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

Chapter 16

Amanda zipped up her suitcase and sighed as she stared down at it.  Niall's tour was taking them around the United States for about the next month.  She wasn't sure it was the best time for her to leave.  She'd barely known JJ was pregnant for two days, and she was still trying to process the information.  She wished she knew how JJ would take all the changes that would take place in the upcoming months, but she didn't.  She figured JJ would have never taken the chance of getting pregnant.  But, JJ really hadn't, not if JJ was on birth control and the medication messed with it.  But, if anyone would know all of that, she expected it to be JJ.

"Princess?  Why are you staring at your suitcase?"  Niall asked walking into the bedroom.

Amanda turned and looked at him.  "Maybe I should stay.  At least for awhile."

Niall smiled and walked up to Amanda, stood in front of her and wrapped his arms around her waist.  "I know you're worried.  And if you really think you need to stay, I'd understand.  Things have changed a lot, but she's still your best friend."

Amanda draped her arms over Niall's shoulders, and she smiled into his eyes.  "I swear it's like I won the lottery when I got you.  Could you even be anymore perfect?"

Niall chuckled and kissed her lips gently.  "Yes, cuz I swear I'm still jealous of JJ.  I still think you'd run off with her if you had the chance."

Amanda laughed and played with the short hairs on the back of his neck.  "Thank you for always trying to keep it light so I don't go crazy."

"I'm being serious.  Who's trying to keep it light?"  Niall smirked and then took one hand and cupped Amanda's cheek.  "I wish you wouldn't worry so much.  She's not the same girl she was, and Harry's not the same guy he was.  They are as strong together as they've ever been, and they are as strong individually as they've ever been.  Things are going great."

"Things were going great.  And as much as a baby is a blessing and a miracle, I can't help but wonder what this is doing to JJ.  It was only a few days ago she was flipping out over moving in with Harry.  And now she's having his baby."  Amanda grabbed Niall's lips before he started singing his version of Kiwi.  She had heard it over and over again, ever since they'd left Harry's the day they found out.  His lyrics went 'she's having his baby, it's none of your business'.  He informed her that the 'your' in the lyrics meant the paps and the public.  It was cute the first handful of times but then it got old.  Fast.  "Please don't, not again."

Niall removed her hand from his lips and then kissed her knuckles.  "Fine.  But it's not over yet.  I think you need to give her a chance.  Besides being sick, I don't think she looked all that bothered by the fact she was pregnant."

"Well, dear, she was trying not to vomit all the time, and I'm sure she was still in quite a bit of shock."  Amanda shook her head at him.

"Dear, huh?"  Niall chuckled again.  He couldn't help himself.  When Amanda got into JJ protective mode, he found it completely adorable.  "I still think you worry too much.  I think she's gotten through every thing in her life on her shear ability and strength.  And this is a good thing in the end.  Have faith, my dear, have faith."

"Oh, you with the 'dear' now?"  Amanda laughed.  "Your complete faith in her is something else.  Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if you would have chosen JJ to go after when you left the hospital that day?"

Niall laughed.  "Really?  So, me and JJ?  Does that mean you'd be with Harry?"  He shook his head.  "Do you really think that?"

"Not really."  Amanda laughed and shrugged.  "I mean I guess I have before.  You met us both that day.  You seemed to enjoy JJ while in the ER.  I don't know.  I wondered why me all the time."