24

The next morning, Jenna was woken up by the sudden sound of a soft knock on her bedroom door. She groggily sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Jenna: "Who is it?"

Emma: "It's me Emma, how are you feeling today?"

Jenna: "Hey, Em, I'm feeling okay, I guess, still a little tired, but I'm managing"

Emma: "That's good, hey by the way I just talked with Tim"

At the mention of Tim's name, Jenna's sleep-hazed mind immediately sharpened. She sat up straighter, her curiosity piqued.

Jenna: "You talked to Tim? What about?"

Emma: "He wanted to check in on you, and see if you'd be going to set today"

Jenna's brow furrowed slightly. While she was touched by Tim's concern, the thought of going to set didn't really appeal to her at the moment.

Jenna: "Oh...well, I was honestly planning on taking the day off today, I'm not really feeling up to shooting scenes right now"

Emma: "Alright, I'll call him back to let him know then"

Jenna nodded, gratefully. The thought of having to go to work in her current state was exhausting to even think about. She leaned back against the pillows, already feeling the pull of sleep again.

Jenna: "Thanks, Em, you're a lifesaver"

Emma smiled, clearly sensing Jenna's fatigue.

Emma: "No problem, happy to help, you just take the day off and get some rest, alright? We don't want you pushing yourself too hard"

Jenna nodded again, a small sigh escaping from her lips. She knew she needed the rest, not just for her own sake but also for the baby's. But she also felt a pang of guilt. She knew her absence on set was going to cause some disruption.

Jenna: "I feel a bit guilty, though, I'm sure they need me there to film today"

Emma: "You are the main character, but I'm sure they'll just film the sense that don't involve you, so don't worry about it"

Jenna exhaled, relieved by Emma's reassurance. It was true; many scenes could be filmed without her presence. She wasn't completely irreplaceable, yet she still felt a hint of unease. Perhaps it was just the hormones messing with her anxiety again.

Jenna: "I suppose you're right, it's just...I feel like I'm letting them down a bit, you know?"

Emma: "Jenna, you're not letting anyone down, you're pregnant, and you need to take care of yourself first, they'll manage fine without you for a day, trust me"

Jenna smiled weakly, appreciating Emma's words of encouragement. She knew she needed to start prioritizing herself now more than ever. But the guilt of being absent from set still lingered in the back of her mind.

Jenna: "Thanks, Em, I know you're right, it's just hard not to feel useless sometimes"

Emma: "You're not useless, Jenna, you're growing a whole new human being inside you, that's a pretty huge achievement, if you ask me, so stop beating yourself up over a little absence from set"

Jenna chuckled ruefully, understanding the irony of her thinking. She was literally creating new life, yet she was more worried about missing one day of work.

Jenna: "You're right I guess I just need to adjust my priorities a bit. It's just...hard to shake the habit of trying to be 'perfect' all the time, you know?"

Emma: "I get it, we all struggle with that, especially in this industry, but you're in a different stage of your life now, it's okay to prioritize your health and your future child, the show will manage just fine without you for the day, and they'll be more than happy to have you back when you're feeling better"

Jenna: "You know what, Em? You're wiser than all my therapists put together"

Emma: "Oh, I don't know about that, but I do know that my advice is usually pretty good, if I say so myself"

Jenna smiled, her mood lifting slightly. She was grateful for Emma's presence and her ability to ground her. Her worries about missing work seemed silly now, especially when compared to the new life growing within her.

Jenna: "Well, I definitely appreciate your advice, you're the voice of reason amidst my occasional bouts of hormonal insanity"

Emma: "Glad to be of service, but seriously though, don't worry about work, focus on resting and taking care of yourself, alright? That baby is more important than any show"

Jenna nodded, feeling the weight of Emma's words sink in. She knew she had a habit of getting caught up in work and neglecting her health, but that couldn't be the case anymore, not with a baby on the way.

Jenna: "You're right, I need to start prioritizing my health, both for me and the little bean,"

Emma: "Ah, already calling it 'the little bean,' eh? You're really embracing motherhood already, aren't you?"

Jenna: "I guess so, I never thought I'd be one of those women who instantly goes all maternal when they get pregnant, but here I am, talking about 'the little bean' like I've been a mom my whole life"

Emma: "It's cute, you know, seeing you all maternal and nurturing it suits you"

Jenna couldn't help but crack a smile at Emma's comment. She had always been independent and career-driven, never picturing herself as the mom type. But maybe, just maybe, this new role was fitting her better than she realized.

