~January~

“Mommy?”

“What, baby?” Daphne asked.

She glanced in the rearview mirror at Misty as she drove.

“Where’s Kyle been?” Misty asked.

“He’s been…around. Haven’t you seen him when he picks Lucas up?” Daphne asked.

“Yeah, but he hasn’t come over with Lucas.”

“Oh, right. Well mommy and Kyle aren’t that friendly anymore. Maybe one day after school he can pick you up too so you and Lucas can play. Would you like that?”

Misty grinned and nodded.

“Okay, I’ll call him then,” Daphne laughed.

At the school, Daphne double parked and quickly got Misty out of the car.

“Okay, baby, remember to stay in the school until Uncle Matt comes,” she told her as she walked her into the school.

“I know, mommy. Why are you and Uncle Matt acting funny?” Misty asked.

“We just want you to be safe. Now what did Uncle Matt tell you?”

“To not walk out and look for him.”

“Very good. Okay, have a good day,” Daphne smiled as she tightly hugged her.

“I love you,” she added as she kissed her forehead.

“Love you,” Misty smiled as she walked off.

Daphne watched her walk into her classroom before heading back to the car. Thankfully, she hasn’t seen or heard from Jared since New Year’s. Along with Matt, she still takes precautions with Misty though.

After grabbing a coffee from Dunkin Donuts, she arrived at work right before her shift started.

“Good morning,” she smiled as she walked inside.

A chorus of ‘good mornings’ followed as she set her stuff down at her station.

“Hey, I’m going to take off early today. Brian wants me to do his hair,” she told Maria.

“That’s fine. Why can’t he just come here though?” Maria asked.

“Cause he’s too damn lazy,” Daphne laughed.

“So how’s Misty doing?” Maria asked as Daphne started working.

“She’s good. She’s doing so well in school,” Daphne smiled, proudly.

“I bet you’re proud. How about that guy you’re seeing? Kyle, is it?”

“We actually stopped seeing each other; things just got a little too complicated. We’re still friends though. His son is Misty’s best friend.”

“That’s adorable. Are they close?”

“Really close. Wherever one is, the other is right behind. I’m telling you, they’ll be friends for like ever,” Daphne laughed.

***

“I think I’m going to head out,” Daphne told Maria around one that afternoon.

“Take care, honey,” Maria smiled.

“You too,” Daphne smiled as she grabbed her belongings.

She headed out to her car, placing her belonging in the passenger seat. As she pulled onto the street, she tried calling Brian. He didn’t answer. Huffing, she placed her phone down and decided to just show up.

She sat outside his house for about ten minutes, perfecting her hair and make-up. She unzipped her jacket just enough to show a hint of cleavage. She added red lipstick and a touch of perfume before finally getting out of the car. She grabbed her clippers, scissors and comb from her bag and started up the walkway. She rapped on the door and played with her hair while she waited for him to answer. She smiled when she heard him approach the door. Her smile fell when she found that he wasn’t on the other side of the door.

Before, Daphne would have insulted the way Zoey looked for no reason at all. Now, she actually had a reason. To say that she looked horrible would be an understatement. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun on top of her head. It also looked greasy. She had dark circles under her eyes and they were swollen. She was pale, without a trace of make-up on. Daphne hardly recognized her. She was dressed in a pair of yoga pants and one of Brian’s shirts.

“Um, hey,” she smiled.

“What the hell do you want?” Zoey spat.

‘The bitch is back,’ Daphne thought.

“Brian asked me to come over to cut his hair,” Daphne explained.

“Well, he’s not here. Now go!” Zoey snarled.

She turned and slammed the door shut behind her. Daphne huffed and glared at the door. She turned the knob and let herself in.

“Oh, I can wait,” she smirked.

Zoey turned on the steps and glared at her.

“Um, I don’t remember inviting you in,” she barked.

“I don’t remember asking to be invited,” Daphne shrugged.

They glared at each other until Zoey gave in.

“Fuck it. I don’t have the energy to fight with you,” she muttered as she made her way up the steps.

