“ Hard Work sets the difference between great and average. ”
***
“ You are pregnant, Bestie? ” The latter blushed heavily at the question directed to her.
“ Yeah. ” She replied shyly.
“ But why didn't you tell me? ” Miranda felt happy, yet a little disappointed at that. Best friends are meant to tell each other everything, right?
So why hide that important detail from her?
“ I just found out, okay? ” Evie replied defensively, not totally comfortable under her accusing gaze.
“ Okay. ” Miranda nodded with a tight smile. 
***
Later in their car. 
“ You've been silent, Honey.  ” He mused, pulling her into his arms. 
He'd never totally understand how quickly her mood changes. Thankfully he'd read a lot on post childbirth depression and understood that her feelings and reactions are absolutely normal. 
Though not totally normal to him as he craves for his wife to be completely alright. 
“ I feel Evie should have told me about her pregnancy earlier. ” Joseph sighed hearing her words.
He'd never truly understood females, but he did understand the bond of friendship between the duo and how it only grew stronger after their marriage, quite contrary to popular opinion. 
 “ What if she'd just found out like she said? ” He felt her turn and soon he was staring face to face with the most beautiful woman in the world.
“ Then she would have called or texted me about it. ” She pursed her lips. She couldn't understand why she was so bothered and offended. It should be okay knowing her Bestie is expecting. So why does being kept in the dark feels so weird. 
“ What if she's still trying to process her feelings? ” He inquired, cupping her face. 
“ Um… ” She tried to look away, but he held her face in place. 
“ You know suddenly finding out you are going to be a mother can put you on an emotional rollercoaster. So you really can't blame her, can you? ” 
“ Nah… ”
“ So there, you've got your answer. ” They stared at each other for several minutes until she spoke up. 
  “ Thank you, Jose. I don't know what I'll do without you. ”
“ Well, you aren't meant to do anything without me anyways. ” He sent her a wink. 
“ Shameless. ” 
“ Still you love me. ” He stole a kiss from her before releasing her and starting the car. 
    
***
Miranda : Hey, I'm sorry I reacted quite odd earlier, can we meet up?
Bestie : Oh, it's alright. I will be going shopping for my baby tomorrow. Care to join?
Miranda : Sure. Where should we meet? 
Bestie : I'll be at your house at 9.
Miranda : Alright, see you then. 
Bestie : Thanks. Byeee. 
Miranda : See ya.
***
“ Do you think it's alright if I leave the house? ” Miranda asked for the umpteenth time, staring at her husband who was seated on the bed reading the first drafts of her new book. Though she wasn't so confident about it yet, she believed in his judgment. 
   He stared up at her and sighed, “ It's alright, Babe. Nuel and Nuella will be fine. ” Despite hearing his words, she still wasn't so convinced. 
“ What if they wake up and start crying? ” He put the book aside and pulled her into his lap.  “ I believe we've talked about this already, haven't we? ” She laid in his arms quietly. 
“ I don't want you to put a pause on your life, just because you've got kids, Hon. You deserve better. ” 
“ Um… ” 
“ Besides, you look dazzling. ” He commented, placing a peck on her cheeks. 
“ Really? ” 
“ Sure. ”
“ Thank you, Hubby. ” She hugged him tightly.
“ Well, if you are really serious about leaving then you better get going now. I can't be so sure you'll be able to leave if you keep this on. ” Her eyes became rounded in shock at his blunt words and she stood up and grabbed her handbag from the bedside table before running off. 
After muttering a simple, “ Love you. ”
As expected, Evelyn was waiting for her outside and couldn't help chuckling seeing how disoriented she looked.  “ If I didn't know better, I would have thought you were running from responsibilities. ” As expected, the latter won't let go of a chance to taunt her. 
“ Whatever. ” She climbed into the car, locked the door and focused on fixing her slightly ruffled hair. 
“ You are no fun. ” Evie said with a pout, finally starting the car.
***
   They arrived at the boutique a few minutes later and were warmly welcomed by the staff who were rumored to be mostly nursing and expectant mothers. 
It made Miranda wonder how they were able to handle breastfeeding with a full time job, as it was obvious she couldn't. 
Talk about devotion and commitment to their jobs, isn't it?
“ What would you like ma'ams? ” A young lady approached them with a bright smile.
“ Unisex clothings. ” 
“ Great. This way. ” 
The area was big and spacious, filled with diverse kinds of baby stuff, ranging from clothes to blankets, caps etc. 
  They've got a wide range of brands to choose from and as a result, Evie went for the most flashy ones. 
“ How has married life been for you, Evie? ” Miranda couldn't help asking, having noticed the change in her demeanor over the past few days. 
“ I'm still adjusting actually. But it's fun. ”
“ I bet. ” 
“ Duhhhh.  You are so shameless, girl. ” She threw a baby napkin at her.  Miranda allowed it to hit her as she let out a hearty chuckle. 
“ There's nothing to be shy about, is there? ” Miranda found herself being stunned by her own words. When did she become so talky and shameless?
“ Oh gosh… why am I not so surprised? ” Evelyn shook her head, at the realization.
“ Why don't you get this for Nuel and Nuella? ” Evelyn said, showing her a matching Pajamas specifically designed for different gender twins.  
“ It looks great, I'll take it. ” 
She nodded as they kept picking clothes, in the end Evelyn chose clothes best suited for females than males.
“ You are hoping to have a daughter, aren't you? ” Miranda couldn't help asking.
“ Yeah. I would love to name her Isabelle. ”
“ A lovely name indeed. ” Miranda grinned. 
They headed to the cashier where they paid for the purchase with their husbands cards of course, perks of being married, haha. 
“ Why don't we have lunch before heading back home? ” Evie said after they got into the car. 
“ Sure. ” 
***
The duo had just placed their orders when they had an unexpected company. “ Hey, guys. ”
  “ Vera Lynn? ” They stared at the obviously changed woman in front of them. 
Dressed in simple jeans and white top, she was definitely a contrast to her previous appearance. Who couldn't bear to have a single hair out of place and couldn't head out without having a full makeover on.
“ Yeah. ” Her smile was faint and her eyes were devoid of the coldness it always had. There was something different about her, she was literally glowing. 
Despite the fact that she looked like a butcher’s daughter. There was something totally different about her, she was glowing in a unique way. 
What changed, they wondered?  
At that point, Miranda figured she'd completely forgiven this young woman of everything she'd ever done to offend her and now?
She was more interested in knowing the secret behind her glow. 
….
A/N : Shoot. What do you think, guys?