That Baby

by Jillian Dodd

  "What are we doing?" Lori asks.

  "We need to do something and she needs the practice."

  "Practice for what?" Chelsea asks.

  I grab a taper candle off my mom's dining room hutch and hand it to her. "Practice passing your candle. I'm your sorority big sister, and there's no way I'm missing out completely."

  She grins. "Is there an I'm-engaged-and-knocked-up version of this?"

  "No," Lori says. "You'll announce the engagement first. The rest of it is no one's business."

  "He just told me he wants to get married soon," Chelsea says. "I'm throwing up every morning. I have a full load of classes. Sorority. How am I going to plan a wedding?"

  "We'll help you," Lori says, lighting the candle and humming. "Pinned," she says passing it to me.

  It doesn't take long for us to pass the candle three times and for Chelsea to blow it out.

  "Now, show us the pose," I tease.

  "What pose?" she asks, looking confused.

  Lori and I dramatically put our rings out to be admired, causing Chelsea to giggle.

  "The pose of the happy, newly engaged girl, what else?" I tell her.

  She mimics us, laughing, as Lori says, "This will be the question you will hear over and over. So, Chelsea, have you set a date?"

  Chelsea laughs again. "No, but I was thinking my parents have that beach house in Florida."

  "Spring break heaven," I say. "We had fun, didn't we? What an epic road trip. Then the guys showed up."

  "That was one of our almosts," Chelsea admits. "We were alone on the beach, both a bit drunk. But he had a girlfriend. Even though I was kinda mad at the time, looking back, it's good to know he didn't cheat on her. He's a good guy, right?"

  "Yeah." I hug her. "He's a really good guy."

  "So, what do you think? The beach in Florida? A few good friends?"

  "Have you told your families?" Lori asks.

  "Not yet. I've been too busy freaking out. Can I tell you both a secret?"

  "Yeah," Lori and I reply.

  "When I was in high school, I got pregnant and had a D&C. I know it was the right choice for me then, but I've always felt guilty and I've been so afraid that, when it came time for me to want a baby, I wouldn't get pregnant. Like I would be punished or something. So even though I was shocked, I am happy it happened."

  Phillip wanders upstairs looking for me. "What's going on up here?" He sees the candle and smiles. "Looks like I need to serenade you," he says then launches into one of their frat songs.

  His deep, sexy voice makes me melt.

  I know that I'm so incredibly lucky.

  And I say a little prayer that I won't be moody or emotional during my pregnancy.

  When we clean up after the game, Mrs. D and Mrs. Mac tell us, "The pregnant women get to go sit down and put up their feet. We've got this."

  "This is crazy," I say, perching on the living room sofa. "All of us pregnant at the same time."

  "So exciting, though," Lori says, seemingly happy we are now in the pregnancy boat with her. Not only that, she's an expert compared to us. "So how are you feeling?"

  "I feel permanently hungover," I admit.

  "Ohmigosh," Chelsea squeals, "me too!"

  "I wish I could tell you it goes away in a few months," Lori says, "and for some women it does, hasn't for me though. I'm still sick most of the time. Although, now it's all day instead of just in the morning."

  "They say one in five pregnancies end in miscarriage. Right now, even though it was a shock that I got pregnant, that's what I've been worrying about the most," Chelsea says quietly. "Every time I have a little cramp, I'm so scared."

  "Isn't it weird, how protective we are of the pregnancy? Even though mine wasn't planned. Even though I feel crappy. It's like the most important thing ever," I tell them.

  "Speaking of that, Jade," Lori says. "Just last week you were crying because you got your period. How are you pregnant? Did you go to the doctor?"

  "It's kind of crazy. When I was sick, I was freaking out because I didn't want to be pregnant. But then, I got what I thought was my period and was super sad. That's when we decided we'd start trying. But the next day, my period was gone and I didn't know why. Then when Danny was cooking bacon and I got sick again, I started wondering. As soon as Phillip left for work on Monday, I took a pregnancy test and couldn't even believe that it turned positive. I saw your OB-GYN that day. Turns out I just had some spotting."

