Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Therapy, Shopping, Babies, and Trees

Scarlett gives me an unimpressed look as she follows me out of the house and towards her SUV. "You two are tooth-rottingly gross, you know that?"

Ignoring her comment, I slide into the passenger seat as I pull out my phone, automatically connecting it to the vehicle. "So where are we going? I know I can get most of Lizzie's stuff at the mall, but is there anywhere else you want or need to go?"

We eventually settle on just going to the mall, and the ride there is filled with us looking like absolute fools as we both sing along to the playlist at the top of our lungs. Our mini-concert even included a few dance sessions at red lights, earning us a few stares and looks from other vehicles along the way. But I really couldn't bring myself to care. I've been looking forward to this since Scarlett and I set this up last week.

Don't get me wrong, I've loved spending so much time with Lizzie and getting to basically be a slouch for the past month, but I was starting to get restless and my therapist said that taking some time away from home and my very over-protective girlfriend would do us both some good.

It wasn't easy getting Lizzie to agree to this, or getting her to agree to start seeing her therapist again. I hadn't realized, up until this point, just how traumatizing the attack had been for her. I knew she was struggling, but last week I'd reached my breaking point with her. I mentioned this outing, how Scarlett and I were planning on taking the full day to hang out and go shopping, and it had sent Lizzie into a full-blown panic attack. It took me half an hour to get her to calm down, and she'd finally broken down afterwards and told me about her nightmares. I made the appointment for her the next morning, and although it started as a small argument, Lizzie eventually agreed to go. Much to my relief, because I seriously didn't know much longer the woman could go before she'd kind of explode like she did.

We pull up to the mall before I know it, and Scar and I instantly slide on our sunglasses as we head inside to start our day of shopping. We hit every store on our lists, and I make sure to get everything I'd planned on getting for Lizzie, plus a few extra things we come across along the way. Scarlett and I joke most of the time, and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself much more than I thought I would be, save for the mild level of anxiety I have. It's definitely a step up from the last time I went out in public, when Lizzie and I had gone out to get all of our Christmas decorations and gifts for everyone (save for each other). It had taken me almost thirty minutes to get out of the car when we arrived at the store, and after several flashes back to the attack and a few tears, I'd managed to finally make it inside and through the day. I'm honestly super proud of myself for managing to do this.

Eventually, after about four hours into our trip, Scarlett and I find ourselves at a restaurant near the mall and I'm glancing over the menu when my best friend clears her throat and forces my attention towards her. "I made an appointment to get you, Lizzie, and Flo all fitted for your outfits for the wedding in January. So make sure your schedule is clear for the 17th."

I nod, making a note on my phone's calendar as a reminder, even though I know Lizzie will make sure we're both free that day. "Did you and Collin settle between the colors we'd picked out yet?"

"Yeah. Maroon and rose gold, with silver accents. Also, I'm pregnant."

I blink a few times, my brain trying to process the other woman's words. Because what the literal fuck? "I'm sorry, what?"

Scarlett gives me a smirk, shuffling around in her bag before pulling something out and handing it to me. I gasp when I realize it's a sonogram, practically snatching it out of her hands as I stare down at the picture of the little blob. "Holy shit!"

I tear my gaze from the sonogram to my best friend, fighting the urge to barrel out of my seat and hug the other woman. "When did you find out?"

"A week ago. I woke up with some killer nausea, it didn't go away, booked a doctor's appointment and yeah. Baby."