The two women sobbed when they finally embraced each other. Zach took hold of Stella's crutches as he watched his wife reunite with her dear friend. Amy's heart swelled with emotions holding the older woman in her embrace.
Stella broke the hug and cupped Amy's cheeks, giving her a teary yet gentle gaze. " Look at you. Gosh!"
Amy chuckled with a sob before she sighed softly. There it was, Stella's familiar warm and soft touch that made her feel like a child in this older woman's presence. Seeing her like this, Stella could not help but pull her into another hug and she rubbed soothing circles on her back.
"I've missed you", Amy said with a sob.
"I've missed you too. So much", Stella admitted too. She broke the embrace and wiped away Amy's tears while the latter did that to her as well.
"She's all you could see", a familiar voice complained.
Amy grew alert and she looked behind Stella to find Richard standing next to Henry behind the women. And the women, Amy didn't know them. But now's not the time.
"Richard!" Amy's eyes brimmed with fresh tears threatening to fall. Then she looked at Stella. She couldn't run to him with Stella and she felt bad for leaving her there.
"Go on. I'll help her", Zach said to which she nodded. "Just don't run."
Amy nodded away and descended the stairs while Zach helped Stella with the crutches. Victoria was amazed by the relationship Amy had with Stella and Richard. She made her friends move aside to let the girl. Richard also met Amy halfway and he pulled her into an embrace.
"Aw. There we are. How could you leave without telling this old man?" Richard scolded in a playful tone.
"I'm sorry", Amy sobbed.
"It's okay, kiddo. It's okay."
He had missed the girl as well. They broke the embrace and Amy finally took in the strange faces besides Victoria, Zach, Stella, and Henry who gave her a side hug in greeting. The women were of different ages probably in their forties and fifties. They were four, three of them looked at her in awe while one could not keep her mouth shut out of shock. Amy looked at Victoria who chuckled awkwardly.
"These are my friends Steph, Adelaide, Becky and Kris", Victoria introduced the classy women.
"Ah! Pardon my rudeness. It's nice to meet you all. I've heard so much about you", Amy have them a polite smile as Zach walked to her side.
"It's nice to meet you too", Steph said earning a hum in agreement from Becky.
"When Torrie said she had a beautiful daughter-in-law, I didn't think you'd be as beautiful!" Adelaide said in honesty.
Amy gave her a smile before her gaze fell on Kris. She could not help but feel awkward with Kris who couldn't snap out of her shock. Adelaide was sensible enough to help shut her mouth with a push of her chin upwards before giving Amy an apologetic smile.
"I don't mean to be rude but aren't you leaving? It's women only", Victoria nagged.
"Fine", Henry answered as he threw her a heated gaze. She averted hers and looked anywhere but at him. She was too embarrassed to act lovie dovie in front of everyone. She especially didn't want the kids to know she's been sleeping with her husband. Henry smirked when he saw this.
"Later kiddo", Richard said to Amy before kissing his wife goodbye.
Zach, obviously picked up on Victoria and Henry's little secret but maintained a neutral expression. Amy looked up at him and whispered, "Can I speak to you?"
"Mm. Excuse us", he said before taking her hand and leaving the women behind.
"Wow! This! My brain still can't process this!" Becky said.
"How could you hide a daughter-in-law and a grandchild on the way from us? Wow!" Steph was equally shocked.
"And this! Zach is engaged! Victoria this is too big of news to hide from us!" Adelaide complained.
Earlier when Amy greeted them, they had to keep their cool otherwise they still did not believe it even when Victoria told them to come to Zach's for her daughter-in-law's baby shower. Stella smiled in amusement when she saw Victoria's bashful smile. The latter went to hook her arm around hers.
"You guys are forgetting my very beautiful in-law", Victoria bragged.
"She's Amy's mother?" Becky asked.
"Of course! Can't you tell from the good looks?" Victoria answered.
"But she addressed her with her name", Adelaide spoke.
"Zach and Xavier do that to us too sometimes", she said, smoothing things over.
"Unbelievable", Kris muttered in disbelief.
"Oh? You can still talk. I was starting to think you lost your voice", Victoria taunted, there was laughter in her tone. "Don't be rude to my daughter-in-law, it's her day. I don't want her stressing out especially with her condition".
Kris scoffed and rolled her eyes, "whatever! Who said anything? And when is this party getting started anyway?"
Victoria had a smug smile when she saw this and the rest just shook their heads. Meanwhile, Amy and Zach had gone to the kitchen to have their mini talk. They stopped by the kitchen island and stood facing each other. Zach could not help but worry hoping he had not messed up with this. She was obviously happy about Stella and Richard being here but what about the baby shower itself?
"When did you plan this?" She started.
"Mm.... Was that last week when Mom visited my office? She reminded me that you need a baby shower and she was right. Just because of our situation doesn't mean we have to completely stop enjoying certain things. And don't worry, Stella and Richard's visit won't compromise our situation. I made sure-"
She suddenly hugged him, catching him off guard. He was temporarily shocked before he returned her hug. He kissed the top of her head before resting his chin on top of her head.
"Thank you", she whispered. "For everything."
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