  "That's crazy," she says. "How did you tell Phillip?"

  "With the shirts. I wrapped his up and gave it to him, then showed him mine. He was pretty shocked. He just kept smiling and saying, really? What about you, Chels?"

  "I told Joey I was late, so we did the test together. I was too afraid to look, so I watched him. First his eyes got huge then this wide grin took over his face. He turned the stick toward me, picked me up, hugged me, and said, we're pregnant. I don't know, but the fact he said we're instead of you're just made me so happy that I started bawling. I'm hoping my mom will be excited when she hears the news."

  "Joey's family will be excited," Mrs. Diamond says, sitting next to us. "His mother was telling me just the other day how much she likes you."

  "Really? So you don't think they will be mad?"

  "Although I didn't scream and jump around like my friend over there," she says, pointing to Mrs. Mac who is wiping down the kitchen counters. "My heart felt exactly the same. Your parents will be surprised, but they'll be thrilled."

  Ashley and Cooper went back to their hotel as soon as the game was over. Now, Marcus and Madison come upstairs to leave, so I walk them to the door and say goodbye. As they're pulling out of the driveway, I notice Danny sneaking back from his house.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Nothing, just ran home to use the bathroom."

  "We have bathrooms here."

  "Had to take a shit," he says but I know he's lying.

  The dads are outside on the deck smoking a cigar even though it's fairly cold out.

  Lori takes Chelsea and the moms over to see the nursery. The furniture she ordered the other day isn't in yet, but the room has been painted a gorgeous shade of pale yellow, has crisp white trim, and murals of zoo animals hand painted across the walls. It's adorable and I'm in love with the tall giraffes that will peek over the crib.

  I creep down the stairs, knowing Danny is up to something.

  I stop half way down and hear the guys discussing their lists of nevers.

  I'll never own a minivan," Joey says.

  "And I'll never allow my kids to scream in a restaurant," Phillip says.

  "Or on an airplane," Danny adds.

  "I won't go crazy buying stuff for a baby like my sister did," Joey says. "All it needs is somewhere to sleep and some diapers."

  "And I won't let a baby rule our lives. We'll still be able to do everything we enjoy now, we'll just be taking a baby along for the ride," Danny says. "Lori is freaking out, but it's just a baby. How hard can it be?"

  "I know I'll never say, when I was your age," Phillip says. "Like my parents did."

  "Oh, I know," Joey says. "I'll never make them listen to oldies. I'll stay up-to-date on music. I'll never get a beer gut, because there's always time for working out. Which serves a duel purpose. I'll always be able to whoop my son's ass. Keep him in line."

  They all laugh wholeheartedly.

  "We'll never stop doing Jell-O shots or Fireball."

  "No Dad clothes."

  "We'll go to all the coolest concerts."

  "And find time to hit happy hour with our buddies."

  "It won't ruin my golf game."

  "I know one that is absolutely non-negotiable," Phillip says. "No child will ever eat in my car. Can you imagine French fries on the floor, little dirty fingerprints everywhere? No way. And we won't allow toys sprawled across the house. They will stay in their rooms."

  "So to recap," Danny says. "We will always be cool. We won't let them ruin our shit. We'll still b
e spontaneous, and they won't affect our sex lives. And I vote for no curfews. They never made sense to me."

  "What if you have a daughter?" Phillip asks.

  "Easy. She won't have to worry about a curfew because I'll never let her out of the house at night."

  "Because we know what happens at night," Joey laughs.

  "Yeah, you get drunk, hookup at weddings, and next thing you know you're in a basement talking about how a baby isn't going to change your life," I tease, having slipped down the stairs without them noticing.

  Danny jumps. "Shit! You scared me. Lori didn't hear what we said, did she?"

  "No, she's showing everyone the nursery."

  He sighs with relief. "Boys," he says seriously. "You have to be careful about what you say all the time. No matter what you say, she'll give you that look. That look where she's blaming you for getting her pregnant because whatever is ailing her is all your fault, even though she swears she's happy she's pregnant and happy you are the baby's father."

