Off Screen: Waiting In The Wings Part 15

Sandra kissed him on the cheek. "Not really, babe. I was in labor for twenty-six hours with Brody."

"And, you want to do it again someday?" Tamara asked. Christie laughed and smacked her gently. "What?" Tamara asked.

Christie's eyes twinkled. "Really? You know, you are going to have to tell Addison and Emma sooner or later."

"Yeah, well," Tamara said.

"No way!" Sandra said. "Are you guys pregnant?"

"Don't look at me," Christie said. "We just started the show. Addison would kill me, and Emma might let her."

Sandra and Jeff's mouths both flew open. Sandra pointed at Tamara. "You..."

"Hey! Why's that so surprising? Anyway, no one is knocked up yet, so cool your jets," Tamara said. "I have some tradition, you know."

"Did you actually set a wedding date?" Jeff asked.

"Have you?" Tamara shot back playfully. Sandra cleared her throat. "Did you?" Tamara asked.

"Not yet, so cool your jets," Jeff replied in kind. "I believe in some traditions too."

"Uh-huh. So, you're abstaining until marriage?" Tamara deadpanned just as her phone started buzzing.

"Saved by the buzz," Jeff muttered. Sandra giggled.

"Is it here yet?" Tamara answered her phone.

"It?" Addison looked at Emma who laughed. "You're on speaker, Tam," Addison said.

"Oh! Hey, Em! Wait! I should put you on speaker too. Hold on."

Addison shook her head and kissed Emma's cheek. "You okay?" she whispered.

"Perfect," Emma promised.

"Okay!" Tamara responded "So? Is it over yet?"

"Jesus, Tam, you make it sound like we were in some kind of natural disaster," Addison said.

"Felt like it for a while," Emma commented. Addison chuckled.

"Come on!" Tamara urged. "We're all here. What's the deal? What is it?"

"Would you please stop calling my daughter an it?" Addison replied.

"It's a girl?" Tamara asked in disbelief.

"It's a girl," Emma answered happily.

"King, dude! You are gonna be drowning in estrogen!" Tamara said, soliciting full blown laughter from everyone.

"So?" Sandra piped up.

"How many people are at my house, Tam?" Addison chuckled.

"Just the important ones," Tamara replied.

Addison rolled her eyes. "Hannah Bridget Blake," she said proudly. Emma kissed the baby in her arms and smiled at Addison.

"Is the sprout all excited?" Tamara asked.

Emma smiled at Addison. Tamara loved Vicki. No one could have missed the affection in Tamara's voice. "She is," Emma said. "Grandma just took her for a snack while we get settled."

"How are you?" Sandra asked Emma over the line.

"We're all good," Emma said. "Tired, but good. This little one was bigger than a sprout," she chuckled.

Addison coughed. "A bit," she said.

"How big?" Tamara asked.

"Nine pounds, three ounces, twenty-one inches," Emma replied.

"f.u.c.k me," Tamara muttered as she went pale, again soliciting a round of laughter.

"Accurate," Emma said.

"Listen, just wanted you to know," Addison asked, but made no effort to disconnect the call.

Tamara knew what Addison was waiting for. "King is okay, Addy," Tamara rolled her eyes. "He's currently curled up next to Brody. And, don't worry, Em. He's been out three times since I got here. No accidents so ya'll can concentrate on diapers," Tamara joked.

"Yes," Sandra said. "Tamara's getting early potty training practice with King."

Addison and Emma looked at each other curiously. "That's great, Tam," Addison said. "We'll see you all later."

Christie moved to end the call and give Addy and Emma their time. "We'll come in later today. Promise, someone will stay with King," she said.

"Thanks," Addison said before hanging up. "What do you suppose is going on at our house?" she asked Emma.

Emma laughed. "Who knows with those four. They're either plotting to take over the world, or they're playing with all of Vicki's toys, or both."

Addison kissed Emma on the forehead. "She looks like Vicki did."

"Wrinkly?" Emma joked.

"Perfect," Addison replied.

Emma looked up at Addison and smiled. "Disappointed that I was wrong and it's a girl?"

"No."

"Really? Not even a little?"

"Only that we still don't have a Cornelius. But, hey, third time's the charm."

Emma laughed. "Maybe so," she agreed.

Addison kissed the baby and then Emma. "Would you really let me name or son Cornelius?"

"Never."

Addison laughed. "Welcome to the family, Bean."

"Bean?"

Addison shrugged and offered Emma a cheesy grin. "Bean, Sprout," she said.

"Clever, honey," Emma placated Addison.

"Cornelius sounds pretty good now, huh?"

Emma pulled Addison down to her and kissed her soundly. "I love you, Addy."

"I love you too."

"Mm... But, you will never name our child Cornelius."

Addison smiled. "Remington?"

"Razor. No."

"Ajax?"

"Bleach. No."

"Romulus?"

Emma laughed. "Can we get this one home before you start thinking about another one?"

Addison winked. She loved teasing Emma. Emma watched as Addison's eyes fell back on their daughter and her expression softened. Addison's fingers brushed over the dark curls on Hannah's head. "You have the best Mommy in the world, Bean. I thought I did. I did. I juat didn't know they could make more than one. You got her."

Emma started to cry. "Addy..."

Addison smiled. "It's true, Em. Thanks, for teaching me that."

Emma had many things she wanted to say. She wanted to remind Addison that Addison was a wonderful mother, that Addison was an incredible partner and wife, and that Addison's mom would have been proud of her. Right now, she settled for accepting what Addison needed to say and feeling its truth in Addison's kiss. One more milestone only marked the beginning of what Emma was sure would be a lifetime of adventure. She had no idea where it would take them. The one thing she was sure of as the sound of their older daughter broke into the room was that they would face it together. And, who could really say? She had won two Emmys, started writing for Addison's new show, married the love of her life, given birth to a bean and a sprout, and let a Husky named King into her house. Maybe, just maybe there would be room for a Cornelius one day too. "Cornelius?" she thought silently as Addison placed Vicki onto the bed. Emma chuckled. "Why not?"

The End.