Mom: Obviously, when the time is right we will have the baby shower here at Olive Owl.
Carter’s Mom: Obviously, it’s more appropriate to have the baby shower here in Everhope where my son and the mother of his child live.
Mom: Then all the more reason to let us host the baby shower so she can still involve all of the family.
Carter’s Mom: But Olive Owl isn’t that far away, so all family can come here to Everhope.
Mom: Again. Shall I remind us all of our family size? Rosie has her dad, three uncles, two aunts, two siblings, and about eight cousins, nobody knows the exact number as we all lost count. It’s my little girl, so the shower will be here at Olive Owl.
Carter’s Mom: And it’s my little boy.
Hailey: Or… we just have the baby shower at her sister-in-law’s/friend’s place so none of you win. Wow, what a smart idea. Give Hailey an award.
Rosie sets her phone on the dresser. “See?”
“Damn. It’s a little out of hand.”
We both make our way to the shower and step under the hot water as steam fills the bathroom.
“I’m scared about what happens when they discover that we’re not finding out if it’s a boy or girl. Speaking of which, after the ultrasound, I’ll be halfway, so we should probably start to think about what things we need. I really want to go for simple. Definitely get one of those wraps so I can carry him or her around. Obviously, we need natural baby soap and all of that stuff. We need to get an amethyst crystal to help with sleeping, and?—”
I interject. “Rosie. Relax. We have time.”
Her head wobbles side to side as she grabs her body wash. “Sorry. It’s just the list is in my head.”
I begin to lather soap on my body. “It also means we need to set up the baby’s room,” I casually mention.
“Maybe, the small room across the hall, right?”
I stop mid scrub, doubting if I just heard her. We’ve moved up the scale from a no, to a maybe on this house being where she and the baby will be staying on a more permanent basis, to a probably yes. Her eyes swim side to side because I don’t think she even realized she said it.
“Was that your subconscious?”
Her mouth parts open, but only a croaky sound escapes. “Well… I guess. It makes sense, right? Actually, it doesn’t matter, the baby will sleep wherever I sleep because of night feeds.” Now she’s sweeping what she said under the rug.
But I’ll have none of that. I snake my arm around her waist to bring her flush against my body. “It’s okay. I won’t make a big deal about what you just said. I’m only going to highlight that you said a room here. That’s something. I’m going to ask you, and you’ll answer honestly. No bullshit. Then we can happily get on with our day. We even still have those fake sausages that you like with toaster waffles.”
She bites her bottom lip, bracing herself. “Okay. We said we will go slow even though we’re sharing a bed. Apparently, it seems that a little more may have crossed my mind, and obviously something in my head decided to share it with all of us. Does that satisfy your standards of an answer?”
I kiss her forehead. “It does. I also get to analyze it, and it would suggest that I need to move some furniture out of that room. Would you like me to do that?” I’m coaxing her to be a little more blunt and see where we are exactly on the maybe line.
The way she grumbles, with her lips doing a little pout, is freaking adorable. “Yes.” It chirps out of her mouth at record speed, and it takes a few moments longer than normal, but her mood disperses, and that warm smile appears.
“Okay. Do you want me to pick up spinach when I’m at the grocery store later?” I’m keeping my word and not making a big deal about this small win.
She shoves my shoulder slightly because she understands what I’m doing, and her eyes flood with appreciation. “That would be great. I’m still trying these healthy smoothies for pregnancy.”
“How’s that going for ya?”
“They’re revolting. Why can’t I just have a chocolate shake, throw in a spoon of peanut butter, and call it protein and antioxidants? So what if I decide to throw a bucketload of whipped cream on top and a bunch of those cocktail cherries.”
“Then do it. You don’t need to do everything by the book, not unless it says sex helps during pregnancy, because that advice, we are going to follow without fail.”
A beaming grin floods her face as she continues to wash herself. It’s always kind of dangerous when I watch her clean between her legs where I marked her, because I just want to do it again now.
Alas, we do have things to do today. I have work. Rosie is off to teach a yoga class. I hate that she’s driving out of town, and I’m not 100% that she should be doing all of that bending due to the pregnancy, but she assures me it’s fine and reminds me that bendy is how we like it.
I trust her on it, so I let it go.