  "Chelsea's such a cool chick, she won't be all emotional and needy."

  Phillip coughs. "Except for running out of the room in tears when we announced our pregnancy."

  "Ha. They are so emotional," Danny says. "And beware of questions where she asks if she looks bigger. It's a double-edged sword and you will never answer it correctly. If you say what you think would be the right answer, no, darling, I can hardly tell you're pregnant, she will start crying because she'll worry the baby isn't growing properly. And if you say that it looks like the baby bump has grown, she will cry because she thinks you think she's getting fat and you won't love her anymore. Pregnancy is like boot camp. Or two-a-day practices. You just have to get through it without getting hurt. Things will be much easier once the baby is born."

  "Two-a-days only lasted a few weeks. Pregnancy lasts nine months," Joey counters.

  "Although, there are a few perks. One of which is the world's best excuse for getting out of doing things you don't want to do. My wife's pregnant and not feeling well, otherwise we'd definitely be there."

  "I'm sure there are a lot of other perks," Phillip says sweetly, pulling me onto his lap and kissing me.

  Which causes Danny to laugh. "Imagine sex when your wife has a stomach the size of a basketball."

  "Chelsea's been overtly in the mood," Joey admits as Phillip smirks.

  "And we know Jay has been too, based on some things I've witnessed," Danny teases.

  I toss a pillow at his face.

  "You do realize you all had a similar conversation about girls in college?" I remind them.

  "What are you talking about?" Danny, the biggest offender asks.

  I roll my eyes. "I'm never losing my man card. I won't ever watch chick flicks. I'll never go shopping with her. I'll never change my hairstyle for a girl. I'll never miss a game for a date. Shall I go on?"

  "No need. We get it. We mellowed a little in the name of love."

  "Or for regular sex," Joey teases.

  "Enjoy that while you can, boys," Danny says, "because this is in your future."

  He smirks again then tosses something white at Joey.

  Joey pulls it off his head and holds it out in front of him. "What the hell is this? A tire cover?"

  Phillip twists his head to the side and studies it. "No, it has two holes in it. Something goes through it. Is it to cover your golf clubs?"

  "Your wife's legs go through it. Those are maternity underwear. Something to look forward to, huh?"

  Joey is holding them up, trying to fathom Chelsea's skinny ass fitting in something that looks like it could cover the hood of a Mini Cooper. Honestly, I'm trying to imagine myself ever fitting in something that size. I glance down at my stomach. There is no way possible that I could ever fill those things out.

  Lori and Chelsea choose this moment to rejoin us.

  "Danny!" Lori screeches, horrified. "How could you?" She turns around and marches up the stairs, Chelsea following her.

  "Oh, shit," Danny mutters.

  "Rubber band," I tease.

  He stops at the bar, pours three shots, and hands them to the guys. "Here's to surviving pregnancy."

  "I'll never chase after a girl. They can chase me," Joey hoots. "I very clearly remember Danny saying that, don't you, Phillip?"

  Phillip takes a pull off his beer and smiles at Danny. "I think I do."

  Danny runs up the stairs, flipping them off.

  "I'm mostly worried about how we're going to afford it," Joey says. "I read that raising a baby costs like a half million dollars not including college."

  "Wow, that's a lot," Phillip says. He's tipsy and squinting his eyes more than normal.

  "But it's over a span of like twenty years," I say gently. Because if there's one thing he'll freak out about, it's money.

  "Yeah, but it's still twenty-five thousand a year."

  "No way a baby is going to cost that much at first. Maybe once they go to school and play sports and stuff," I counter.

  "Whatever," Joey says. "We have to get a place to live. She still has to graduate and find a job. Which is going to be tough when she's pregnant. I have a job but it's not in my field. I thought when I stayed in college to get the extra certification for non-profit businesses that it would make it super easy to find something. It's not looking that way."

  "Non-profit," I say. "I forgot that you did that."

  "Don't you remember all the volunteer hours I had to do?"

  "Yeah, but I just put it together. Did you know Danny is starting a non-profit and looking for someone he can trust to run it?"

  "No, what kind of non-profit?"

