.

I looked at my friend with a huge smile biting down on my bottom lip from letting the happy tears flow out.

"Zo!" I went up and hugged her once again. "You didn't have to.." I trailed off.

"Idiot, I wanted too." She ruffled my hair as if I were a little kid. I mean just because she was a couple inches taller than me, she didn't have hair messing up rights. Heck nobody did!