Emma's POV
"What about this one?" Brynn held up a blue item to me.
"I need something not gender specific." I smiled at my best friend.

"I think it's going to be a boy!" Brynn smirked at me.
We were in a small boutique in Port Angeles trying to figure out a sweet way to break the news to my mate he's going to be a father. Two guards are with us, but they are discreetly waiting outside the store.
I'm still in shock that Jason's fairy trick that day in Seattle actually worked. Even after I took the pregnancy test I just couldn't believe it. I went to a human doctor to confirm the pregnancy. Because of my PCOS, my progesterone levels were low and I was put on progesterone supplements to help sustain the pregnancy until the placenta can take over. While Jason had told me a couple of weeks ago if I conceived Fae magic will help, a little extra progesterone surely can't hurt. The only other person who knows right now is Brynn. She hasn't told me how she knows.
"Oh my God Emma, use this one!" Brynn held up a yellow onesie that said I may be small but I'm one big squish come true. And I knew immediately that was the one.
"Yes!!" I took the onesie from Brynn and with the baby bottle I had picked up, made my way to the cashier.
"What's the baby bottle for?" Brynn asked.

"Ok it sounds weird, but it's for the pregnancy test. It's something I saw on Pinterest." I smiled thinking of how Jason was going to react. As much as I wanted him with me when I took the pregnancy test, in the end it was for the best. An early confirmation got me the medication I needed quickly.
After we paid for our items we went over to our hangout, the Old Port. I had a craving for the chicken alfredo, a sure sign I'm already experiencing the upside of pregnancy. I've never been one for heavy carbs. The bar was pretty much empty save for the bartender and a couple of old men sitting at the bar. Brynn and I grabbed a table in the sunroom that faced the bay and gave a gorgeous view.
"So what all did the doctor say?" Brynn sat down across from me.
"Other than covertly fat shaming me, congratulations." I'm still somewhat bitter about my first OB visit.

