A girls day-out

It was Emily who entered the patio with a tray of food and juice. She knew that Anna would have woken up by then as she was an early riser. When she did not found her in the bed, she was worried but then she thought to look for her at this place and there she was looking intensely at her ring which she still wore after all these years. She instantly understood what she might have been thinking about.

When Anna heard the sound of the door being pulled and closed... She looked in its direction to find Emily standing over there.

"Em..... Hi! Why are you standing over there? Please come. And what's that?" She stood up and took a closer look over the tray which had some fruits and juice. She furrowed her brows. She said again, "Em, you are pregnant. Why did you trouble yourself for all these stuff? Now, don't stand for too long. Come have a seat. They sat across a table that was placed at the center.

"Anna, it's nothing. I noticed you came back late last night. I am sure you did not eat dinner yesterday. Did you?" On hearing her, she looked down and nodded a 'No'.

"In all these years, however much you have changed, but you still have not changed this habit of yours. Skipping your meals whenever you are excited or gloomy about something." She smiled saying this while Anna still looked down as a child who was being admonished for a mistake.

"But this makes me happy." She said and Anna batted her eyelashes in confusion to look at her. She was bewildered.

"Atleast we still have a bit of our old Anna whom we love and care for so much." She smiled at her. "Now common, have some juice and finish these fruits. You look so pale."

"Okay" She whispered.

While she finished everything, they talked about random things. Emily knew that before she came, Anna must be thinking about the past. She did not want her to think much about it. So she tried to divert her mind over different matters.

"Anyways, I heard dad and you talking about the party yesterday. So?"

"So?"

"Oh common baby girl, don't tell me you haven't started thinking about the dress that you are going to wear for it's going to be a big day for you too. They are going to announce the merger also, right?"

Anna nodded a 'yes'.

"And what about the gift?"

"Gift"?

"Anna?" She groaned in frustration. "It's an anniversary celebration of the Knights. Won't you gift them something special?"

"Oh My God Em! You are right. I haven't once thought about it. But I do have some time to bring a gift for them. I will think about it. Thanks and about the dress! Ummm.....I have many in my wardrobe. I will wear anything appropriate for the event."

She facepalmed herself when she heard her.

"What kind of a girl you are Anna? When did you last shopped for yourself? Take a day-off today. You already look exhausted. We will go for some shopping today. I also need to buy some things for me. We'll do it together. " She clapped her hands in excitement while Anna was horrified to hear her for she knew that Emily was crazy for shopping and if she goes with her she would definitely lose her sanity.

Anna tried to come out with many excuses to avoid the shopping but it was Emily... Finally she gave up and agreed to accompany her in the evening as she had some important meetings lined up at the office that needed her presence.

"Yey! Let's go for a girls day-out then." She squealed.

Later in the evening, they went to a high end boutique which had the latest collection of clothes. Despite of her resistance, Emily made her try numerous gowns and finally settled for one. Anna breathe a sigh of relief. They also went through various shops to buy a perfect gift for the couple but Anna could not find one. "Baby girl, just leave the gift for some other day. You still have time. Don't you? We'll find something good for them later. I'll accompany you again." She choked on her coffee after hearing her and started coughing miserably.

"Em, why do you always forget? You are pregnant. Don't worry, I 'll manage something on my own."

Emily was enjoying the present state of Anna as she knew that she was never into the stuffs like shopping and she was too sweet to deny her puppy dog eyes. She just wanted her to have a day for herself and relax for a while which she successfully managed to do as Anna seemed to look better after a long time.

They then went to a nearby Chinese Restaurant for dinner. Anna was reluctant to eat outside but Emily again convinced her saying that the pregnancy hormones were giving her crazy cravings which were needed to be satisfied at the earliest. They reached home late in the evening.

Anna was completely exhausted and directly went to her room after greeting Richard. He was quite amused on seeing both of them with so many shopping bags in hands. He understood it to be Em's idea and grinned thinking about Anna's situation.

Em sat on the couch with her eyes closed while Richard went to her laughing, feeling grateful as she managed to convince Anna for a break. "Em, how did you do that? You took her with you to relax or torture for I know how difficult it is to shop with you?" He said playfully.

"Whatever dad... I just want my baby girl back. I would do anything and everything for her to return to her old-self. It has been three years dad. We all miss him but it's high time for her to move on. I know, she won't do it herself but we would help her. I cannot see her in such a sorrowful state anymore. I have already lost my brother and now I don't want to lose my baby sister for any reason. I hope God has some better plans for her future. I never thought of saying this ever. But I wish that she get someone who could love and treasure her more than Ashton." She hugged him and sobbed.

"I am so proud of you, my child. I am sure your every wish will come true and we are not going to lose her. There would definitely be someone who would heal her. We just have to wait."