Unexpected Reunion

Baby Shower!

    A few weeks later, Linda came over and she had a book with her. When she opened it there were two sections.  She already had our baby showers planned out. 

"How long have you had all this planned out?"

She looked at me like I was crazy. "Since you all left me, and I had nothing else to do with my time." I started laughing as I flipped through the pages. 

"I like your plans, they aren't too big and still seem very fun. And I'm sorry for leaving, but at least I'm here now!"

Linda shrugged her shoulders. "I had a lot of extra time, what can I say, except that I forgive you for leaving. Oh, and before I forget, I already called Katie, and she, Sadie, and Josh will be down here in three weeks for this baby shower. Surprise!" 

I hugged Linda so hard.  I know it hasn't been that long since I've seen Katie. But we've grown up together and I love her, and I miss her.  Then Linda turned towards me and got serious.

"So, I know you've been asked this many times. But I just have to know, what is happening with you and Damon?  I mean he's been around a lot lately, so I was curious."

I shrugged my shoulders. "Things with Damon are, going. I mean he has been so sweet and super excited about the baby even though we aren't sure that it is his.  Being around him again just feels right."  

Linda leaned forward and placed her chin in her hand that was resting on her knee. "But you are still thinking about Shane?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, I mean we had something good together. He was always so patient when I was going through my depressed thing.  He was there just to be there in case I needed him. He never pushed me into anything.  It also doesn't help that he is such an amazing guy. It makes me sad to think of never seeing him again."  

After my little speech about Shane, I rested my head on Linda's shoulder while she rested her head on mine. 

"I know it's hard, but you do have to make a decision. If things are truly over with you and Shane, you two need to sit down and make sure that you both understand that. My opinion doesn't really matter but I'm going to give it.  I at first was rooting for you and Damon and when Shane came into the picture, I did see how happy he made you. I don't even think you noticed but there were times when you would just space out. I always wondered if, in those few seconds, you were thinking about Damon. And let's not forget the 'Damon box' that you never got rid of, there has to be a reason for that.  In my opinion, whether it's the right thing or not it just seems like Damon is where your heart truly lies."

She then stood up and threw up her hands. "But that is all I'm going to say. It is really up to you. But I do suggest you figure it out fast, or you may wind up losing both of them."   She stopped and then laughed. I tried to force a laugh, but it didn't work. She was right I needed to come to a decision and fast.

"Oh, who am I kidding? Unless you flat-out choose Shane then I know Damon isn't going anywhere. That boy is way too in love with you!"

She was right, I did need to figure things out.  It doesn't matter who the father of this baby is.  I needed to figure out once and for all who was the one for me.  But Linda wasn't letting me do that just yet. She said that we needed to go baby shopping first! Before we went there was something that I had to ask her. I flipped through the pages of her book one more time and held it out.

"Why are there only two sections? Where is your section, for your baby shower?"

Linda shrugged, "Tyler and I have decided that we don't want children." 

I felt my eyes go big. "What do you mean you aren't having kids?" 

Linda shrugged like it was no big deal. "You know me. I am a very wild child who likes to always be on the run. I want to travel the world. Tyler agrees with me. We sat down and talked for hours about this. He also wants to travel the world. If kids are in the cards and they happen, then they happen. But we aren't going to try for them. I get to play with Katie's baby and now yours and I can give them back when I go home. I want my freedom for now. If later on down the road things change then Tyler and I will deal with it then. But don't worry about it. I am happy with this decision and so is Tyler."

I hugged her. "That was a very thought-out speech. If not having kids is something you want to do, then I support your choice. I mean don't get me wrong, I am happy. But would I have liked to wait a little longer? Absolutely, I would have. I will still love this baby with my whole heart, and I am happy. I also would have been happy waiting to work some more. But this baby was meant to be, and I can't wait to meet them! Just make sure when you are doing all this world traveling you bring me back souvenirs!"

She laughed, "oh for sure!" 

We linked arms and headed out the door. Then we went shopping and probably spent a little too much money.

I've texted Damon a few times to let him know that I haven't forgotten him.  I tried to text Shane, but he still isn't getting back to me. Before I knew it, it was three weeks later, and I was waiting for Katie, Sadie, and Josh!  When I heard Katie's voice downstairs I ran down and practically knocked her over.

"Whoa! Be careful baby mama!" We laughed and I grabbed Sadie up in a hug.

"Hi, baby girl! I missed you!  Guess what, I have a tire swing out in the yard. Do you want to go play on it?"  She got so excited. After I hugged Josh hello, he took her out to play on it. I watched them outside for a couple of minutes and couldn't wait to do the same thing with my child. Katie and I grabbed something to drink and headed for the living room.

We sat on the couch, and I pulled up my legs underneath me. We had a little bit of catching up to do. 

"So Saint, are you excited about the baby shower tomorrow?"  I nodded my head, and I placed my hand on my stomach.

"I still can't believe this is happening. I'm excited but thought that I had some time until I had a baby. I do hope that I and this kid have the same type of relationship as my mom and me."

"You will, you are so much like your mom. She would be so happy for you."  

I nodded my head.  I didn't say anything else as I held back the tears.  She smacked my knee.

"Ok, no sad stuff. This is a happy time, now come on and show me what room is going to be the nursery."

 We stood up and I walked her to my baby's soon-to-be room.

The nursery wasn't much yet. "I'm not painting yet because I want to know what this baby is first." 

I walked into the center of the room. "This is where the crib is going to go. Over by the window I'm thinking of getting one of those daybeds."  

We spent the next couple of hours making plans on where everything else would go in the nursery. By the end of this, I knew that this room would be amazing!

I walked into the living room and there were balloons and banners everywhere. Linda and Katie went all out.  I heard a knock and went to answer it.  When I opened it, I saw Sharon.

"Hey, baby girl. Congrats on the little bundle of joy."  I hugged her and told her thank you. 

"I wanted you to know that I hope this baby is my grandchild.  I swear that will make me the happiest person in the world!"  

I laughed and shrugged my shoulders. "I hope so too, I mean having a grandma like you would make this baby the luckiest little one ever!" After a bunch of people showed up, we got this party started!

The party was so much fun.  There was good food, fun games (except that one where they guess how fat I'm going to get), and nice presents!  Everyone kept saying once I found out the sex, they wanted to get me more color-coordinated clothing. 

I tried to tell them they didn't have to but of course, they told me I couldn't talk them out of it.   After the party was over there was a knock on the door and I went to answer it, wondering who could be so late to the party. When I opened the door Shane was standing there looking awkward as could be. He was holding a little teddy bear with a bow.

Well, he was the last person I expected to see. I mean I thought that I would never see him again. I've tried texting him and calling just hoping that he would pick up so we could talk about things. Now that he's here though, I don't know how I should feel. I guess it was time for the talk that I thought wouldn't have to happen for a while.