At least she could do that.

Slowly, Maria’s tears dwindled, her breathing coming back under control. “Sorry... sorry... Oh geez, you shouldn’t have to be worrying about me with everything you have going on…”

“Hey, no need to apologize,” Olivia said, refusing to let go when Maria first tried to pull away. The other woman slumped against her and returned to clinging. “I can’t believe you came out tonight and it means the world to me. I’m so sorry, honey. Is there anything I can do? Any of us can do?”

“Don’t tell anyone,” Maria said pleadingly, her voice slightly muffled.

“I can do that. Can I ask why though? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” But Olivia couldn’t quite help her curiosity. She hated to see Maria and Rick going through this alone when their whole group of friends would be happy to do whatever they needed to help—whether that be act normally or cry or whatever.

Maria gave a little hiccuping breath and this time Olivia did let her straighten up. She could practically see Maria’s strength returning after her breakdown, and she had a feeling the other woman had been doing this a lot the past month. Grieving. Composing herself. Grieving again. Composing herself. She kept one arm around Maria’s shoulders and the other woman continued to lean against her.

No wonder Rick had gotten wasted tonight. Olivia was going to have to give him a really big hug when he woke up tomorrow. Along with some aspirin.

“I don’t want Angel to know,” Maria whispered. “I just... she’ll feel bad if she knows. You know she will. And if she starts crying then I’ll start crying and it’ll be a whole big thing and I just... we just wanted to keep it private for a while.”

“Then it will stay private,” Olivia promised her softly. Because that made a lot of sense. Angel was a powder keg of emotions lately and she definitely would feel guilty about being happy over her own condition if she knew what Maria was going through. “Is this why you didn’t come to ladies’ night out? And why we’ve hardly seen you two lately?”

“Yeah. I wasn’t actually with my sisters. Some days are better than others. Sometimes I forget and I’m fine for a bit and other times all I do is cry.” Her little laugh didn’t have a speck of true amusement in it. “I didn’t even know I was pregnant until…” Her voice trailed off. “I would think that would make it easier, but it doesn’t. It doesn’t at all.”

Olivia didn’t know what to say so she just tightened her hold around Maria’s shoulders and they stood there, clinging to each other, with Molly between them. Because that’s what friends did.