“Eh, it’s no big deal. Why don’t we have that girl time you’re always asking about and have a sleepover?” She brightened. I looked at the clock, it was just after midnight.
“Do you have any popcorn? We can find some chick flicks on TV and eat snacks.” She leapt up and hurried into the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with popcorn, cookies, and some pop. I laughed and she shrugged as she plopped down next to me. She opened the package of Oreos and popped one in her mouth. With a mouthful of cookie, she gave me a completely adorable, innocent look and spoke.
“What? I’m pregnant, I can eat what I want for the next nine months.”
* * *
The following afternoon was filled with running errands and then taking the kids to rehearsal. On the way out Stacey stopped me and asked if I could help with painting the backdrops. I mentioned it to Mark and Derek when I finally got home.
“It will be fun. Afterwards we usually have a party,” I added, trying to entice them. They both gave me looks telling me they’d rather swallow knives.
“None of that sounds fun,” Derek said. “I’m busy this weekend anyways.”
I smirked. “Doing what? Sitting on my couch, eating my food and sleeping til noon?” He glared at me. Picking up his beer he took a large gulp and then smirked.
“No. I’m going to be sitting on Adrian’s couch, eating Adrian’s food, and yes sleeping til noon. Thank you very much.”
“That actually doesn’t sound like such a bad plan,” Mark teased me. When he saw I wasn’t as amused as his partner in crime his face grew serious.
“If you want me to go I will. I’m sure it won’t be as bad as it sounds.” He reached for my hand across the table, stroking my knuckles. I smiled at him and softened. He winked at me, which caused Derek to groan loudly.
“Ugh, so now that you aren’t trying to get pregnant are you guys going to stop with the constant PDA? You don’t always have to be ready to go,” he complained.
“Shut up,” Mark said.
“We are not that bad. Cleo and Ethan are way worse,” I defended. Derek nodded and grimaced.
“You’re not lying there. Still, you two. I swear your sex noises have become my white noise. I can’t sleep soundly anymore without hearing the distant sound of you two bumping uglies.”
I tossed a french fry at him.
“You are disgusting.”
“Why do you think I stay here more than I’m at Adrian’s?”
“Because you don’t want to hear him and Chase going at it?” Derek shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“Nah. I don’t think they ever do it when I’m there. They are both secure in their sexuality, but I think they are still shy when it comes to that stuff. If they do anything, I never hear a peep.”
I reached for my beer and giggled.
“Would you really want to though?”
Derek grimaced.
“Great, now that’s an image I really didn’t want in my head. Can we talk about something else? Anything else, please.”
“Are you excited about getting your casts off next week?” I asked him and he gave me a shrug.
“Yes and no. I can’t wait to really scratch these bad boys,” he knocked on his casts. “But I will miss everyone wheeling me around and the chicks giving me that look,” he wiggled his eyebrows and made a motion with his hand and mouth that made Mark clear his throat.
“So, you’re going to Adrian’s for the weekend or not?”
“I can. Why, what are you guys doing?”
I reached for Mark’s hand again and squeezed. We looked into each other's eyes with obnoxious adoration.
“Oh nothing, just staring at each other and humping like bunnies,” I said.
