SEVERAL WEEKS HAD PASSED. Dodger and I had argued a few times about Dana, and his “need” to help her. If she was being abused, which I highly doubted, he couldn’t stand the idea that a woman was being hit. Dodger had a few hot buttons that made him see red quickly and that was one of them. At the moment he and I were agreeing to disagree. I could barely force myself to step foot in the gym recently because if I saw her, I couldn’t promise him that I wouldn’t attack her myself. And I really didn’t want to put that kind of pressure and stress on Dodger when he was already tense about so many other things. Instead I made the conscious decision to stay away and trust that he would take care of it in his own way, but respecting me my own level of comfort.

I was relaxing on one of our new couches, in our newly renovated den. I’d been going room by room, decorating and painting, trying to make it exactly how I wanted it. For this room, I wanted it to scream pure relaxation. It was where Dodger and I would plop down and watch television, where the family would likely gather to spend each evening, and where I wanted it to be the least formal. The living room could be more for guests when people were over. I went with a warm gray for the walls, a pale colored couch, and candles were all over every flat surface in the room. Dodger demanded he have a sixty-inch television, which he mounted on the wall and made sure he subscribed to every sports channel known to man. I loved it in here so much that I constantly found myself napping on the comfortable sofa.

It was the beginning of a weekend and Dodger had come home later than normal. When he plopped down beside me and cozied himself up under my warm fuzzy blanket, I looked over at him.

“Long day?”

“The longest day.”

“Patients or the bitch at the counter?”

He shot me a look like don’t start. “Patients. I took on someone new today even though it went against my better judgement. It was another Vet that had partial amputation of his left leg. As much as I would love to help them, I simply don’t have the proper equipment. Plus, not all of them are getting psychological help on top of PT and it can be frustrating because they aren’t used to their prosthetics.”

I felt bad for him. “Well, maybe that’s something you should really look into then. That space next to the gym is still available for rent. We could ask the bank for a loan to help purchase the equipment that you need or what will get you through until insurance helps pay off enough that you can get more. It would be a win-win for everyone.”

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “If only it were that simple.”

“It doesn’t have to be so complicated.” I grabbed his hands and laced his fingers with mine giving them a squeeze. “Don’t stress about it. I can help you figure it out.”

He squeezed back. “We don’t have the money for that. The baby is coming in a couple of months, and last time I talked to the realtor about the space, the rent was higher than I’d like to pay.”

“Then you leave that up to me.”

He opened one eye. “Yeah? And how do you think you’ll convince him to give it to me for a better price.”

“Dodger Brooks, have you even met me? I’m a wheeler and dealer. I know how to strike a bargain. Besides, if they won’t come down, I’ll show him my boobs and that usually does the job.”

He chuckled. “Man, I wish I had boobs.”

I giggled. “They’re a great asset.”

We sat and watched TV together. It was some Housewives of Beverly Hills or some stupid mindless shit I’d put on as background noise so I could nap. I had two candles lit on the coffee table and the house smelled of pumpkin spice. Pizza was ordered and hopefully on its way. I was questioning whether I should have ordered a second pizza, because I was certain I would be downing a whole one and poor Dodger would either be stuck with left overs, or he’d need to go get another one for himself.

“Oh!”

Dodger’s eyes shot over to mine and I quickly detached my fingers from his and placed his hand flat on my stomach. The baby had been moving a ton lately, but he hadn’t yet had a chance to feel any of it. We both sat perfectly still. I even forgot to breathe. When I took a deep breath in, our son did some crazy acrobatics that had me grunting and Dodger nearly tearing up.

“Holy shit, did you feel that?”

“You’re kidding right?”

“Oh, right sorry.”

“Yeah, I think that was my kidney that just got sucker punched.”

“God, that has to feel amazing in there. How cool is that?”

I don’t think he just heard me say I got a right hook to a major organ.

“Um, well it feels like sunshine and roses and lollipops. In fact, it gives me the energy to want to find a field and frolic in it.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, okay, I hear you.” His hand shifted around desperately trying to feel our baby boy do it again.

