Serving Chicago

Chapter 24: Decisions

"And are you sure?" Gabby checked. Mia glared at her best friend. Gabby raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, you're sure."

"Yes I'm sure Gabby! 14 tests don't lie!" Emilia Frances exclaimed as she paced her apartment. She had left shift almost two hours ago feigning a migraine. Casey hadn't questioned it really, Emilia had been seemingly unwell for the past few days so he had actually been glad that she finally admitted to it.

Now, they stood in the new kitchen of Emilia and Jay's home, Jay would still be in work until much later and Emilia really needed to sort her - well, little problem out.

Gabby and Sylvie had been on their way back from a call when the Latino paramedic asked Sylvie to make a quick stop at the lieutenants place to make sure she was ‘okay’. Gabby had told Sylvie that she would only be a few minutes and there was no need for both of them to bother Emilia if she was sick. Sylvie, although slightly confused at first she soon agreed and waited in the ambo.

"Jeez, did you really not want to be pregnant" Gabby muttered under her breath as she tucked her hands back in her pocket. “What are you gonna do?”

Emilia groaned and finally sat down, her head in her hands as she thought over...everything. Her and Jay had obviously talked about the possibility or rather the inevitability of having children one day but Mia had not expected it to be..quite so soon. They had been together for a few months now, granted they had known each other for 15 years now, though they had never ever considered becoming a couple, now they were living together but they were in no means ready for a relationship.

“Shit” Emilia exclaimed, her wide eyes fixing on Gabby’s who’s head popoed up at the sound of Mia’s cursing. “Jay”

“You have to tell him” Gabby said simply.

“I know.” Emilia nodded. She sat back down to the bar stool. She looked around, she was sat in their new home. “What if- what if Jay doesn't want this?”

“Then he'll have me to deal with” Gabby tried to joke. At any other time Mia would have been thankful for the light heartedness but right now that was the last thing she wanted. Gabby sat beside Mia, her features thoughtful and caring. “Jay- he's a good guy. He'll do what's right”

"What would my dad think of me? Oh my god Jamie? Kelly! Even Matt?" Mia gave an exasperated sigh. "What if they hate Jay?"

Gabby had to chuckle. "You've been seeing him for months now. Matt loves him, I can assure you! And Kelly? Hell, he might go all big brother on you but he'll be there for you no matter what Jay does or thinks."

Emilia nodded. "How do I tell him?"

Gabby thought for a moment. "How about I take you to the doctor? Make sure everything's okay?"

It was Emilia's turn to think. She knew her friend was trying to help her but she couldn't help but already determine the guilt she would feel if she didn't take Jay. "I think- I think I need to go with Jay."

"Okay." Gabby nodded. "If you need me, I'll be there, you know that right?"

Emilia nodded this time.

She had always imagine becoming a mom, alongside getting married they had been the two things she dreamed of since she was a young girl. But right here and right now, she didn't feel that happiness she once predicted, she felt lonely and lost.

"What's up hunny?" Gabby snapped Emilia away from her thoughts.

"It's just. I knew one day this would happen- I just- I thought it would be with Steve" Emilia Frances admitted sadly.