CAPTURE THIS (Updating regularly)

Chapter 18

"I don't want to talk about Dad this week, Ann. This week is about you and me - and the baby, I suppose." 

Ann threw Amber a weak smile. "You're right. Who knows when I'll get to see you again?" 

There was a thorny edge to her voice but Amber decided to ignore it. 

"So come on, what have you got planned for our big week together?" 

Ann cracked another sheepish smile. "Well, we're going out for lunch but before that, I was hoping you could help me unpack some things." 

Amber eagerly rolled up her sleeves. "Tell me where to start." 

***

Unpacking Ann and Jonathan's things turned out to be more fun than Amber ever could have anticipated. There was a lot of giggling over the silly things they found in Jonathan's boxes. 

"Superman boxers, really?" Amber rose an unimpressed eyebrow and threw them across the room at Ann, who was now blushing deeply. 

"He can be a bit of a nerd sometimes," she replied fondly, folding them and placing them in a drawer. 

Amber rolled her eyes. "Match made in heaven. Don't think I've forgotten about you using mum's scarves as cape." 

"You loved playing Superwoman!" Ann retorted defensively, throwing a cushion from the bed at Ann. 

"You always used to make me Catwoman even though I wanted to have a turn with the cape," Amber told her, throwing the cushion back at her. It missed and fell on the bed. 

Ann put it back in its original place on the bed, smoothing it out thoughtfully. "I had this picture in my head of my first child. You know, little house in Apsebrooke with the perfect guy and the dream job. Then I'd surprise Dad about my pregnancy with these teeny little boots and he would be so happy. So happy." 

Amber sighed and walked over to her sister who was sitting on the bed, trying to hide her tears. She placed and arm around her shoulders. "You can still have all of that. Maybe not in that order, but it will happen. In a couple of months you're going to have this beautiful little baby. You can tell Jonathan's going to love this child so much." 

Ann wiped her tears hastily with her sleeve and took a deep breath. "You should have seen him when he saw the ultrasound. He asked the nurse about a hundred questions."

A fond smile rose to her face at the memory. Amber rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. "See? You'll be just fine. Now, get dressed or we'll be late for our lunch reservation." 

***

Amber's week with Ann was the perfect break from juggling her life at home, Alex, and school. The pair focused completely on the baby and Amber finally got to really know the father of her sister's unborn child. 

Jonathan - or Jon, as he insisted she called him - was a very quiet but very friendly man. At first, Amber didn't quite know how to speak to him, or what to speak to him about. He was a couple of years older than her but not as old as Alex, and yet, she struggled to come up with something to say to him. 

They were sat at a coffee shop after Amber, her sister and Jon had seen a movie when Amber had her first conversation with him. 

Ann had hurried to the bathroom, leaving Amber and at Jon at small table by the window in the quiet shop. 

Amber threw Jon a hesitant smile before nervously averting her gaze. 

"That was a good movie, wasn't it?" Jon asked, attempting to fill the silence but his words were swallowed by the awkwardness. 

"Oh yeah! Loved it! George Clooney was really great in this one!" Amber's voice sounded like plastic; as fake as a Barbie doll in her enthusiasm to not just sit in silence with Jon. 

They fell into a painful silence again. The minutes ticked by achingly slow. Ann seemed to be taking her time in the bathroom. Amber suspected it was deliberate. 

"God, come on, Ann. What's the hold up?" Amber spoke the words so quietly, she hadn't expected Jon to have heard her. 

He laughed quietly. "You're going to have to get used to that. Pregnant lady and all of that. Last week, we had lunch together on my lunch break from work and I had to leave her in the bathroom and head back to work because she took so long." 

Amber couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, that's a bold move, Jon. I'm surprised you're still alive." 

A loving smile rose to his face. "Trust me, I paid for it. I wouldn't have left her but she was in there for at least half an hour. My lunch only lasts an hour!"

And just like, the pair were a laughing mess. Their conversations from then on mostly concerned Ann and anecdotes about her, but they became quite comfortable around each other, which created a relaxing balance for Ann who found herself easily stressed recently. 

By the end of the week, Amber realised that she had become quite attached to Jon and Ann, and even their little flat in the busy streets of London. As eager as she was to throw herself into Alex's arms, she almost didn't want to leave her sister and Jon. It was such a loving little home and Amber's own home recently was often so quiet while her father took more late shifts at work. 

Amber didn't want to let go of Ann at the station. 

"I love you so much," she whispered, feeling the tears prick her eyes as she stared blindly over her sister's shoulder. "I know you're going to be okay but I still want to know everything. If the baby so much as sneezes, I want pictures."

Ann was holding onto her fiercely. Amber felt her laugh vibrate through her body up into her ear. "I don't think babies sneeze in the womb, Ambs. But I promise, you'll be the first to know." 

Even Jon gave her a hug. 

"Thank you for taking such good care of her," Amber whispered, a lump rising painfully in her throat in gratitude. 

Jon chuckled. "That's alright. I've got a baby in there, you know? Got to guard that body with my life, even if it is Ann's." 

Ann slapped him on the arm playfully with a wide grin on her face. Amber couldn't help but laugh through her tears as she pulled away from Jon.

With a final wave, Amber grabbed her bag and made her way onto the train. Back to her old life. Back to Alex. 

***

Hey guys! Sorry, it took me so long to get this chapter uploaded (although I honestly don't think anyone is reading this story as I'm uploading it!) but I went on holiday and I've been super busy trying to get my first job, you know? But anyhoo, I'm back now!  x