Page 2 of Winning the Nightcap

“Tell me you saw it! Right there, there’s a ladder right there! I know he got out, and that’s how he does it,” Ellie yells. We’re wrapping up the season three finale, and Ellie is worked up. She hands Luca over to Dom to burp. Seriously, how often does she have to feed him? I say a silent prayer for her milk makers. They look angry, and I don’t blame them. They’re working over time and not in the fun way.

“I don’t know, I think he goes through the gate into the Upside Down to survive the explosion,” Dom says. We’ve had this debate a million times. We know we can’t lose Hopper. But thehowis a sourceof controversy. “Bec, do you want to hold Luca again?”

“Oh no, you go ahead and have some dad and son bonding time. I don’t want to interrupt.” I know how this works. Post-nurse burping time means you volunteer to be a human spit-up rag. I was already fooled once while we were watching episode six. Not again.

“Hey, did you see in the group chat that Dee has a date tomorrow?” Ellie asks.

“Please tell me she didn’t agree to go out with that guy she works with…what’s his name? John?”

“Not a chance. She asked Sarah out again, the engineer. I’m shocked she’s giving Dee another chance after how their first date ended,” Ellie says, her voice heavy with disbelief.

“From what Dee described, Sarah seems sweet and funny. Maybe she’ll just laugh the whole thing off.” Our friend Dee is single like me, and I swear, she rivals me for most embarrassing first date stories. You’d think we were competing. I would’ve kept this story to myself, but Dee has absolutely no shame. She can’t help but laugh at herself.

“She threw up on Sarah’s shoes! I couldn’t show my face again if I did that on a date.” Poor Dee. Bad time for food poisoning to hit. I guess they were on the highest level of Topgolf. She said her options were to either vomit on her date’s shoes or over the edge of the building and watch it fly three stories down. In her state of panic, she chose the shoes. It seemed like the better option to me too.

“But what a good story to tell the grandkids someday, right? I’d rather my introduction to my soul mate be something hilariously embarrassing than something boring,” I say, finishing my chips. I’ll need to restock Ellie’s snack stash tomorrow. I helped her do some serious damage to her supply tonight.

“Speaking of, who’s on your radar lately? Anyone promising?” Ellie asks.

“God no. Everyone I’m matching with online has been nice enough,but there’s no spark, no connection. I haven’t checked any of my messages recently, come to think of it. Besides, it hasn’t been that long since Josh and I broke up.”

“It’s been three months. I bet meeting someone fun will help you close the door on all that drama. Humor me, and pull up the app. Let’s see if you have any matches waiting and show Luca his first love story.”

I reluctantly find my phone. I haven’t checked my messages lately. I’ve been busy at work and tired of putting in the effort just to find myself on another lackluster date. But I have a feeling that Ellie and Dom are going to be busy while they adapt to being a family of three, and unless I want to spend all my free time working or volunteering, I need to find a way to occupy my time. So, Ellie helps me swipe, and I wish I could say I was excited about any of the possibilities.

* * *

The next day, I pull into Ellie’s driveway with another chai latte, supersized blueberry muffin, and a few grocery bags. I woke up early, threw my hair in a messy bun, unwilling to tame the frizz, put on some sweats, and ran to the store to stock up on her favorite snacks. I texted her from her driveway to make sure I wasn’t waking her, in case she was lucky enough to be napping, but she gave me the all clear to storm into their home because, in her words, Everyone in this house is always awake for the rest of time.

Sounds like it’s time for Mom to get some sleep.

Ellie is pretty much right where I left her last night, cozy on the couch with Luca all scrunched up and asleep on her chest. Her straight blonde hair hangs around her face and over one shoulder in a messy braid. The dark circles under her eyes contrast with her ivory skin. She has to be running on next to no sleep right now.

“You’re a lifesaver,” she whispers. “Not just for the snacks, but because I have to pee. Can you take Luca so I can go?” Ellie’s physical recovery seems more difficult than I imagined it’d be. She has to move really slowly and getting up and down seems really painful for her.

“Of course, hun. I feel bad you were stuck all this time having to go. Can’t you put Luca down and run to the bathroom since he doesn’t move without you?”

Ellie is patient. Ellie is understanding. Ellie is not the person to bite your head off. But oh my god, I’m afraid right now. She’s looking at me like she’s going to grow claws and rip me to shreds.

“I’ve tried. I’ve tried to put him down, but every time I do, his tiny little voice box turns into a megaphone, and he wails louder than an ambulance. It takes me so long to get to and from the bathroom and on and off the seat, and Icannotlisten to him screech the whole time. It takes so long to get him calm afterward. Trust me, this is better.”

“Yes, ma’am. Fully trusting you.” I take Luca into my arms, avoid direct eye contact, and lend her a hand to help her off the couch.

“Sorry.” She stands and winces while tears begin to stream down her face. “My mood is so crazy, and I’m just so tired and uncomfortable.”

I feel my shoulders and spine relax. She’s not going to kill me. “Ellie, it’s going to get easier, don’t worry. You’re doing an amazing job with this huge transition. Go to the bathroom, and then why don’t you lie down? I’ll watch Luca while you rest. Does he need to nurse soon, or can you sleep for a while?”

“He just ate, are you sure? That would be incredible.” Now the tears are really rolling.

“Yes, my best friend in the world just birthed the best baby in the world, and she needs to rest. I’m so happy to be able to spend some time with him. Now you go.” She hugs me tight and slowly and carefully makes her way upstairs to nap after I agree to wake her forthe next feeding. She also mentioned that Dom ran out to get diapers right before I got here, so it may be a bit before he gets home.

I set up on the couch with Luca on my chest and start upParks and Recwhere Ellie left off. “Hey, bud, Aunt Bec here,” I whisper. “Time to introduce you to April and Andy. The best two of the crew. What do you say?”

I’ve interacted with babies before, but I wouldn’t say I’m a confident babysitter. I’m happy to wave at babies from afar, to say hi to babies, and to hold them while they’re happy. But if Luca starts crying, I might panic a little. Maybe I’ll start singing “Baby Got Back” like Ross and Rachel do for Emma when she cries. That’ll be plan A.

While brainstorming a plan B, I realize that Luca is starting to wriggle around on my chest. “Oh crap,” I whisper. “Are you waking up already? Back to bed, little man. Mom needs to rest, so you need to stay calm and quiet.”

The kid must immediately know that I am not Mom or Dad because the fussing is getting louder.Shit.And…now, he’s crying. Okay, two minutes into my shift, and I am already screwed.

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