Page 63 of Mia Amata

“I’m the lucky one,” Jacob said. We pulled into the driveway; I was surprised to see vehicles parked in our driveway. Jacob laughed. “Looks like everyone couldn’t wait to learn the sex of the baby.” He parked the truck, we went through the house to the back deck where we found Randy, Donald, and Nora sitting there waiting. Jacob and I walked to the rail, turning to face them.

“Hey, everyone,” I said.

Jacob said, “What’s up?” Everyone looked at us in exasperation.

Randy said, “Well, don’t keep us in suspense! Is the baby a boy or a girl?” She looked at me. I looked at Jacob.

“Go ahead,” I said.

Jacob looked at his family, “Mia and I are having a daughter. Her due date is February 27.”

Nora clapped her hands, “Exactly what you thought! I’m so happy for both of you!”

I sat down between Nora and Randy, and the three of us talked baby while Donald got up and walked over to talk to Jacob. I told them that I had been working on the list of things I needed to buy for the baby when we made our shopping trip to the city. Nora and Randy looked at each other, something passing between them that I missed.

“About that,” Randy said. “Would you mind if we made it the weekend after next? Josh and I had plans already.” I was disappointed to put it off, but I told them that would be fine.

Nora said, “In the meantime, why don’t you text us copies of your list, so if we see something on your list, we can pick it up.” I told them I would send them the list that evening after I went through it again to make sure I didn’t miss something.

Donald turned to Nora, “We had better get going, I have a meeting this afternoon.” Nora stood up. Both Donald and Nora gave me a hug and then hugged Jacob. “We are both thrilled for you.” They gave Randy hugs and left.

Jacob said, “I need to run to the office for a couple hours, do you mind?”

“Not at all.” I had taken the day off. He gave me a kiss, going inside to change clothes. I looked at Randy. “Do you need to run off too?”

She shook her head. “No.My boss is on vacation. She left today and won’t be back for two weeks. I’ll go in now and then to do paperwork and check messages. The receptionist is working short hours too. When the boss goes on vacation, I have an easy job.”

“Great, can you stick around? Maybe help me in the nursery? If you want to that is?” I asked her.

“I’d love to! I can help you finish your baby shopping list too if you would like. Oh, by the way, Nora and I talked about the wedding. She said you told her that the main holdup was we didn’t want to upset anyone.”

I nodded, “I hope I didn’t overstep.”

“No, I’m glad you said something to her. We had a really good talk. Josh and I will sit down this weekend to make some plans.”

“Speaking of which, stay here, I’ll be right back.” I got up and went into the house. Jacob was just coming out of the bedroom, dressed in uniform, ready to go to work. He took me in his arms, “I can’t tell you how much I would rather stay here with you all day.”

“Um… I do like seeing you in uniform,” I said, smiling at him.

“Don’t tempt me, I won’t be able to leave.”

I laughed, “Randy is still here.” He glanced out the window.

“Tonight then,” he kissed me and left for work. I grabbed a book off the shelf and took it back outside.

Sitting back down next to Randy, I handed her the book. “I meant to gift wrap this for you, sorry about that.”

“A wedding planner! I have been thinking about getting one. Thank you! This will be very helpful.”

“You’re welcome,” I replied.

“I have a ton of ideas in my head, this will help eliminate the outrageous ideas, bringing to light the ones that will really make the wedding great.” We thumbed through it together, discussed different aspects of the book, and tossed around some ideas. Pretty soon we decided we were hungry and went for some lunch. The rest of the afternoon we spent in the nursery and the playroom down in the basement cleaning, putting things away. We finished the list of things I needed and talked about decor for the nursery, now that we knew for sure we were having a baby girl.

“I really don’t want everything pink. I just want pastel colors. I was thinking of a baby wild animal theme. I have seen some really cute things out there with baby animals on it.”

Randy smiled, “I think Jacob would like that theme also.”

I smiled back, “I think so too. You know, he told Dr.Lee that he is the father’s baby today.”

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