"Want me to go freeze him and kick him in the gonads?" I almost spit my drink at Brynn.
"It's a woman and you shouldn't be using your gift for assault!" I laughed and Brynn laughed with me.
"How does that b***h think you are fat! You have curves and boobs I'd kill to have!" Brynn grumbled teasingly.
"According to the almighty BMI chart, I'm obese and according to the doctor putting my baby at risk. She told me I shouldn't gain weight during this pregnancy. She started rambling on about how my weight will cause all kinds of issues and I fired back how I have PCOS, so she's not really telling me anything I don't already know! Then she was all well let's test your progesterone and get you started on that!" Brynn's eyes about rolled in the back of her head.
"I'm so sorry. You aren't going back to her right?"
"F**k no. I'll stick with Arlen's Fae healers from this point on, though I wonder how that will work if there are complications and I have to have a c-section?" As much as I hated to admit it, that deeply worried me.
"I'm sure Arlen will figure it out. Faes and humans often mate up. This has to have come up before so he must know how to deal with it." Brynn squeezed my hand in reassurance. She's such an amazing friend, and I can't believe how far she's come in the last few months.
"He better know what to do because the next one pregnant could be you!" I pointed teasingly at her and watched the color drain from Brynn's face.
"Brynn, are you OK? What did I say wrong!?" I panicked.
"No, you're fine. I've already told Arlen this, but Patrick really messed that up for me." Brynn looked down quickly, and I saw her grab the napkin to wipe her eyes.
"Oh no, Brynn!" I got up to hug my best friend but she held up her hand.
"I'll be alright. The doctors back in Maine told me there is still a small chance, but there is too much damage to my womb from what Patrick put me through." Brynn told me sadly.
How badly I wanted to get my hands on that son of a b***h and kill him myself!! "Oh Brynn. It can't be easy seeing me like this..."
"Don't you do that! You have NO idea how happy I am for you and Jason! Emma, I know how much you wanted this and I'm so elated it happened for you. Seriously, I can't wait to watch you on this journey." I felt the tears leak out of my face and watched as Brynn wiped her face.
"Now that we are both blubbering messes, why don't we order some food?" I motioned for the waiter to come over.
"So you and Arlen. How is that going?"
"It's going. We've been getting more touchy feely and I've been sleeping in his bed, but I'm still holding back. It's like I get to a certain point when he touches me in a certain spot, and I freeze and get terrified, and he has to stop. Arlen has been SO patient and understanding, but it has to be wearing on him." Brynn stared out at the water.
"That has to be hard. Have you been talking to your therapist about it?"
"I have, and she gave me some suggestions like trying to visualize the feelings Arlen gives me in those moments. But it isn't helping. Because as soon as I get to the point I think I can go for it, I'm back in that apartment and that disgusting man is on top of me. It sucks. I'm with a man I'm so in love with and I'm so hung up on the trauma that I can't let go and enjoy being physical with him." Brynn turned to face me, her eyes filled with unshed tears.
"I want to be able to lay down and enjoy the pleasure Arlen can give me. But Arlen can't even touch my breasts because the moment he does, I see Patrick's eyes staring back at me. Arlen loves my legs but I refuse to let him even see my left ankle much less touch it. I just want to be able to let go and just enjoy being with him!" Brynn vented in frustration.
"It may be weird to approach them, but maybe the wizards can do some kind of spell to block Patrick out when you want those moments with Arlen?" Brynn's eyes lit up with hope.
"Maybe. I never would've thought of that! See Emma I'm glad I tell you things!" We both laughed hysterically.
"Lord whatever you do, don't tell Arlen." I told her. Arlen would flip his lid if he found out Brynn was discussing their intimate life with the two wizards.
"I think I should because whatever spell they can do to help, he may have to be there for it. He can command them to silence." Brynn shrugged.
"But aren't they not obligated to follow his commands being different beings?" I asked her.
"They became part of his kingdom for protection. They took an oath of obedience." Brynn smirked at me. We made some small talk until our food came. Just after Brynn put her fork down, her eyes narrowed.
"Ok don't turn around, but there is some guy sitting at the bar really checking you out. Like staring at you in shock."
"Well he can keep looking I'm spoken for." I stared out the window and caught the reflection of the man staring at me. And I realized.....
"Oh God." I whispered and kept my face turned.
"You know him?" Brynn asked.
"It's my ex Brynn, it's Nick!!" I can't turn around.
"What the hell are you serious!? I thought he moved to Australia!" Brynn exclaimed.
"He must be visiting or moved back. I need to get out of here!" I whispered frantically, looking for an exit.
"There's an exit at the end of this room. Go, I'll pay!" Brynn waived the waiter down as I got up and dashed out the door, hoping like hell Nick wasn't following me. But it was no use. I was literally steps from my vehicle when I heard Nick behind me.
"Emma! Wait please!" I turned around and stared hard at the man who broke my heart. The two bodyguards were standing on each side of the car staring daggers at him. I put up my hand to let them know I was safe.
"Nick, it's good to see you again but I can't talk long. Are you back for good?" I need to know this.
"Yes, I'm home. I went to your apartment first but someone else is living there." I could not believe what I was hearing.
"I live with my boyfriend now." Nick's dark eyes became angry.
"Emma! You left your stuff from the baby boutique...." Brynn ran my bag out to me and started at me. I realized fast she said that on purpose. To show Nick I've moved on and am happy with someone else.
Nick's eyes narrowed into slits. "I thought it was impossible for you to have children!!" He shouted at me in anger.
"Hey, I told you the doctor gave me a small chance. We had a long talk about it Nick, remember!! YOU were the one who decided against adoption if fertility treatments didn't work! YOU were the one who told me this couldn't work for you!!" I shouted right back at Nick. He wasn't expecting that.
Well guess what Nick Prentiss?? The sweet Emma who let you run the show and let you end our relationship because you wouldn't compromise is long gone!!
"I didn't want a child that wasn't of our own blood Emma! Get it straight!" Nick snarled at me. Disgust hit me in waves
"So you would have rather this woman go through what could have been multiple fertility treatments and emotional anguish, just so you could have a child of your own blood!?!" Brynn asked him disbelief.
"Hey ginger girl, this conversation doesn't concern you!" Oh God! I stared at Brynn and begged her with my eyes not to freeze this fool.
"Uhm yes, it does!! This is my best friend who has an amazing man now and a wonderful lifer. You had your chance and YOU p****d it away!!" Brynn shouted back at him.
"Shut the f**k up you dumb b***h nobody asked for your opinion!!" I stared at Nick in utter disbelief and held my breath. The two body guards were ready to pounce.
But Brynn smiled mischievously at him. "I'm not going to waste my breath explaining why it isn't wise to make an enemy of me. But rest assured if you EVEN come near Emma again, you will know just what I'm capable of. Now turn around and walk away, NOW!!!" Brynn stared holes at Nick until he finally turned on his heel and headed back to his red sports car. We watched as he sped off, almost knocking over the bar sign.
"Brynn that wasn't necessary, he isn't dangerous." I laughed but Brynn turned and stared at me.
"Don't underestimate him, Emma. He's got Patrick vibes written all over him and we already have more than enough enemies to deal with." Dread washed over me.
Just who is Nick Prentiss? And how was I so blind to who he really is?