“Here.” I used his fingers and pushed. “Sometimes, if you squish him around, he will kick.”

He gaped at me. “That’s a little mean, don’t you think?”

I genuinely laughed. “Dodger, he’s in his safe little bubble inside my stomach right now. Even if I got into a car wreck, he would still likely be safe, floating around like nothing happened.”

He tried pushing a little, tentatively at first, but then he gave more force. Our little man kicked him right where his fingers were. Dodger’s face lit up.

“He did it. Holy sh—, I mean crap he did it. Oh my god, he can probably hear me to can’t he? Maybe we shouldn’t curse so much. It can’t be good for him.” I shook my head. That wasn’t fucking happening. “Woo, high five little guy.” He used the tips of his index and middle finger to commend his son.

It really was endearing interaction to see. I wish I had my phone nearby so I could have recorded it, but instead I sat slouched back and soaked in every second. It was happening again. I was beyond a level of happiness I ever thought possible. Here I was in our home, sharing a special moment with a man that I never could have imagined up on my own, and a baby boy that was actively growing and making the other guy in my life smile. Things were so perfect I almost felt too scared to breathe too hard or my happiness bubble would burst.

The doorbell rang, adding a whole new level of happiness for this preggo.

“I got it, Babe.” He leaned over and kissed me, then kissed my stomach. “We’ll play again after we eat, little man.”

He got up and got the door, while I cherished the love that was swirling in my home.

“God, I can’t believe you’re almost thirty weeks already!” Keegan said, as she stabbed pieces of lettuce with her fork.

“The time really is passing by,” Donna interjected.

“Y’all are crazy. It’s dragging ass, if you ask me,” I grumbled.

They both smiled at me. I had met the ladies in Athens to get something to eat, and to discuss what things I needed or wanted at my baby shower. I really didn’t come for the conversation, I came for the food. This place had amazing dishes. And I really wanted their cookie skillet with vanilla ice cream for dessert. We’d arrived about twenty minutes ago, and just got our food. My mouth was watering, but the food was keeping me in high spirits while they chatted about things that didn’t interest me.

“What? I realize you’ve been pregnant like twelve times, Donna.” I was exaggerating to drive home my point. “Did you honestly go through your whole pregnancy not feeling exhausted and ready for it to be done?”

She scoffed. “Oh, honey, I absolutely did. Don’t get me wrong I loved carrying all of my boys. But it is a lot of stress on the body. And you’re not even in the home stretch.”

“Well, that’s encouraging.”

She chortled. “I’ll tell you a little story.”

Keegan and I perked up and leaned in to listen.

“When I was pregnant with Camden, I couldn’t believe how big I’d gotten. I was even smaller then than I am now. I couldn’t wrap my mind around how much I stretched and changed to support this new baby. Well, one day, Paul came home and he found me sitting in the middle of the floor bawling my eyes out because I no longer felt petite and capable of doing anything besides waddling around like a miniature whale.”

I nodded in agreement. My new form was making me waddle as well.

“He approached me, cautiously, because I’d been quite emotional. When he spoke, I swear it was like nails on a chalk board. I swore up and down that he’d done this to me. Him even breathing the same air as me was enough to make me want to ring his handsome little neck. Anyway back then, smoking was still a thing. When our parents came to town, they smoked like a chimney.” Her southern drawl was making me bite my tongue to not interrupt with my laughing. “When I saw Paul that day, I couldn’t deal. There was an ashtray within reaching distance and let’s just say I took my chance to practice my pitching. The moment he spoke, I picked that ashtray right up and I threw it at him. I didn’t pay any mind to whether it would hurt him, or break into a million pieces. I just wanted to sit there in my own misery and tears ‘til Camden decided to get out of me.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s too funny.” Keegan said. “Paul must’ve thought you’d lost your mind.”

“No, dear, I’d lost my mind well before then.”

I giggled. “Somehow I doubt that.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you’re always full of grace and poise.”

“Just because I show calmness on the outside doesn’t mean I am always that way inside.”

