Page 105 of Nanny for the Doctor

“Um, morning sickness, thy name is Mae.” She points to herself.

“Sorry.” Stevie hides behind a guilty smile. “Mine hasn’t been bad at all.”

“Oh, you suck!”

We all laugh at poor Mae’s terrible luck. Stevie gives her a hug, coming back to glance at her with a smirk.

“I hear having sex can help.” Stevie winks at me.

“That can be true, hon.” I smile, but Mae just narrows her eyes at me. “Itcanhelp you go into labor, actually.”

Johnny eyes me. “Really? Shit. Well, I’ll keep that in mind. I’m studying up to be the absolute best birth partner.”

“He’s been reading more books than me!” Stevie exclaims.

“Oh, well, maybe I can borrow them? Do you have any on home birth?” Mae steps toward Johnny, raising her brows.

Stevie is quick to step in. “Nope. No, we do not. I’m a total wimp and not dealing with pain. But that’s on you, boo. I’m just surprised Dr. Finnigan here is ready to let you do that.”

Mae eyes me. “It’s been quite the challenge, actually, but—”

I hold up my hands. “It’s not my body. We’ll take all the necessary precautions, and that’s all I can do.”

Mae points at me. “That’s right.”

With not a little embarrassment, I add, “I think it’s all the perineal massage and meditation that’ll be the hardest for me. I’m still not great at ‘clearing my mind.’”

“Like I told you before, you just help me be that clear, and we’re golden.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”

Johnny steals Stevie for a kiss. “See, babe. We got this. I’m going to be a dad expert.”

“I don’t know, Johnny. You think you can handle having a baby girl? You’re not going to go all super-protective papa, are you?” I raise my brows at him.

“Oh, that is definitely a possibility.”

“Well—” I walk over to the fridge, snagging beers for Johnny and me while doling out some sparkling grape juice to the mommas and Henry “—I think that calls for a toast!”

“Here’s to our family growing even bigger and stronger!” Mae calls out, raising her glass.

“Here’s to designated drivers for nine months!” Johnny returns, and both the women nail him with a glare.

“Yeah, that joke is done now.” Mae eyes him, Stevie elbowing him lightly in the ribs. “And it’s actually ten months. Forty weeks, dude.”

I nod as Johnny looks over for confirmation, and he holds his hands up in surrender. “I’ll never mention it again. You’re both doing way more work than we have to. We just supply the genetic material.”

Henry glances at me, confused.

“I’ll explain when you’re older.”

My son just shrugs and continues to chug his juice as giddy chatter echoes throughout the kitchen.

* * *

As we sitdown at the table, everyone helps pass out all the food, huge helpings piled high on each of our plates.

They’ve truly outdone themselves. Between Mae’s fabulous side dish, Stevie’s incredible homemade bread and delicious dessert, and Johnny’s perfectly cooked roast, I’ve been close to drooling since we arrived.

---