Page 59 of Intertwined Hearts

“Baby wants a drink,” Elisa said.

“He has to ask for it. Mav, tell Mommy what you want.”

He sat there and made grunting noises and banged on the table.

“Not good enough, little man. I need you to talk to me. I know you can talk, so tell me what you want.” Jackie was so patient with him. I hated to admit it, but I was partly to blame for Maverick not talking. Elisa and I had him spoiled and he knew he didn’t have to say a word to us to get what he wanted.

“Mmm! Mmm!” He pounded his fist on the table again. “Dink, Ma-Ma.”

“That’s good, Mav. Do you want water or juice?”

“Duice!” he screamed. He burst into laughter and pounded on the table again.

My little caveman. He looked so much like I did when I was younger.

“Hunter, help me pick up the living room before everyone gets here. I need to get Mav some juice, since he asked so nicely.”

“Sure thing.” I walked over and rubbed her tummy, then kissed her cheek. “You really do look beautiful when you’re pregnant. It’s been a while since you’ve seen Nikki. She’ll be surprised to see how big you’ve gotten.”

“I know. I can’t wait to see them all. It’s been too long. Since she’s been working the long hours at the gym, she barely has time to talk.”

“She’ll be getting some help soon. She can’t keep working the hours she has been.”

I whistled while I picked up the toys. We were going to have a houseful of kids. Five of Elisa’s friends from her kindergarten class were coming over for the Elisa’s sixth birthday party, along with Abby, Alexander, Aiden, Gracie, Bianca, Briana, and Brian. I wasn’t sure why I was picking up anything, but I wasn’t going to ask that question. I’ve learned to just do as I’m asked.

The doorbell rang, and I dropped everything in the toy box before going to see who had arrived.

“Come on in, you guys,” I said. It was my parents. “Make yourself at home. There’s juice, water, and soda pop in the refrigerator.” They were brave to come to the party. We gave them the choice of coming by after everyone left, but they insisted on being here to see all of the kids.

“Where’s the brandy, Son?” my dad asked.

“Maybe after the party, okay Dad?” Jackie said. She had that look on her face that said don’t you dare ask for a drink in front of the kids again.

“That’s a cute little tummy. How have you been feeling?” my mom asked Jackie.

“I feel great. No sickness at all, just like with Mav.”

Jackie

The doorbell rang again and I beat Hunter to it. Jeff was facing the door, and Nikki had her back to it. All of their little munchkins were standing there looking as well-behaved and adorable as ever.

“Hey, come on in. It’s so good to see my favorite workaholics. How’s the A-team doing?” A-team was Abby’s least favorite reference to all three of them, and she gave me the same evil glare Nikki was famous for.

“I pity the fool,” Alexander said. We all chuckled. The boys loved the nickname after they watched a couple of old re-runs of the show.

Abby sat on the couch and grabbed the remote, while the boys raced to the toy box.

“Nikki, get your butt in here.” She turned around and my mouth fell open. I gasped. “Look at that tummy.”

“Wait, no,” Debbie, Hunter’s mom, said. “This is incredible. You’re both pregnant.”

“Isn’t that something, Mom? Nikki’s due the month after me,” I said.

The doorbell rang again. Hunter answered it, while I tried to contain myself. I was still excited that Nikki and I were both pregnant again, at the same time.

“Carla and Gary, come on in,” Hunter said.

Debbie’s eyes were drawn to Carla’s belly. “Oh my goodness, you too?”

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