Valentine - The Baby Plan

Y ouve been looking forward to some female bonding time for weeks, Makenzie said, flopping onto a wooden deck chair by the pool. Why do you look so glum, chum?

I think her hangover made her turn British, Allison laughed, adjusting her sunglasses on her nose with a groan. God, could it get any brighter out here?

Thats kind of what happens when you go on spring break to Cancun, Allison. Emma took a long drink of her fizzy soda and closed her eyes against the beating glare of the Mexican sun. Weve been partying all week; I highly doubt the hangover horror show happening all across this beach is any easier for anyone else.

She shielded her eyes and looked out at a group of guys clumped together dragging their seemingly unconscious bro across the beach by his feet. All across the sands, college-aged kids were sprawled out on towels, deck chairs, and huddled under umbrellas. Aside from the crash of waves and the frenetic caw of seagulls, everything was hushed and quiet. No music blasted from the iPod and stereo set that someone had been bringing to the beach every single day since they had landed in delicious, no-holds-barred, Mexico.

I cant believe we have to go back to Professor Brock soon. Ugh, I cant deal with any more of his ridiculous assignments.

You really should report him, Kenzie. Allison rubbed her friends shoulder as Makenzie shrugged, clearly thinking about it through her hair-of-the-dog haze. He really shouldnt be assigning that much work for an intro Lit class and his grading scale is draconian.

If I have to miss another Kappa Kappa Phi mixer because of a surprise pop quiz, Im going to scream. And Ive had to cancel my last two dates with Devonyou guys know hes the one who got away freshman year.

Makenzie crumpled even further into her chair, her complexion turning brighter red, but not from sun exposure. She curled her arms around her knees, staring out at the ocean, and Emma bit her lip, holding back a small smile. Her friend was a poster child for a teen angst flick and it was utterly adorable. All she needed now was to be swept off her feet by a bad boy with a motorcycle, an extra helmet, and a crippling disease that was going to carry him off soon.

Emma knew when she agreed to go on this vacation that things would be a little off because her two best friends had decided to go to school out of state while she took a job as a secretary at a law firm in their hometown of Chicago. These days, while her besties were busy studying, chugging beers, and hanging out with hot men, she was working all hours of the day and night so she could avoid piling on inescapable college debt. Although, given Allison and Makenzies current issues, money seemed to be the last thing on their minds. But the unexpected gap between their life paths had all but consumed Emma this week as they partied, played, and baked in the sun.

God, I feel terrible. Im gonna get a beer. Makenzie heaved herself up out of her chair, ready to weave her way to the bar, but Emma caught her wrist, gently guiding her back.

Youll only be delaying the inevitable, babe, she said.

Makenzie huffed, sinking back into her chair, and Allison nodded.

Shes right, Kenzie. Its been a blast this past week, but we need to settle down before we go back to school, not amp it back up again to an eleven. Todays our day to chill, space out, you know?

Makenzie nodded and sighed, closing her eyes in the shade of the massive umbrella they had weaseled out of a helpless, sweet teenage towel boy at the resort.

Even nursing my hangover, I can still tell youre Makenzie hiccuped and sneezed. Not yourself, Emma. Answer my question.

Its nothing. Emma smiled, sitting all the way up. What are we even doing right now? We should be making the most of our last day here, not wallowing in the fact that we have to face reality tomorrow. Lets do something fun, hmm? Something active and engaging that will get our minds off the sludge working its way out of our pores.

What do you have in mind? Allison perked up and took a swig of her bottled water. Im game, whatever will get me out of just sitting here like a potato.

Lets take out a canoe, Emma suggested. We keep passing the stand every time we come to the beach, but not many people have taken advantage of it. The guy running it is probably bored out of his mind. She wiggled her toes deeper, enjoying the cool, gritty sand beneath her feet. At least on the ocean well have a chance to cool down a little bit. Itll be relaxing.

Well, for everyone else but Emma. No need for her friends to know she wasnt a strong swimmer and had promised herself that she would push herself to go outside her box on this vacation. This certainly fit the bill. Rather than admit anything, since it was her brilliant idea, she sucked up the trembling that coursed through her and crossed her arms to hide the shaking from her best friends.

Im down. Allison popped up out of her chair with a squint and a big grin. Come on, Kenzie. If your stomach can take it, a little exercise might be good for us.

Emma and Allison moved to either side of their friend and helped her ease out of the chair as they made their way along the beach, and Emma tried to ignore the tight, clenched sensation in her gut.

After Makenzie awkwardly hit on the guy manning the canoe booth, the three friends dragged the boat down to the water. The midday sun beat on Emmas back as she stepped into the shallows, but her blood ran cold.

Itll be fine. Everything will be great, she muttered under her breath, even as the canoe got tossed in the beginning of the waves as they walked it out toward deep water.

Get in, Kenzie, Allison said.

She did, letting out a small scream as the boat rocked from side to side before she giggled and laid back in the canoe.

Make room, babe! Weve got to get in there too, you know. Emma grunted and continued pushing the boat into deeper water.

Sure, its pretty relaxing though. You should try it, Makenzies giggles echoed over the water.

Thats what were trying to do, Allison muttered, giving Emma a look. Emma bit her lip to hold back her laughter.

By the time they were up to their hips in the soothing cool water, it was time to up and at em. There was no delaying it.

All right, kid. Were coming in whether youre ready or not. Allison heaved her tall, athletic frame into the canoe.

There was some scrambling as Emma kept the boat steady while her best friends got comfortable and Allison grabbed the oars.

Your turn, sweetie, Allison said, patting the empty seat behind her at the back. Easiest way is to go through the middle, so we keep the weight balanced.

Of course Allison would know the mechanics of a canoe and weight distribution. The women went on triathlonsvoluntarilyon her days off from schoolwork. She had always been the thrill-seeker out of all of them.

Come on, stop thinking so hard and join the fun! Makenzie shouted.

Emma rolled her eyes. At least Makenzie was off the topic of why she had been so quiet over the last few days of their vacation. She would much rather get a workout under the gorgeous sun than answer pointed questions like thateven if that meant waving a palm frond in front of her friends face while she and Allison did all the work.