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The night had settled into the perfect kind of chaos the kind that made everyone forget about deadlines, meetings, and emails waiting in their inboxes. The penthouse buzzed with laughter, the faint thump of bass, and the kind of off-key singing only karaoke could summon.
Leah stood in the middle of the living room, microphone in hand (well, technically a remote) belting out the chorus of a 2000s RB hit like her life depended on it.
"?? We belong togetherrrrr! ??"
"Not with that note, you don't!" Jamie shouted between laughs.
Carter joined in from the couch, clutching a throw pillow like a backup dancer. "Give her a record deal!"
Ericka sat at the bar, sipping her sparkling cider with a small, amused smile as she watched the chaos unfold. Her polished CEO composure was cracked open just enough that Amanda could see it the relaxed, warm version of her that only appeared when she felt safe.
Amanda, of course, had her phone out, recording every second. "Leah, this is going on the company holiday reel."
"Delete it!" Leah shouted, mid-note. "Unless I sound amazing!"
Maria grabbed another "microphone" (a spoon) and jumped into the duet, both of them now dramatically harmonizing, eyes closed, like they were performing to a sold-out arena instead of a luxury penthouse.
By the time the song ended, everyone was doubled over with laughter.
Carter pointed at Ericka. "Alright, boss lady your turn!"
Ericka laughed softly, shaking her head. "Not a chance."
"Oh, come on," Jamie pleaded. "You have to. You can't just sit there all perfect and smug."
Amanda grinned, walking over and taking Ericka's hand. "You heard them. CEO's orders sing."
Ericka arched a brow. "That's not how that works, Ms. Parker."
Amanda leaned close, voice soft enough only she could hear. "Sing with me, then. You pick the song."
That earned her a quiet sigh and a smile. "You don't play fair."
"Never have," Amanda said, handing her the second "mic."
The opening notes of Alicia Keys' "No One" played, and the room erupted in cheers.
Amanda started, her voice low and sweet, and then Ericka joined in unexpectedly smooth, her tone warm and rich enough to hush the whole room. It wasn't about being perfect; it was about the way their voices fit, soft laughter in between verses, eyes never leaving each other.
By the end of the song, the room was cheering like they'd just witnessed a proposal.
Leah fanned herself. "Okay, I take it back you two are the main characters."
Jamie whistled. "That was chemistry, not karaoke."
Amanda laughed, bowing dramatically. "Thank you, thank you we'll be here all night."
Ericka gave her a playful look. "You might not be if you keep teasing."
"Worth it," Amanda teased, slipping an arm around her waist as the group shouted for another round.
The music shifted to something upbeat, and within minutes, the living room turned into a mini dance floor — laughter echoing, wine flowing, and friendships glowing brighter than the city lights below.
Eventually, the karaoke gave way to the clinking of glasses.
Leah refilled everyone's shots. "Alright, final round before we call it or before someone falls asleep mid-song."
"Final round?" Carter asked, mock-offended. "There's no such thing."
Ericka chuckled softly from her spot by the counter, still sipping her sparkling cider. "Trust me, there is."
Amanda held up her shot glass. "To a night of terrible singing and great company."
"To terrible singing!" Maria echoed.
The group clinked and downed their shots, faces twisting at the taste or lack thereof.
Carter frowned, blinking at his glass. "Wait... did that last one taste like water to anyone else?"
Leah gasped. "Oh my God, yes!"
Maria squinted, raising her empty glass like it betrayed her. "Did we... break tequila?"
Jamie snorted. "Or did tequila break us?"
Amanda doubled over laughing. "No, you're just all drunk."
Ericka shook her head, her laughter low and melodic. "Very drunk."
Carter pointed at her. "You're enjoying this."
"Absolutely," Ericka admitted, smirking. "Because I know what's next."
Leah blinked. "What's next?"
Ericka crossed her arms. "You're all staying here. No one's driving home tonight."
The group collectively groaned.
"Boss lady, we're fiiine," Maria said, slurring the word.
Ericka gave her a look that could silence a boardroom. "Hand. Over. Your. Keys."
Amanda giggled behind her glass. "You might as well listen she means it."
Carter sighed dramatically and placed their keys in Ericka's hand. "Yes, ma'am."
Leah followed. "Fine, but only because I secretly wanted to stay anyway."
Jamie dropped theirs in the bowl too. "Mission accomplished."
Ericka blinked. "Wait a second... you planned this?"
They all erupted in laughter.
Maria threw her hands up. "We plead the fifth!"
Amanda nearly choked on her drink. "You guys are sneaky!"
Leah grinned, leaning into the couch. "We're strategic!"
Ericka just shook her head, fighting a smile. "You're a disaster."
Jamie laughed so hard they hiccupped. "A fun disaster."
Amanda nudged Ericka. "They wore you down, huh?"
Ericka sighed, finally giving in, a smirk pulling at her lips. "Fine. But next time, I'm hiding the liquor and the microphones."
"Too late," Carter said, already curled up with a blanket. "You've created a tradition."
Ericka glanced at them, her voice soft. "Then you're all cleaning in the morning."
Leah saluted from the floor. "Yes, Captain."
Amanda wrapped her arms around Ericka's waist, kissing her cheek. "You're too good to them."
Ericka smiled, her voice quiet. "Maybe. But look at them."
Amanda followed her gaze the people they worked with, laughed with, now sprawled across the penthouse floor like family, the room warm with comfort and joy.
"Yeah," Amanda said softly, resting her head on Ericka's shoulder. "They're worth it."
Ericka pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. "So are you."
The apartment glowed with soft amber light, RB thrumming low under the sound of clinking glasses and slurred conversation.
Leah was curled beneath a throw blanket, her laughter spilling out between half-finished sentences.