Daphne eventually followed her. She found her in one of the guest bedrooms. They were making it into a nursery. A crib was set up in one corner, a rocking chair in the other. The walls were painted pink and multiple stuffed animals and toys were stacked up on the small dresser against the wall. The changing table was already stocked with diapers and wipes. Zoey was near the window, setting up the pack n’ play. Daphne felt her chest tighten.

“Can’t you at least be anywhere else in the house?” Zoey spat.

“I’d rather be in here, with you,” Daphne smirked, pushing her buttons.

“Oh right, I forgot. You just do any damn thing you want to. Oh wait, I should say anyone you want to,” Zoey smirked.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Daphne spat.

“Don’t play dumb, blondie. I saw you and Brian kiss on New Year’s. Abby also told me that you two fucked!”

Daphne’s jaw fell agape.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?”

“I’m sorry, Zoey. It was just the one time,” Daphne told her.

Zoey gave her the yeah-right look.

“Three times,” Daphne muttered.

“Wow, only three times. Well that’s no big deal at all!” Zoey laughed, humorlessly.

“I don’t even understand why you’re so upset about it!”

“Excuse me? Why the hell wouldn’t I be upset? I’m his wife!”

“Some wife you are! All you do is bitch at him and spend his money! I don’t even think you love him. Hell, is the baby even his?” Daphne barked.

Zoey stopped fussing with the pack n’ play and looked over at her.

“Is that what you all really think of me?” she asked.

“Well, you haven’t really made us think otherwise,” Daphne spat.

“For your information, I do love my husband. I love him very much. When I was growing up, I hardly had anything because my parents were in and out of work. I always wanted better for myself as an adult. When I first got with Brian, he immediately spoiled me. He treated me like a princess. I do realize that I got a little too used to it. But, I’ve been working on it and I have been a lot better. The money that Brian gives me to spend goes on the baby. I get my maternity clothes from my sister. I’ll be damned if this baby has a life like the one I had growing up. Oh, and I would never cheat on Brian. There is no possible way that this baby isn’t his. Unlike you, I know the value of marriage,” Zoey spat.

Daphne opened her mouth to speak.

“I’m not done, bitch!” Zoey snarled.

Daphne closed her mouth, narrowing her eyes at her.

“Everything was fine between us until you came back into the town! We started fighting as soon as you got here because I saw the way he looked at you. Its like I didn’t even exist. I was ready to call it quits until I found out I was pregnant. I was so excited. I figured the baby would bring Brian back to me. I figured everything would go back to the way it was. And it did, for a while. When I saw you two kissing, everything went back to hell. We have been fighting this entire week because of you! Its all your fault you fuc-”

Zoey stopped mid-insult to place a hand on her stomach. She doubled over and let out a deep breath.

“Are you okay?” Daphne asked.

“Shut up, I’m fine!” Zoey spat as she sank down into the rocking chair.

Daphne noticed her body tense again. Her face contorted in pain.

“Zoey, what’s going on?” she asked as she kneeled next to the chair.

“I’ve just been having bad cramps this past week. Its probably just stress. They haven’t been this bad though,” Zoey muttered.

“Maybe you should go to the hospital,” Daphne suggested.

“I can wait for Brian,” Zoey insisted.

As soon as the words left her mouth, another cramp twisted in her abdomen. Before, she could change her mind, Daphne quickly offered to take her.

“Why the hell would I go anywhere with you?” Zoey spat.

“Um, so you can go see if the baby is okay,” Daphne said in a ‘duh’ tone.

Zoey reluctantly agreed. Daphne helped her out of the chair and down the steps. Zoey got in the car as Daphne quickly locked up the house for her. She hopped in the driver’s seat and quickly pulled out onto the road.

“How are you doing?” she asked after a few awkwardly silent minutes.

“Still cramping,” Zoey muttered.

“What are you guys naming her?” Daphne asked, trying to distract Zoey.

“Is that supposed to take my mind off of this?” Zoey spat.

Daphne stayed silent, staring at the road in front of her.

“I’m sorry, Daphne. I’m just scared,” Zoey admitted.

“I’m sure everything is fine. This could be totally normal,” Daphne suggested, unsure.

“You really think so?” Zoey asked.

Daphne hesitated. She finally did what she’s grown accustomed to doing. She plastered a false smile on her face and glanced over at Zoey.

“I really do,” she told her as she placed her hand over hers.