Do Us Part

12. "Baby fever"

Chapter 12

Natalie

"Natalie, where is Mia's gift?"

"Oh my God... I.."

"You forgot? How could you? She specifically told us to bring us gifts or risk being kicked out."

"Relax. I know how much Mia loves gifts. I didn't forget, I just left it in the car"

"Good. What did you get?"

"Hmm..that's a secret."

"Whatever. Zoey, what about you?"

"Also a secret." She said, keeping her hands around me. I just shook my head at her, smiling.

"Natalie." Aunt Tonia calls from afar and once she sees me, she then walks towards us.

"Yes?"

"Your sister has called for you, Natalie."

"Oh."

"Yea..and I think you should go too, Zoey. She needs help with something...could be makeup."  She shrugs, and that's when I realized that Mia was no longer on the custom-made 'throne-like' chair.

"She's in her room." She answers as if reading my thoughts.

"Great. Let's go, Zoey."

Zoey and me went up the stairs and when we got to her room, I opened the door. "Mia, mum said..."

I stopped in my tracks when I heard sobbing noise. That's when I noticed Mia. She was sitting in the right-wing of her room, on a couch, keeping her hands over her face.

"Hey..what's wrong?" I said, moving to sit on the edge of the two-sitter couch and removing her hands from her face so I can see her properly.

"I don't even know..I... I don't understand what's going on with me. I'm just crying and I don't even get why." Her eyes were slightly swollen. It seems like she has been crying for quite some time.

"Hey." I hugged her.

"I'll go lock the door,"  Zoey says, and I nod.

Mia pulls away. "I feel like it's all too much. All these gifts..and people.. the party. They are just making seem it too real."

"But it is real, Mia. You're going to be a mother."  I chuckled.

"I know." She snapped, and I was taken aback.

"But I... I'm confused. Everyone keeps telling me how great of a mum they think I will be,  but you know me, I can't even take care of myself. How can I possibly..?" She stopped amidst her sentence.

"Mi- aa."

"I'm not that strong, Natalie. You have always been the strong one, not me.  I don't know if it's the hormones or whatever but I...I don't think I can do this. I'm just so ..."

"Hey hey..that's enough. Mia, you are the bravest and strongest persons I know."

"No." She pulls away from me. " You are saying this just to help me feel better."

"Are you kidding? Mia, you kicked cancer's ass when you were just a little girl, and look at you now..all grown, beautiful and killing it like the badass that you are."

She chuckled lightly, and I smiled. "Not to mention that you are the world's best sister."

"You used to tell me that I was annoying."

I sighed with a smile of my own. "There is that too. You were annoying and you knew it. You used to take everything I owned."

I saw a small smile form on her face.  "Yes, but it was all because I wanted to be like  you." She admits.

"I know."

"You did?"

"Of course." I smiled briefly.

"But, look Mia. You have become your person and I am so proud of you. Now, you don't have to be like me. Actually, you shouldn't. Be Mia. The trailblazer, role model, and an icon...I'm pretty sure you can handle all that comes with you."

"It's not the same though."

"I know but beating cancer's ass to stay alive and bringing your baby into this world sounds like something the same person can do." I held her small face in my hands. "You are a strong self-made woman, Mia. You've got a successful career, your beautiful spirit,  a family that loves you, and an amazing husband that adores you."

"You're right. Ben is pretty excited about the baby. He is all..fatherly now. It's kinda irritating sometimes." She says, smiling and I laughed lightly.

"And you know what the upside to all this is?" I said and she stares at me. "You don't have to do it all alone. You've got Ben, mum, his mum, dad, Zoey, and even me at your service but more importantly, you have got Chris and Racheal,  they are gonna be the best babysitters ever." I stated and she chuckled lightly, holding my hands.

"Don't I know it? They came last week to add new toys to the nursery. They are so excited to not be the youngest in the family." She joked and we laughed.

"On a serious note though. You've got this, Mia, and have to believe that. You're gonna be a great mum, Mia and I'm gonna be here for you every step of the way." I kissed her forehead.

"Ok?" I smiled and she nods continuously for some time and then pulled me for a hug.

"Thank you. Thank you. I needed to hear that." She continues to hold on to me.

I sighed happily and wiped the tears that fell out of the corner of my eyes as we hugged. While hugging, my eyes met Zoey's and she gave me a warm smile which I returned.

After some time, "I think that's enough crying and hugging for one day, don't you? Now, can we please leave? I want to eat that cake." Zoey said.

"Zoey...."  We both chorused.

"What? I love cake." She replies, causing Mia and me to share a look before laughing.

"Let's go," Mia says getting up.

"Trust me, you don't wanna go out," I replied, getting up as well.

"Why not? I feel better now and Zoey wants cake...and honestly, I kinda feel like having it too."

"Well, you could go but you probably should fix that face first," I said, turning her around to face the mirror.

"Ahh.." she lightly screamed and I smiled. Her mascara and eyeliner were smudged all over her face, and her eyes looked puffer than they had been.

"Don't worry. I've got this."  Zoey gives a cheeky smile and grabs the makeup box that was at the side of the table.

"Now, let's help you look less than a zombie."  She says and Mia glares at her.