Carter had claimed the couch, half-sunk into the cushions like gravity had won.
Maria and Jamie sat cross-legged on the floor, playing a slow-motion game of "stack the pretzels" — the tower wobbling dangerously every time someone breathed too loud.
Amanda leaned against the kitchen island, her cheeks flushed and her grin lazy, watching the chaos unfold with quiet pride.
Her curls had fallen loose, and her blazer hung open, but she didn't care.
Across from her, Ericka stood by the bar, sipping her sparkling cider and laughing really laughing the kind of laugh that came from deep in her chest, light and unguarded.
It was one of those moments Amanda wanted to bottle up forever.
And then, suddenly, Ericka's laughter stopped.
Her smile faltered, her brow pinched, and her hand went to her stomach.
"Hey," Amanda said softly, straightening. "You okay, baby?"
Ericka set her glass down too quickly, the faint sound of glass hitting marble sharp in the quiet. "I—yeah, I just—"
But before Amanda could move closer, Ericka bolted.
"Ericka?" Amanda blinked, then stumbled upright, nearly tripping over Carter's foot. "Move, move, move!"
"Damn, okay!" Carter said, laughing as he pulled his legs up.
Leah mumbled through her blanket, "Maybe too much tequila...?"
Amanda shot her a glare over her shoulder. "She doesn't even drink, Leah!"
She followed the faint sound of running water down the hall, her heart twisting in worry. When she reached the bathroom, she hovered by the door, pressing her palm to the wood. "Sweetheart?"
Inside, Ericka rinsed her mouth, her quiet voice breaking through the running water. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little wave of nausea."
Amanda frowned, her concern mixed with a tipsy wobble in her tone. "You sure? You scared me for a second."
The door cracked open, and Ericka appeared pale but composed, her hair slightly damp from splashing water on her face. "I'm fine," she promised. "Probably the food smell or something."
Amanda gave her a soft smile. "Come on. You're sitting down. No arguments."
Ericka sighed but leaned into her touch as Amanda guided her gently back to the living room, arm around her waist.
When they reappeared, the group looked up instantly half-concerned, half-curious.
Carter sat up a little. "Everything good, boss lady?"
Leah added, "Yeah, you looked kinda green for a sec. Should we call someone?"
Amanda waved them off, voice a little too loud and cheerful. "She's fine! Just pregnant!"
The room froze.
Every sound the music, the laughter, even the faint hum of the city outside — seemed to vanish at once.
Ericka stopped mid-step, eyes wide. "...Amanda."
Amanda blinked, realizing what she'd said. "Oh..." She winced, covering her mouth. "Shoot."
Jamie's glass slipped from their fingers onto the carpet, thankfully empty. "Wait. WHAT?"
Carter's jaw dropped open. "Like... pregnant-pregnant?"
Maria gasped dramatically, clutching Leah's arm. "As in baby pregnant!?"
Leah blinked, her voice pitching high. "Y'all were just supposed to be the office power couple! Not—'Family Matters!'"
Amanda groaned, running a hand over her face. "Okay yes! She's pregnant! It's new, it's exciting, and I apparently can't keep my mouth shut after four shots!"
Ericka sank slowly into the nearest chair, covering her face with her hand but she was smiling. "Amanda, you really can't."
Leah shot up, nearly tripping on the rug. "Oh my God! Congratulations! Wait... are we allowed to know this? Is this HR secret territory?"
Amanda laughed through her embarrassment. "It was supposed to be private, but... surprise!"
Jamie clutched their heart. "Honestly? This is the most iconic workplace plot twist ever."
Carter grinned, shaking his head. "I knew something was going on when you two started finishing each other's sentences during interviews. Y'all had chemistry and synergy."
Maria's eyes softened as she looked at Ericka. "You look so happy. I can't believe you're going to be a mom."
Ericka chuckled quietly, still blushing. "Believe me, it's still sinking in."
Leah tilted her head, hesitating. "Okay, but like..." She bit her lip. "Can I ask a personal question? You don't have to answer if it's weird."
Amanda turned to her, gentle but open. "It's okay. Go ahead."
Leah blinked. "I just—how? I mean, no offense, but we've all seen the both of you. You're not exactly the traditional setup."
Jamie hissed, "Leah!"
Amanda laughed softly, raising a hand. "No, it's fine. You're curious." She took a slow breath, her tone calming the room instantly. "I'm intersex."
The words were simple, but they landed like something sacred.
For a moment, nobody spoke. Then Maria smiled softly. "Wow."
Leah's eyes widened, then softened with awe. "Amanda... that's... actually amazing."
Carter leaned forward. "So when you say pregnant—"
Amanda smiled faintly. "It's my biological child, yeah."
Jamie exhaled, shaking their head with a grin. "You two are rewriting the rulebook. I love it."
Ericka looked up at Amanda then — the way she always did when she wanted to say I'm proud of you without words.
Amanda squeezed her hand, steady. "So yeah. That's our little secret well, it was one. Until tequila came for my mouth."
Leah sniffled, eyes watery. "You two are seriously gonna be the coolest parents ever."
Maria nodded, clinking her glass softly. "To love. In all its forms."
Carter lifted his empty cup. "To the moms-to-be. And to the drunk one for spilling the tea."
Everyone laughed as glasses clinked again water, wine, and sparkling cider alike.
Ericka leaned her head against Amanda's shoulder, whispering quietly, "Well... I guess they know now."
Amanda smiled, brushing a kiss against her temple. "Guess they do."
Leah wiped a tear away, giggling. "Okay, but dibs on hosting the baby shower. And yes, it's gonna have a red carpet."
Amanda rolled her eyes. "Of course it is."
Laughter filled the apartment again, the kind that came from joy so real it left everyone glowing.