Page 108 of Tangled Trust

"So, you don’t know the sex?"

"No. We decided to keep it a surprise."

"Jagger must be excited."

"He is. I think he and this baby are going to be thick as thieves. Jagger has been talking to his sidekick in utero since he found out Ella was pregnant. He reads to the bump every night before bed. He says he thinks Woody likes Toy Story the best."

"He’s going to be pretty steamed if it’s a girl."

"Uh-huh. I can’t say I’m sold on the name Woody, so let’s see who wins this one," I grin.

"Woody Moore. It does have a certain je ne sais quoi, doesn’t it," Andrew smirks.

"Yup. It’s unique, alright."

My brother is in town for the week, and of course I’m happy to see him. I am a bit distracted, though. Ella is due any second, and I’m on tenterhooks. I jump every time the phone rings, hoping it’s the call.

So far, we’ve had one practice run and one false start. It turns out that indigestion is a real heartstopper when you’re about to pop out a baby. Poor Ella is so over this. I suggested we have more sex, as I reckoned that would be a double bonus for both of us. I’m not sure I’m the favorite man in her life anymore. At least, that’s the feeling I got when she rolled her eyes.

After lunch, I decide to go home so I can give moral support. Ella is in the kitchen when I get there.

"Hey!" She smiles happily when she sees me.

"Hey, yourself," I say, amazed at how fresh and happy she looks. "You look ready for a marathon."

"I feel great. I think my body has finally decided to just go with the flow, and embraced the adorable parasite as its own, as they say," she laughs and flits between the stove and the pantry.

"What are you doing?"

"I’m making my famous roast and Yorkshire puddings. I have a craving for beef."

"I see."

"Don’t look so worried. I’m fine. Why don’t you find Jagger and wash up? The food will be ready soon, and Yorkshire puds are best eaten straight out of the oven."

"Uh, okay."

I daren’t tell Ella that I’m so not hungry. Clearly, she’s been at this meal for a while, and she’s looking so happy. I will not be that jerk who bursts her bubble.

"Pudding for lunch?" Jagger asks, intrigued.

"It’s not really pudding," Ella explains. "It’s called pudding, but it’s savory. It’s delicious. You’re going to love it."

"Cool," he grins, and looks at me. I wink.

"Okay, boys. Here we go. Roast beef and Yorkshire puddings coming …."

Ella stops dead in her tracks and stares at me.

"What? What’s wrong?"

She looks down. That’s when I notice the liquid trickling down her inner thighs.

"Great," she sighs. "And it’s such a great batch of puds too."

"What’s that?" Jagger asks with bulging eyes. "Ugh!"

"That, my boy, is a message from Woody. I think we’d better get Ella to the hospital. It’s go time, Son."

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