Bite or be bitten

"Yes, I've noticed, which is why I figured we were do for a lunch date by now, "Emma said with a smile. " We both could use a little break from work, it can be so all-consuming sometimes"

"It really is, and don't get me wrong, I love my job, which is why I work as hard as I do, but sometimes I just get so consumed by work, that I forget to make time for myself and my friends, and I am so sorry for that, Emma."

"No need to apologise, in all honesty, I'm like that too and no better than you," she said and smiled softly" well just have to either get better at it or show each other more patience," She said and chuckled.

"Oh im good, adjusting well to the married life, really high key digging it" she said and smiled just at the thought of it. "what about yourself? how have you been Kennedy?"

"Good, I'm glad, you and Atlas are made for each other." She said with a laugh. "I'm doing good! Still living my best single life, but men tend to not like it when you make more than them."

" True, but that's alright, plucks away the weeds in the selection of proper non-petty men," Emma said with an optimistic smile" Thought there is nothing wrong with being single, you can live just as good a life without a partner, some people thrive so much better that way," Emma then added.

Mila nodded, feeling relieved with what she said. Grateful to have her as a best friend. “Thank you “ she said with a smile. she then shrugged “ Yeah and it didn’t help that I was in a whole nother country. With no family or anyone who actually knows my situation, “ she stated.

"There is something seriously wrong about whatever the fuck just happened there." Jax said with a laugh as he watched a guy get rejected for a proposal. "Oh fucking well, better him than me." @rededgerpstarterblog

" You're so freaking selfish" Emma joked and punched his shoulder lightly " he is heartbroken and humiliated and you're just glad its not you"

"I know the school year is almost done because these college students are acting out more than usual." He laughed. "They're like kids on Christmas Day." @rededgerpstarterblog

Emma Chuckled" Kids on Christmas, or animals in heat?" She joked playfully and gave him a teasing wink

"You are seriously the best, Emma." She smiled at her and linked her arms with her. "How are you doing? It's been forever since we last talked."

"Oh im good, adjusting well to the married life, really high key digging it" she said and smiled just at the thought of it. "what about yourself? how have you been Kennedy?"

Emma let out a soft huff at his I’m not a monster, though the corner of her mouth tugged upward like she didn’t entirely buy it. Her fingers tightened a little around the warm mug as she leaned into the counter beside him, still half wrapped in that slow morning haze coffee hadn’t quite burned away yet. “Mm,” she hummed thoughtfully, lifting the mug for a sip before squinting at him over the rim. “You say that like you don’t enjoy psychological warfare before nine a.m.”

"First of all." He said. "The dog would be hiking with me. We’d be a team. I provide the snacks and the navigational skills; he provides the moral support and the excuse to stop and stare at trees." He took a slow, deliberate look at her-messy hair, the oversized shirt, the stubborn way she held onto her mug-and then back at his own reflection in the darkened window of the microwave.

Emma’s lips parted like she was about to argue his “team” comment—but the words never quite made it out. Instead, a quiet, fond sort of smile slipped in, softening her whole expression as she watched him.

Mila sat up more because she saw Emma headed her way and hugged her back. She sighed in relief " Okay I just... I thought you'd be mad at me for not telling you. I mean I really wanted to pick up that phone to call you and tell you everything, but... I just couldn't" she shook her head before pulling away gently. She then nodded and shrugged her shoulders " I mean...I felt scared because I don't know what to do with a baby right now. I don't know if I'll even have time for -it or they, while I'm building a second bakery in France. I know I will have all the support I need here, but...I was just scared of what Donny would say. Especially, after we broke up and all," she nodded as she looked down at her fingers. " And I bet you're wondering have I even thought about the possibly of either aborting or giving them away. The answer is no, I didn't even let it come to mind. I'm not the kind of person to do that and if Donny wasn't okay with it, then I will be raising them on my own," she told her best friend.

Emma’s expression softened instantly, her hands lingering on Mila’s arms like she didn’t want to let go just yet.

"Hey, you look nice tonight!" Jax complimented one of his friends at the mixer. "You having fun? Have you enjoyed Italy?" @rededgerpstarterblog

" Thank you Jax, you don' look too bad yourself" Emma said with a bright smile. " Yes I'm having the time of my life and Italy is fantastic, I've had such a lovely time here, what about yourself?"'

His free hand coming up to rest briefly on the small of her back. The "sleepy hum" was a sound he’d come to recognize as the official start of his day—far more effective than any alarm clock. When she finally processed the word dog, he felt the shift in her energy instantly. The grogginess evaporated, replaced by that sharp, inquisitive spark he loved. "I’d never prank you before your first cup, Em. I’m not a monster," Atlas said/ He didn't break; instead, the corner of his mouth quirked up, a tell-tale sign that he’d been thinking about this for much longer than the five minutes it took to brew the coffee.

Emma let out a soft huff at his I’m not a monster, though the corner of her mouth tugged upward like she didn’t entirely buy it. Her fingers tightened a little around the warm mug as she leaned into the counter beside him, still half wrapped in that slow morning haze coffee hadn’t quite burned away yet. “Mm,” she hummed thoughtfully, lifting the mug for a sip before squinting at him over the rim. “You say that like you don’t enjoy psychological warfare before nine a.m.”

Emma went completely still. For a second, the only sound in the room was the faint rustle of fabric as she shifted her weight and the quiet hum of whatever background noise filled the apartment. Her eyes stayed fixed on Mila like her brain was still trying to catch up to what she’d just heard.“...Three months?” she repeated softly.It wasn’t judgment in her voice. It was a shock, gentle, careful shock. She studied Mila momentarily with those worried eyes that always gave her away.“You’ve been carrying that around by yourself for three months?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

"All of that, actually." Kat said with a smile. "You can tell Atlas to pick you up in a few hours." She added with a laugh.

Emma chuckled, " Yes, sounds great, I'll keep Atlas on standby," She joked back

Emma went completely still. For a second, the only sound in the room was the faint rustle of fabric as she shifted her weight and the quiet hum of whatever background noise filled the apartment. Her eyes stayed fixed on Mila like her brain was still trying to catch up to what she’d just heard.“...Three months?” she repeated softly.It wasn’t judgment in her voice. It was a shock, gentle, careful shock. She studied Mila momentarily with those worried eyes that always gave her away.“You’ve been carrying that around by yourself for three months?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

The morning light filtered through the kitchen window, turning the steam rising from Atlas’s mug into a swirling golden mist. He leaned against the counter in his pajama pants and a well-worn charcoal hoodie, looking significantly more awake than he actually felt. At the sound of familiar, sleepy footsteps approaching, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He didn't turn around immediately; instead, he reached for a second mug--and began pouring a coffee exactly the way he knew it was preferred.

Emma padded into the kitchen with the slow, heavy steps of someone who had not yet fully rejoined the world of the living. One hand dragged lightly along the wall as if it were guiding her there, her hair a messy halo around her face. The smell of coffee reached her before Atlas did, and her eyes blinked open a little wider in quiet gratitude.

Kennedy gave a smile to the man that she was talking to and glanced over his shoulder when she saw someone she knew. "It was great talking to you, but if you excuse me, I have a friend to catch up with." She nodded at him and walked over to her friend. "You came right on time, that guy was so boring." She laughed. @rededgerpstarterblog

" I did?" Emma chuckled lightly at her words," In that case, you're welcome. I'm always up for saving a friend from boredom."