Suddenly

Flashback: Telling Mamrie

Two years ago

"Are you sure?" Mamrie asked for what was probably the tenth time.

A pained looked crossed Grace's face. Honestly, she just wished her friend would stop repeating that question. As if this wasn't hard enough without Mamrie's incessant questions.

"I'm seven weeks." She had practiced the sentence before coming to meet Mamrie today. The words still sounded so foreign coming out of her mouth, as if she was still trying to convince herself.

The redhead leaned back against the red chair she was sitting in. This was the last thing she had been expecting to hear at nine am on a Monday. A fleeting thought of whether or not it was too early for a Bloody Mary crossed her mind, it surely wouldn't be the first time.

"Are you, you know," Mamrie paused, "are you going to keep it, Grace?"

The silence that fell over the room was nearly deafening.

Grace's right hand subconsciously went to rest on her still flat stomach. She had been agonizing over her decision of whether or not to keep this impending arrival since she had found out about it a week ago. She hadn't even told another soul about it, until now. Her courage to tell Josh had not yet manifested. No, Mamrie, her best friend and biggest confidant was the first to hear the news.

"It's okay if you don't want to? I mean, I sure as hell won't judge you." The older woman nearly whispered. Grace wouldn't be the first of her friends to ever get an abortion. It had never been something Mamrie judged. A woman's body was her own.

Grace stayed silent for a long time. She knew Mamrie wouldn't judge her for getting rid of this baby. Her baby. At the same time, what worried her was Mamrie's opinion when she told her she wanted to keep it.

"Mame," her voice shook pitifully,"I'm....I'm not getting rid of it."

Those were not words Mamrie had been expecting. Grace had never been one for children, they absolutely terrified her. Now she was actually telling her she wanted to bring one into the world? Yep, it wasn't too early for a Bloody Mary.

The redhead thought carefully before saying her next words. She didn't want to scare Grace or make her freak out s d think she wasn't being supportive. Mamrie was fully prepared to accept the idea of abortion and get Grace nice and drunk as soon as she was able. This, no this, was very unexpected and confusing. She wasn't sure she really knew how to be supportive of this. It's not that she hated kids, hell, she adored them. Regardless, she didn't really think her best friend was at a point in her life when she could take care of a child. Also, she hated the idea of Grace having a baby with him.

Josh was an absolute dick. Since he and Grace had begun dating months ago, she had seen a noticeable change in her friend. She spent less time with her and Hannah. She was quieter and more reserved. Even her online presence had changed. Sure, she still posted her videos, but the comedy seemed forced at times. Mamrie knew it was because of Josh, she had overheard him on multiple occasions bashing Grace's chosen career. She had worked so hard to make her name known, now she doubted her decisions and constantly second guessed herself.

"Are you sure?" She didn't mean for the words to come out, they were strained and in a slightly higher pitch than she intended.

Grace choked a bit before beginning to cry. She buried her face in her hands and just sobbed. Mamrie could have sworn she could feel her heart break. It hurt her to see Grace like this. This wasn't her Grace.

"Oh honey, don't cry," she moved to sit beside the taller woman and wrapped her arms around her. "No matter what, you know I am here for you. You will be a wonderful mom, sure you have a few kinks to work out, but that kid is going to be the luckiest kid in the world."

After a few moments, Grace's sobs began to fade into pathetic hiccups.

"What about Josh?" Mamrie couldn't keep from asking the question any longer. "If you want to do this on your own, I get it."

A pained noise escaped Grace's throat. She knew that subject was going to come up, not that she wish it hadn't. It was no secret between her and Mamrie that her relationship with Josh was strained. It was borderline toxic at this point. Her mind was torn. She didn't want to be that mother who forced her child to grow up without a father. Her mind hoped that Josh would be happy about this and this baby would change their relationship.

"I don't know." She squeaked. "I don't want it to grow up to hate me because I didn't allow it to know its father. But, then again, I don't even know if Josh wants kids. I've never wanted them, I just assumed he wouldn't either."

Mamrie nodded thoughtfully. She understood where Grace was coming from. It wouldn't be fair to deny Josh or the baby of the opportunity to know one another, even if Josh was a massive dickhead. Grace would never forgive herself if the baby resented her one day.

The redhead waited a few moments to speak anymore. Then a smile spread across her face. She gave Grace a playful slap on the shoulder. "Well hells bells, Helbig, looks like we are having a baby! You think I can get it to call me Aunt Mametown?"

A melodic laugh escaped Grace. It felt good to laugh. It felt even better to know that Mamrie was on her side, just like she always was. She was glad she never had to doubt Mamrie's loyalty.

"Sure! I'm sure you will be having it make drinks by the time it's two." Grace joked playfully.

"Oh my god! We can have a kiddie version of YDAD!" The redhead threw her head back in laughter. "Can you imagine a mini Grace making puns about Apple juice?"

A/N If you've read my other story, you would know I love flashback 😂. There will be a few of these sprinkled throughout this story. Left me know if you like them, or hate them! Thanks for reading!