Page 66 of Soaring and Saucy

“I’m fine… I think.”

“Well, tell Loverboy if you are about to yack on your costume.”

“Ohio, anyone ever tell you that you have a gift with the English language?”

“Gift-ed,” Tic-Tak corrected and winked at Orion, who laughed.

“Short bus,” Shellac added, giving Moonbeam a high five.

“Dude licks the windows…” Orion retorted.

“Eats paste,” Memphis quipped.

“Crayons, too…” Pasteur volunteered.

“Maaaan, I hate you guys sometimes.”

“If you can dish it out,” Moonbeam grinned, laughing. “You can take it too.”

“Meh,” Ohio shrugged and then made the Godzilla roar again, causing them all to chuckle as Moonbeam rolled his eyes in exasperation. Jeremy splayed his hands, looking excited at that moment, before hissing loudly.

“Shhhh!”

Sure enough, you could hear feet coming up the stairs, and they all got into position. Lance slapped a bucket on his head, only to have his feather duster fall to the ground. He picked it up, and the bucket fell off, causing a giggle from Jeremy as he donned both again – and grinned as Stephanie unlocked the front door and walked in, looking terrible.

He loved her dearly, but even he had to admit it. Some of the guys had mentioned they were concerned about her at Orion’s cookout two weeks ago because she was swelling so much. It had been bad that day, and the only shoes that fit her were a cheap pair of flip-flops.

Her face was red and pinched, her brow was covered in sweat, and he could see that her ankles were puffed up again badly, despite rubbing her feet last night and propping them up on pillows for her. The baby was taking a toll on her body, and he was trying to do everything he could to help. In fact, last week, he told her that her belly button popping out was ‘the most adorable thing ever’ – when, in fact, it was the opposite.

Stephanie was trying to do too much. Between Lamaze classes, work, going out shopping with Madeline and Cherry, fretting over Lila, and helping Natalie with her wedding plans from across the country – all while trying to put together the baby’s room, it was taxing. She always collapsed at the end of the night, falling asleep watching television. In fact, he was going to talk to her tonight about quitting her job.

“What’s going on?” she asked curiously, her eyebrows pinched together.

“Well, princess… this is your coronation.”

“My what? And what’s that smell?”

“Paint!” Jeremy chimed in happily, shoving his sword up into the air once more with enthusiasm – only to have the ceiling fan slap it away, smacking Ohio right in the face. Tic-Tak sprayed the sip he’d just taken directly on Moonbeam, who immediately rolled his eyes in frustration.

“Shoulda put your bucket on,” Orion taunted as Ohio rubbed his nose and cheek in disbelief.

“What does he mean by ‘paint,’ Lance?” Stephanie repeated, looking at him questioningly and turned as footsteps sounded behind her. His wife looked out the front door curiously – and then shrieked. You could hear loud screams of joy echoing in the breezeway and winced. His neighbors were going to kill him.

“Oh my gosh, Lila… when did you get here?” his wife gushed happily, hugging the woman, as they all walked into the apartment. Stephanie was laughing and smiling, moving toward where he and Memphis were standing immediately. Lila was hugging Stephanie once more before waving politely at the rest of them.

Stephanie’s eyes were shining with tears as she stared at him, the table laden with gifts, and he could see the comprehension in her eyes. That singular look was the reason he got up in the morning and why he did things like this for her. He loved this woman with every fiber of his being.

“My princess is upgrading to ‘Queen’ soon,” he said softly, walking toward her and kissing her on the temple. “Now, sit down and put your feet up. Do you want some punch? I got the strawberry-pineapple stuff you love for you.”

“You are sooo sweet,” Stephanie crooned softly, touching his cheek and leaning up to kiss him, and paused, whispering and looking sideways at their friends. “Why are they all wearing mop buckets on their heads?”

“Sit down,” Lance chuckled, wanting to get her off her feet.

“Your husband is right,” Lila seconded, smiling with affection at the two of them. Stephanie’s friend actually looked happier than she’d been in the past. It was like some of the silent burden she carried had faded over time, which caused him to glance at Pasteur out of curiosity.

As his wife slowly sat down on the couch, he put a pillow down beside her and made her swing up her legs.

“Lance, what is all of this?” Stephanie laughed, and he turned to look at his friends, nodding.

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