  "It hasn't been announced yet, but it's called Diamonds in the Rough," Phillip tells him. "It's a program where former and current college and professional players will go into schools and talk about sports and how getting a college scholarship helped better their lives. Mostly talking to kids about keeping out of trouble," Phillip says.

  I add, "They will also eventually have their own scholarships and money to help with after school programs for grade school kids."

  "That would be a dream job, if it pays decent," Joey says. "I wouldn't mind moving to Kansas City, since Chelsea's sister lives here and it's closer to her parents in Missouri."

  "You should definitely talk to him," Phillip says. "And, if not, we're going to have some openings due to our expansion. If you'd be interested in the transportation industry."

  Joey gets up and shakes Phillip's hand. "I'll think about that. Thanks, man. I better go get Chelsea and get to the hotel. We have some celebrating to do."

  I give him a hug. "Congrats, Joey. On the engagement and the baby. I'm really happy for you."

  "She loved that you did a little candle passing ceremony for her. Thank you for that. And congrats to you both."

  I'm finishing up writing in my journal when Phillip gets into bed with me.

  "What a night," he says. "I bet you're exhausted."

  "I don't think I'll have any trouble falling asleep."

  He wraps his arms around me as I snuggle into my favorite spot in the world.

  "Mmm, your neck smells good."

  "You always say that," he teases.

  "Yeah, well trust me, it's a good thing because a lot of things that normally smell good are making me sick. Your neck doesn't make me sick."

  He laughs and kisses me. "I'm glad I don't make you sick.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Dear Baby Mac,

  We told your grandma and grandpa and some of our closest friends about you at our Super Bowl party today. I had football jerseys made that said Mac Daddy and Mac Mommy on the back as a way to announce our pregnancy to your daddy. We wore them today, but I kept my cardigan on, so no one would see what the back of mine said.

  Everyone loved the Mac Daddy jersey. Mac Daddy actually came from your dad's old high school nickname, Pimp Daddy Mac. Your dad, he was, um, popular with the ladies.

  I kept my sweater on, hoping someone would ask what the back o
f mine said. But no one did!

  I was going CRAZY waiting!

  But your grandma was too busy noticing that my house was dusty, I guess.

  We just moved and I've been sick!

  And trust me, her son--your father--knows how to pick up a dust rag! Actually, he promised to clean everything, and I'm kinda mad at him.

  But whatever.

  Except I'm not really mad. He's been spoiling me.

  So, anyway . . .

  During the third quarter, I stood in front of the TV so everyone could see my back. Even then, it took a while before Mrs. Diamond caught on. Then your grandma made a noise that sounded like a tortured cat.

  Then there was a frenzy of excitement.

  Well, except for my friend, Chelsea. We found out that she's pregnant too. And their baby wasn't exactly planned. Which I mean, technically, I didn't plan for you either. And I feel kind of bad about it. The baby handbook has a few chapters on things you're supposed to do BEFORE you get pregnant. It's like I missed the first few weeks of class.

  But, I swear, I'll catch up.

  It might help if you could stop whatever it is you're doing that's making me feel like I have a permanent hangover.

  I have to say though, you sometimes don't seem real.

  My stomach is still flat.

  But then I guess that shouldn't be a shock, since your dad tells me you are the size of a pea.

  February 5th

  Sexy French maid.

  I drive to the job site to check in with the survey crew and then go back to the office and make a million calls.

  "Whatcha doing?" Phillip asks, standing in the doorway.

  I point to the phone and finish my conversation while he stalks toward me with a smirk on his face.

  "What's the smirk about?"

  He pulls me into his arms and grabs my ass. "Just thinking you look really sexy today."

  "I wish I felt sexy," I tell him. "Morning sickness seems to be stretching into the afternoon. Peggy, your new assistant--who I am in love with, by the way--dropped off a piece of her homemade carrot cake and I thought I was going to puke all over it. That's not the impression I want to make on someone who can bake the way she can."

  He grins. "Maybe you need cupcakes instead."

  "Are you referring to actual cupcakes or cupcake sex?"