I sat and thought about that for a moment. A server came by, refilled our water glasses and asked if we needed anything. I asked for a few wedges of lemon.

“Was Paul okay?”

“Haven’t you heard the story about when Camden was born?”

Keegan burst out laughing. “I saw the pictures, but I didn’t realize that’s why he had stitches.”

I must’ve looked confused.

“The ashtray hit him in the corner of his forehead. Blood was everywhere. I still have no idea if it was the excitement of the day, or if Camden was simply ready to come out, but while we were at the hospital getting Paul stitched up, my water broke.”

“Oh my god, that’s hysterical. And talk about timing.”

“Anyway, enough about me. Let’s talk about you, and what you’d like at your baby shower.”

Ugh. I honestly didn’t even want a party. My days seemed to consist of working, eating everything in sight, and sleeping. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to celebrate the baby coming, but I almost wished it wasn’t considered rude to have a party without the pregnant lady in attendance. I mean, couldn’t people just bring a present, play their weird baby games, and leave. Nobody would really miss me.

“I don’t really know what I want or need,” I replied.

“She has some of the baby room together, but maybe I can help her come up with a list of things she still needs,” Keegan added.

“Don’t forget to include bigger items in that. You never know what people are willing to buy.”

“I can take care of the big things. I’ve got the crib already, and a rocking chair. I just don’t have a swing, and that bouncing thing.”

Donna raised her brow. “What about a car seat, stroller, high chair, bath tub . . . there’s a ton of things you really don’t think about until you go to a store and register.”

“All of that feels like begging.” I only say that because it’s me. I could provide for my child. But if it were someone else, I’d be telling them the same thing.

“Take Dodger and find a baby store to register at. I promise it’s okay. Now, what about the cake?”

“Now we’re talking.”

Keegan smiled. “I’m going to order one from that lady who did Camden’s and my wedding cake. I’ve been looking at some of her designs online and I have something picked out.”

“Do I even get a say on the flavor?”

“Of course,” she said.

“Good, ‘cause I really think a marble cake will cover the bases for everyone. I’d like all chocolate, but it’ll be good for people who want something vanilla.”

“Are you opposed to carrot?” Donna wondered.

“Not at all.”

She spoke to Keegan. “Ask them to do a top layer in carrot. It’ll appeal to the older ladies that will be attending.” She looked back to me. “Now, I know you said you preferred something smaller, like an intimate get together. It’s going to be a little bigger than that. We have some friends from church that are dying to get the newest Brooks member a gift. Think you’re okay with that?”

I eye balled both of their plates. Keegan had set her silverware down and she still had half a salad. Donna had barely even touched her stuffed chicken. My plate of chicken piccata was gone.

“Erm, are you both done with your plates?”

They both looked at what they had, then at my empty plate. Keegan broke out laughing.

“Here, have mine.”

Donna followed suit. “Baby boy must be growing like a weed in there.” She was sitting next to me and she rubbed my stomach.

It was endearing that she doted so much. My own mother had definitely come around and she wanted to be here today to help with the planning, but she had a meeting that she couldn’t miss. Donna told her she would call her later and fill her in. My family was really coming together.

“So has Dodger brought up the idea of marriage at all?” Keegan asked, dropping a bomb in the middle of the table that I didn’t want to talk about.

“No.”

“I bet it’s coming.” She clapped happily.

“Hopefully not.”

“Why not, Dear?” Donna asked.

I sighed. “Because. I just don’t want to be proposed to because I’m having a baby. A ring coming while I’m pregnant is not my idea of romance, or good timing. Right now, I’d rather just not. And Keegan, come one. You say that like you don’t know me. I’ve told you this before. I know you want me to marry him, but we’ve talked about this.”

Keegan’s face dropped and she looked at me with sad eyes. “I’m sorry. Yes, I know how you feel. I just assumed maybe it would change a little or maybe you’d be thinking about it now that you two have a house together. Things have been going so well.”

“Yes, they are going amazingly, but I’ll allow myself to think about it when I don’t have a basketball under my shirt. Not many pregnant brides out there that make a wedding dress look good.”

