Happily Ever After?? (Third in the Through The Dark And Free series)

Chapter 14

Amanda did as she was asked, and it went without a hitch. She was a woman on a mission to keep this as quiet as possible and was grateful her favorite pharmacist was working. She pulled him aside, explained it needed to be kept quiet, and without question, the medications were filled and only handled by him. Ever since JJ had told her, Amanda had been trying to figure out the best way to help her friend, other than getting JJ's prescriptions for her. She knew that JJ wouldn't have wanted this pregnancy. Amanda had been proud of her for agreeing to move in with Harry. She didn't mean for it to sound like JJ was a kid, but things were hard for JJ. Her past made every decision that JJ made, especially about her relationship, more difficult.

Amanda took the meds from the pharmacist, thanked him again, stuffed them in her bag and made her way back out through the hospital. She stopped to talk to a few of her former co-workers, ensured them that everything was fine. Said she would tell JJ hello for them, and then made her way back to the car. The drive back seemed too short. Amanda was trying to determine the best way to be there for JJ, but also to make sure JJ knew she was strong enough to get through this on her own. After she pulled up to Harry's house, she grabbed her bag and walked back to the front door. Before she could even knock, the door swung open, and Niall was standing there. "Well, hi. You came to the door fast."

Niall nodded and let Amanda in. "Yeah, JJ's been pretty sick while you were gone, but she just fell asleep, so Harry was very clear that we should not wake her."

"That bad, huh?" Amanda set her bag down and dug into it for the pill bottles. She set them on the counter. Harry was in the kitchen washing off a plate when she spoke. "Here are the meds. It went smoothly, and we have nothing to worry about with the pharmacist. He's the best."

Harry's whole body relaxed in relief. "Thanks. I just hope she can keep them down. Is this normal?" He asked walking over and inspecting the pill bottles.

"Well, I've never been pregnant before, but yeah, I believe it can be. Every one is a bit different, but morning sickness can be brutal." Amanda sat on the stool and spun to look at JJ. She looked comfortable propped up on the couch, sound asleep, so Amanda turned back to Harry. "How's she really taking this?" She asked quietly, a bit pensive.

"She's, having trouble with it. Some moments are better than others. She seems to accept it one second, and then wonder if she should accept it the next." Harry sighed, running his hand through his hair, and looked from Amanda to Julie and then back to Amanda. "She doesn't think she will be a good mother. I just wish there was a way to convince her that she's capable, if she chooses to accept it."

Amanda put her hand over Harry's on the counter. "You can't force her to accept it, Harry. You can't force her to see herself as a good mom. You have to let her take this at her own pace. Do you remember our conversation after you attended her first therapy session? You have to listen, let her feel how she needs to feel, and let her work it out. Just support her, be there for her."

"I know. And I'm trying. Things have been going so well. She was just starting to accept that we were good together, that living with me was a good idea. And then, this." Harry put his other hand over Amanda's. "And she keeps apologizing, over and over again. And I keep telling her there's no need to apologize and that I don't blame her."

Amanda looked at Harry's face and cocked her head to the side. "There's something more that's bothering you, I can tell. What is it?"

Harry shook his head. "Women are too perceptive most of the time. The other night, before we found out she was pregnant, we had a fight, and I know we've fought before, but this one was by far the worst. It was pretty brutal. We both said some things we shouldn't have. Screamed and yelled. But, I said some things I really shouldn't have. And it's been bothering me since."