Jenna: "Who knew becoming a mom could bring out a whole new side of me, huh? It's scary and exciting all at once"

Emma: "Oh, I bet, but I've got a feeling you're going to be a great mom Jen, you've got the caring personality, the emotional maturity, and a fierce determination to make it through, this little bean is extremely lucky to have you as its mother"

Jenna felt her eyes prickle slightly at Emma's words. The truth in them made her heart swell. She had always been focused on her career and her own needs, but now everything was changing.

Jenna: "Thanks, Em, I just hope I don't mess it all up, I've never done this before, I don't want to fail this baby before it's even born"

Emma: "You're not going to fail, Jenna, you're going to make mistakes, just like every other parent in the world, but you're also going to learn and adapt and most importantly, you're going to love this child with all your heart, that's what makes a good parent, not perfection"

Jenna inhaled deeply, feeling a sense of calm wash over her at Emma's words. It was true, she had never been a parent before, and she would probably make numerous mistakes along the way. But as long as she gave it her best shot, and loved the baby, things would work out, right?.......Emma stood in the crowded international arrivals terminal of the airport, waiting idly as she clutched a cup of coffee in her hand. She sipped it absently, her eyes scanning the sea of weary travelers for a familiar face. After a few moments, she spotted you, looking slightly tired but still as vibrant as ever as you weaved through the crowd, a suitcase in tow.

Emma's face broke into a wide smile, and she lifted her free hand in a wave. She waited patiently as you made your way through the terminal, finally coming to a stop in front of Emma with a breathless laugh.

Y/n: "Sorry I'm late, the customs line was stupidly long"

Emma chuckled, shaking her head.

Emma: "No worries, I was just standing here enjoying the show, you know, watching all those people stumble off their flights, jet-lagged and disoriented, always entertaining"

Y/n: "Yeah, I'm sure my face looked just as haggard when I walked out of those doors, air travel really takes it out of you"

Emma: "I hear ya, at least you look better than some of these folks, though, I swear, some of them look like they've aged a decade from their flight"

Emma teased, pointing discreetly at a particularly disheveled looking man as he passed by the both of you.

You chuckle as Emma laughs along with you, taking another sip of her coffee as she observed the people around you both. After a moment, she turns back to you, a curious look in her eye.

Emma: "So, how was the flight? Other than the torturous wait at customs, I mean"

Y/n: "It was alright"

Emma: "Just 'alright'? You traveled halfway across the world and all you have to say about it is 'it was alright'?"

Y/n: "What can I say, I was less focused on the flight and more focused on what Jenna's face will look like when she sees I flew across the world just to be with her during this time"

Emma chuckled, impressed by your dedication.

Emma: "So you're thinking it will be some over-the-top, tears-of-joy reaction? I can definitely see that happening, given the pregnancy hormones"

Y/n: "Maybe, maybe not, but the look on her face when she opens the door to see me there? I haven't seen her in three weeks, that's bound to be a pretty big reaction, hormones or not"

Emma rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her affection.

Emma: "You are such a simp for her, you know that?"

Y/n: "Of course I know"

Emma laughs, shaking her head in faux exasperation.

Emma: "Honestly, it's sweet, but it's a little over the top, don't you think? Flying across the world just to surprise her? It's like something out of a Hallmark movie"

Y/n: "If you think that's over the top, just wait till you see the surprise I got for her"

Emma raised an eyebrow, intrigued to what the surprise could be.

Emma: "Okay, now you've got me curious, what kind of surprise do you have planned that's so big it outweighs a surprise international trip?"

Y/n: "I guess you'll just have to wait and see"

Emma chuckled, clearly unable to pry any more information out of you. She raised her hands in a mock surrender.

Emma: "Fine, fine, you win, I won't try to get anymore details out of you, I respect your need to keep your romantic surprise a surprise"

Y/n: "Good, because the whole point of a surprise is for it to be...wait for it...a surprise"

Emma rolled her eyes, but her smile showed she found your antics endearing more than annoying.

Emma: "Alright, Ms. Romantic, let's get your bags to the car so we can go see the mother of your future child"

Y/n: "You don't have to tell me twice"

And with that, the two of you made your way out of the airport. The promise of a heartfelt reunion with Jenna just around the corner.

How do you think Jenna will react when she sees that you traveled across the world just to be with her during her pregnancy? Btw what do you think the surprise is going to be?