Page 66 of Securing Samantha

Michael’s face expressed his fear and worry the moment she disappeared through the door. Samantha wrapped her arms around him, lending him support.

“Go have fun with the guys. Kassie said we’ll come up to the facility later. We’ll take care of things here.” She squeezed his arm and watched him slowly walk back to his car as if he’d been given a death sentence. She didn’t doubt the men lent support to Michael and they’d take care of him too.

Leo led his wife inside the cabin. Catherine’s tiny baby bump barely showed, and she watched as Kassie smiled and hugged her dear friend before sitting her at the table with pillows as cushions for her comfort.

“Merry Christmas,” she greeted Catherine with a hug as Leo went out to retrieve the presents for wrapping.

“Merry Christmas, we’ve missed you.” Catherine yawned as she took a seat. She glanced over her shoulder toward the door.

“Did you forget something?” Samantha asked. “I can run out and grab it,” she offered.

Catherine rolled her eyes. “Don’t even hint I forgot anything. Leo will look in the baby book to see if it’s a symptom of expectant mothers. It can go two ways. He’ll find it and remind me it’s my hormones or he won’t find it and call Chase to discuss a possible medical diagnosis.”

Samantha laughed.

Kassie made a smoothie for Lizzy to boost her immune system and poured Samantha and Bryanna a glass of wine while she brought out the organized bin of wrapping paper, ribbons and tape. “Catherine did you find the Wendy Wet Pants doll bottles?” Kassie grimaced.

Lizzy laughed, “Really? There’s a doll named Wendy Wet Pants?”

“Oh yeah. All three girls want it. Chase found three and the men will make the trip to pick them up. I gotta tell you, Em hasn’t even got her hands on the doll, and I hope she misplaces it. Every time the girls talk about it and mention her name the guys snigger and share glances at each other like they hit puberty all over again. Bryanna, can I have a tag for Joe?”

“What does this doll do?” Lizzy asked. “You know a man made up the name.” She tied the ribbon and passed it down to Bryanna who wrote Joe’s name.

“It drinks a bottle and pees. What a waste of money. Yes, I found the accessories, which of course all come separately. I tried telling Melody in a few more months the girls can play with the real version. Like the doll, they’ll soon become bored with it and walk away. Plus, the diapers are crazy expensive and not reusable. I need a tag for my mom.”

Samantha sized up the present and cut the ribbon. Catherine passed the package for her to add the decoration. Bryanna placed it in a separate pile.

“Luckily Maddie, Carol and Edie sewed outfits and little diapers for the doll,” Kassie added. “Lizzy this one’s done. It’s for Nugget, Bryanna.”

“Don’t girls change the names of their dolls?” Lizzy asked.

“It’s not only the name,” Bryanna giggled. “It’s dressed in this awful hot pink sequined number. It looks like it belongs on a pole rather than a cradle. Whoever did the marketing, did not ask the moms of the group what they thought about the outfit. It’s not an image to project on the girls.”

Kassie and Catherine frowned together.

“Well little Miss Wet Pants won’t be wearing said outfit on Christmas morning. We asked the girls if they picked an outfit, what did they want their baby to wear. Melody responded she wanted hers to wear purple pajamas with unicorns, Emma wanted a pink dress with hearts, and Nugget wants a cowboy outfit. Chase took the girls riding with Saint and Nugget became obsessed with cowgirls and horses.” Kassie explained to Samantha.

She smiled, but wondered if LJ missed going on adventures with the girls as she missed the camaraderie of the group in front of her.

“What did you guys get the men?” she asked. She purchased a picture frame and added the photo of LJ running into Whiskey’s arms, as a gift for Whiskey.

“I gave Chase a handmade ornament and a coupon for a massage from yours truly. He’s worked nonstop at the hospital. This gift is for Victoria,” she handed the present to Samantha as Bryanna wrote the name.

“I bought Leo tickets to a football game. I’m trying to get him to leave the house.” Catherine sighed. “This present is LJ’s. As a reminder, I didn’t pick the present. Melody and Leo went shopping while Kassie babysat me.” She rolled her eyes.

“Leo’s worried about the baby, huh?” Lizzy smiled as if lost in thought. “It’s funny watching him fuss over you.” She tied a bright green bow and passed her item to Bryanna.

“Leo took it to a whole new level. He installed cameras in every room of the house. I drew the line at the bathroom. Then he spouted off statistics about pregnant women falling in the tub. I don’t even know where he finds this stuff.” She stood and shook her head, “I gotta pee again.”

“Maybe we’ll name you ‘Catherine Can’t Hold It,’” Lizzy teased, and the women laughed.

Samantha missed this.

Chase drove Leo to the team building so Kassie volunteered to load Catherine’s packages. She filled her arms and headed to the vehicle. Samantha slipped her shoes on and hurried to help Kassie with the gifts. Kassie sat on the edge of the truck and wiped her eyes.

“Oh, Kass,” Samantha held her while she cried.

“Please don’t say anything. Catherine will feel bad. She already tries to hide her baby bump and she talked more today about her pregnancy than when she told me. This is her moment. I’ll get through it. It comes in uncontrollable waves. One day, I handle it fine and the next I wonder how I’ll make it through the day if I see her at work. I feel like such a rotten friend. Especially when Lizzy’s facing an unknown future. I’m blessed beyond measure. I know it. I love Em as my own,” Kassie sobbed.

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