Nine Months, Twice Over (John)

"What do you mean?" Elle asked, looking down at herself.

"I mean exactly what I said. You look beautiful, you always look beautiful. Even when you're not trying." John said.

"Oh...um...thanks, that's sweet of you." Elle said, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"You're welcome." John said with small smile.

"Um...so...the next appointment I have, I'll give you a call." Elle said.

"Okay...thanks." John said as he slowly stepped back towards the door.

"Wait.." Elle said going up to him and kissing him lightly on the lips. "Maybe we can go out for dinner or I can cook for you one night...you know try and patch things up?"

John smiled at Elle then nodded.

"I'd love the second option. I haven't had a home-cooked meal in a while." John said.

"Um...great...my next appointment is soon, we'll do it after then." Elle said.

John nodded.

"Sounds good...I guess I should leave." John said.

"Yeah..." Elle said as she walked John to the door.

----

A Month Later

So, their first appointment together was...interesting. They found out they were having twins but it was a bit too soon to tell if they were a girl or a boy, and to be honest, they probably wouldn't know what the babies were for sure until Elle gave birth. And though the original plan after Elle and John had talked awhile ago was to have dinner together, they talked to Anthony and he blew up, not too happy about the idea. Because she was having two babies, she was showing a lot earlier than what she had during her last pregnancy around four months, but she was told that was normal.

She honestly couldn't blame him, especially with John and Elle not really being together, still living in different houses, and barely on speaking terms, she couldn't blame Anthony for not being okay with any or all of this.

And with all that had been going on, this dinner needed to happen. John and her needed to talk, figure out where they stood, and well...she did miss seeing him. She had on a simple, but nice outfit outfit for the night.

She was in the kitchen starting to cook the food as she waited for John. She figured, he'd use his key to let himself in.

John arrived at the house a few minutes later then got out and walked to the door. He was in a pair of dark jeans, a long sleeve loose white shirt, and a black jacket. He was slightly nervous and why shouldn't he be? This was the first night he was able to be with Elle for a couple hours and talk things out. He was worried about Anthony though. His only son being so angry with him and not want to hang out with him killed John inside. John walked into the house when he got to the door and looked around. He couldn't wait to see her, he missed her so much.

"Elle?" John asked.

She was starting to grill some steak and chicken when she heard John come into the house."I'm outside. Be in there in a minute" Elle yelled as she peaked her head through the open door that led to the backyard, she didn't see him right away because she went back outside to close the lid on the grill to cook. She took off the jacket she had on when she walked inside, it dawning on her that it was wearing white and she put it on the back of a chair.

"Hey." She said giving him a small smile as she went over by the stove to get the potatoes ready she was going to bake.

John smiled back at Elle as he walked closer to her.

"Hey, you look great." John said.

"Thanks...so do you." Elle said, looking up at him as he got closer to her.

"What's for dinner?" John asked.

"Steak and I'm grilling some chicken as well, stuffed baked potatoes, and a salad." Elle replied.

"Sounds awesome, I can't wait. Everything smells really good." John said.

"Thanks, I know it's been awhile since you've eaten something good, it's the least I could do." She said.

"Thank you, I really appreciate you doing all of this and for giving us a chance to talk." John said.

"Well, it needed to happen with the babies coming and after the whole Anthony thing." Elle said.

John nodded in agreement.

"Yeah...I really don't know what to do about Anthony. It's killing me how much he hates me right now." John said.

"He's just upset and confused, he still loves you, I know that much." Elle said, putting the potatoes in the oven.

John nodded.

"I just hope I can fix my relationship with him soon." John said.

"Give it some time, John. He's really hurt after all that's happened." She said before she went outside to flip the steak and chicken that was grilling outside.