“You’d be beautiful if you wore a paper sack,” Donna complimented.

She was being sweet, even if I knew she wanted me to be with her son. Keegan sniffled. Both of us turned to give her attention.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Camden.”

Donna’s face etched with concern. “What’s wrong with Camden?”

“We were talking last night. I told him that I wanted to start thinking about having a baby as well. I know we just got married and all, and I’m not saying let’s do it tomorrow. I just wanted to have some sort of time line so we could make plans, you know?”

“Nothing wrong with that, honey. So why the tears?”

“He doesn’t want to make plans. He likes life as it is. He is content with me and the dog. He thinks that I’m only putting the pressure on him because of Macie being pregnant, which that’s not really it.” She folded her napkin over and over. “I mean maybe it’s part of it. It’s only natural for me to be thinking of what our next step would be, right? I just don’t like that he doesn’t seem to want to discuss it. I don’t want him thinking that it’s always going to be like this, and I’m going to be okay with that.”

Donna got up and moved to Keegan’s side of the table and took her hand in hers. “Listen to me. Camden isn’t shutting the idea out. Want to know how I know?”

Keegan nodded her head.

Donna dipped her head to look her in the eyes. “Because that boy is head over heels in love with you. His dad and I knew what you meant to him the moment we met you and he was still being stubborn about it. You have to remember, Cam is the one that we always thought would be a bachelor forever. Look how long it took for you to talk him in to getting a puppy.”

She laughed, wiping her eyes. “He still never gave me permission to get one. I just had to go get one and bring it home.”

“Permission,” I barked. “It’d be a cold day in hell when Dodger thinks he needs to give me permission for anything.”

Both women smiled knowingly.

“He’s going to come around. I promise when he lays eyes on his new nephew, he’s going to go soft. I know my son.” She patted her hand and let it go. “There’s not going to take much convincing.”

Keegan nodded. I sat back and watched my best friend. It was kind of a hard pill to swallow seeing her saddened by just how much she wanted to keep moving forward with her life. She did everything right. She followed protocol from life’s book. She met someone, got engaged, got married, got a pet, so naturally the next step was a baby. And here I was, scrambling the order of things and she had been nothing but happy for me. I felt like an asshole.

A waitress came past our table and put the ticket down. I snagged it before both women could grab it. They grumbled at me that it was their treat, blah, blah, blah.

“Maybe next time. You’re throwing a baby shower for me, so for now, let’s just call it even.”

“The baby shower of the century.” Keegan grinned at me devilishly, knowing they were making it so much more than I wanted.

“Yeah, yeah, just make sure there’s cake and I’ll show up.”

Donna snorted. “There will be cake, cookies, candy, and who knows what else.”

“Are the guys coming to this?” Keegan asked.

“No, I don’t think they’d have very much fun,” Donna replied at the same time that I said, “Absolutely!”

We looked at each other. I could give a flying crap about tradition and that men typically didn’t attend baby showers. But times were changing, and I felt it only appropriate that Dodger come with me. I mean, he was the one that put me in this predicament in the first place. Well, mostly.

Donna stood up from the table and put on a light cardigan. Winter was already past and Georgia weather was in the stage where it was attempting to warm up but it rained just about every day, making it cooler than I personally liked.

Keegan looked back and forth between us. “Okay, well, I’ll bring Camden if you want to drag Dodger along. We can include in the invitations that men are welcome and maybe I can come up with some fun things that are just for them. I have seen some men’s baby shower games on Pinterest.” She stopped and thought about it. “Yes, actually, I can work with this. It’ll be a ton of fun, plus Dodger can help you with the presents if he wants.”

I made a sour face. “Don’t include me in any shower games. So not my cup of tea.”

“Oh come on,” Donna implored.

“Hey, sticking my nose in a diaper that y’all melted a candy bar in to try and guess what the shit stain smells like will probably make me throw up.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Cake, Keegan. I’m coming for the cake.”

As all of us headed out the door, we hugged and said if something came up they’d call and ask me. As we pulled away from the restaurant, I had nothing else on the brain except cake and candy.