burn.

“Oh exciting.” Emily smiled. “Have the kids warmed up to you yet?” She asked her friend as they went to the car. She saw Max’s text, yeah babe. she replied.

---

“Are they on their way home?” Craig asked when he saw Max’s phone light up.

"Caige is my little shadow, Leila not so much. I mean, I can tell her heart isn't in it when we hang out. Craig and I have been together for almost three years, and she's still convinced her parents are going to get back together." Meghan sighed, putting her hair in a ponytail.

--

"Yeah, they're just leaving now." Max spoke, putting his beer down on the coffee table. Okay, drive safe. Do you wanna just have Meghan drop you off here and we can ride home together?

Emily nodded. “So I need to tell you something that I haven’t told Max..” she said as she looked over at her friend. Sure. she sent to Max.

---

Craig nodded and took a sip of his beer. “Gab is bringing the kids by tomorrow so I’ll probably be in daddy mode for a while.” He said.

Meghan looked over at Emily. "What's up?" She asked curiously as they reached a stoplight. "Is everything okay?"

--

Max nodded. "How are the kids doing with Meghan?" He asked curiously. The two had been together for a long time, but Max still wanted to know.

Emily sighed as she looked at her friend. “I’m not sure but...I think I might be pregnant...I missed my period last week but I’ve been too afraid to take a pregnancy test.” She said softly.

---

“Caige loves her but Leila, not so much. She still believes Gab and I are going to get back together...she pretends she likes hanging out with Meghan but I think we both know she isn’t giving 100%.” Craig said.

Meghan bit her lip. "You need to take a test, Emily. Either way. If it turns out it's just a scare, you don't have to tell Max. But what if you are pregnant? Better to find out now than later." She spoke quietly as they started driving again.

--

Max nodded his head. "Have you tried talking to her about it?" He asked curiously.

Emily nodded, “can we stop by Walmart really quick?” She asked her friend. She wanted to get a test so she could take it first thing in the morning.

---

“I tried once but Leila thought I was picking on her and got upset. I guess I can try again.” Craig admitted.

Meghan nodded her head. "Sure," she spoke, turning left, the way the Walmart was located. "I need to grab some stuff anyway, let's go." She yawned.

--

Max nodded his head. "She's a big girl now, dude. She's like what, eleven? Maybe approach her like an adult and see what happens."

Once they got to Walmart, Emily walked inside with Meghan behind her. "I'm going to go grab the test and then I'll meet you back up front, okay?" She said, before heading towards the health and beauty aids. She grabbed a couple tests, just to be absolutely sure, before going to pay for them.

---

Craig nodded, "yeah, guess she's considered a tween now..." He laughed, "God, I can't believe she's eleven now...I remember it like yesterday, she was just a baby..." He said and looked at Max, "you and Em ever going to have kids?" He asked. Max and Emily had been together for a long time but they weren't married nor did they have children.

Meghan nodded her head. She headed down the snack aisle, figuring that picking up some of Leila's favorite treats would help to win her over. She grabbed a bottle of wine for herself before heading to the front to wait for Meghan.

--

Max shook his head. "I have no idea. I mean, I wouldn't be totally opposed to the idea. Em would make a great mom. I just don't know if I'm ready for it." He admitted.

Emily texted Meghan, letting her know she was paid for and waiting. Once Meghan paid for her things, she followed her to the car. “I’m going to take one first thing in the morning.” Emily said.

---

“I think you’d make a great Dad...you’re really great with Leila and Caige and they love you, Leila calls you her second dad.” Craig laughed.

Meghan nodded her head. "Call me as soon as you do," she spoke, putting her stuff in the trunk before climbing into the driver's seat/ She waited for Emily to get comfy before starting the car and pulling out of her parking spot.

--

Max shook his head, waving away Craig's compliment. "Leila is also eleven years old and can practically take care of herself," he spoke. "It'd just be weird being in charge of shaping someone into a productive human being."