Cooper

Sway called an emergency meeting today, so I’ve been waiting for Dee to swing by and pick me up before we head over to the salon. It’s the Thursday before the big meet is supposed to happen, and the guys are spending a few more hours in the office going over last-minute business. I know Asher is struggling with his decision, but I also know that he’s made the right one, and I’ll do my best to help him come to terms with that.

“How are you today, Ms. Avery?” Joe asks when I step into the lobby. Dee just called saying that she was ten minutes away and to “be ready so we don’t miss the show.”

“I’m doing well, Joe. Thank you for asking. How are you doing? Anything exciting happening in the building?”

“Oh, just the same old same old. We got a few new renters—one right on your floor and some on the lower floors. Had a dog steal Mrs. Marks’s wig right off her head the other day. Never thought I would see the day that woman ran after something,” he laughs.

“I bet that was a sight to see. Did she run with her walker?”

Mrs. Marks is a mean old lady who is pushing ninety-five. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her move quicker than shuffle speed. The thought of her running after a dog has uncontrollable giggles escaping. By the time Dee walks into the lobby, Joe and I are in peals of laughter, the sound booming through the otherwise quiet lobby.

“Hey, Joe!” Dee sings.

“Well, hello there, Ms. Dee! What a pleasure it is to see you. I hope everything is going well with that man of yours.”

“Hey, how come you never call me Ms. Chelcie?”

He looks confused for a second before a smirk curls his winkled lips. “Ms. Avery, you’ve never asked me to,” he jests.

“Oh, well…please do.”

Both Dee and Joe laugh at my embarrassment.

“He’s amazing, Joe. We’re getting married soon. Can you believe it?”

“Yes, Ms. Dee, I can believe it.” He looks over at me and I know it’s coming before he opens his mouth. “And I hear there’s a congratulations in order for you and Mr. Cooper as well?”

I hear Dee gasp, and before I can answer Joe, she snatches my hand in hers. “Holy shit,” she mumbles. “Holy shit! You didn’t tell me?”

“Thanks, Joe. I’m extremely happy.”

He gives me a nod and I make quick work of saying our goodbyes. Dee doesn’t let go of my hand the entire time.

We climb into her car—after she was kind enough to let go of my hand—and she gives me a second to buckle my seatbelt before turning on me, the questions flying rapidly out of her mouth.

“How did he ask? Ohmigod! When did it happen? Were you shocked? I bet you cried. Have you set a date? We should go look at dresses this weekend. Well, maybe we should wait until after the baby comes before we do that,” she giggles. “Holy shit, Chelcie. Everyone is going to freak out! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“Jesus, Dee, take a breather. We didn’t tell anyone. There hasn’t been a chance. We were planning on telling you guys after everything settled down some more.”

“I’m so happy for you, for both of you. You deserve this happiness. All three of you do.”

“Thank you. I’m unbelievably happy.”

“Sway is going to freak!”

I lay my head back and prepare myself for the frenzy I’m sure this day will turn into.

“Hey, Beck mentioned something to me when he got back the other day—you know when you guys had that meeting at CS?” I nod, questioning where she is going with this. “He mentioned the name Zac. Is that what you decided to name the baby?”

I turn and look at her, wondering when I let Zac’s name slip. It makes sense that I would have. Emotionally, the stakes were so high in that conference room that I used every tool I had to get Asher to listen. If he wouldn’t have for me, I know he would have for Zac. We hadn’t wanted to tell anyone what we were having, so I’m kind of upset that not only is his gender known, but also his name.

“Yeah, we decided to name him Zac,” I speak softly.

It doesn’t really matter if they know, and we can still share the meaning behind his nickname when he’s born. I mentally remind myself to fill Asher in on everyone knowing.

“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” she hesitantly asks while merging into traffic.

“No, nothing’s wrong. I just didn’t realize that I had said Zac’s name. We had planned on waiting until he was born to announce it.”

“I’m sorry, Chelcie. If it makes you feel better, I think I’m the only one who knows. Beck just asked me if I had heard anything about it.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’ve got a healthy baby boy, a great fiancé, and…and I just sent my book off to my editor, Mickey. Trust me, Dee. It’s okay.”

“Holy shit, Chelc! That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I’m still terrified, but I figure I would regret it if I never tried.”

“I agree. I can’t wait to read it.”

I smile at her and we continue to make small talk before we pull into the parking lot where Sway’s salon is located as well as Dee’s small insurance company and the Corps Security offices.

Dee loops her arm through mine and we take off across the parking lot. I have to struggle to keep up with her. Her ever-present heels are eating up the pace quicker than I can waddle after her. I’ve turned into a damn teeter-totter the last few days. The only things that have grown on my body are my boobs and belly, but it still feels like I have an extra hundred pounds to carry around.

“Slow down, you crazy woman,” I hiss when I almost fall on my face.

“Hey, you just need to figure out how to get that watermelon to sway with you,” she giggles.

“Whoa, this belly doesn’t sway. I haven’t swayed in way too long. I just kind of march, heavy and with a weird side step to keep my hips from grinding.”

She shudders. “That sounds terrible.”

I laugh. “It really isn’t that bad. I think the positives by far outweigh the pain I might be feeling for a few more weeks.”

I try to keep it positive, but truth be told, I’m miserable. I just want to be done being pregnant and hold my son in my arms. Unfortunately, I still have some time. My last doctor’s appointment confirmed that Zac is measuring well past his gestational age. Dr. Sosa laughed and told me politely that the baby must take after his linebacker father. I don’t ever correct her when she assumes that Asher is the father. To us, he will be, and the detail of Zac’s conception isn’t anyone else’s business but our own.